4 year follow up

I have my 4 year follow up today. 

This is how it goes with the timeline (at least for me): 

Treatment:

• Diagnosis (Sep 2012)
• Start Chemo (Oct 2012)
• End Chemo (March 2013)
• Rest before Radiation (April 2013)
• Radiation (April 2013)
• Rest (through July 2013)
• Back to work (July 2013)

Post Treatment:

• 1st + 2nd year from diagnosis: CT scan every 6 months, Dr. Visit every 3 months (Sep 2012 - Sep 2014), and 2 PET Scans for diagnosis and remission status.
• 3rd year from diagnosis: CT scan every 6 months, Dr. Visit every 6 months (Sep 2014 - Sep 2015)
• 4th year from diagnosis: CT scan 1 time a year (I had an extra CT Scan due to lung nodule), Dr. Visit every 6 months (Sep 2015 - Sep 2016) 
• HERE ON OUT 5th YEAR:  1 CT scan, Dr. Visit every 6 months (Sep 2016 - Sep 2017)
• 6th year:  I'm cured.  No more CT scans.

What that means:  I only have 1 more CT scan left to do, and only have to see my oncologist 2 more times.  Then no more checkups with an oncologist.  I do however, require an annual check up with my general practitioner doctor for routine blood draws.... though I haven't seen him in like 3 years, given that I've been to the doctor more than more people will ever see in their lives in the last 4  years.

My scan results today:

• "Nothing remarkable" ....which sounds kinda sad, but is actually good.  

I apparently am just fine with my health and not having cancer.  Yay.

After the next year, I should be fine.  Though the chance of having cancer goes up in about 20 years from there (when I'm 58), due to the chemo + radiation I received, but given medical research: that can go down quite a bit, but only if research is happening.

I also saw my old retired primary nurse today.  She's back in while the new head nurse is out for the next month. It was good to see her again.

Here's my (usual) exchange with my doctor today:
Dr: Looking good.  Has it been really 4 years?  That long?
Me: Yeah.
Dr: Well, you only have 1 more CT scan, ever. However, it will be with another doctor.  I'm retiring at the end of the year.
Me: What are you going to do with retirement?
Dr: Travel, while I'm not too feeble.

Though I have 2 art degrees, I work in medical research support (prior to my diagnosis actually).  People I know from "back then" who say, "why don't you try teaching or blah blah?"  Because I'm pretty good with what I'm doing.  I kinda hit a wall with the self-centered art thing, and I like what I do.  I still do that "art thing" on the side, but: I like what I do and what it ultimately means.

I recently took a trip to California, and Tahoe. It was a good "mancation" with old friends of mine from grad school. I needed a vacation, and to almost have a heart attack going up 1300' feet in 1/4 mile.

Those Seattle legs provided a lot of glare

I also saw one of my old grad advisers while in California, Mike Henderson. He used to keep some of my art up in his studio, they were gone when I visited.  His reason:

"I used to have your art up in my studio, old print proofs I pulled out of the trash of your studio one day. Then I heard you had cancer a couple of years ago, and I thought to myself that I didn't want to disrespect you with putting up something that you didn't want to be seen, so I took the prints down, and tore then up, and decided if you got better, you could just give me something to replace it that you liked." 

Well, I suppose I should give him some stuff.

Cat photo (because that's why you actually come here, it's the internet, it's okay). My friends' fat skeptical cat:

Spots on lungs + 3 1/2 years down, 1 1/2 to go

Spot on my lung followup:

So, as follow up to my last post regarding my pulmonary nodule at the top of my lung on the right side, which is where I had my radiation therapy so I had to do the standard follow up, to ensure that it's not cancer caused by the radiation therapy (it was clearly not from a lymph node, so it was not Hodgkin's Lymphoma):

• Waited 3 months (Dec 2015 - March 2016), to see if the nodule grew or went away.  Grow = bad, stay the same/go away = good
• No CT contrast to slurp down, since it's a plain CT scan of only my chest, though I still have a IV contrast while in the machine

They have stylin' chairs in the waiting room now

The nodule was originally 6mm, and it's stayed the same size, but has gotten more transparent, which basically means it's dissipating and may disappear all together on my next scan. It was probably caused by some sort of respiratory infection like pneumonia.

