currently: @922 (1:08pm) on thursday 1.8.09 | 138 hours since last post
If God dropped acid, would he see people?
We had another doctor visit today, and got some things clarified - I know Debbie called a bunch of people two weeks ago and said I was in remission, and then called some people back a couple days later to say it was only partial remission, or that she was mistaken. I posted here what the doctor told me about "partial remission". Obviously neither of us were exactly sure what was going on. So, we got some specifics today - the doc was definitive on certain points.
The most important thing was, yes, I'm in remission. No "partial", no equivocation. I'll just stand back here for a moment and let you celebrate in your own way with me.
Done? OK, I'll continue: Dr. Winter used the term "remission" several times without prompting, and described exactly what that means to me. There's a 1.9cm mass in my left lung, in the same place that the original tumor was located, along with lots of scar tissue and a small amount of fluid. This is the remains of the original tumor. If biopsied, this mass would likely have some cancerous cells in it, but overall it's contained and still being actively killed by the chemotherapy. The additional masses they located in my lower left lung are entirely gone as if they'd never been there. He said it was "surprising" how well I've responded to this treatment.
Because there's still some advantage to be gained by it, I'll continue the current chemo for at least one more cycle. I've had three cycles of this particular treatment, and he says we may have as many as six total, and definitely at least one more. So, we have the next one scheduled for two weeks from now, and then a few weeks after that we'll determine whether to have any more, or to take an extended break from treatment. I'm guessing we'll end up doing the latter, and treating this like our original idea of what remission means; regular testing every few months or whatever, just to verify that there's nothing untoward going on in there, but otherwise assuming the best.
I've always assumed the best. I never once believed that I wouldn't be here as long as anyone else. I still don't. This is still such good news. It's indescribable. I don't want to get too high about it, of course, but jeez... how do I not. Love. Love love love.
As an aside: if you look over to the right, there, under the calendar, you'll see a new section called "What I'm Doing (via Twitter)". If you're not aware of Twitter, it's an online tool for small, frequent updates about what one is doing at the moment. Either through this "five most recent updates" I've implemented here, or direct checking of my Twitter account at http://twitter.com/PashaPhares, you can see on a much more granular basis what's going on with me/us on a daily basis. If you're interested... I periodically post interesting links and stuff there as well. Just little updates.
Hey, I'll be gone today
but I'll be back again around the way
It seems like everywhere I go
the more I see the less I know
But I know one thing
that I love you
I love you
I love you
I love you
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