Yesterday I got all the calls for the round of procedures today. I was okay until I got off the phone with the CT scan nurse. Then I was looking at my calendar to make sure I had all my times right.  And it started to hit me.  What if the scan doesn’t come back clear? That’s going to really suck ass. So, try not to think about it.

Woke up early, got to the hospital at 8:00 for my Radiation Oncology evaluation.  This is my parking spot over in the cancer center

They did a Chest CT without contrast for planning. They put some wire strips on the area where the tumor and lymph nodes were removed.  They ran me through the machine a few times and then came out and drew some lines on my chest and shoulder. I guess they have to make sure they are able to get me in the exact same position for each session. I then got 5 small tattoo dots. Four on my left side where they can line up the area they are going to administer the radiation, and then one on my right side to make sure everything lines up correctly overall.  I’ll go back on Thursday for the first run through and then we will set up all my appointments.  I’ll be going Monday – Friday for 33 sessions.  This roughly puts me into the second week of November should I not have to delay due to burns and blistering. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.

I then had an hour and a half til my CT scan with contrast. This is the one that will show if there is any cancer left.  So I go in, they put in an IV (boy do I miss my port) Then we go in and do the scan.  I don’t think I’m too crazy about that contrast. But for this one they do some run throughs and then then administer the contrast, you feel this warm fuzzy feeling (not the good kind!) and then hold your breath.  Do that twice and done.  So I like it better than the MRI for sure…

After this I go over to the bone scan DEXA scan.  You just lay on the table and this arm goes over you.  That’s it.  Nothing too exciting.  BUT…The tech asks me if I have something around my waist band or if something was inserted into me during surgery.  I go over and look at the picture and say “Scar tissue maybe?” “Ahhhh…that’s what that is.” Yep. I’m totally thinking I could do her job.

So done. I had to go to the store to get something to eat since I hadn’t been able to do that all day. (Thank you CT scan with contrast).  So I went to the grocery store and picked up something (crackers, green juice and a Quest bar).  Then I went over to the gym and did my walk. I actually jogged a bit today…not a lot, just wanted to see what it felt like.  Stretched out and did some sit ups.  I go back to the locker room and get out my gym bag which I have had for at least 12 years and just realized…I blame the bag!!!  Anyhoo…

I get dressed and check my email. CT results are in.

FINDINGS:
Vague interstitial opacity left upper lobe is stable. 3 on the 3 mm nodule
right upper lobe stable. 2 mm nodule right middle lobe stable. No new
parenchymal nodules are noted.

The patient has undergone bilateral mastectomy and left axillary node
dissection. No residual masses are identified in the left axillary region.
There isn’t any pathologic mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy. No pleural
abnormalities are noted. The adrenals are normal sized bilaterally.

What does this mean?  NO CANCER BITCHES!!!!!!!

NOW WE REBUILD!!!!

BETTER!

FASTER!

STRONGER!

I’m trying to decide when warrior mode stops and if the next phase is that rebuilding phase…I guess if we are getting technical we are in clean up mode after the war…But I think I can start rebuilding while we do clean up.

I’m trying to let this sink in that I beat cancer.

(Yes I know there is always a chance it could come back…that there may always be a cloud over my head, but right now…I’m just going to ride the rainbow here!)