Sunday, November 25, 2018

I'm Sorry I Don't Remember. No, I'm Really Sorry

I had an encounter with one of the people I've worked 4 or 5 catering jobs with in the last year.  I recognized a familiar face and we said hi and I said, "I apologize but I don't recall your name." The person said, in a bit of a huff, "Well dang Scott, I always remember your name and we've worked together so much."

So I had to explain.

There is this side effect of the chemo drug, docetaxel, (one of many) that is called chemo brain. Not something I ever wanted but I deal with it daily. I forget names, I forget chores, I forget what we talked about, I can't multitask like I used to. I struggle to even make a list of things I need to do.

It's no fun and I hate it.  But there's not much I can do about it.

So please, if you know someone who is having or has had chemo, cut 'em a little slack.  They're trying.  They really are.

Saturday, November 10, 2018

CT Scans and an Addendum to the MRI

I've completed the MRI and CT scans the Onc had ordered and it's a good news/bad news situation.

The Good News

The CT scans show no evidence of metastasis other than a lung nodule that seems to persist yet hasn't grown any. Other than that, there is no "CT evidence of metastatic disease in the chest, abdomen or pelvis." This IS good news and the Onc's comment was that again, I'm a strange case as he'd felt that we'd see metastasis given the other numbers.  Could it be heavy cannabidiol intake that's slowing/changing the course?  Who knows but the docs don't have any other explanations.

The Bad News

There was an addendum to the MRI report that reads as follows:

"Comparison examination dated 4/20/2018 is now available. 

There has been substantial interval increase in degree of intraprostatic disease. Specifically, in the right mid gland peripheral zone, area of T2 hypointense disease measures approximately 2.5 x 1.5 cm, previously approximately 1.3 x 1.1 cm. There is abnormal T2 hypointense soft tissue extending through the right posterolateral prostatic capsule at the level of the neurovascular bundles (6/16), compatible with extracapsular extension and neurovascular bundle involvement. There is extensive, gross supra prostatic extension (6/6 from the prostatic base with a implant measuring approximately 2.1 x 2.0 cm, previously 1.9 x 1.7 cm."


What all that really means is the tumor has increased in size substantially, continuing to grow through the right side of the glandular wall and towards the bladder.

I'll follow with a post about my doc's suggestions and my decisions.