I got some bad news with my last Pet/CT scan taken last week. I just discussed it with the oncologist yesterday. I kind of expected the test to go well since I've been feeling so well. But Dr Scott (oncologist) says at this stage feeling good is not a good indicator. Bummer.
The test pictures turned out to be scarier looking than I expected with shocking masses in my abdomen and on my thyroid- all of which were interpreted by the experts as "nothing." (The abdomen stuff was just poop! The thyroid blackness was something seen before on PETscans- unknown but not cancer.)
The worrisome somethings were more lymph nodes with cancer. Two now near my heart and one in my right shoulder. So instead of one node and one suspicious area, there are at least 3 nodes with cancer. The good news is it is still confined to the lymph system- no tumors anywhere, no bones involved. The bad news is it is slightly worse than a year ago. So I am going to start taking the estrogen blocker pill they have wanted me to take all along. Dr Scott says besides zeroing my estrogen (which I actually was able to lower a lot on my own) the blocker will make any estrogen and other hormones unavailable to feed the cancer. Dr Fields called today to back that up and ask me to take the aromacin (blocker) daily. So I've started today.
I still have not decided whether to do the surgery in April. Dr Scott wants me to have the remaining breast tissue on my right side removed and my left breast removed at the same time. She is adamant that I will have to do it someday, and the sooner the better. I would like to not be lopsided anymore, but am afraid surgery will activate the cancer. If I don't keep the April 19 surgery appt, she wants me to do it before July 1. On the other hand, the surgeon is not so adament. I'm waiting for him to see the PET/CT scan and let me know his opinion. I meet with Dr Fields on Tuesday to ask her opinion- up to now she was not as in favor as Dr Scott. And I hope to get a phone appt with Jonathan Treasure after he sees the PET/CT scan. Then I will decide about surgery or not.
I'm having a quiet day at home today. Trying to take it all in. Tonight is the Full Moon Healing Circle, but I'm not sure at this moment if I will make it. Yesterday was tough with this news, and 5 other appointments throughout the day. Tomorrow I have to take Don to the hospital to have his trach changed and it will take all day. So I'm wondering if I would be better just staying quiet tonight.
