As we conclude Cervical Cancer Awareness Month #CCAM I wanted to give an update to my family, friends, and readers. I had my last scheduled round of Carbo/Taxol chemotherapy on December 29th, 2016. We waited the appropriate amount of time for the treatment to be completed and I had a PET scan on January 27th, 2017. I awaited the results via email, but they never came. It is not completely uncommon to not receive them via email, especially if the doctor has additional clarifications to get, but it still makes me nervous. I was very anxious, worried, and nervous heading into my oncology appointment today. It is extremely stressful when even getting good results on a scan still means that I have cancer.
Today I got what most would consider good results. Does that mean I am cancer free? No. The way I look at it we are chasing the cancer. Trying to be one step ahead of it at all times, but still chasing the cancer. Our goal continues to be for me to be able to live my life to its fullest while still considering quantity of life. My October scan showed that I had twelve cancerous areas. I had convinced myself that not only would this scan show they were still there but that it would show additional areas. Thankfully I was at least partially wrong. Of the twelve areas ten of them are gone! Woohoo! There are also two additional areas which have appeared during my treatment and the two left originally did grow a small amount. That leaves me with four areas with cancer. As you see, a good scan is still a scan with cancer.
If you are into all the medical jargon, here is where the spots are specifically:
If you made it through all that medial information. Thank you for continuing to read. It is helpful for me to reference the specifics from time to time and the blog is a great place for me to quickly glance back. You might be wondering, what is next? Well there was discussion about radiation, clinical trial research, and eventually more chemo. It was determined that my body needed a break from the chemo and I should be receiving a phone call regarding the next steps tomorrow once my gynecological oncologist can conference with my radiation oncologist. I have a great team and I am looking forward to moving forward with treatment.
As #CCAM comes to a close please remember that I share my story with you because I want you to take care of yourself. I don't want another woman to be in my footsteps. If you are already dealing with cervical cancer or a survivor I want you to know you are not alone. Cervical cancer can be eradicated through annual well woman exams, Pap and HPV co-testing, and HPV vaccination. Know the facts. Educate yourself. Eradicate a cancer.
Today I got what most would consider good results. Does that mean I am cancer free? No. The way I look at it we are chasing the cancer. Trying to be one step ahead of it at all times, but still chasing the cancer. Our goal continues to be for me to be able to live my life to its fullest while still considering quantity of life. My October scan showed that I had twelve cancerous areas. I had convinced myself that not only would this scan show they were still there but that it would show additional areas. Thankfully I was at least partially wrong. Of the twelve areas ten of them are gone! Woohoo! There are also two additional areas which have appeared during my treatment and the two left originally did grow a small amount. That leaves me with four areas with cancer. As you see, a good scan is still a scan with cancer.
If you are into all the medical jargon, here is where the spots are specifically:
- 15 mm lymph node at the base of the neck on the left side, supraclavicular SUV 8.8 (new spot)
- 12 mm lymph node in the upper chest on the left side SUV 5.5 (new spot)
- 10 mm lymph node in the mid abdominal retroperitoneum between the aorta and vena cava SUV 6.4
- 8 mm x 10 mm lymph node lateral to prior abdominal node SUV 6.2
If you made it through all that medial information. Thank you for continuing to read. It is helpful for me to reference the specifics from time to time and the blog is a great place for me to quickly glance back. You might be wondering, what is next? Well there was discussion about radiation, clinical trial research, and eventually more chemo. It was determined that my body needed a break from the chemo and I should be receiving a phone call regarding the next steps tomorrow once my gynecological oncologist can conference with my radiation oncologist. I have a great team and I am looking forward to moving forward with treatment.
As #CCAM comes to a close please remember that I share my story with you because I want you to take care of yourself. I don't want another woman to be in my footsteps. If you are already dealing with cervical cancer or a survivor I want you to know you are not alone. Cervical cancer can be eradicated through annual well woman exams, Pap and HPV co-testing, and HPV vaccination. Know the facts. Educate yourself. Eradicate a cancer.
My gynecologic oncology appointment buddies!
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