What's new with me? Very little, I'm pleased to report.
I saw my oncologist this past week and got the results of the latest series of tests. The Herceptin can harm my heart, so I need an echocardiogram about every three months. I did the test earlier this month and my "ejection fraction" rate is just fine. I had also had a CT scan, the first since January, I think it was. My GP likes to be able to deliver good news, so he had already let me know that my tumours are stable. The remaining liver spot appears "treated." There is nothing new in the rest of the abdomen and pelvis. The bone tumours are still there but stable. My oncologist's colleague, who I saw last visit, had ordered an MRI of my axillary skeleton. The previous MRI, to which it was compared, was from May 2012, about halfway through my chemo. As a result, there were some new spots that showed on the MRI. Nothing to worry about. More importantly, the MRI showed fatty infiltration, which in English means the bones are healing.
I asked the oncologist to check out my right breast. That is where the lump was, the lump that started shrinking after the first chemo treatment. Until recently, the lump was gone and the remaining fullness was barely perceptible. That has changed. Now it feels like a lump to me. I have had some pain in that breast as well, off and on. I was a little worried. I had always felt relieved that I hadn't needed a mastectomy. For the first time, I wish that breast was gone. My oncologist, who I trust very much, didn't think it is worrisome, he said it felt "stringy." We will keep an eye on it. If it changes further, a mammogram may be needed.
In other news, Dad and I have been busy all month dealing with financial advisors and the lawyer, settling Mom's estate. There are some forms still needing to be signed. And we haven't even started cleaning out her room. This will take a while. Meanwhile, I try to call Dad daily and see him a couple of times a week. He is coping well, but is lonely. I miss her too.
Showing posts with label echocardiogram. Show all posts
Showing posts with label echocardiogram. Show all posts
Sunday, 29 June 2014
Sunday, 6 May 2012
Test Results from April
I finally met with my oncologist last week to get the results of the tests I did in April: CT scan, echocardiogram and MRI of the axial skeleton. Good news all 'round.
The CT scan showed further shrinkage of the liver metastases and no new ones in other areas of the abdomen. The shrinkage wasn't as dramatic as between the October and January CT scans, but it's still shrinkage and the doctor was happy with that. It seems there are only two tumours larger than 1cm. That's a huge improvement. I'm just looking forward to a day when the liver tumours are countable rather than "numerous."
The echocardiogram was great again. My results were high enough that I can continue to be treated with Herceptin.
The MRI of the bones had a little good, a little bad news. It showed a great deal of healing of the bones in my lower spine and pelvis, which was attributed to the radiation treatment I had in late November, early December. Unfortunately there is a new compression fracture in my spine. The surprise is that it was not due to a cancerous tumour but to osteoporosis. I have a strong family history of osteoporosis, and given my history of non-exercise and only medium consumption of dairy, I figured I would get it eventually. It looks like the chemo treatment has actually brought the disease on early. Like the other fractures, it should heal over time.
So, good news for all of us that have been waiting. Thank you all for your concern and good wishes. They mean a lot to me. See my next post for treatment changes.
The CT scan showed further shrinkage of the liver metastases and no new ones in other areas of the abdomen. The shrinkage wasn't as dramatic as between the October and January CT scans, but it's still shrinkage and the doctor was happy with that. It seems there are only two tumours larger than 1cm. That's a huge improvement. I'm just looking forward to a day when the liver tumours are countable rather than "numerous."
The echocardiogram was great again. My results were high enough that I can continue to be treated with Herceptin.
The MRI of the bones had a little good, a little bad news. It showed a great deal of healing of the bones in my lower spine and pelvis, which was attributed to the radiation treatment I had in late November, early December. Unfortunately there is a new compression fracture in my spine. The surprise is that it was not due to a cancerous tumour but to osteoporosis. I have a strong family history of osteoporosis, and given my history of non-exercise and only medium consumption of dairy, I figured I would get it eventually. It looks like the chemo treatment has actually brought the disease on early. Like the other fractures, it should heal over time.
