Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Best flippin' news I have gotten in a long time....

So, after last week, more cancer in my world, not so sure on my scan - blah blah blah, and pleurisy  I was like a little lack luster showing up to my oncologist's office (Hank)  to discuss things.  But things started to turn around......I told him that I talked to my lung surgeon on Friday and he was like, "REALLY?"  So, then I told him about the pleurisy while he was on vacation which he quickly passed over when he learned I had a chest x-ray.  "Where is the chest x-ray - I want to see it!"  Some people like candy, so people like chest x-rays I guess.  As he was searching for the x-ray, he said, "Well, then you know that they want you to go over to cyberknife first."  "Yes, less damage, and good results in my particular case."  Then, I respectfully requested a different cyberknife doc.  I explained I liked the one I consulted with last year, but he was very by the book and quite cautious.  I explained I am pretty sure I didn't get here by staying in the box and not going ball to the walls ALL THE TIME and that is reflected by my team of docs.  Not very passive those guys.  Most of them are like, "Hit her as hard as we can for a long as we can."  Luckily, the surgeons that I have had are not that way, but aggressive and creative (hence I am not pooping in a bag....yet).  So, Hanks makes a phone call...mumble mumble mumble, I correct one thing......mumble mumble mumble......"Can you see her right now?"  "Yes.".....mumble mumble mumble.  Hang up.  "Okay, off to Cherry Hill with you and her name is and he rattles off this name and spelling.  I look at him like, "Don't have a pencil.....might want to slow down."  I get the name and off I go.  I know EXACTLY where it is.  I visited Shelly there once for her treatment and the snuck me back to see the machine and everything.  This  is before I was being considered.  I just wanted to see it.  It is SOOOOOOOOOOOO cool.  I go directly to the office, I meet her and she says, "Have you seen your scans?  You are going to laugh.  The spots are SOOOOOOOOOOOO small."  So, she went through everything with me.  We had  four (last winter), then six (in March), and now since chemo we have two remaining and they are the perfect case for cyberknife.  "I can help you and you will be done."  Odds?  90% chance that they never come back.  Treatment?  I will need some markers, so I have to wait four weeks after my last treatment with Avastin (10/1).  After the markers are place next the one spot, the spine will act as the marker for the second spot, I wait a week, get a CT scan, wait a week to calibrate the REALLY COOL LASER MACHINE, three one hour appointments per spot, and DONE.  Side effects - fatigue 0-60 days out that will last 60 days from onset and maybe, by rarely, a cough.  Things that can hold this up - insurance.  Yeah, but I have done that dance before!  DONE.  Remission by Christmas.  DONE.  I know there is still a 10% chance it won't work and I know one of those 10% people, but it is the best news I have heard in a while.  Happy Happy Day!  Love, Ang

8 comments:

Peter Kobzar said...

OMG Angie! I'm soo happy for you!! Trying not to count eggs before they are hatched, but... skiing in February?

Anonymous said...

I must say you are a Rock Star (along with your medical team)!

Love & laughter,
Annemarie

Laurie said...

This news, along with your mug, should go in the dictionary next to "awesome." Yeah!

Kari George said...

This is such very good news...I'm so happy for you! I'm sure you are just tickled pink to actually get to be one with that awesome piece of machinery that will grant you way more than remission by Christmas! You rock! Or maybe we should be paying homage to those remaining spots to get them to leave you alone...they've proved their point, now move on! Love you and miss you immensely!

auntie jane said...

Ah... the marvels of modern medicine. Lasers on stun...Go get em!!! Zap em!!!Out Damn spot, Out!!

This is exciting stuff.

Anonymous said...

Ang, Sending lots of love and prayers that this works for you. I love your attitude and your connection with your docs. What a team. Go girl!!!! Hugs, Judi

Anonymous said...

Doing a happy dance for you! Here's to a successful procedure and a happy, healthy long life! You go girl!

Libby said...

Angie - I'm so happy that your team is switching the plan from chemo to Cyberknife. Directly lasering the cancer cells HAS to be better than flooding your whole body with toxins. Did you have it before? I can't remember. No, right? I hope that there are no complications with the markers, like Shelly had to endure. You are doing a great job fighting this, and I'm sure your kids will look back some day with amazement and feel more loved than ever to know what their mom went through to stay here with them (us). - Libby