We received great news yesterday. My so-called restaging CT and PET scans came back with very good news. My tumors have been beaten back very significantly. The "hypermetabolism", measured by the PET scan, in my initial scan showed my primary colon tumor and the lesions in my liver very brightly. This means they were actively growing and eating sugars meant for the genuinely good bits of my body. My latest scan shows almost no hypermetabolism. One tiny spot on the liver about 6mm in diameter. This is fantastic news meaning that my tumors are very responsive to the chemo. This should remove any hesitancy on the part of my surgeon to operate (or cut, as the docs call it).
The surgeon's hesitation comes from the fact that, if you remove half of someone's liver and their cancer is not under control, you've simply shortened their life. Tiny lesions on parts of the liver you didn't cut out will then grow and destroy the liver. Livers are important:oddly enough, they keep you alive. The fact that my tumors respond (i.e. die) from the chemo should kill off any residual spots than were not removed.
I'm not one for irrational exuberance (some call me Mr. Negative Man), but this makes me smile. It's not a normal situation, to be excited about the opportunity to have half your liver and a good chunk of colon cut out, but I am. Scares me a bit to have major surgery, but, as I like to say, it sure beats the alternative.
2 comments:
Could it be that your liver was so well pickled to begin with? Super news indeed. Now hurry up and get rid of Mr. Polpetto so I can take this yellow rubber band off my wrist. It's very distracting when I move my fist up and down rapidly.
Dear Ross,
I haven't been checking your blog lately, because you haven't been posting lately, however, I just wanted to say how please I am with this news. If you ever feel like you need someone to talk to, please give me a call. You're the best, man, Rod.
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