Journal entry by Sue DiMatteo —
Good news to share with you . . . Last Fri. (Feb. 1) I had a CT Scan at the James to be compared with the original CT Scan that was taken before any chemo treatments. Yesterday (Feb. 6) I received the following results when I went for my oncology visit and my 5th chemo treatment:
The first 4 chemo treatments accomplished exactly what Dr. Bixel, my oncologist, was expecting - most of the lymph nodes shrunk by 2/3. The tumor remains the original size, however, it is dying from the inside out - dead tissue from the mass was also noted during a physical exam - more great news! Kicking that cancer as hard as I can with those two new hips I received last year!
There is one lymph node in the chest that is lagging behind or not responding to treatments. There is a possibility it could be two lymph nodes together making it appear as one larger than normal, which may be necessary for an Interventional Oncologist to biopsy.
A 6th chemo treatment will take place in 3 weeks followed by another CT Scan to determine if 2 more treatments are necessary or if it is time to start radiation treatments on the tumor.
I feel great, no nausea or pain, just get fatigued, but a nap takes care of that. Moving one step at a time, but definitely on the right path!
Thank you for your constant support through prayers, visits, cards, text and emails, they lift my spirits so high and give me strength to win this fight! "No one fights alone!"
Love,
Sue DiMatteo - SueStrong
The first 4 chemo treatments accomplished exactly what Dr. Bixel, my oncologist, was expecting - most of the lymph nodes shrunk by 2/3. The tumor remains the original size, however, it is dying from the inside out - dead tissue from the mass was also noted during a physical exam - more great news! Kicking that cancer as hard as I can with those two new hips I received last year!
There is one lymph node in the chest that is lagging behind or not responding to treatments. There is a possibility it could be two lymph nodes together making it appear as one larger than normal, which may be necessary for an Interventional Oncologist to biopsy.
A 6th chemo treatment will take place in 3 weeks followed by another CT Scan to determine if 2 more treatments are necessary or if it is time to start radiation treatments on the tumor.
I feel great, no nausea or pain, just get fatigued, but a nap takes care of that. Moving one step at a time, but definitely on the right path!
Thank you for your constant support through prayers, visits, cards, text and emails, they lift my spirits so high and give me strength to win this fight! "No one fights alone!"
Love,
Sue DiMatteo - SueStrong
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