Round 3 and Scan Results

Round 3 of the biochemo treatment went well. I had very little nausea in the hospital or at home. I was able to enjoy my time at home after the first few days, and was even able to drive during the first week. A vast improvement from round 1 and 2.

The doctors do not know why I felt so much better this time vs. previous cycles, although they said that I may have been still recovering from the stereotactic radiation during the first 2 treatments, which happened only a few days before the first round of biochemo started.

Another possibility could have been my diet. After getting sick in the hospital last time, the idea of eating, or even seeing (and smelling) any hospital food was just too much. So, I ate no hospital food. Instead, I had 1 Jamba Juice and 1 non-hospital deli sandwich per day. Otherwise, I drank Gatorade. Nothing else. Not sure if that was the trick, but I am going to try this approach again in hopes that it helps. And thanks to all those who brought me food or jamba (Ron, Tillie, Michelle, Mitchel, Chris, and Fred).

Since I have completed 3 cycles, it was time to have another brain MRI performed, as well as another full body PET/CT scan. The doctors need to determine if the biochemo is working, and a detailed review of these scans is how they determine this. If any of these scans show any new cancer, or if any cancer has grown, then the treatment is not working and we stop the biochemo. No new cancer or no larger cancer means we continue.

I went in for my scans on Sunday and Monday and met with my doctor on Friday to learn the results. I was a little nervous, as if the biochemo doesn't work the next steps are more experimental and less proven. Good news is that, at least for now, everything came back clean! So I start on round 4 (of 6) on Monday the 17th. These scans will be a crucial part of my treatment program for the next 5 years, every 3 or 6 months.

This means that I get to watch all the first round of March Madness from the hospital on Thursday and Friday. I have always wanted to skip work and stay home to gorge on these games all day and night, and now I get my wish, although not quite in the comfort of my old home. But I'll take it!