I’m excited and nervous for the day ahead. Excited and hopeful for good news for these first scans after starting chemo treatment. And nervous that the news won’t be what we have hoped and prayed for.
My husband, Andy, and I headed out around noon on Sunday to make the trek to Tampa.
We arrived easily and were blessed to have a comfy place to stay thanks to Noel McDonnell!! We greatly appreciate your hospitality!! ❤️
On Monday morning we were up with plenty of time to head over to Moffitt Cancer Center for 9:45 labs, 10:30 CT of abdomin, thorax and chest, 12:30 Meet Dr Anaya the liver surgeon, 1:00 see Dr Xie medical oncologist.
I wore my sparkly sand dollar necklace from Andy and our trip to Key West and bright peachy shirt! I’m determined to be in a good mood and remain positive to ensure great outcomes!!
This is Andy’s first trip and he is taking it all in and is being a good sport carrying my tote full of anything I could possibly need (especially the masks I hand out to the providers who are kind to me)!
My first stop is for labs where they access my port and leave everything connected for my CT. Next, we take a shuttle to an offsite building for my CT because the main hospital is THAT busy!!! (GO GET YOUR COLONOSCOPY PEOPLE). It goes quickly so we are shuttled back for a quick break in the cafeteria. Cafeteria food undoubtedly tastes better when you have had no breakfast lol
I received a pleasant surprise that Dr. Steven Jordan, a respected Orthopedic surgeon from home and now a friend, is also here getting his routine 6 month scan. He has been invaluable with helping me initially navigate Moffitt. Thank you! We both are adamant about telling everyone the age for required colonoscopy has changed to 45! GET YOUR COLONOSCOPY!! We were able to catch up briefly before my turn was called early!
Then I met Dr Anaya, the liver surgeon, for the first time. At this point, the radiology reports from my scans this morning weren’t ready yet but he was able to pull up my CT images and compare them to the ones from June.
Good news is that all of my tumors, in my liver and colon, have shrunk! Not so good news is that they remain involved with all three veins in the liver so surgery (resection) is still not an option at this point.
Next, we met with Dr Xie, the medical oncologist, who agreed with Dr Anaya. Looks like 6 more rounds of dreaded chemo and then new scans and possibly surgery! #GOALS
So bottom line, we got some good news, not great news, but we will take it!!! The tumors are shrinking-the chemo is working. And, better news, there are no new tumors anywhere and no growth!!! Thank God!
Thank you to everyone who continues to support and pray for me. I appreciate all of it so much!
Slow but steady. You’re doing great! Good news on the shrinkage 💪
That is GOOD news. I love (and am not surprised) by your attitude 🙌. Thanks for sharing your journey ❤️❌❤️⭕️
Thinking of often. May God be with you.
Angela
I admire your bravery, positive attitude , and optimism that is so inspirational. I truly believe in mind over matter and the power of our thoughts and how it affects our bodies. I’m so happy the tumors are shrinking and no new ones ! This is an awesome sign and gift and with the next round of chemo, those tumors in your liver around the veins will be smaller ! I think about you very often and you are in my prayers ! I know you got this 💖🌸💖🌸
Great news. You are heading in the right direction.
Love you hun your so strong and I’m
Praying for you🙏
I’m glad to hear things are moving in a positive direction. I will pray that God will bless you with complete recovery. Keep up the fight!!
So happy to hear the tumors shrank! That’s fantastic even if it’s not as fast as you would like. Prayers for your continued journey!
No bad news is good news!!! We are all here for you and we CAN’T WAIT to see you cancer free. Praying for you daily!
So thankful for GOOD news! 🎉
Such good news! Love you!
So happy for some good news. Love being able to follow your journey ! You are doing great and I’m so proud of you 🥰🤗. I will continue to pray for continued success in beating this disease. #cancersucks. #angelastrong
Glad to hear some good news. We will keep praying!
You are a warrior! Wishing you more bright days and peace
You have motivated me to get checked out. I am in the same boat. Today I went to the gyno and did the blood occult test and sure enough, it was positive. So off to schedule the colonoscopy that was delayed due to covid. Praying for you and will follow your journey. I am glad they are shrinking!
Great news!! So glad to hear! Keep up the fight we are all praying for you!
So happy and excited,
this is great news! I am so sure God has great plans for your future. We all will continue to pray for your quick recovery, then we shall all be oh sooooo happy. Love you my friend and hope to see you soon.