So, good news for all of us that have been waiting. Thank you all for your concern and good wishes. They mean a lot to me. See my next post for treatment changes.
Thursday, 12 April 2012
Oncology Update: April 12, 2012
Yesterday, I had an appointment with my oncologist. I was hoping to get the results of last week's CT scan. Unfortunately, given the Easter holiday, the results were not yet ready. I have an appointment with my GP next week where I should be able to get my results.
In the meantime, oncology is sending me for an echocardiogram to make sure my heart is bearing the chemotherapy well, and a bone MRI to see the status of the bone tumours across my body. We had an interesting chat with the doctor about the tests. She said that in the fall, because I was so sick (see Geoff's blog on that), I got the Cadillac of Cadillac of tests. Now, it's important to repeat those tests to be able to adequately compare the results. She also explained that the CT scan is their best tool for assessing the tumours on my liver. She's conscious of the risks involved in the CTs use of radiation. Once my liver tumours are more stable, they may transition to using ultrasounds, which do not use radiation. For the bone tumours, the CT isn't as effective and the doctor will use and MRI, which they will compare to the ones done in November. MRIs do not use radiation, neither does the echocardiogram, which is essentially an ultrasound of the heart.
We also talked to the doctor about going back to work (actually she wouldn't talk about that) and vacations. She was concerned about my hope to go to Ireland this summer. She suggested we start with some shorter, closer vacations and reminded me of the potential stress of unfamiliar beds and uncomfortable restaurant chairs. I think a trip to Montreal is long overdue. We'll try to go once our lovely niece there finishes school for the year. Perhaps we'll head to Oakville in June to see my brand new lovely niece, once she arrives. After I told her I expected I shouldn't go on roller coasters or ride a bike at this point, she looked at Geoff and said something to the effect of, "I can see what you're going through." I guess she thinks I'm pushing too hard to return to a normal life. Geoff cracked up after we left when I complained about the two of them ganging up on me. But really, if I want to get back to normal, I have to start doing normal things! I don't want to spend the rest of life on the couch watching daytime television. I've had enough of that.
Back to chemo on Friday.
In the meantime, oncology is sending me for an echocardiogram to make sure my heart is bearing the chemotherapy well, and a bone MRI to see the status of the bone tumours across my body. We had an interesting chat with the doctor about the tests. She said that in the fall, because I was so sick (see Geoff's blog on that), I got the Cadillac of Cadillac of tests. Now, it's important to repeat those tests to be able to adequately compare the results. She also explained that the CT scan is their best tool for assessing the tumours on my liver. She's conscious of the risks involved in the CTs use of radiation. Once my liver tumours are more stable, they may transition to using ultrasounds, which do not use radiation. For the bone tumours, the CT isn't as effective and the doctor will use and MRI, which they will compare to the ones done in November. MRIs do not use radiation, neither does the echocardiogram, which is essentially an ultrasound of the heart.
We also talked to the doctor about going back to work (actually she wouldn't talk about that) and vacations. She was concerned about my hope to go to Ireland this summer. She suggested we start with some shorter, closer vacations and reminded me of the potential stress of unfamiliar beds and uncomfortable restaurant chairs. I think a trip to Montreal is long overdue. We'll try to go once our lovely niece there finishes school for the year. Perhaps we'll head to Oakville in June to see my brand new lovely niece, once she arrives. After I told her I expected I shouldn't go on roller coasters or ride a bike at this point, she looked at Geoff and said something to the effect of, "I can see what you're going through." I guess she thinks I'm pushing too hard to return to a normal life. Geoff cracked up after we left when I complained about the two of them ganging up on me. But really, if I want to get back to normal, I have to start doing normal things! I don't want to spend the rest of life on the couch watching daytime television. I've had enough of that.
Back to chemo on Friday.