I'll have to have another scan in 6 months (Sep 2016), since the nodule is still there, though should disappear or be much smaller, but that's my next regular scan anyway. If my scan in September is good, that means I won't have to have another for 12 months until Oct 2017, and that will be my last scan all together at the 5 year mark since diagnosis and means that I'm cured.

My oncologist was reviewing the scans before the radiologist finished the report, but we knew what we were looking for.  Then just as my appointment was about to finish, he's scrolling through the slices of my body, and says "hold on... what is that?"  On the scan there was a very-very bright spot in between my lung and heart on my right side, about the size of two to three inches. He then asks me if I still have my port installed, I don't, it's been out for about 3 years now. Then he start muttering and going through all of the possible things he's looking at trying to figure out what it it is.  

The reason why he asked me if I still had my port in, was because only metal would show that brightly on a CT scan.  He then checked the scans going front to back, and found that it was actually much bigger and longer, like a long piece of alien-organic shaped metal winding from my diaphragm to my shoulder.  So then after a couple of minutes, he says "I think it's the contrast that they injected you with, and they just started the scan a few seconds too early so it's concentrated and in your system instead of more spread out."  

Doctor: "I'll just wait for the radiologists report to come in and if it's something of concern I'll give you a call, otherwise I'll see you in September."

Me: "I... uh... alright?"

I eventually got the report and per the radiologist: "nothing remarkable. Follow up in 6 months."  I've found radiologist to be the most dry and non-plused of all doctors encountered, they're like the HAM radio enthusiasts of the medical world (the most hilarious are always pathologists).

I had also sprained my knee and told my doctor, and added "it's probably not within your specialties."  He said "hey... you never know." 

3 years since finishing chemotherapy 

It's been 3 years since I finished chemotherapy.  So I treated myself and went on a 2 day hike of the Olympic peninsula. I went to Hurricane Ridge, and Rialto Beach at La Push (no, don't even think about it).  I snowshoed on what is probably one of the last days to snowshoe of the season.  I only have 1 1/2 more years until I no more regular scans and checks, Wendy and I might go someplace internationally at that point to celebrate.

That guy (still with hair)

Eh, the view is alright I suppose

3 Year Update

Whoooo- it's been awhile, but I suppose that's good.

They put up tinsel, and the fire has been "burning" for like 3 years now 

Slightly over 3 years since diagnosis, when I hit the 5 year mark in 2017 I'm considered to be "cured."  

Today was supposed to be the milestone of clean CT scan = only 1 CT needed a year with 2 doc visits a year for the next two years (instead of multiple scans a year).  My results show a clean scan with no enlargement of lymph nodes, or anything out of the ordinary....

Except for one tiny thing: the radiologist found a small 6mm pulmonary nodule on the top right of my lung, which is not a lymph node and has nothing to do with my cancer history of Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Basically it's a tiny spot on my lung that showed up on my CT scan, which actually isn't even a big deal as they're caused by a wide variety of things like having or have had a bacterial + viral infection (colds, pneumonia etc), and a wide variety of random reasons. They can also disappear about as quick as they appear, or just stay there doing nothing, they're are common enough that they appear in about half of all CT scans preformed and smokers always have multiple nodes show up. 

So what's the catch if it's not a big deal? Given my history with cancer: I have to get another scan in 3 months at the end of March, instead of the intended Dec 2016, just to see what the pulmonary node will be doing then.  I was hoping I would be done with my friend the magnetic tube for awhile, ah well.  Though bright side: I won't need to drink contrast to see my lymph nodes as my lymph nodes look fine (citrus still remains my "favorite," avoid mocha-chino if they try to push the flavor on you, it's a trap because no one ever picks it and they're just trying to get rid of them), so it will be just a plain CT scan of only my chest to check on my lung.

