Test & Pass

Today was a great milestone! And it ended with good news that my cancer is still fully in remission! I had an annual follow-up CT scan for my cancer. This was actually more emotionally trying than I thought.

I hate needles. I have always hated getting poked and prodded and stuck. And today I was stuck at least six times for various things. First, my morning shot of blood-thinning Lovenox. I usually do the morning injection, but my sweetheart will offer to if she is awake. Then, I had to register for my CT scan at the early hour of 7:30 am at the outpatient facility. I had a chest x-ray, which involved no needles; yeah! Since my scan was "with contrast," an injection that affects your kidneys, I had to have a blood test to see that my kidneys are functioning properly. Then, for the CT scan, I get to drink a smoothie of some sort of liquid that kind of cleans you out as well. Then, an IV for the contrast injection. I was done and at my desk by 10 am.

At 4pm, I was at the doctor's office awaiting the results of the scan and chest x-ray. But, of course, the blood suckers wanted a vial for a blood cell count and tumor markers. The first nurse tried, two or three times, but was unsuccessful. One of the chemo nurses then came and immediately recognized me as one of her vein-less patients. But she was successful on the first try.

After that, we met with the oncologist and he bore the good news that my lymph nodes are continuing to shrink and my cancer is fully in remission. In fact, he thought that I may now be able to get off of my Lovenox (blood thinner) and also for my next visit/check-up to only have a chest x-ray without the CT Scan, just the blood test for tumor markers! Nice!

Of course, I did have to end the day with my normal Lovenox and I need to finish out the doses I have.

I am so excited, relieved, glad, and happy, all in one!