Cute Picture

I just had to share this cute picture of my puppy Riley. He is taking a nap on my sister's bed. WOW, what a life!!

Danielle

Great Results

I'm happy to say that my preliminary CT scans did NOT find any cancer in my neck, chest or abdomen. Plus, my blood work came back normal. I feel so relieved to hear this great news. I was trying to keep a very positive attitude going into my tests this past week, but I can't tell you how good it feels to hear the official results. I feel as if a huge burden has been lifted off of my shoulders and I can now lead my life confidently. Before hearing these results, I was never really holding my breath, but I did always have the threat of cancer in the back of my mind. That threat is still there, but I have now bought myself some time until my next scan in three months. I guess I'm going to have to get use to this up and down roller coaster of ecpectations, since I'll be continuing to check-in with my doctors by different scans for the next five years.

So last week I flew into California for blood work and a CT Scan. The CT Scan was the first kind of scan I've had since the doctors diagnosed me with lymphoma back in August of 2009. For the scan I had to drink two bottles of a liquid contrast medium that would help the technicians see into my abdomen, chest and neck. I had an hour to finish both of the bottles, and boy, was it hard. They had three different flavors: banana, coffee and berry. I got the coffee drink and after the first few sips, the taste really got to me. Although it smelt alright, it left a horrible aftertaste. The liquid wasn't as bad as the liquid I had to drink for my lower GI (this was the WORST), but it still gave me that nauseous feeling at times. Thankfully my dad was there to encourage me along the way and keep me motivated.

I then had an IV hooked-up for the technicians to administer the iodine into my veins. The nurse couldn't get the IV started in my left arm, so I had to get pricked twice until the nurse found a vein in my right arm that would work. I was joking with my dad that I preferred getting poked, then drinking the liquid, but he said he would rather drink 10 bottles of the liquid than get poked!!!

During the CT scan the technicians gave me the iodine through the IV. It was weird because during and slightly after the injection, I felt a metallic taste in my mouth and a warm sensation go through my entire body. I also got the urge to pee, even though I had just gone to the bathroom minutes before hand. However, all of these side effects only lasted a short time, and afterwards I felt back to normal. I was happy I could eat again, and that all I had to do differently during the day was drink LOTS of water.

I found this picture of the CT Scan off of radiologyinfo.org and thought it was a great picture of what the machine looks like. I preferred this machine over the MRI or PET/CT machines because this one was open. The other two machines were closed around your body and head, so I felt claustrophobic at times. Really this test wasn't half as bad as some of the other tests I had to do before my cancer treatments.

After my CT Scan, my mom and sister, Brittany, went with me to my appointments with my radiology doctor and oncologist. We first met with Dr. Selch and he said my throat and tonsil area look good. He could tell my saliva gland was improving and my irritation from the radiation was going down. I won't have to see him now until 6 months-YAY!!!

We then met with Dr. Pinter-Brown, and boy was it a long wait. I think we waited for an hour and a half even before we got to see her!!! However, the wait was well worth it. She told us that on her preliminary scans she didn't see any new forms of cancer coming back!!! As you can imagine I was overjoyed to hear this fantastic news. Now I won't have to come back for another 3 months. However, in the meantime she really wants me to listen and take care of my body. She made a big point of stressing how important it is to stay healthy, since I'm now regaining my strength and health. I was surprised to hear that in most reoccurring lymphoma cases, the patient them self will notice a change in their health that indicates the cancer has redeveloped, so it is essential that I listen and take care of my body.

All in all it was a good medical trip and I'm so grateful for my family's support. Thanks guys!!! Hopefully each and every trip to the doctor will go just as smoothly.

Danielle

Traveling to California

As I write this message I'm on board my flight to Denver and then to Los Angeles. I'm going back to California for my first CT Scan since before my cancer treatments back in August. I'm planning on having blood work done to check all my levels, then I have the CT Scan, meet with Dr. Selch, my radiation doctor, and then finally I meet with Dr. Pinter-Brown, my cancer doctor. I can't believe this time is already here. I can still remember going through chemo and radiation like it was yesterday. I'm so glad that the treatments are over and I'm so happy that I made it through everything. And now comes the test of truth, whether or not I still have cancer. It is scary to think there may still be cancer in my body.

When I finished my treatments I was so happy to be done with having to think or deal with cancer issues, so I really hope everything comes back okay. As far as how I'm feeling, I do feel a lot better. I have regained a lot of my strength that I lost during my cancer treatments. I'm still not as strong as I use to be, but it has been nice working out again and doing physical activities I didn't get to do while I was going through chemo. I'm still tired often but I'm hoping that is because of the morning show schedule and not because of cancer. I don't even know what I would do if the caner came back. I guess I would fight it again just as hard, but I must admit it would be hard.

I hope my flight gets in in time for my blood work this afternoon. Wish me good luck!

VIDEO:American Cancer Society

Here is a video I put together for the American Cancer Society talking about their "Look Good Feel Better" class and one of the volunteers.
April 13, 2010