Chemo #4 is a GO!

Met w/Dr. Kritz and Jessica today.  I got a "GO" for Chemo #4.  My liver counts are high but I need the chemo so we're going to do it.  I'm going to stop one of my antibiotics...and we might make other adjustments later...depending on how the ol' liver behaves.

I was honest with Dr. Kritz and Jessica about my reaction to "partial response".  "It's either responding or it's not, what the hell does 'partial response' mean"...I think is what I expressed.  As usual, Dr. Kritz put my mind at ease so I'm feeling better now.  :)  

He said he could have treated me much more aggressively and Bertha would have been completely gone by now...but that would have severely impacted my day2day life.  I would have lost my hair. I would have felt so bad I would have been bed ridden.  Odds would have been good that I would catch a potentially life-threatening virus from the outside world. And all sorts of other things.  All bad.  With the treatment that he's giving me, Bertha WILL go away.  It's just going to take at least 6 treatments to get her there.  And maybe some radiation.  But in the meantime, I will be able to enjoy life - run/hike with my dogs, work in my yard, have fun with my Warriors, and still go to my super fantastic job.  

Ok.  I get it.  Patience.  I must be patient.  Ok.  Ok. OK!

And, statistically, Bertha is about half the size that she was!  Here are the actual dimensions:

Originally on 7/15/16:  12.3 X 5.4 X 15cm
Today, 11/15/16:            7.3 X 2.1 X 8.6cm (new model coming soon!)

Chris saw us in the lobby.  She came out and showed us a picture of the nurses at Halloween.  Guess what they dressed as????  HIPPIES!  They ALL had tie dye shirts!  She said they were channeling my spirit!  :)  

It's impossible to be grumpy with all the support I'm getting!

Ok, deep breath.  Chemo #4 here I come!  

I got this from one of my Warriors in Chicago...perfect:

I've totally got this...

❤️,
Bubba 

Motivation from one of my Warriors....

I needed this today....

I've totally got this...

❤️,
Bubba 

CT Scan Results are in: Partial Response

Cancer center called this morning with the results of the CT scan.  Bertha has had a "partial response" to chemo.  Dr. Kritz is pleased with the results so we will continue treatments.

I am VERY happy that she's responding....but will be honest....I was hoping for "total response" so am a little downhearted.  Guess she's gonna be stubborn.  Ok.  Fine.

I will need to fight harder!  

I've totally got this...

❤️,
Bubba 

CT Scan Done - but there were side effects :(

My CT Scan is over and the people at Raleigh Radiology could not have been more super fantastic!  WOW!  I wore one of my "Buh Bye Bertha" t-shirts and they LOVED it!  See below for the card they gave me as I left.

For the very first CT Scan I ever had years ago, my stomach did NOT like the contrast.  This time the same thing happened.  It kicked me in the butt BIG TIME.  This morning I am finally feeling human again.  Blek!  It was worth it to know how big Bertha is now, so I'm not complaining.  Just looking forward to Tuesday when I meet w/Dr. Kritz to get the results!

This was NOT my friend this time....but that's ok, it did the job.

 Had to drink TWO of these.

 Buh Bye Bertha!!

 On my way to the scan.  Had to drink #2 on the road...

 The Raleigh Radiology ladies ROCKED!  They LOVED my shirt and even let me hold my HOPE heart during the scan.  They said "BYE BYE BERTHA" as they started the scan :)

I held this the entire time!!

I've totally got this...

❤️,
Bubba 

CT Scan - BRING IT!

I'm SOOOOOO ready for my CT Scan tomorrow!  I know deep down in my heart, Big Bertha now looks like this....

I've totally got this...

❤️,
Bubba 

CT Scan is Tuesday!

The moment is finally here!  CT Scan time!  WOO HOO!!  I absolutely CANNOT WAIT to see how Big Bertha is responding to chemo!  I made a model of her so I can compare the new results to how big she *WAS*: 

I know she's smaller now.  Dr. Kritz couldn't feel her during my last appointment plus my guts have been VERY MOBILE!  BLEK!  I can feel things moving around in my stomach BIG TIME.  I look down sometimes and see things rippling under my skin.  Yes it's totally gross and it makes me feel blekky, BUT, I'm taking it as a sign that there is more room in my belly now that Big Bertha ain't big no more!  BOOM!

To all my Warriors:  Please send me good thoughts on Tuesday!  

BUH BYE BIG BERTHA!

I've totally got this...

❤️,
Bubba 

Lymphoma Survivors ROCK!

I have been feeling good lately.  YAY!  Was even able to run with my dogs a little bit this weekend, which is always good for my heart and soul.  I read this and thought it worthy of posting here...

"The treatment enveils you in a blanket of hope, fear and quiet desperation, but you continue to put one foot in front of the other and move forward. There are no guarantees, but standing still is the greatest fear of all. Even if you are fortunate enough to reach the survivor stage of the treatment and recovery, the very thought of it all stays in the back of your mind. That is why you feel so deeply for anyone who is still going through this ordeal, anyone who has been there, and for the families of those who did not make it through to the other side. Yet we are still a 'fraternity of hope', a 'reservoir of strength,' and true believers in a brighter tomorrow!" ~P. Morning Bear DéMarks (2012 quote from Lymphoma Survivor)

I've totally got this...

❤️,
Bubba