Good CT scan and results!

These happy images are from an alley in the small town nearest me. That's next to the restaurant where my friend and I went for lunch after I got the good news from the CT scan.

Things are holding steady. I am very grateful!

My week began with that CT scan on Monday. It was the three-month one to see if the meds are holding the cancer in check.

It was one of my most pleasant scan experiences yet. The IV stick worked the first time, I had enjoyable conversation in the waiting room with my friend while I drank the contrast and gave it time to take effect, and I got to see a former student in the CT room.

The former student saw my name on the schedule and even though she was got off work before my scan, she waited because she wanted to see me. She was so kind and supportive, holding my hand as we talked. She was holding my hand on one side as I lay on the CT board and another tech held my other hand on the other side.

I do think that kind of human contact helps us patents in treatment. I've asked a nurse to hold my hand during a very painful injection in the past, and it wasn't nearly as painful as the first time. I've also asked a friend to hold my hand when I was having a mole cut out of my scalp.

So it was nice to have my hands held without my asking. And it was super nice to get to talk with this former student just for a few minutes. It meant a lot to me that she waited to say hello.

The scan went well. I always close my eyes when I slide in and out of the CT tube because I'm a little claustrophobic. For this abdominal scan I have to hold my arms over my head, and it was much easier this time. I'm much more mobile than I was because the meds have me feeling so much better than I was feeling for at least half of last year. I also had an easier time holding my breath through the actual scan part.

Evn though I had a good scan experience, I worried from Monday afternoon to Wednesday afternoon about the results.

I say "worry" because that's what I did. Worried. Too much.

My concern came from my wheezing and being short of breath so often. I was concerned that there's a lung problem connected with the cancer. And I have some bright-colored floaters in the edge of my vision sometimes. So I worried about those too.

But when my oncologist was smiling when she came into the exam room on Wednesday, I knew the CT scan results didn't confirm my worries.

She said the scan does show some inflammation in my lungs, but not in the same place as last time, so that means not a tumor. And she said the visual floaters I describe don't line up with symptoms of brain tumors. She says to see my eye doc, so I now have an appointment lined up (but I can't get in until July!)

She's pleased overall with how things are going for me. And I can tell you that when I compare my life with just a few months ago, I've had BIG improvements.

That's not to say I don't have challenges. But comparatively I'm doing so much better. Much less pain. Much more mobility.

And lots of gratitude!

After my CT my friend and I went to lunch. As you can see from my photos it was a perfectly clear spring day.

That kind of mirrored the relief I felt to have those worries lifted for a while.

I'll continue with what I've been doing medically. I'll have monthly B12 shots. I'll have bone-strengthening infusions every three months. I'll have a CT scan every three months. I'll see my palliative care doctor next week.

And I'll continue to do more and more, to build stamina.

And I hope to get some answers about the wheezing and my lungs tomorrow when I see a pulmonologist for the first time. I've got my fingers crossed that it's another doctor I like. It does make a difference when you have a good connection with your doctors.

A big thank you to all of you who send up prayers on my behalf and send good vibes to me. I know that helps. We can't measure good energy (yet) but I know it has a positive effect on our lives.

I appreciate the good energy you send me. And I return good energy to you!