sharimay
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OK – so I got the results of my CT scan today and I have mixed feelings about the results. My liver looks good, just post surgical changes. I have some fluid at the base of my right lung that is still there from when I had a large pleural effusion drained after surgery. I have a few “nodules” that showed up in my lung. They don’t know for sure if they are anything as they are very tiny. They scheduled me for a PET scan as I have never had one. The nodules are so tiny that they don’t even know if they will show up on the PET scan, but thought that it would be a good idea to have a base PET scan done. I am torn on how to feel about these new findings. I was sick when I had the CT done, so they don’t know if maybe that affected my scan. With my CA19-9 being 9 and feeling good I am not too worried about the findings. I am not going to worry about it until the spots are big and there is something to be worried about. On a good note my hemoglobin is 11.3
and I am feeling much more spunky and back to my old self again. I can actually walk and not get tired or SOB. I am at chemo now and am going to be starting my 5th cycle. I am going to go now and watch Sex in the City 2 as I have finished watching the entire series from start to finish. At least I am getting caught up with my chick flicks Till next time . . ShariHi all – winter here seems like it has been going on forever. We have had a few nice days as of late and a little sunshine. I am feeling back to my old self this week and have gotten over this cold quickly. I did a little retail therapy with my sister this weekend and that always makes me feel better, chemo or not. Thanks for all of your kind words and well wishes. I will update with the results of my CT scan. I have an appointment tomorrow with the start of my 5th cycle of chemo.
ShariFabyke,
I had a similar story as you, but one of my margins was close so they opted chemo for me. According to the national guidelines for CC clean resection with no lymph node involvement it is routine to not do chemo and continue with follow-up CT scans and labs. Congrats on your successful resection!
ShariHello all,
I am proud to announce that I have finished my 4th cycle of chemo and and now am halfway done! It feels good to say those words. I am very surprised how well I am feeling, especially after a few weeks of not feeling good with my second and third cycles. I am getting a little more tired as time goes but with my hemoglobin being in the low 9’s it is to be expected. My white count has been good, but I have the neulasta to help me with that. Time has flown by and I am glad to say that for once in my life. Time to go and eat some great supper my hubby made me. Keep you all posted.
ShariJoolz,
I also am on dexamethasone with my chemo days. It is also for nausea and can help with any possible reactions. It works for the nausea, but as with kathy I also have some weight gain with it too. I don’t want or need the gain either, but I am glad I am here to bitch about it. It makes me a little wired for a day, but other than that I tolerate it well.
ShariTheresa,
I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer to delaying chemo. I was fortunate to have my tumor resected and negative lymphs. My chemo is adjunctive and part of the reason I only am doing 8 cycles. I think it is a good idea to talk with your UCSF oncologist for a second opinion. I hope this helps.
ShariThanks Cathy and Marion. I feels good to vent to people who know and understand where I am coming from. It makes me feel better to talk about it. I will let everybody know how my scan goes. Thanks again.
ShariHi everybody,
I haven’t posted in a while, but I have to say that I have been feeling so great on my week off. I haven’t felt this good in quite a while. I officially started my 4th cycle today, almost half way through! My labs look good, my liver functions are all normal and the neulasta has done its job well and my white count has been staying up there. My hemoglobin is starting to get a little low, but I haven’t noticed a difference in how I have been feeling. I am due for my first CT scan since before I started chemo and if I have to be honest I have been feeling quite anxious about it. My first scan after surgery looked great and in my head, especially the nurse in me, is telling me that it is going to be okay. But the patient in me is freaking out a little. I have been good, but knowing that I am close to having a scan is making me a little neurotic about the whole thing. I, of course, have not shared any of my crazy feelings with my hubby, but I do have great friends I can share my anxiety with. I include all of my CC friends in my great friends I am sharing this with. I love my husband dearly, and share most of my feelings with him, but I have been able to work through my diagnosis better than him. I try not to worry him any more than he already is worried about me. Thanks for listening to me and all my crazy worries.
ShariHi Val,
My name is Shari and I am also from Bis. You will find tons of support and great people on this site. It has given me a place to say all those things that I would never say to anyone else. You are among friends and many people who unfortunately know all to well what you have been through and share your thoughts and fears. I also look forward to hearing your updates and continuing good news.
ShariJoolz,
I am on gem/cis also. I don’t feel too bad, no flu-like symptoms, but I heard those can be common with gem. I do feel a weird fullness in my abdomen on my right side but no pain in my shoulders. My nausea is low also and the drugs work great. I cannot say that I have any excessive thirst. Good luck on your chemo!
ShariI happen to be getting fluids today and had to show this to the nurses that work in the infusion center. I along with the other nurses are appalled by this article.
ShariI can happily say that I am done with cycle 3! A week off then on to cycle 4. Bring it on, I am ready.
Kathy,
I was diagnosed in September, and had a liver resection with negative lymph nodes and clean margins. I am currently doing chemo as an adjunctive therapy. I am trying to live my life as nothing is different. I don’t let thinking about cancer run my life. It does creep up on me from time to time, but for the most part it is life as usual. I am 29 and am looking forward to the rest of my life past cancer and chemo. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and look forward to continued positive communication.
ShariThanks to all for the encouraging thoughts. Theresa, as with you it is about 48 hours post chemo when I feel the worst. My chemo days are Tuesdays and Thursdays are the days I feel the worst. I also have a port and it is the best thing since sliced bread. The nausea meds work well for me and my appetite is hardly affected. I am feeling back to “normal” this week and am staring my 3rd cycle. Thanks again for listening to me vent.
Shari
