Time flies when we are having fun. It’s time for another CT scan already this Friday, 11/22. It’s the first scan after I get on chemo maintenance. I am curious to see if the maintenance chemo is enough to keep cancer from advancing. The maintenance dosage is certainly a lot easier on me and for that reason I am feeling better… plus all the tai chi and other activities I have been able to do. I know from past experience how I feel doesn’t already reflect on my scan results. What would life bring this time? 🙃

Brain radiation was done this afternoon. As they promised, I didn’t feel much of anything! I basically took an hour nap while they worked on me. I felt a little oozy when I first sat up, but I think that was from being perfectly still for over an hour. They put me on steroids for the next five days to prevent inflammation. Other than that, I am good to go on my trip tomorrow as planned… brain tumors free! Yay!!! I will get a follow-up visit in 3 months to see how things go. Thank you for all your prayers and thoughts!

Just when I thought the tumors are under control due to chemo, my brain MRI came back showing 3 little tiny tumors growing back. It turns out the chemo drugs I have been on do not cross the blood brain barrier. 😞 They are referring me to brain specialists and possibly looking into focused radiation to treat those tumors. The good news is they are very small at this point, measured in mm. Since the radiation does not have to go through my intestines like it did last year with my lower back, it should not make me sick like it did before, but of course anything is possible. I will keep everyone posted on dates and treatment plans.

On a lighter side, my maintenance chemo went well today. The impact is a lot less noticeable. We will see what the coming days bring.