Six months ago I was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma. Unbelievable. What's even more unbelievable is that my most recent PET scan shows no evidence of disease.
I feel a mixture, sometimes roller coaster of emotions: joy, disbelief, amazement, shock, relief, exhaustion, and even guilt.
For now, I am winning. However, melanoma isn't a fair opponent. It plays by it's own rules, and sometimes (most of the time) plays dirty.
I am sure, at least for a while, I will feel as if I am looking over my shoulder, waiting...watching...wondering. Melanoma may want to play again. Hopefully, it is done with me.
I feel extremely fortunate, exceptionally lucky. My treatments worked. It wasn't easy, but I know that my story could be so very different.
Thanks to all for your support, love, and prayers.
Heather
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
It's been a long time...
It has been a long time since my last post. I apologize for not keeping you all up to date. However, there has not been a whole lot of new, news.
In my last blog entry I explained that my cardiologist had requested a cardiac MRI. I had that completed in early February and got the results about one month later. Basically, my heart function is healthy in every way. The MRI does show some 'moderate circumferential pericardial effusion with no evidence of tamponade'. Fluid around my heart but not enough to impair function. 'Trivial bilateral pleural effusions'. Small amount of fluid around my lungs.
'Three small, less than .6 cm areas of hyperenhancement in the basal anterior wall concerning for either inflammation or potentially mid myocardial metasteses'. Three lesions, the origin of which is very hard to discern, especially because there was no imaging of my heart in the staging process. However, if these lesions were present than, it is my understanding that IL 2 would still have been the treatment of choice.
All of my doctors feel that the likelihood is high that all of these abnormalities can be traced back to my IL 2 treatment, and as such are transient, and will disappear eventually. My cardiologist, Dr. Beglin, has requested another echocardiogram in June. Hopefully, all will be back to normal at that point.
I have my next PET scan this Friday March 23rd. We should get result early next week. We anticipate good news, however, anxiety always creeps in. We will meet with Dr. Rubin, my oncologist in Bellingham, on Monday. I hope to hear from Dr. Margolin, my oncologist in Seattle, next week as well. Good news or not, I would like a plan.
I have been feeling pretty well physically. Emotionally, I feel as if I am the same person, however I feel inexplicably changed forever. Physical pain is so much easier to push through.
I am so frequently reminded how fortunate I am for all that I have. Too many things, and people to list! Even on the bad days(and there aren't many),I can never forget that.
Thank you all for continuing to support us!
Fingers crossed for Friday,
Heather
In my last blog entry I explained that my cardiologist had requested a cardiac MRI. I had that completed in early February and got the results about one month later. Basically, my heart function is healthy in every way. The MRI does show some 'moderate circumferential pericardial effusion with no evidence of tamponade'. Fluid around my heart but not enough to impair function. 'Trivial bilateral pleural effusions'. Small amount of fluid around my lungs.
'Three small, less than .6 cm areas of hyperenhancement in the basal anterior wall concerning for either inflammation or potentially mid myocardial metasteses'. Three lesions, the origin of which is very hard to discern, especially because there was no imaging of my heart in the staging process. However, if these lesions were present than, it is my understanding that IL 2 would still have been the treatment of choice.
All of my doctors feel that the likelihood is high that all of these abnormalities can be traced back to my IL 2 treatment, and as such are transient, and will disappear eventually. My cardiologist, Dr. Beglin, has requested another echocardiogram in June. Hopefully, all will be back to normal at that point.
I have my next PET scan this Friday March 23rd. We should get result early next week. We anticipate good news, however, anxiety always creeps in. We will meet with Dr. Rubin, my oncologist in Bellingham, on Monday. I hope to hear from Dr. Margolin, my oncologist in Seattle, next week as well. Good news or not, I would like a plan.
I have been feeling pretty well physically. Emotionally, I feel as if I am the same person, however I feel inexplicably changed forever. Physical pain is so much easier to push through.
I am so frequently reminded how fortunate I am for all that I have. Too many things, and people to list! Even on the bad days(and there aren't many),I can never forget that.
Thank you all for continuing to support us!
Fingers crossed for Friday,
Heather
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