**PSA get a colonoscopy if you are 45 or older!!**
So, tomorrow will be very important to me in the grand scheme of things. If there are no cancer cells detected, I can look forward to my only necessary surgery being the reversal of the ostomy bag (no timing on that surgery just yet). My imagination jumps ahead to a summer filled with no bag...but there are a few hurdles to clear before we get to that.
I'm not sure if it's obvious that cancer re-growth/reoccurrence is the main issue with Stage 4 cancers (this is really true of all cancers - they come back and it doesn't help to deny it). Because my diagnosis was stage 4 rectal cancer, all of my doctors are focused on how to keep it from returning (except for the three small hip spots, I have no detectable cancer left). Standard thought is that the cancer will first return in my rectum in the location of my original tumor (hence the colonoscopy tomorrow). My GI specialist examined the area (yes, "ouch") and could only see scar tissue. This is amazing. He could not see any visible cancer. "It looks like a normal rectum," is his exact quote. My GI specialist is a great doctor, and he said he would prefer not to do any surgery on my rectum, so this colonoscopy is him being very thorough.
Also, there is the added issue that I prefer not to return to chemo to "keep away" cancer regrowth. The standard of care is that (after this break for surgery) I will take some form of chemo for the rest of my life (the time-line has never really been discussed in detail). My oncologist said that I would most likely have the choice of going back to the 5FU pump every 2 weeks (which I would wear around for 2 days) or take 6 pills a day of a slightly different chemo drug. Neither of these options appeals to me if there is a reliable alternative.
This is where the repurposed drugs come in. For clarity, I have been taking the repurposed drug protocol for about 7/8 weeks with the more intense drug (interferon) added for these last 3 weeks. I will have another PET scan next Wednesday that should give us some info on how this protocol is working (which is very similar to immunotherapy if you are familiar with that term). I am so grateful to my oncologist who is the doctor ordering the scans and weekly blood draws here at my local cancer center. My oncologist has been very interested and supportive through all of this. She is a gift from God to me because she double checks drug interactions and has been supportive of my desire to leave chemo behind.
This week and a 1/2 of testing should give us some very valuable information. I will be sure to update these posts and keep everyone informed as Shawn and I travel to Nashville again to see Dr Cantrell the last week of February. Please say a quick prayer that God's will is done.
And, as always, I cling to the prayers of St. Maria Faustina:
Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion -- inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself. Amen.
(and a small update that my Goddaughter is home and in good health after her surgery! Also, our friend's eyesight is saved and he's doing well. Sadly, my uncle, Leo, passed away last week. Please say a prayer for him. )
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