So in March 2016 after my scan:

• If it's still there: no big deal
• If it's gone: no big deal
• If it's doubled in size or new ones around it pop up, which is highly unlikely but means it's some sort of lung cancer

Doubling in size/spreading is unlikely given my medical history, though I did have radiation therapy applied around there but typically pulmonary nodes show up right after radiation treatment and within typically 24 months from treatment- and I'm about 30 months out. So I basically just have to wait until March 2016.

My doc was not particularly worried, given that they're common in scan, but due to medical history has to take all of the proper precautions.  Though he was the most animated I've ever seen him when he asked "what are you going to do for the new years?"  I told him get together with some friends and have a southern dinner, as my friends wife is from the south, and we've seem to have done southern dinner for the last few years after new years. My doc got super excited, asked what we were having then told me about the vacation his wife and he were going to go on in the summer to do the Mississippi Culinary Trail and do some sort of culinary road trip.  He was pretty stoked, "I love southern food... it's not good for you, but it's pretty great." Dude was on the verge of drooling.  I was pretty hungry at that point too, but I had sushi for lunch instead.

Also, cat:

"what.. why... off-OFF!... I guess this is my life now"

Continuing Check Ups

I am now 2 1/2 years out, since diagnosis, and a little under 1 year since remission.

When I went into my last appointment check in, I waited in the waiting area.  The front desk girl was still there, and as per usual she never forgets my name (though I'm pretty sure that she has a list of the patients that are coming that day under the counter, but I'm fine with that).

While I waited, there was a code blue  while I was waiting, which means someone went into cardiac or respiratory failure.  Immediately, the code blue response team showed up.  The eventually left, and I assumed the person in need was taken to the ER via internal access.

So then I waited... for at least an hour.  I figured they were busy, with a code blue etc.  I had assumed it was a patient that had an issue... until the head nurse came out, and told me I'd have to reschedule.  My Dr was the one who needed the code blue. I wasn't sure what to say, then the nurse offered up "how about we do your blood work and schedule?" Me: "Uhh... okay?"

I rescheduled 2 weeks later. 

When I eventually say my doctor, Dr: "this is odd... why did you do your blood work 2 weeks ago?  Normally that's done same day as I see you?"  Me: "Well... uh, you were pre occupied... as they called a code blue on you when you collapsed."  Dr:  "... was that 2 weeks ago?  AH, yeah it was. It not so good when the patients I see are seemingly in better health than I am." (He had a kidney stone, and collapsed from the pain. He's not a spring chicken).

I've hit the miles stone of "you've been so far okay, let's see you in August, and then do a scan in December.  If then you're okay after that scan at the end of the year, you won't need a scan after this, and I can see you 2 times a year for a couple of years, and then you're 'cured.'" 

SO:  If it get to the end of the year with not problems, I won't have to have another barium milkshake flavored by someone who has spent their entire life in a lab and doesn't know what "citrus" tastes like (I assure you sir, it DOES NOT TASTE LIKE THAT).

Life note: Wendy and I had our 4th "we've-been-together-and-we're-kinda-married-close-enough-I'm-a-godless-west-coast-atheist-whatever-with-labels" anniversary a week ago.  We celebrated at Rock Creek (great fish).

Awe, eating fish and being cute.

If people still read this:  I highly recommend, rather than blowing money + giving to shitty charities: give to cancer research as a whole, either lymphoma, breast, or basically any other, because really, if we can spend 4,000,000,000,000 on the military and only 4,000,000,000 (that's 4 trillion vs 4 billion)- that's kinda fucked up.

... I'll post a photo of cat next time, if you donate.

14 month post follow up

I had a routine CT scan today. It's been 14 months since I finished treatments.  Come this fall it will have been 2 years since my diagnosis.

