Latest CT Scan Result
Good news from my latest CT scans. My latest Chest, Abdomen and hip scan shows that the tumors are stable or slightly decreased. Specifically, here's what it states:
I still can't believe that I have all these bad "nodules" or tumors in body, especially around my heart. It's a sad reality and reminder that I have to keep on fighting and praying for better results as my condition is pretty bad even though in spirit, my mind still thinks and acts like young at heart, like a typical, normal, active busy 35 year old, aside from the aches and back pains.
Updated Treatment Plan
With my bones showing signs of scar tissues and giving me aches and pains as well as my labs indicating my body has had enough of chemo, my Dr has discussed switching me over to the Tarceva treatment plan. I've discussed with him my concerns of the side effects and he states overall, those sides effects are very rare and that the most likely side effect would be the rash and or diarrhea, which I can use moisturizers and or over the counter Immodium to help.
As for me not having the EGFR marker, he says, that's just one marker that they commonly test for to indicate an exact matching for Tarceva, but that I could potentially have other markers that they are still learning about. He says Tarceva in other clinical studies show it has helped many patients similarly to me that are Asian, young, non smokers and that those who have taken it, it has dramatically reduced the tumor growth and have greatly extended their life expectancy. Let's hope this will be the miracle drug for me!
So, I'm glad to be ending the Chemo treatment and let's hope this Tarceva will work for me. We'll find in two months as another round of CT scans will be done to see how it effective it will be. Let's hope it will shrink all the tumors!
Princess Ballet Starts this Sat
So my daughter Ellen, who is 3 years old will be starting her Princess Ballet class this Sat! She's also starting her Tiny Tots preschool half day 5 days a week program starting next Monday as well. She's super excited to embark on her new adventure in dancing lessons and meeting other kids her own age at preschool. We'll take picture to share her experience once she starts her program.
So again, hurray for the good news! Thank you everyone for your continued support, letters, cards and emails. I really enjoy reading your comments and let's keep up our good hopes, prayers and energy for improved results in 2 months.
With that, here are some more recent pictures and videos of my kids playing.
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Good news from my latest CT scans. My latest Chest, Abdomen and hip scan shows that the tumors are stable or slightly decreased. Specifically, here's what it states:
- "Interval decreased lymphangitic carcinomatosis in right lung, primary ill defined mass in the right lower lobe is grossly stable in size...the tumor mass in right lung measures approximately 2.1 x 2 cm, slightly decreased in right lung."
- "Multiple sclerotic bone metastases, several are slightly increased in size and degree..this likely represents a continued healing response."
- "Interval resolution of glass nodule in lower lobe of left lung with continued decrease in the degree of scattered nodules throughout left lung. Findings suggest an inflammatory or infectious etiology measuring 5-mm."
- "No new suspicious nodules or masses are seen."
- On the areas around my heart, it shows "stable subcarinal mass measuring 2.2 x 3.5 cm on coronal images" and several mediastinal lymph nodes are stable when compared to prior exam. This means, other than my lungs, the tumors that are presently around my heart are stable when compared to previous images taken.
I still can't believe that I have all these bad "nodules" or tumors in body, especially around my heart. It's a sad reality and reminder that I have to keep on fighting and praying for better results as my condition is pretty bad even though in spirit, my mind still thinks and acts like young at heart, like a typical, normal, active busy 35 year old, aside from the aches and back pains.
Updated Treatment Plan
With my bones showing signs of scar tissues and giving me aches and pains as well as my labs indicating my body has had enough of chemo, my Dr has discussed switching me over to the Tarceva treatment plan. I've discussed with him my concerns of the side effects and he states overall, those sides effects are very rare and that the most likely side effect would be the rash and or diarrhea, which I can use moisturizers and or over the counter Immodium to help.
As for me not having the EGFR marker, he says, that's just one marker that they commonly test for to indicate an exact matching for Tarceva, but that I could potentially have other markers that they are still learning about. He says Tarceva in other clinical studies show it has helped many patients similarly to me that are Asian, young, non smokers and that those who have taken it, it has dramatically reduced the tumor growth and have greatly extended their life expectancy. Let's hope this will be the miracle drug for me!
So, I'm glad to be ending the Chemo treatment and let's hope this Tarceva will work for me. We'll find in two months as another round of CT scans will be done to see how it effective it will be. Let's hope it will shrink all the tumors!
Princess Ballet Starts this Sat
So my daughter Ellen, who is 3 years old will be starting her Princess Ballet class this Sat! She's also starting her Tiny Tots preschool half day 5 days a week program starting next Monday as well. She's super excited to embark on her new adventure in dancing lessons and meeting other kids her own age at preschool. We'll take picture to share her experience once she starts her program.
So again, hurray for the good news! Thank you everyone for your continued support, letters, cards and emails. I really enjoy reading your comments and let's keep up our good hopes, prayers and energy for improved results in 2 months.
With that, here are some more recent pictures and videos of my kids playing.
Great news. My prayers for you continue.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Me