Hello friends and family. Chemo blast number six went smoothly. Dad sat with me while I was getting my Avastin drip. I had no scans again which has been nice the last couple of visits. No disrobing and no trips to/in the tunnel. My blood tests are still doing fine. And for the most part I am feeling well. I'm struggling a bit with my blood pressure and angina again. I haven't had to worry about those for the last two cycles, but it appears we may need to make some further adjustments. I check in with Dr. BAH and the cardiologist, Brand PAC, this week which will be helpful.
While waiting for my appointment at MDA. I had a great visit with a woman who had an aggressive type of cancer in her pancreas. Her doctor had been trying to reduce the tumor so they could operate and remove the tumor and some other "optional organs". She was absolutely giddy with excitement and a little nervous at the prospect of finally making it to surgery. Her surgery is planned for Tuesday. I met pancreas-lady while six or seven of us patients were waiting around to be weighed and measured before our appointments. There seemed to be a backlog and she was just chattering away to a few of us. She asked all about my cancer and another woman's (lung-lady) as well. She continued to talk with excitement about the preparations she'd made for her surgery on Tuesday. She had a "bring it on" attitude with the training and stamina preparation to back it up. It was as if she was experiencing the runners high at the 20 mile mark. We didn't talk long before I had to go back with my Nurse Bigshot. We gave each other a hug for good luck and strength, then we went our separate ways.
Over the last few weeks I've also had the chance to meet Sally, who is an awesome firecracker of a gal with that same "bring it on" attitude, and who has lived for twenty years with NETS in her liver. She's been gracious enough to share her experiences with me which has been invaluable. It's been especially great to hear about her longevity with carcinoid cancer.
I am eternally grateful for meeting pancreas-lady and Sally. I hope I have the strength to see past the journey to surgery and the anxiety over having over half my liver removed to be excited and relieved to have finally gotten there. It is a necessary part of the process, but I think I can finally "visualize" the other side with confidence.
Thank you both for being so damn inspirational and friendly. Bless pancreas-lady and her family during her surgery. I told her I was certain she was going to do brilliantly and gave her the STAY STRONG SISTER battle-cry.
I'm also sending a shout-out prayer for my friends Clear and Christian in the UK. Love, love, and strength. Stay strong.
kisses, jan
