Health update:

I am still very chuffed, as was my doctor, with the improvement in tumor size in the primary tumor in my lung. It has reduced in size by nearly 2/3. It is the only tumor in my lung and no spread has shown on pelvic and abdominal scan or lung scan. There are two lymph nodes that are slightly enlarged. They have shrunk also,but were never a concern per docs. In a few weeks I will have an MRI of my brain to verify that the surgery, etc remains successful.

Death Reminder: I am still terminal. As are all of us. In my case though we are pretty certain short of me walking in front of a bus what it is that is going to kill me. Stage 4 lung cancer. The goals are to reduce and or eliminate the tumor in my lung so that it does not throw things at my brain. Really it’s the brain that holds the most area of concern. Medical interventions are designed to control and shrink the primary tumor to stop spread particularly to the brain. It is not unusual to have a really good results in the beginning. If you’ve been taking some immunotherapy and have awful side effects it usually means it did its job, in my case both are true.

The goal now becomes to continue the shrinking and or maintain exactly what’s going on now while enjoying the best quality of life that I can for the time left. That means continued maintenance chemo infusions every 3 weeks for a year or so minimum, evaluate, maybe a break from chemo for a bit. Two out of the three my style of cancer specific infusions have now been dropped off. The immunotherapy one because of the bad side effects means I can no longer have that one. Considering the way it wrecked me I am okay with that and exceedingly grateful for the work that it has done so far. The other one I had the last infusion of because that type of chemical therapy usually can only go for the four rounds and done. I still receive B12 anti-nausea and a steroid infusion prior to what will now be my maintenance infusion every 3 weeks.

Not going to lie here, chemo is rough rough stuff. I have never encountered this level of fuckery even with my Myriad of chronic illnesses. It is exhausting and it is debilitating and it accelerates with each infusion.

The last few weeks have been hell on my family because it has been hell on me. They have been exceedingly gracious considering how at times ungracious I have been. Chemo brain and steroid brain together are a terrible  combination for any style of relationship. I highly do not recommend LOL

And if not for chemo I wouldn’t get to enjoy the years ahead. Some of the hell should improve with. the reduction in number of meds right now. When it becomes intolerable or when this third one decides it doesn’t want to work anymore I still have many other options. All of these things I have been holding and juggling, wanting to post here. As your friend the deathworker I am also holding the knowing of the impact of medical news whether happy or sad. Waiting until I had some follow-up tests to gauge exactly how to break any news felt right. I am thrilled that I had good news to break!

I thank you all for your continued love, prayers, energy, and support. They mean so much to my heart and soul. Ever grateful I send love and gratitude back through the ether to all of you. Blessings all around.