Help Me Faith by the Hope County Choir - I do not own the rights to this music
Faith & Hope
I find this title and artist to be quite appropriate for the message I want to portray ... Faith and Hope! I have been on this metastatic breast cancer journey for almost two years now. Sadly, we've had more downs than ups. Because of my faith and hope, I keep pushing through; we keep pushing through. I say "we" because this disease impacts my entire family: my husband, my children, my grandchildren, my siblings, my nieces and nephews. My "breast cancer" family - you know who you are. Everyone!
For the first time in almost a year, we received decent PET results. In the last 5 scans, we knew instantly that a change in treatment was a must. It wasn't so clear with this one. Just the opposite. We still saw some slight progression and a new bone lesion. But we also saw decreased metabolic activity in lymph nodes, no or minimal change in other lesions, and resolution of an area that caused me pain two months ago (of course, I figured this one out on my own as a week after chemo, I had no more pain). I had Faith and Hope that the new chemo killed or at least injured the lymph nodes causing the pain; the new PET results confirmed my suspicions.
We also got news that tumor markers are on their way down. The last time I mentioned tumor markers in my blog, the CA27-29 levels were over 200; high normal is 38. They doubled in size to over 450. I am happy to report that this number is now at 417. Doesn't seem like an impressive drop, but the levels are finally going down and not up. We will continue to check tumor markers every two weeks to help us gauge how we're doing.
As happy as we are with the results, I have to admit that I haven't been completely forthcoming with just how much my cancer has invaded my body. I have shielded the nitty gritty details from everyone except my immediate family. I guess mainly because I wasn't sure how y'all would handle the reality; it can be a bit overwhelming. The last thing I want or need is for you to pull away because you aren't sure what to do or say. And I certainly do not want pity or sympathy. Let me help you .... just send prayers of hope and keep the faith that I am doing everything possible to live my best life everyday. I plan on being around awhile 😄
Time to come clean. Here are the details in the PET that speak about the areas impacted by my cancer:
Lungs: There has been interval resolution of partial lung collapse seen in the left lung base on the prior exam. No opacities on the current exam. No abnormal radiotracer uptake.Pleura: Interval resolution of pleural effusion seen on the prior exam.
Note: this shows up in every other PET. The chemo kicks it back every time. Hopefully, it will stay gone for a while this time.
Liver: There are a few low-density masses with radiotracer uptake in the liver. Mixed interval change since the prior exam. One lesion is stable. Others show slight increase. Overall appearance suggests progression. Reference lesions: * Segment II mass [4, 82]: 1.9 x 2.3 cm, prior 2.0 x 2.3 cm; SUV max 21.2, prior 16.7. Increased. * Segment IV/V mass [4, 89]: 2.2 x 2.4 cm, prior 2.2 x 2.3 cm; SUV max 14.8, prior 14.0. No change.
Note: I actually have three lesions in my liver. So two show slight increase, while one shows no change; that's a win in my book!
Lymph Nodes: Multiple lymph nodes with radiotracer uptake are seen in the neck, chest, abdomen, and pelvis. This includes jugular and superficial lymph nodes in the left neck. It includes left supraclavicular, bilateral axillary, bilateral subpectoral, pericarinal, bilateral lung hilar, and pericardial distributions in the chest. It includes celiac, portal, portacaval, aortocaval, and para-aortic distributions in the abdomen. It includes bilateral common iliac distributions in the pelvis.
Compared to the prior PET/CT scan, size and activity are either stable, or have decreased moderately. This suggests partial treatment response.
Note: The only one I can feel is the supraclavicular in my neck. The PA and I check this guy regularly to help gauge how the chemo is doing.
Bones and Soft Tissues: Multiple foci of increased uptake are seen in the skeleton. These are seen in cervical thoracic and lumbar spine, left scapula, multiple bilateral ribs, sacrum, left posterior acetabulum, left ischium, and bilateral femurs. The larger foci have associated lucency on CT. These are consistent with osseous metastases. There has been mixed interval change compared to the prior exam. A few lesions have improved. More have increased. There are a new lesion (left mid iliac bone). Overall appearance suggests progression.
Note: I am getting an infusion of Zometa with my chemo to help the bones stay strong and avoid fracture. Hoping more will show decreased activity next PET.
Summary:
1. Partial treatment response in lymph node metastases.
2. Mixed interval change in hepatic metastases. Overall appearance suggests slight progression.
3. Mixed interval change in osseous metastases. Overall appearance indicates progression.
4. Improvement in left-sided hydronephrosis. My kidney pain from last PET
5. Resolution of left-sided pleural effusion and resolution of partial left lower lobe lung collapse.
Brain: I have two lesions in my brain; one right front lobe and one back left lobe. We radiated them a few months ago and my follow-up MRI showed a 20% decrease. I should have another MRI in August to check on progress.
A bit overwhelming when you see it altogether, right? Especially the lymph nodes ... they're everywhere!! Anyway, this is my life. And I'm okay.
Through it all, I continue to have faith and hope that things will get better. My message to all it to never give up, never quit fighting. Continue to have faith and hope; without faith and hope, you have nothing. Find the rainbows in the storm ... they are there if you look.
One final note. The chemo queen still reigns. No side effects on Doxil. I'm not sure if it is because of the advancements in the chemo or my body just handles toxins well. Regardless, I know many who suffer horribly from nausea, neuropathy, peeling hands and feet, mouth sores, etc. I've managed to dodge all those bullets so far. I count my blessings every day that I remain free of side effects.
