We've been in Pittsburgh and I'm staying at the lovely Omni hotel in downtown. It has lots of history attached to it and the feel is very old european - which you know I love! One of the wardrobe ladies took some time off and asked if I would cat sit her boy "Maverick" for about 10 days. I was nervous at first - since taking care of my own self has been a full time job these days - but I couldn't resist the feel of a fuzzy face near me in bed each night! And I'm so glad I did - Maverick took a little while to warm up but then became my snuggle bug and source of entertainment - while I really had to rest in my room whenever I wasn't working.
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| Look at this fat cat! I mean I couldn't resist!! |
So, I flew to Chicago on the 27 for tests and chemo and was just a little delayed at the airport because of weather. Then had blood tests (all levels are good - white and red blood cells, liver and kidney function - then saw the oncologist. He wants to schedule a torso MRI now and says he expects that there will be much improvement. Had my chemo while watching episode 5 of Downton Abbey. Then met with my radiation oncologist. He said he had really good news! The scan showed marked improvement since November with many tumors that had shrunk or were now barely perceptible. There was no new growth of tumors with 3 tumors that shrunk a small amount and one that was unchanged. The doc said most people don't get to this point - he said it was the best news he had given all day! Of course I was hoping for complete disappearance of all cancer but I'm glad he was so pleased.
He said this is the perfect situation to do the gamma knife on those four remaining tumors. He said they screw screws into my forehead to keep my head completely still and zap the exact areas with a concentrated dose of radiation - much like a magnifying glass directs the suns rays to heat one specific spot. There's a chance of difficulties like brain necrosis and heightened side effects because of the large dose. Sounds kinda scary and bride of frankenstein-esque. But he said this is the perfect time to hit them again while they are weakened. I'll have to research it to see what all it entails but I will have to find a way to take a few days off work.
It seems apropos that my doctor's offices are on the Tony Bennett floor! Now I KNOW I'm in the right hands…. Uncle Tony - you've always come through for me.
I made it back to Pittsburgh without incident and was happy to be in my own (hotel) bed with Maverick as my live fuzzy pillow! I felt pretty darn good for a few days - have more energy and color is back in my less swollen cheeks. It's the small things that give me a more light hearted lift these days!
He said this is the perfect situation to do the gamma knife on those four remaining tumors. He said they screw screws into my forehead to keep my head completely still and zap the exact areas with a concentrated dose of radiation - much like a magnifying glass directs the suns rays to heat one specific spot. There's a chance of difficulties like brain necrosis and heightened side effects because of the large dose. Sounds kinda scary and bride of frankenstein-esque. But he said this is the perfect time to hit them again while they are weakened. I'll have to research it to see what all it entails but I will have to find a way to take a few days off work.
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| This man is not smiling… |
I made it back to Pittsburgh without incident and was happy to be in my own (hotel) bed with Maverick as my live fuzzy pillow! I felt pretty darn good for a few days - have more energy and color is back in my less swollen cheeks. It's the small things that give me a more light hearted lift these days!
Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of my joining the tour in San Francisco - jan. 26, 2013! It has gone by amazingly fast with all that has been happening. Here's a pic of my dear friend Jonathan and I celebrating my one year anniversary! Woo Hoo!
