Live from (20 miles from) the Chemo Room

No chemo today. I know, I was disappointed too. I shaved my upper right chest for nothing.

But I did get my PET scan results. Turns out I have a Slow Disease. Not the kind that makes you look like this guy...

but the kind that means your cancer grows very slowly, which is a good thing. This is one time when you'd prefer to be compared to Cruiser from Stripes vs. say, Usain Bolt.

Turns out a couple spots in my lungs need some attention. They are not life threatening or even cough-causing at this point, but they are big enough that we can see they've picked up a mm or two in the last couple of months so it's time to kick some cancer butt!

We're going to decide on the weapon of choice in the next week. I'm hoping for stereotactic radiation because they have the hottest nurses it has the least side effects, but minor traditional surgery and chemo are also options.

Stay tuned, and you'll find out soon how I decided to, as Captain Stillman said, "Have that removed."

Live from the PET Scan Prep Room

The new PET Scan machine is here! They say it is faster and I guess I'll know soon enough.

The "vanilla creme smoothie" still sucks, but the new prep room is nice, with its faux woodtone linoleum below and watchful security camera above. Just like home. Although I must say the hum of the scanner is more soothing in here somehow.

My tech is new, or I should say new to me. Delicia has been at Emory since 1993. She knows my man Vince, naturally, and also knows all about my book. She even copied the page about Vince and sent it to the department head. I should probably sue her for violating my copyright, but since she's the one with the radioactive slurry and the needles, I'll probably let it go.

Stay tuned until Friday for the results...

(not so) Live from the Chemo Room 22

Right up front I should say that all signs point to no brain-eating worms picked up in Costa Rica. Phew! Thanks for all your prayers, cards, and that one pink shower cap somebody sent in.

I was in the Chemo Room on Monday, but as it was my first day back I had a number of calls to catch up on and before you could say "You want the Xgeva in your arm or your ass?" I was done. So my usual "Live" post was delayed. But fear not, devoted readers, I'm here with all the latest news.

Well, if there were any news, that is.

Really, we're just 'tween scans at the moment. Dr. Z think we might be able to get away with staying off the Xeloda (Oral chemo) for a while now, but the scans will tell us whether that's a good idea or not. The next one will be a PET in about 2 weeks. For now, the foot/hand symptoms are mostly better, but a run or a long day of standing during a trade show seem to set them off again - go figure.

I'm sporting a new stupidcancer.org t-shirt these days. Young adult cancer survivors should check out the website and grab some swag to support this very cool group.