Here's the exciting part: New Barium shake flavor CITRUS

 It was not bad.  Though it still tasted like it was flavored by a guy who who grew up in a lab and never went out doors, and was told what citrus should taste like without having a basic concept of what fruit is.  Other than that, it wasn't bad.

My visit went like this:
Doctor: 

"Everything is fine, and where it should be.  Though how's your weight?"
Me:
"Sometimes about 5 lbs over or under where I usually am."
Doc:
 "More like 10."
Me:
"...yeeeah."

So I have another short check in in the fall and another scan in the winter.  I have about 3 3/4 more years left of follow ups and and scans.  Though in about a little over 1 1/2 years from now, I can just get a scan once a year instead of every 6 months.

We also celebrated Wendy's birthday.  I made a double layer coconut cake. I usually don't like coconut, but I made an exception.

It took her like 15 seconds to blow out the candle.

1 Year Post Treatments

A couple of weeks ago I had my 1 year anniversary from finishing all of my cancer treatment.

In the past few months, I've slowly regained my stamina and energy, and have improved greatly.  I'm not quite 100%, but I'm about 90% the way there.

I have another CT scan coming up in June (and 4 more years of check ups before I'm pronounced "cured"), and it should be like my last one: NED (No Evidence of Disease).

Critical notes:  

• They have a new barium CT contrast flavor!  CITRUS.  I imagine it will taste like it was made by a guy who has never left a lab his whole life who tried to to make something taste like "citrus" from having it described to him.
• My hair this past couple of weeks has finally returned to it's pre-cancer form, part in the middle and all.

My closest friends threw me a 1 year post-cancer treatment party.  It was great.

Cancer SMASH

Babies everywhere

Appropriate

 Get out of here

 A VERY old obscure joke between friends

 They needed a break too

 I stole their pictures for the blog (I hope they don't find out)

 She wished me a happy birthday about 4 times

"Here's your cancer cake! ...that... name doesn't sound right" 

Still a nope

Started Chemo 1 year ago today

1 Year Post Chemo Update:

1 year and 3 1/2 weeks ago I was diagnosed with Cancer at Swedish Hospital in Seattle. 

1 year ago today I started chemotherapy for stage 2A Hodgkin's Lymphoma.   

8 months ago I started radiation therapy.

7 months ago I was in remission.

4 months ago I went back to work.

1 month ago I got my 1st barber shop cut.

(If you were wondering my hair grew back completely around 2 months ago- it's still a weird texture though)

For the most part, how am I doing?:

• Super fatigue when I exert myself.
• Hair is growing a little weird where I had radiation still.
• Hair texture slowly returning to normal. Still weird and wavy.
• Weird sensations around my neck where I had surgery and my port located- largely due to having radiation muscle fatigue in those places, and the fact I used to have a medical device that ran from my chest to neck in my for almost a year.
• New crown put in on one of my teeth.  The radiation really trashed it, and I couldn't get it pulled due to radiation treatment on my jaw bone. Took about 6 weeks to get it in there, because of the radiation treatment I had to see a specialist etc.

I get tuckered out fairly easily.  How easily?  Walking to the bus stop feels like I'm going to drop dead from a heart attack.  It's probably a combination of recovery from treatment to my heart and lungs, and the fact I sat on ass for so long and am really out of shape.  Using the 3 day weekend to start exercising again- ever so lightly at first for awhile.

Hair grew back where I had radiation treatments about 4 months ago, but a month ago it just stopped for what ever reason. It seems like it's slowly starting to come back again.  It's given me a weird half moustache again.

Although it's really nice to have hair again

I had a 6 month follow up post chemo which went well, and had a CT scan that was clean.  I have another appointment as a general check up in about 3 weeks.

Otherwise minus the fact I can't speed walk everywhere anymore like I naturally do- I'm doing quite well, and minus the hair cut look pretty much like how I did a year ago.  I could just stand to get some exercise... slowly.

The cats are pretty bored now that I'm not home all day everyday