Wednesday, April 28, 2010

And the winner is...

ME! As of Tuesday, April 27, 2010 it is official I am cancer free. I am diagnosed as being in remission.

It was an amazing phone call to receive and an even more amazing phone call to make. Immediately I called Mom and Dad Chang (although Dad Chang was on the golf course and didn't hear for another few hours). Mom Chang was with Sister and Nephew Chang so the good news spread quickly.

Through most of my treatment I chose not to talk about my cancer on Facebook but the announcement of being cancer free couldn't be helped. The outpouring of congratulations was as amazing as the support I received through all of this.

My first question to the Doc after getting the good news was to ask what the next step was. As of right now I return to the ENT next week and the Radiation Oncologist in July. I will see Doctors every 2-3 months for a couple of years with CT and PET Scans being scheduled every 6 months. If the results stay the same the scans will become an annual affair until I reach the five year mark. At that time they will declare me cured. The appointments won't stop though they will just be fewer and farther in between.

For now I'm going to focus on getting rid of the pharmacy that has taken over my bathroom and closet, as well as continue to get much needed rest. I'm looking forward to that celebratory margarita but that is still a little way off (alcohol burns my throat)!

Friday, April 23, 2010

Oops

Well the feeding tube is out! Instead of having a doctor take it out I accidentally pulled it out myself. After panicking I called the doctor's office who was very non-chalant about the whole thing. In fact, I was told to just cover the hole and it would close on it's own. WHAAAAAT???? DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND THERE IS A HOLE FROM MY INSIDES TO MY OUTSIDE????

Well, they were right. The hole has closed and all I did was cover it for about 36 hours. Now it looks like I have a second belly button. I now have an outie and an innie.

I also saw the Radiation Oncologist this week. He also said everything looks good. However, he scheduled the PET Scan for next week. Actually I go in on Monday and should get the results in a couple days. The PET Scan will show if there are any cancer cells growing but everyone is just expecting it to show scar tissue. IF there is anything untoward the continuation of treatment will be much easier. In fact, all they will do is put radiation capsules up my nose for 24 hours and that would be it. Right now I know you wish you could be me!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

CT Results

Monday I was back at the Doctor's office for a CT Scan to see how everything looked. Today we got the results. Though the Doctor couldn't say I was cured or even in remission for that matter he was pleased with the results. It turns out there are some visible abnormalities in my nasopharynx but they are more than likely just scar tissue from being assaulted with radiation and chemotherapy. My lymph nodes are looking normal as well.

So what's next? Well, next month I head back to the ENT for another scope. Then in June or July I go in for a PET Scan which is when we really find out if the poison did it's job. The PET Scan will show whether or not the abnormalities are scar tissue or not.

All three of my doctors seem very positive and don't anticipate anything other than a clean scan. So, were back to the waiting game. Rather than spend the next couple of months worrying I'm going to be concentrating on continuing to get stronger.

The other piece of good news is that the feeding tube will be taken out in the next two weeks! I haven't been using it for over a week now.

Grandma Chang heads back to Denver tomorrow and I don't know who is having the hardest time with it. I'm sure there will be lots of tears from Me, Grandma and Baby Chang tomorrow. We had to say goodbye to Grandpa Chang on Saturday and that was tougher than I thought possible.

Little Ms. Bossy will be hanging out with Baby Chang and I over the next ten days to help me get back into the swing of things. Then Prairie Dad will be in Houston for two weeks! The last time we saw him was January 2nd. Baby Chang doesn't realize it yet but we are counting down the days!

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Turning a Corner

Well, I've turned another recovery corner this week and so far so good. Monday night I took off the pain patch. So far no pain (except when the dry mountain air gets to me), no hallucinations and no vomiting. I realize that the medication is probably still coursing through me but it's off to a good start.

I also have taken over nighttime duties for Baby Chang. This was a big step as she still doesn't sleep through the night and often doesn't sleep in her own bed. Although who could blame her the portable bed she's in has no soft mattress like the big bed or a warm Mommy to snuggle with. So Grandma Chang is back to sleeping in her own bed and through the night for the first time since January 18th.

Speaking of steps Baby Chang has started to walk. As her cousin declared "It's an Easter Miracle". Yes it was Easter Sunday and she took her first solo steps. The girl has no teeth but she's ready to go, go, go!

We hit the pool on Monday and are planning to go again tomorrow. I've yet to try lap swimming I think that has to wait a couple more weeks until I'm a little stronger.

Saturday Baby Chang, Grandma Chang and I head back for Houston. Next week it's back to doctor appointments. Starting Monday I go in for a CT Scan to see how things look. I'll get the results on Wednesday. I must say I'm not looking forward to returning to doctor appointments but I am hopeful the CT will keep me away from doctors for a few weeks...