More Great News!

No Chemo!!!!!!!  The doctor, Dr. Gordon, I saw on Friday is running a trial with the B-raf drug.  I start the 20th.  The drug is a pill that I will take at home and there are little side effects. This is one of the drugs I wanted and I'm so excited.  I'm getting ready for The Martin Christmas Party, so I'll post more later.  I just wanted to tell everyone the good news.

Some good news!

Finally remembered to call my doc and got my MRI Results which were good - NED (no evidence of disease).  Yipee!! I needed some good news.  Thank you God for keeping my brain healthy!

I have an appointment with a new doc on Friday.  His office is also running the clinical trial that the Arizona Cancer Center docs want me in.  Good thing is he is in Scottsdale, about 15 minutes from home.  I'm hoping to get a recommendation from this guy and not just information regarding the trial.  I did hear back from one of our friend Jaci's contacts at UCLA and he is recommending I pursue a more recent treatment.  (Can't say it enough - thanks Jaci!!) I am definately on board with this type of thinking.  It is just trying to find the drugs/trial I need.  He gave me some things to ask my doc in Tucson and I look forward to getting the answers on Tuesday when I travel down there.  I have been unable to get an appointment at Mayo until 12/30 which I think will be to late.  I'm not sure I am comfortable waiting that long to begin a treatment.

Other than waiting around for docs to call, I still feel great!  Went to yoga last night and it was amazing.  Just what I needed.  Can't wait for tomorrow night's class already.

I'll update again after my appointment on Friday.

No News

I got no news from anyone today.  I'll keep you all posted as I hear anything from my docs and specialists.

MRI

I did not receive the results of my MRI on Friday.  I was really busy.  It was my last day at the school and then after work I went straight to Teya's school to volunteer in her class.  After school she has gymnastics until 4.  My doctor's office closes at 4 and I didn't remember until after then.  I am taking it as a good sign that they did not call.  If it is bad news, then tend to call right away.  Once I speak with them tomorrow, I'll update.

We went out last night to celebrate our friend's, Rob Sutton, birthday.  It was so much fun to be with good friends for an evening out.  Most I hadn't seen a long while.  I am so blessed to have great friends that speak their concern and love with tight hugs and not words.  I wasn't sure what to expect, but was so thankful to have a night of catching up and laughter with friends without discussing the big C.

Have a great Sunday!

Results

I got my results from my CT Scan and they were not good. They were actually worse than I could have expected. The tumors in my lungs have grown and now there are more. There is also a new .5 centimeter mass where my right kidney used to be.  I don't even know how to put my emotions into words except, I'm devastated.  Beyond this crap though, I feel great.  All of my blood work came back healthy and my lungs sound great nor do I have shortness of breath or pain.

I had an appointment with my onc in Tucson and his recommendation is a clinical trial that is testing a breast cancer chemo against an approved melanoma chemo (ABI-001 vs. DTIC).  It is a radomized study.  I'm not confident in this treatment option as there is another drug that is proven to be successful with Melanoma.  The drug was suposed to be approved by the FDA Chrismas Eve, but they postponed it until March 2011 to get additional data.  There is an open study for this drug at MD Anderson in Houston, TX.  My Uncle Art and Aunt Diane live there and I know they would take care of me if this is where I need to be for treatment.

So, anyways, this is a difficult decision and I am seeking other opinions to make sure that the treatment we choose is right for me.  I'm hoping to get an appointment with The Mayo clinic in Scottsdale.  I faxed them my medical records Tueday night and I hope to hear from them tomorrow. Also a wonderful friend of ours, Jaci, is helping us find other opinions through her contacts in the world of cancer.  We are so grateful for all she is doing for me.

Any of the treatments that are available will wipe out my immune system as well as possibly kick my butt with numerous other potential side effects.  I could be in treatment for the next 6+ months.  Because of this I have to quit my position at the Pre-School and this Friday will be my last day.  I am so sad to have to leave.  As one of the teacher's (Miss Laura) put it, it is my happy place and it will be hard to leave such great co-workers (who really are a second family) and great children and their families.  Friday will be a hard day for me.

Due to the spreading of my cancer, I am having an MRI of brain tomorrow.  We need to ensure that this nasty stuff hasn't made a home there as if so that would be a totally different treatment.  Should have the results on Friday.

I am praying for guidance in my decision and healing.