We finally have a plan...hooray!
Dr West said that everything looked like he expected from the PET (he was like, "wow, your hip looks like it REALLY has been hurting...let's get that some radiation soon...and here's some pain meds...and let's get you an infusion of Zometa today which is a bone strengthening, cancer asskicking iv.")
EXCEPT.
That there are evidently some brain mets (metastases) that he would have rather not seen. Ah well, the best laid plans of a stage four lung cancer case...all this really means is that we do radiation first, for the next three weeks, get those brain mets outta there, and then move onto chemo and then probably Tarceva the (hopefully) wonder drug. I guess radiation on brain mets is very effective, so at least that's good news.
And hey, at least nothing showed up in my liver, so I don't need to coddle it and can have a glass of wine...
Here's the question...do I cut my hair NOW, or in two weeks? Either way, Lucie is going to be really mad at me...
It feels really really good to have some appointments -- even just getting the zometa today made me feel like we are moving ahead...and putting those cells on notice.
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38 comments:
I'm pulling for you Melissa. if you ever need Sarah and I to help out, just let us know, whatever it be. Joshua. Creature Intern.
Go Melissa Go! We're all routing for you and can't wait for you to show this cancer who's boss.
When you need anything - at all - please give me a jingle. Finley and I are home all the time and can always grab you groceries, wine, whatever. 206-498-0052.
love,
justyn, ian and finley
Yes, action!! Have that wine first, of course. :)
Wishing you lots and lots of god energy, both the literal and cosmic kinds.
You sound in good spirits, so I will follow your lead. Thank you for updating your posse ... I sent you powerful juju through the whole 11:00 hour –and then some. And to answer your question, if you are so inclined, Lou will happily be your sexy hair mentor. (Or would that be Vandy?) Of course, you'd out-sexy 'em both ... We love you, special girl ~K&L
YOU are a survivor. Have a glass of wine and prepare yourself for battle. We are all going to be there in the fight with you. Keep your chin up boo. Love you and thinking about you about...hmmm...every minute over here.
you will no longer be able to disguise your superhero identity.
it's time to use those mutant self-curing genes.
yours united in sci-fi nerd geekdome,
danielle
My experience is that radiation does not make your hair fall out - did they tell you it would? If it does, I'd vote for waiting a bit to see how it affects you. You do have such lovely hair, to go along with your lovely face and personality! I'm glad you finally have a plan. It's good to know what we are dealing with.
love,
deborah
Sigh. The hair will come out. It's total brain radiation...and that's the one thing they told me definitely would happen. Pooh. Clearly I must be in a somewhat positive frame of mind finally, since I actually care...:-)
I love you! I have started to pump for Lainey so I will bring the wine (wines) and dinner soon. I know that you can't sent a date tonight, but please let me know when we can bring you dinner or if you don't want to host, then when you can come up. You are so strong and we are here for all of you.
I also agree with Deborah. If radiation doesn't make your hair fall out, it will give you more time to keep Lucie out of it. You can start showing her pictures of ladies with short hair that look really cool, like Nana.
Okay, then show Lucie some pictures tomorrow and go to a place where they can give you a massage, pedicure, hair cut, the works. I will even help pay for it.
So you'll be having a few "no hair days."- This is a new and GREAT excuse for a shopping spree! Hats, Doo Rag's and most definitely some new shoes. Oh, and some really good wine
Nonstoppositivity Melissa! See you tomorrow!
Love and hugs,
John
Hey Melissa,
Just wanted you to know that we are thinking about you! Let us know if we can do anything-Jomie would love to a play date with Lucie although I am sure she would wonder why she has to hang out with someone that speaks only jibberish and walks like Frankstein. But seriously, we live close to Swedish, so if you ever need a break in between appointments or get in a bind with Lucie, come over. I hate only seeing you at Creature Holiday Parties now....
Love,
Allison, Casey and Jomie
A bunch of your old DDB pals are together right now in the mountains - Susan W., Alina, Janda, Christine (Stepherson) - we're giving you our collective energy and love. We're standing by for the grocery, meal, carpool, cleaning, scrabble game assignments. We love you.
Arlene
Hi Cutie,
First of all - damn the brain mets - that's what I have to say about that! Now, bring on any and everything that gives you joy at this moment (Lucie, Matt, friends, fab Italian food, luscious wine, etc., etc.).
Secondly, as scary as it seems, I believe that you, my dear, will be your gorgeous fabulous self hair or no hair. My two cents is not to shave your head yet, rather that you get some real chic short hair cut from Mikael and see where things go from there.
For what it's worth, Doug had some intense pain from mets and it was amazing how much that pain lessened after his radiation treatment. It seems like a little bit of magic. I know it will work for you as well.
Lastly (for this post anyway), please put me on your call list for anything and everything you, Matt and Lucie may need - meals, pick up/drop offs, dashes to the store, etc., etc.
I'm sending you a bazillion hugs and all the best energy from the universe.
Love,
Laurie
Definitely you now can't hide your superhero identity... the secret's out. We love you, Melissa, and Matt and Lucie. I can't even express how much... You are my hero. Go get that little fucker and show us all how it is done.
We love you!
Denise, Eric, Maddy
James and I are sending you all our love...and then some!!!!XXXOOOXXXX! Good vibes all the way!
