MRI + Leave it to Fleener

Today was a big day.  A BIG day.....one we've been waiting on since I finished my whole-brain radiation.  

Today was MRI day....the follow-up MRI, which would should IF and how well the treatment worked to get me back to the land of the living, to extend my life span from the 6-12 month timeline and closer to the remission track.  

The MRI went smoothly.  No problems with needles or machines or time frame.  It was easy in, easy out.  

Then, I got to have lunch with Stephen, since he was off early!!  This also meant he could go to my appointment with Dr. Fleener!

We already had the phone call about GREAT PET results, but we got the official report:

"No abnormal areas of tracer localization are seen in the neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, or the skeleton.  No hypermetabolic cervical, axillary, intrathroacic, abdominal, or pelvic lymph nodes, liver, adrenal, or skeletal lesions are seen.  

NO EVIDENCE OF FDG AVID METASTATIC DISEASE.  STABLE EXAM SINCE 1/31/17!!!!!"

Dr. Fleener also was able to call and bet the reports EARLY from my MRI!!!!  There's no official report or images yet, but........

SHE CAME INTO THE ROOM WITH A SMILE AND A HAPPY DANCE!!!!!!  

The radiologist said that the tumors have decreased so much that he "had to squint to see any evidence."  

She knew it was improved.  She wanted to know a number---HOW MUCH HAVE THEY IMPROVED???

"99%"

Let me repeat that.....NINETY-NINE PERCENT!!!!!  

Like, there really is no other result that could have been better!!  The tumors have almost been erased from existence!!!

The tumors in my brain are basically battled back.  My symptoms are under control.  There is no evidence of disease anywhere else in my body.  

MIRACLES ARE STILL HAPPENING.  

Our plan moving forward:

Dr. Fleener feels like we should do something.  She's not sure how much will change or if doing a little something will make a huge difference, but she feels better doing something rather than nothing.  

So, we are going to go forward with the hormone (estrogen) therapy drug, Zoladex, which is a shot I'll receive every 4 weeks.  It will cause me to move into menopause with possible side effects: hot flashes, insomnia, feeling achey, lower sex drive, vaginal, and emotional changes.  There is no guarantee that this will prevent cancer from coming back, BUT---if there's a chance that some of my tumors might be fed by estrogen, it's worth a shot.  (ha!)

I'll also start receiving Zometa, a bone-building agent, with my regular maintenance drugs, which will help prevent osteoporosis.  

THERE WERE NO TEARS TODAY!!!  We were all smiles!!!  It's a little hard to believe that we actually have the miracle we've all been praying for.  Who knows how long it will last, but we are soaking it all in.  

From here, we will continue to scan every 4 months, or so.  There is always the looming cloud that cancer will come back, but we don't know where.  However, I have the best people watching me and constantly on the battle front.  

Today was a good day.