And the news is good. The larger of the two tumors has shrunk. When I first looked at the numbers–the tumor was 20 x 30 X 27 mm, and now it's 17 x 20 x 18 mm–they didn't look that different. But then my sister Lydia pointed out that if you calculate the volume, the difference is pretty significant. It was 16.2 cc, now it's 6.12 cc; 38% of the original size. The other lesion has not changed much; 1.7 cc to 1.44 cc.

I was a little worried because, after dropping so dramatically in my previous blood test, my CA27.29 cancer marker went back up slightly, from 36 to 42. This takes is just beyond the normal range of 38. I messaged Dr. Wu, and he said that numbers can fluctuate and I shouldn't worry, but I did a little bit anyway.

Dr. Wu ent a message on Monday confirming that the results were good news. I had my appointment with him today (well, technically yesterday now), and he said the scan indicates that the meds are working.  WHen I asked  if he thought the main tumor might keep shrinking, Dr. Wu said, "Yep, things are going in the right direction."

I asked about the other lesion ("A poorly defined hypodense lesion adjacent to the gallbladder") that hasn't changed much. I think he said that it could just be something else, and not cancer at all. I'm pretty sure that's what he said, but now I'm not sure, so I guess I need to message him to clarify. 

I'm currently taking one 150 mg tablet of Verzenio a day, down from two a day when I started. At one point, Dr. Wu mentioned the possibility of two 100 mg tablets instead of one 150 mg. Dr. Wu said, basically, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Increasing the dose could mean more side effects. He also said it's been found that the more times a day a patient has to take a pill, the more compliance drops. One time per day is easier for people to maintain, I saidI still managed to forget, and he said, "We need to get you a pill container." I said that wouldn't work because I'm not supposed to take the pill out until I'm ready to take it. It comes in blister packs where you pop the pill out one at a time, and they say not to take it out and put it in another container. I'm also supposed to wash my hands if I touch a pill. He said it's amazing what the lawyers can come up with. I guess I don't need to be as paranoid about it as I thought.

I showed Dr. Wu the pictures I posted from my last scan, with the glasses and mustache. He seemed amused/entertained/concerned for my sanity.

 So what happens now? I keep on keeping on. Verzenio and Femara once a day, Zometa* infusions once a month, blood tests every two weeks, CA27.29 tested once a month, And I guess a scan in another three months? And that goes on...from here to eternity, or until the come up with something new and better. I'm in this for the long haul. (Well, hopefully it's a long haul!)

Thanks to everyone who's been following along this journey with me. The love and support makes all the difference in the world.

Love,

Laura

*I can't remember if I talked about Zometa, and I'm too lazy to go back and check. It's a medicine that takes calcium from my blood and puts it in my bones, to counteract the effects of the hormone blocker (Femara). Zometa also has caner-fighting properties. Isn't modern medicine amazing?