Monday, October 1, 2007

It could be nothing, or it could be something.


If I had a nickel for every time I heard these words, I'd be at least a quarter richer.

My PET scan showed some hot spots in my colon and bowel area. This could explain my vague symptoms - gastrointestinal grumblings, gassiness, unexplained weight loss, a feeling of fullness. But it could be nothing or it could be something.

Cancer spreads to the colon in 50 to 80% of Mantle Cell Lymphoma cases. When I had a colonoscopy in March, right before the start of Hyper CVAD, you may recall that I came out as clean as a whistle. But with this new turn of events, I'm scheduled for another colonoscopy (GoLytely, here I come) and lower GI biopsy early next week. I'll meet with Dr. Forman to review the results a week from Thursday.

Don't worry. Dr. Forman has a lot of tricks up his sleeve to deal with the worst case scenario. In the meantime, it's more waiting and more wondering.

13 comments:

Mrs. Duck said...

Hang on Smooky. This is enough to try the patience of a saint. I hope it helps to know that you've got a huge crowd rooting for you.

Love,
Mrs. Duck

Carolyn H. said...

Don't you just have all the fun? Yeah, 80%, but I'm looking at all that chemo that got you in remission. I think that's gotta count for something. It may be an aggressive cancer, but you're an aggressive patient and Dr. Forman sounds pretty formidable, too. The path of your progress reminds me of American football - a few yards forward and stop to regroup, a few yards forward and stop to regroup again, etc. Keep fighting your way along and you'll get to the goal line. Go team!

Carolyn

Anonymous said...

Ditto

Anonymous said...

Wow, Susan after putting off my colonoscopy for so long I finally had enough courage recently to do it finally. Your blog says to me everyone needs to have this done ASAP. So strange today I thought and talked about you many times. I am in S.F. and passed the Japanese baths. I know you have been there many times. The ladies with me had also been there. Wish you were there having soothing therapy. Wishing that Dr. Forman has all the tricks in his bag this time. Wishing you all my love. Love, Dee

Karen said...

Thinking about you and rooting for you, Susan! :-) And go Dr. Forman!

theother Karen

Susan C said...

Yes, it does help immensely to know that you all are rooting for me.

Piper Robert said...

As of 10-1-2007, I'm officially retired. I can spend more time rooting for you. I received my first check yesterday, so they're paying me to stay home.

I think it's time for another Smooky picture. How about the little princess birthday picture. That should put a big smile on your face! As you know, smiling, laughing, and singing are very healing.

Welp, better get back to my landscaping project. Love ya!

Susan C said...

Congratulations, man of leisure!

SAMO Calling said...

Smooky - Sorry to hear there is even more dragging out. With all that you've eaten lately, Lord knows what that colon looks like.
I've been battling my HOA the last week or so. They're beating me down to do some illegal construction. Can Dr. Forman help me?

Margaret said...

Hoping for nothing.

janet aird said...

So many more people are thinking of you than are commenting, too - you have a virtual army behind you.

PS I'm on my daughter's laptop and half of this is coming up in Japanese. Any idea why????

Unknown said...

I liked that you included the colon illustration since I am a visual learner. We are pulling for the nothing diagnosis to be correct. It sounds like Dr. Forman can handle whatever comes up if it does. I had a colonoscopy a few years ago when Sarah was about 8 and all I could think of thru the whole proceedure was that I had to tell her I had seen the inside of my but on television. It kept me laughing during the experience. Those were the days of the Magic School bus cartoons. At least the bus didn't travel you know where....

Lilli said...

Count me on your cheerleading crew. I'm not so great on the blog posting thing though, as last time I accidently posted before I was ready!

Margaret, on the other hand, seems to have gotten the hang of the pithy, clever comment, so I'm going to ditto her: Hoping for nothing.