Great News!!!!!

Where to start...well, i will start with the good news I guess. (no need to keep everyone in suspense!) I received the results from my PET Scan and the tumor has shrunk significantly! It is now only about the size of my thumb from the knuckle up! Also the metabolic activity level has dropped from 2o.7 to 3.3! They consider anywhere in the 2 range to be normal, so I am almost there! This is such great news! I cried when I heard it, I mean really sobbed! I know, wierd huh? I think that it was just such a relief, and probably all of the emotions that I have been keeping under a tight lock and key just came rushing out. I have always felt that I would come out of this okay, but acutally hearing it was wonderful! So, I get my next chemo treatment on the 17th of September and three weeks later I will have 2-3 weeks of radiation. After that, I will get a PET Scan every 6 months until 3 yrs have passed and then every year until I have been cancer free for 5-6 years. At that point they consider me home free unless I develop other symptoms.

I had my 5th chemo treatment on the 27th, the day after my (dare I say it?) 40th birthday. WOW how did I get so old? Everything went well, except that I had red streaks going up my arm. The nurse said it was just the chemo irritating my veins. I believe it, this time the treatment was a little painful and they had to keep hot packs on my arm the entire day.

On another note, Dave took me to Jackson Hole for a little weekend getaway. We had a great time and I even made the 2 + mile hike to Hidden Falls. It was a hard hike for me, in another time I would have hiked it much quicker, but it was really worth it! Candice and Brandon went with us, we all had a lot of fun. I haven't been to Jackson Hole since I was a kid, I forgot how beautiful it is!

Well, thanks to all of you for your love and support during this difficult time! I love you all! I believe that this shows what love and prayers can do!

My 4th Chemo

Wow, this summer has really flown by! I had my 4th chemo treatment on the 6th of August. I can't believe how quickly this has gone by for me. I guess it helps that I count my time by 1 1/2 weeks because of my Doctor visits and chemo treatments. Anyway, I feel really lucky that so far all has gone well with me. I really don't feel sick at all other than I get thrush really bad after every treatment. They have put me on an oral Nystatin which tastes absolutely gross, I can't believe I gave that to my babies! I have to take it 4 times a day...YUCK! But it does help a little and it is better than the alternative.
I go in on the 17 for my PET Scan and we will find out how the cancer is responding to my chemo treatments. I am praying that everything will be exactly as the Docs want it to be! If so then only 2 more treatments!!! I have been asked by a lot of you if I will have to have periodic treatments after this and the answer is no. Dr. Litton said that with the type of lymphoma that I have they expect a complete cure with treatments. This is great news!
I want to express my thanks for my family! They all went on a cancer hike that was held to raise money for support groups etc. for cancer patients and their families. I really wanted to go with them, but since I had my chemo treatment just 2 days earlier I knew I wouldn't be able to. It is amazing how my illness has opened up all of us to a greater awareness of the need to find a cure for all cancers, and the desire to become more proactive! I am really proud of all those who went on the hike and want to thank them! I love you all! Denice