Second, Third, Fourth Opinions

Everyone was so POSITIVE yesterday. It's taken me awhile, however..so I reached out a little further to see what other people (those who don't love me and act as my cheerleaders thought -- not that your enthusiasm doesn't mean the world, I just wanted to talk to people with lc, too).

So I posted on a couple lc blogs, asking the random lc folks what they thought about 50 percent after 6 weeks -- they gave me the definite answer that it's worth the happy dance (the happy dance is big with this community) -- they reminded me that there are a ton of people that chemo doesn't even work for, or gives results of like, 5 percent. And one woman who got to 50 after six MONTHS.

So I am humbled, being reminded once again, that I am a lucky one so far in this battle. Not only in results, but also with my fabulous support group -- your blog posts keep me up and laughing and so missing seeing most of you in person. As soon as this chemo is done, I am throwing a party (surprise Matt!:-).

I also asked Jack via email last night (yes, that would be Dr. West -- since I am working with him on some of his foundation stuff,and I will probably know him the rest of my life) and this is what he said.

"50% is a ballpark of the volume change, since it's not really a sphere.
That’s good. About 25-35% of lung cancers show that much shrinkage with
first line chemo, perhaps 1% with no evidence of residual disease (a
complete response). AND YES, PEOPLE, I WAS REALLY HOPING FOR BEING THAT 1 PERCENT -- BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT SINCE I HAVE SIX MORE WEEKS OF CHEMO, MAYBE I STILL CAN!! OR EVEN BUMP THAT 50 TO 75-95 PERCENT. MAYBE I BETTER START EATING MORE BROCCOLI.

Another 40% or so will be "stable disease", ranging
from a less impressive response to no change to slight progression with no
new lesions.

About 25-30% will show clear progression of the cancer as their best
response to initial chemo."

Alright then. I am on board. Besides, I'm not quite ready to give up the blog, are you? And for those of you who feel like it, I am now accepting guests at chemo (I am running out of things to watch that don't offend the lovely nurses). I am usually all ported up by around 1 or so (but that is definitely a variable)...just call if you're in the neighborhood...


xxooo, Melissa

Halfway gone, Halfway done

The scans are good.

Dr. West said that there was about 50 percent or so reduction, which is great. Of course, I was really hoping for 90-95 percent, but that's not exactly realistic, I guess. :-)

Also, I found out what he meant when he was discussing "four vs six" in terms of chemo. "One" represents an entire three week cycle. But when he was talking about four vs six, I thought he was just talking about four weeks of the cisplatin...ooops.

So that means six more weeks of chemo to go. I was a little bummed at first,, but honestly, I want more than 50 percent gone, so I am going to buck up, have a good attitute, and continue the battle.

Back into the breach....back into the breach....

Love you all -- mp

So far, I'm flunking Week Three

No, really. First, my port didn't work, and so it had to get an enzyme put into it. Which meant that they had to do my bloodwork from my arm, which is not usually a big deal, but for some reason, it really hurt.

Then, my counts came back so low that they had to give me a booster shot.

Then, I woke up the next day (yesterday) with a fever of 102, which is very bad, so I had to go BACK to Swedish and get more blood work, under the threat of a small possibility I would have to be admitted to the HOSPITAL overnight. Yikes.

The good news is that the second batch of blood work showed that my white cell count was out of the danger range. The bad news is that I still had a fever all day yesterday, which really sucked.

Today I am resting and recuperating, and hopefully the glorious Week Three will still show itself to me....

Here comes Week Three, Hooray

One thing (among many) that I have learned about chemo is that not only does it affect every individual differently even if it's the same cocktail (cocktail sounds better than toxic chemicals), it also affects the SAME individual differently each cycle. The first cycle I was just tired, but not that nauseous, and this cycle, I have been somewhat less tired, but definitely MUCH less (read not at all) interested in food.

My staples, oddly enough, are ice cream sandwiches, pink gatorade and thai food (zero stars).

No pasta. Those of you who know me well understand that this is very strange indeed, and that the last time I was uninterested in the venerable noodle was when I was pregnant. That really was the last time I liked ice cream too. Chemo is weirdly like going through pregnancy again (although I feel better about those occasional glasses of wine:-) --- and I hope when I make it through to the other side, I am almost as happy with the results as when we had the Luce.

Pretty worry beads courtesy of my awesome cousin Mandi -- I know you said I should put them in different places around, but I like em right in one place next to my bed -- they are more of a statement!

Have a good week, all...and tune in on Tuesday the 23rd to find out if I have the final round or not....whee, it's kind of like watching Lost.

Fingers Crossed

Today, Dr West said,"I don't want to overpromise anything, but I think I am going to have really good news for you when we do your scans."

That's my news.

Oh, and he MAY not make me do the last cycle of three, depending on what he sees. Although, he is a bit of a masochist, so he may change his mind. (OKAY, SO THIS WAS A HUGE MISUNDERSTANDING ON MY PART --- I WAS ALWAYS GOING TO HAVE 12 WEEKS, IT IS JUST THAT THE SCHEDULE WASN'T SCHEDULED THAT FAR OUT SO I THOUGHT I WAS GETTING NINE WEEKS, AND THEN WHEN HE WAS TALKING ABOUT FOUR CYCLES, HE MEANT FOUR CYCLES OF THREE WEEKS. CAN I BLAME CHEMOFOG?)

Either way, it looks like we have surely kicked some cancer cells into submission, at least for now.

Happy, happy dance. This news will definitely get me through the rest of the chemo regime.

Couldn't do this without you, my loyal family, loved ones, random blog readers that I don't know but would like to. Big smooches all around.

You can take the girl out of Republic

But you can't take Republic out of the girl...look, A BALD MULLETT!

Yikes.

Wow Do I Ever Love Week Three

It's amazing. I like to eat, I like to drink wine, I actually like to get off the couch! It was like I was a normal (but bald) person in Leavenworth....I even shopped at the Christmas Store...and that takes some fortitude!

Now back to the Land o' the Blahs....:-) and my ever faithful Kraft Mac and Cheese.

But at least I know what is waiting for me in two weeks....and then I am 2/3 of the way done. (And, I don't want to get ahead of myself...but for those of you who have SEEN the swollen lymph nodes in my collar bone...they really do look like they are shrinking and softening up...all good things.)

Hoping and Hooray!