Doctor Visits

I went to both my oncologist and surgeon this week so I wanted to bring everyone up-to-date on where I am.

After my last visit to Dr. McCoy (oncologist), my family and closed friends forbid me to go by myself, so Heather went with me and took notes! And what a great "note-taker" she is, but that's the teacher in her. Dr. McCoy agreed that I need to build up more strength before taking another round of chemo, since it will have to be a stronger dose. He agreed to let me skip treatment for a month, then he wants to do new CT and PET scans to re-evaluate the tumor. The new scans will tell him (1) if there is any activity in the newly discovered left tumor and (2) the exact size of the right one.

Naturally, I recognize that I run the risk that the tumor could grow in the month off, but as I explained to him, I take comfort in that it has not grown from 4 cm, which was what it was in March when I stopped chemo for the 1st round.

Dr. McCoy is in contact with Dr. Mike Williams, former Head of Oncology at UVA about my case, so that's my 2nd opinion. Dr. Williams was Dr. McCoy's Mentor when he was in medical school and I understand they talk regularly about me. David has researched Dr. Williams and feels very comfortable that he's on the case, so that's good enough for me.

Dr. Stoeckle (surgeon), is very pleased with how well my abdomen wound is healing, but is quick to add that it's because I'm not on chemo. He was happy to hear I'm not going to take any for a month as it will heal more in that time, too.

I am encouraged that I'm eating and moving more, but still love that afternoon nap and tire easily. Last Saturday, Cindy, David, Trisha and I went to Emerald Isle beach and as I sat under the umbrella and looked over the ocean, I had to think that I was as close to heaven as I could get within the last 8 months. What a treat that was!!