Friday, 20 January 2012
Oncology Results: January 18, 2012
First, thank you for all of your good wishes and prayers since my last post. I am sure they helped. And I am sorry to keep you waiting with this post, but I have been terribly drowsy for the last several weeks, to the point that I couldn't stay awake reading the morning newspaper or wait for the doctor's appointment. During that point in time, my Sweetie posted for me. You can see his summary on the Geoff Takes On blog, here. Despite today being a chemo day, and me having slept most of the day, I'm feeling more energy this evening. So, without further ado, here's my take on the oncology results we got on Wednesday:
The previous week, I had had two tests, an echocardiogram and an CT scan of my chest, abdomen and pelvis. I was worried that in the month or so when I didn't have chemo that my cancer might have spread.
First, the echocardiogram, nothing had changed since the one I had in the Spring for unrelated reasons. My heart is good. I have mild regurgitation in my mitral valve, but that doesn't seem enough to call it mitral valve prolapse.
And then there's the CT scan. Geoff and I were holding our breath. I don't know if I'd really given you a sense of the liver tumours I had. This CT scan described them as "innumerable." That's not great on its own, but the rest of the news is. There were a couple of large tumours that had been measured last time. One of them went from 4" by 3.6" down to 3" by 1". That is a major change! Another went from 1" down to 0.35". In the words of the CT report, there is, "marked interval [since last test] improvement in hepatic [liver] metastases consistent with partial response [to the chemo treatment]. No new metastatic disease is seen inter-abdominal [No mets in other abdominal organs]."
They also said that the fractured pubic bones are healing on both sides of the body. And I had been told the break was only on one side. I also learned there are fractured ribs; I can feel them, now that I know they are there. That explains the shortness of breath.
I have to laugh at they way they write the report. It's by body part or organ. For example:
"Lungs:There is no interval development of bilateral subsegmental atelectasis [collapse of the lungs] with no consolidation or suspicious pulmonary nodules." In my own words: blah, blah, blah, no cancer in the lungs, yay!
"Heart: Grossly unremarkable. ..." Hmm, I suspect some of you would disagree. On the plus side, what it means is that there is no cancer in my heart, which is very good news.
I won't go into detail about the bone metastases, since the CT scan isn't the best test to measure them. We know they're there and there are a lot of them. 'nuf said.
This is very good news for us. Geoff was visibly relieved during the appointment, thank goodness. Personally, I thank God for the good news. I know the doctors did an awful lot: choosing the right chemo is important, as is radiating the right spots. After that, prayer makes the difference in the end. So thank you all for your prayers and good wishes.
My oncologist says there's good reason to be optimistic this disease can be managed for many, many years. That's what we're looking for. Many, many years.
p.s. Strangely, this CT didn't measure the breast lump. Could it not see it? We can't feel it.
The previous week, I had had two tests, an echocardiogram and an CT scan of my chest, abdomen and pelvis. I was worried that in the month or so when I didn't have chemo that my cancer might have spread.
First, the echocardiogram, nothing had changed since the one I had in the Spring for unrelated reasons. My heart is good. I have mild regurgitation in my mitral valve, but that doesn't seem enough to call it mitral valve prolapse.
And then there's the CT scan. Geoff and I were holding our breath. I don't know if I'd really given you a sense of the liver tumours I had. This CT scan described them as "innumerable." That's not great on its own, but the rest of the news is. There were a couple of large tumours that had been measured last time. One of them went from 4" by 3.6" down to 3" by 1". That is a major change! Another went from 1" down to 0.35". In the words of the CT report, there is, "marked interval [since last test] improvement in hepatic [liver] metastases consistent with partial response [to the chemo treatment]. No new metastatic disease is seen inter-abdominal [No mets in other abdominal organs]."
They also said that the fractured pubic bones are healing on both sides of the body. And I had been told the break was only on one side. I also learned there are fractured ribs; I can feel them, now that I know they are there. That explains the shortness of breath.
