The wait.

(Written Monday night.)

Last Thursday Nov 30 I had a CT scan to check progress of the Chemo.  We have been waiting (not so patiently) for some answers in the test results.  Both Leah and I struggle with a time period of not knowing.  For the last 5 days we wondered what was happening to the Tumor as well as are we able to take a "chemo break" for this month.  Those close to me will tell you exactly how tired both mentally and pysically I am from the treatments.  I no sooner get some energy back and then the treatment starts again.

Tonight while we were at dinner when I got a message from My Chart.  As I logged in to the app I found it was the CT results.  I quickly read through the report looking for numbers and didn't understand clearly until I read the whole report out loud.   The last CT was measured in MM and this one in CM

The tumor was 5.8 x 4.0 CM (58 x 40 MM) as of Nov 30 from my CT the size is 4.9 x 3.0 CM (49 x 30 MM).  This indicates a size reduction by about 1 CM each direction.  The next question we have is did it shrink toward or away from the Portal vein.  The report did not say one way or the other.  So this will be one of the questions for the PA.  The other big question the PA will get is about our wish for a "chemo break".  A couple weeks ago when we had an appointment with the Oncologist during which he indicated he would be ok with it.  So at least we know what the tumor is doing and we will yet again have to wait to see if I am or am not doing a chemo treatment on Thursday.  

I've told the people that need to know what my plan is.  Essentially we have to plan for either case and be flexible.  The first thing my Oncologist told me 12 years ago was that Cancer is inconvenient.  He was and is right.  Just like this week we'll likely pack as if we are staying all day for treatment even we don't plan on following through with it.

Our desire is to take this Month as our break and then return for treatment after the first of the year if I'm not seeing someone for surgery. If the surgeons think surgery is an option I'll consult with one of them and they will likely want another scan to get a better picture and then they'll schedule surgery.

So until Thursday we wait again for more answers. 

~ Kent