I'm Happy To Report Good Scan Results

Yesterday was a very good day. I had my scan at 7:30am and it only took about two hours, which is quick. Then I went to various departments within the hospital to retrieve films, slides and files to bring with me to MD Anderson on August 3.

Shortly after 2pm my phone rang at it was Kelly (Dr. Gradishar's nurse) with the results of the CT. I have to say something about Kelly - she is marvelous. The first words out of her mouth were "I have good news!" Prior to that statement I had been holding my breath so...I took a deep breath and she gave me the results.

The largest of my two tumors has shrunk by approximately 60%
The second tumor has shrunk by approximately 40%

This is wonderful news!

So the follow-up treatment that they are recommending is:

2 or 3 more cycles of Taxol and Avastin. So that is either 6 or 9 (I had 9 this time) chemo treatments. Looks like I will be bald and tired a little longer. Do you think it's too early to start writing letters to Santa asking for hair for Christmas?

I will have my first treatment in this cycle Monday, July 27 (time TBD) and then I will have a week off when I go to MD Anderson (or maybe they would do the treatment there - who knows).

If MD Anderson agrees with Northwestern's assessment of my treatment plan then we will come back to Chicago and continue treatments. If MD Anderson has something different in mind then they will talk with Northwestern and come up with a treatment plan.

The Madden's won this round and the tumors are shrinking. I am not thrilled about more chemo, but I will take it happily since I now know it is working.

Thank you for your love, prayers and support. Keep em coming. I try to remind myself at least once a day that this cancer battle is not a race, but a marathon. You don't know how much your emails, calls, cards, gifts, dinners out, walks and hugs fuel me so I can keep going.

Make it a great day!
Maria

Secret Pal Strikes Again

What a wonderful day. I slept well and I woke up feeling good. Then the door bell rang and it's Phillip's Flowers with a delivery from my Secret Pal. The cards reads,

You did it! Round 3 over - Great! And - you are still ------------SO LOOVVED!

Secret Pal is pretty cool. Secret Pal's timing is always perfect. The 1st gift came on a really bad day and it made me feel SO much better. The 2nd gift came on a REALLY bad week so I never even blogged about it, but the kindness did not go unnoticed and the 3rd gift came on a wonderful day, which just made the day even better.

All I can say to Secret Pal is thank you for loving me so much! I don't know who you are, but I know I love you with all my heart!

CT Scan - Monday, July 20 at 7:30AM

Yesterday's chemo was tough - I think it must have known it was the final time because it kicked my butt. I almost fell asleep, which only happened one other time and that was after my Annual Meeting (so it doesn't count - I could sleep standing up on the L after my Annual Meeting).

Oh and our chemo room was the worst room ever. We were in a room with two other people receiving treatment and we were right across the hall from one of the internal waiting rooms. I saw Laura (favorite nurse) in the hallway and I said to her "Seriously, what is up with the room today - are you mad at me - you are killing me." She burst out laughing and said "sorry we are swamped today - I know the room isn't great. Would you prefer to wait for a better room?"
The thought of waiting for a better "chemo" room cracked me up....I thought to myself...really...this is what my life has come to I am considering waiting for the "suite" of the chemo treatment rooms." I didn't wait for a better room - I figured better to get the stuff in me so we could get out of there.

The drive home was a complete blur and then I sat and tried to watch TV, which was silly. The drug finally got out of my head and went to the rest of my body around 7pm and then all was well.

My follow-up CT is all set for Monday, July 20 at 7:30AM. The hospital will call me with the results (most likely Tuesday, July 21) and then Wayne and I (and perhaps Katherine for another set of ears) will go in to discuss the results and what they would recommend as our next course of action.

I informed Northwestern that we were headed to MD Anderson (Monday, August 3) for the second opinion and they said that was a great idea and the perfect time to do so after a scan.

Once I know the results....you will know the results.....remember we are praying for tumor shrinkage and maintenance drugs (oh I did find out one good thing yesterday.....Avastin is only every three weeks not every week).

When we were leaving chemo I looked at Laura and said, "so if I end up on maintenance drugs what kinda room do I get then or am I in the hallway?" She laughed and said "no, with maintenance drugs we bring em to you on the curb outside." Ya gotta love cancer humor. We are a sick bunch (no pun intended).

Have a lovely week folks!
Maria

Tomorrow is the last chemo in this round....that's a very good thing!

Tomorrow at 10am is the final chemo in this round - tomorrow is number 9! Hopefully it is lucky number 9!

Wayne and I will meet with the Dr. tomorrow to set-up a CT Scan for the week of July 20. Once the CT results have been reviewed we will meet with Dr. again to find out the results and what he would recommend for the next course of action.

Because I am a planner and all of this waiting is SO not good for my psyshe I have made an appointment for a second opinion with MD Anderson down in Houston, TX. I figure the more people that review my films - - - the better. Once we consider what Northwestern recommends and what MD Anderson recommends we will make a final decision about the next course of action (I'm really hoping for maintenance drugs and NO chemo)

If you have a moment say a little prayer for a clean scan the week of the 20th. Once I know the results I will post them.

Have a great day tomorrow - I know I will.

Love - Maria