I've Graduated

Hi Everyone,

I’ve graduated. I saw my oncologist this morning and was given some good news. First and foremost, my tumor marker test, CA 27.29, came back again at 31. That keeps me within normal ranges of 0 -35 and makes me extremely happy.

Also I’ve had a bone scan, a bone survey, PET / CT scan and MRI within the last 3 – 4 weeks. I swear all these scans are going to give me cancer. I’ve been doing these for the clinical trial that I’ve signed up for to determine the long term effects of Zometa. What did they find you ask?

Well the bone scan and bone survey came back normal. That’s not exactly what they were expecting to see. I had them compare those scans to the ones I had in October that came back “fine” when I did in fact have cancer in the bone and they came back looking the same. According to the Dr. they should have seen much more than they did, as she put it, “My bones should have been lit up from the radiation and Zometa”. None of that was present. I guess some people don’t respond to certain kinds of tests, in my case its bone scans.

So they ordered a PET / CT scan. Not a big fan of the PET / CT process but it’s OK. This is the one that I have to drink that funky cold berry flavored Elmer’s glue concoction, have an IV to receive something called Contrast and get injected with radioactive glucose. It’s quite the process. In any case, the PET / CT came back that the majority of my cancer has been “sclerosed” over. What does that mean? Well it basically means that the radiation and Zometa have developed “scar tissue” of sorts over the lesions on the spine. That’s good. There is an area on L3 that is still active with disease but not growing. That’s good too.

Based on the PET CT scan, Dr. Bowers wanted to also get an MRI to track the disease. I had that last Tuesday. They did find something of interest on S1 that they can not determine yet if it’s just something funky on my spine because my back is a total train wreck or if there may be new activity for cancer. I will have another MRI in 2 months. I had that area radiated too so who knows what’s there, this was my first MRI since radiation was done.

So I’ve graduated. I’ve graduated to a “stable” condition. I’m very happy to get to a “stable” condition, now instead of seeing my Dr. every 6 weeks I get to see her every 8 weeks. I’ll still be there 2 or 3 times a month but this is very good news for us. I will continue to take part in the Zometa clinical trial and live my life as normally as I can, because this is what we can do today.

As you know, I will be walking in the Breast Cancer 3-Day on August 21-23 and am totally ready. So far I’ve walked over 450 miles of training this summer to get ready for 60. You should see my feet, the person who gets me for the pedicure after the walk is really going to earn their tip. I’m looking forward to walking with my teammates and hopefully raising enough money to finally beat breast cancer or at least continue to arm oncologists around the world with more ammo to treat this disease. We’re hoping for great weather, no injuries, limited blisters and great stories for Team Tittsburgh. Wish us luck!

Thank you all for your time today and continued prayers for our family. I hope this finds you all well and that you’re having a great day today!

Love to you all,

Jen