I have to laugh at they way they write the report. It's by body part or organ. For example:
"Lungs:There is no interval development of bilateral subsegmental atelectasis [collapse of the lungs] with no consolidation or suspicious pulmonary nodules." In my own words: blah, blah, blah, no cancer in the lungs, yay!
"Heart: Grossly unremarkable. ..." Hmm, I suspect some of you would disagree. On the plus side, what it means is that there is no cancer in my heart, which is very good news.
I won't go into detail about the bone metastases, since the CT scan isn't the best test to measure them. We know they're there and there are a lot of them. 'nuf said.
This is very good news for us. Geoff was visibly relieved during the appointment, thank goodness. Personally, I thank God for the good news. I know the doctors did an awful lot: choosing the right chemo is important, as is radiating the right spots. After that, prayer makes the difference in the end. So thank you all for your prayers and good wishes.
My oncologist says there's good reason to be optimistic this disease can be managed for many, many years. That's what we're looking for. Many, many years.
p.s. Strangely, this CT didn't measure the breast lump. Could it not see it? We can't feel it.
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Wish Me Luck: Oncology Appointment & Test Results
Tomorrow I'm meeting with my oncologist. At least, I hope it's my oncologist; often it's one of the GPs that assists him. They are very good, but I want to see the big guy. Particularly this time. Last week I had an echocardiogram and a CT scan and I will have blood tests done just before the oncology appointment. I really want my oncologist to give me the results, particularly if it means he's going to change my treatment plan. As his nurse suggested at my last appointment, I will call her and remind her that I'd like to see the big guy; she'll do her best.
The echocardiogram was to check my heart health, because herceptin treatment is tough on the heart. I know that the chemo treatment caused me to have high blood pressure, which is being treated effectively with metoprolol. The CT scan looked at my breasts, abdomen and pelvis. It should tell me the size of the breast and liver tumours. I hope the CT scan will also tell us how well my broken pelvis is healing. It's feeling better every day, as far as I can tell. But I'd like a second opinion. The blood tests, together with the others will decide whether I have chemo on Friday or not. I need to have sufficiently good results in a number of areas, such as my blood count and calcium levels.
Like I said, my pelvis seems much improved, and I've told you that the breast tumour has shrunk quite a bit. But I am worried about the one-month break from chemo as a result of my hospitalization in November. I know that radiation was working on killing cancers in my lower spine and pelvis at that time, but how much was cancer growing in other areas over that period of time. What will the CT results tell us? Do I have less cancer or more? Are my tumours bigger or smaller? Are there new ones or did some disappear?
How much has chemo and radiation helped? How much has prayer helped. We'll never know, but there's time enough for a little more prayer before the appointment Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Wish me luck, pray for me, whatever you're comfortable with. And I'll let you know how it went as soon as I wrap my mind around it!
The echocardiogram was to check my heart health, because herceptin treatment is tough on the heart. I know that the chemo treatment caused me to have high blood pressure, which is being treated effectively with metoprolol. The CT scan looked at my breasts, abdomen and pelvis. It should tell me the size of the breast and liver tumours. I hope the CT scan will also tell us how well my broken pelvis is healing. It's feeling better every day, as far as I can tell. But I'd like a second opinion. The blood tests, together with the others will decide whether I have chemo on Friday or not. I need to have sufficiently good results in a number of areas, such as my blood count and calcium levels.
Like I said, my pelvis seems much improved, and I've told you that the breast tumour has shrunk quite a bit. But I am worried about the one-month break from chemo as a result of my hospitalization in November. I know that radiation was working on killing cancers in my lower spine and pelvis at that time, but how much was cancer growing in other areas over that period of time. What will the CT results tell us? Do I have less cancer or more? Are my tumours bigger or smaller? Are there new ones or did some disappear?
How much has chemo and radiation helped? How much has prayer helped. We'll never know, but there's time enough for a little more prayer before the appointment Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Wish me luck, pray for me, whatever you're comfortable with. And I'll let you know how it went as soon as I wrap my mind around it!
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