August 6, 2003

 Although it is unusual, I am doing another small update just a little more than a week since the last one. The reason for this is because I have news, of course!

On Monday I had my regular appt. with my radiation oncologist, Dr. Shihadeh, and since we are nearing the end of my treatments (in about a week), I asked for more information on how and when the results would be known. 

 He told me how the radiation works.  He said that radiation does not kill the cancer cells directly.  It kills the chromosomes that the cancer cells need when they divide and reproduce.  When the cells try to divide, and can’t get the chromosomes they need to do this, they die.  So, this process can go on for four, six, or possibly even eight weeks after I stop having radiation treatments.  He said that at 4-6 weeks after I finish they will do a scan to see what the results are at that point.

On Tuesday, yesterday, I had an appt. at 8:45 to have my last chemo treatment.  As usual, I had lab work done on my blood, and had x-rays of my chest, and then met with Dr. Carroll, my head oncologist, before going to the infusing room for chemo.

 Dr. Carroll was pleased with my progress.  I have felt much better this past two weeks than in a long time, and the side effects from the last chemo treatment did not last nearly as long as they had before.  He said that if that was the case, they might be even less with this dose.  I hope so.  One of the nurses told me that of all the kinds of chemo, the kind I am taking is the worst as far as making you ill.  I have not had nearly the problems that other people tell me they have had with this kind.

Dr. Carroll told me that my x-ray looked good.  He said that at this point, even no growth was good, and a reduction of any kind was better.  He said I had a reduction, so when we meet again in four weeks, he will now consider my not having to go through another three months of chemo, but go directly on Arissa, the new chemo tablet that has no side effects. 

 He showed us the x-rays that were taken, next to the last one we took just three weeks ago.  My eyes were immediately drawn to the wall of my lung, where the tumor was approaching the wall last time, possibly ¼ inch away, at most.  In three weeks it is easily twice that distance from the wall, about ½ inch!  The reason that is important to me is because Dr. Shihadeh had told me that the nearer the wall a tumor gets, the worse pain will get, and if it reaches the wall, I would be in a great deal of pain.  They say that is because pain is much greater on the surface.  I am in no pain at this time.  I have a slightly sore and dry throat with a bit of a lump in it, from the radiation, and Dr. Carroll says that may get worse toward the end.  They have now changed the radiation to an angle to save my spine, and it may be getting my esophagus more strongly, or at least that is what I suppose.  In addition to the reduction in size, it appears to be quite a bit less dense, and Dr. Carroll was very pleased about all that, as we were.

 My hair has still not fallen out, and they don’t think it will now, so I am going to cut it, and I thank the Lord each day that I still have it.

 As you can see, I have had a lot of good news again this week.  I have been anxious, and probably still will be a bit anxious until I get the final report, but I am feeling better about it.  I give thanks daily for being so blessed.

 So, if any of you have been wondering when I would get results, you now know as much as I do.  I will know something after my next appt. with Dr. Carroll on September 2, and will update you at that time.

 I hope you will all continue to pray for me.  I pray that all continues to go well.  There are so many things that could happen that it keeps me from feeling comfortable, but I try to give all that to the Lord to take care of, and concentrate on the good news, and keeping up my regimen so I will do my part to regain my health.  My prayer list is getting long as I continue to be contacted by people from all over the country, and other countries as well who are praying for me, and who need prayers also.  Our Lord is a Mighty Lord, and all is possible if it falls within His will.  He does hear each and every prayer we send to Him, so let’s all keep it up.

 Until next time, 

Marcie
Two Rivers, Alaska