February 6 update

Hello again!

I was able to meet with the doctor on Friday of last week.  Great news!  I am heading back to work on the 13th, a week from today.  I will be going back at 50%, only 20 hours / week.  Now I need to figure out how this will work with the disability pay, etc.?

The visit started off as usual, taking more blood for tests.  I am glad that our body replenishes our blood supply.  Otherwise, I would be nearing empty at this point.  The CBC’s looked good.  Platelets are still low, which the doc believes to be from the chemo still.  Everything else is right back within a normal range.

My blood pressure is steady at 117 /  74, again, right where it should be.  The only other item is my core body temperature.  This still remains a bit on the low side at 96.1.  Wondering if this will continue or if it will get more closer to “normal”.  Will need to add this to the question list for the next visit.

I am now scheduled for a PET scan on Monday, February 27th.  This will be the second PET scan since I have completed my chemotherapy treatments.  A follow up visit with my oncologist is scheduled for March 2nd – Friday.  When they determine that this scan is clean as well, we will be able to schedule the removal of my port, finally!

With a clean second PET scan, the doctor has suggested we schedule CAT scans every 3 months afterwards, along with blood tests.  For those that have been following since the beginning, the CAT scans did NOT find the cancer initially.  This leaves me a bit leery of the validity for the CAT scan to detect the cancer in my body.

The doctor re-iterated that my blood tests were not normal, and my conditions did not present themselves correctly.  The feeling going forward is, good CAT scan and good blood tests = happy doctor and patient!   Sounds like a good plan to me.

On another note, Superbowl Sunday was not as good.  The Giants defeated the Patriots, again!  Now I need to head out and go buy a “Giants Superbowl Hat” for my good friend Mikey.  Not only that, but I am supposed to wear it home too.  Oh, the shame.  Glad the store is close by.

The Superbowl Party was a lot of fun.  Thanks to our friends for sharing the evening with us.  As always, a great time!

Love to all,

Best,
-Dennis