If there's ever been a time to use the force, this is it.
I'm here for you. And Matt. And Lucie.
Glad you have your marching orders.
Jim
You've got the marching orders, now its game time. One step at a time, keep it strong. Know you have an army behind you my dear, it's an army of faith - in the power of the love around you, and in YOU, and there to support you babe as one step moves to the next. Hair or no hair, we can make it funny for Lucie. If you go to get it cut, let me know, and I'll do it with you, and Lucie, Myla, Darla and Tess can giggle at the both of us. We always did kind of copy each other's hair does.
(by the way, I have a 12" braid of my hair I was going to donate to locks of love, and it's ready for use if you are considering a custom wig at all).
I'm there in a heart beat to pick up, drop off, cook, shop, chat, not chat, hug, smile or laugh... or deliver a bottle of wine.
And, if the hair's coming off, and you want a partner, I'm there.
~heidi
Your attitude is amazing and will go a long way in helping you kick this thing. I say hair off now. Don't go through the angst of having it fall out. Let Lucy help you cut it off -- trust me, those blunt edge kiddo scissors DO cut hair. Make it fun and be done with it!
Your attitude is amazing and will go a long way in helping you kick this thing. I say hair off now. Don't go through the angst of having it fall out. Let Lucie help you cut it off -- trust me, those blunt edge kiddo scissors DO cut hair. Make it fun and be done with it!
i am without words. the only thing i can think to say is thanks for reminding me what strength you have, your attitude, is going to make all the difference! it already has.
i'll be thinking of you guys.
xoxoxoxoxxox ali
ps. if this is a voting situation cast mine for you should cut it, and make lucie a part of it. she doesn't have to know why, a girl's got a right to switch things up. : )
Joni, Erica, Courtney and I are all sending you our love, hope and strength...we are channeling hope from our Italian colleagues too because we think if it comes from Italy it is better..well better looking anyway! :)
Let us know what we can do for you!
Kim and the TG gang
Hi Melissa,
You are so strong. We are all pulling for you!
I am on the scarf mission. You are going to look fabulous!
I just found out about your situation and want you to know I am deeply concerned about your welfare. You'll always be in our hearts and prayers. Please feel free to ask for our help with anything, any time. Dave, Annette and Dutch
Need anything, give me a call my friend. You might not want me for home cooked meals but comic relief, wine sipping, baby sitting, knitting partner, errand running, all that I can do. Summer is the perfect time for short hair (picture Agyness Deyn).
All my love,
Marcy
Craig told me the news. I'm beyond confident that you'll be fine - the cancer is gonna have a little Melissa sized hole in it after you go through it. Your energy and positivity are legendary, and will take you through it. Lots of change down here in portland, but drop me a line at moyer@yahoo-inc.com anytime! It's (past) time to get back in touch...
love,carl
heh, you get the funny title's when you use the wife's login info...
Melissa, sending you many many good thoughts from the East Coast. I know your new look will be fabulous because that is who you are through and through.
I am glad to hear there is a plan of action now and the right steps can be taken and progress can be made. I am ready to bend over backwards (not literally, I would crash onto my head and make a big scene) to help you in any way I can. Go get em tiger! Grrrrrrrr. Get those hackles up and flare that lip. Stomp that foot and CHARGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love you soooooooooooooo much!!! Love to Lucie and Matt to.
Monica and Family
I'll have a cool hat and a tasty bottle of Oregon's finest up to you asap. Hang tough beautiful lady.
Found a fabulous accessory for you today - when you wear this bad boy, nobody's going to be looking at your noggin : ) Hugs.
Melissa, ok, i know you like to be the center of attention and all that, but don't you think this is taking things a bit too far!? Oh Honey. I have been beyond words for days and so just am writing now. You are so loved. So supported. And you are being held so close in all our hearts right now. I know you will continue to inspire everyone. And we will anxiously await more good news and talk of sunny days, bottles of wine, wonderful new hats and scarves, and most of all, we await the post that tells us you are cancer-free. I'm looking forward to celebrating with you. All our love, thoughts, non-denominational prayers, energy, good vibes and visualiations of a cancer-free you are coming your way.
Janda, Brent and Chase
Hi Melissa and hugs to Matt and Lucie! Wow - Am having my first blog experience. What a great way to share info and feel the love of friends and family. Hope your day went okay - I'm positive those treatments will be a big success! Am sending lots of love and positive vibs your way. We'll talk soon - would love to set a time to have lunch. Also, we'll be at the beach this weekend. Maybe a dinner with you and your parents? Stay strong and I love you!!
Hi Melissa - We love you and are praying for a full recovery. Lotts of love!
How did Day One go? I bet you kick a** and took some names. Love you!
We have three words for you.."The Wickaninnish Inn". We are thinking about you often and please let us know if there is anything we can do for you!!
Love Kevin, Julie and Ethan
Melissa,
That you and your precious family would be experiencing this is the height of unfair. It is wrong wrong wrong! I am furious.
But you, my feisty Taurus friend, have plenty of moxie, plenty of will and plenty of strength to right this wrong. And I can see by the outpouring on this blog that you have an army of friends to hold you up. Enlist me in that army, ask for anything!
You are at the top of my thoughts, wishing you that grace...
Oh! and just think of the hats you will wear!
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