What an amazing day! I wish I could bottle the joy & gratitude I have felt all day! It's days like today that help you get through the tough days.
Those dark days of pancreatic adenocarcinoma are in my past, for now, & praying for good. My Dr. Awesome believes they are behind me. My scan was completely clear. My CA19-9 remains in the teens. My weight is back to normal. My blood is recovering from the beat down of chemo & Dr. Awesome believes it is best to remove my port so I don't have a daily reminder of my cancer. Sweet thought, but I am forever changed because of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma & will live daily in my new "normal" as a survivor of PDAC. More importantly, my new "normal" includes all the brave fighters I've met fighting this cancer! I wish all were free of the evil witch!!!!
I also had an appointment with my Endocrinologist. I had an ultrasound to measure the 1.6cm mass that was found on my thyroid last year.
To my Doctors surprise, the mass is no longer there. She was in shock. The only thing she could attribute it to was, gemcitabine, the chemo for my PDAC.
Once I made it to my appointment with Dr. Awesome, I asked him, "Did my chemo have anything to do with that?" He replied, "I don't know, but I'll take credit."
I'll gladly let him take credit because it is well deserved. Dr. Awesome led my team like a Champ. He guided me to one of the finest surgeons in the country in regards to the "Whipple". My Superstar Surgeon went the extra mile, making sure to not only completely resect the tumor & lymph nodes, but also resected the portal vein to insure negative margins.
So, here I am in one of my favorite cities, Nashville. Thankful for a clean bill of health (other than my anemia) from both my Oncologist & Endocrinologist.
There are no masses in me, nor cancer cells. I have been released to continue with my recovery, return to work & my new "normal".
I will be having my port removed 9/26. IF the evil witch returns, I will have another port placed. I will return to work on 9/30.
I will also be in the double top secret, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center's Surveillance Program for those diagnosed with PDAC. Which means: I will be returning to VICC every 3 months for CA19-9s & CT scans.
I will learn to live in the present, because it is a gift.
The cancer may or may not come back. All I know is that today, I am grateful & I am whole. I am free of the evil witch. The Princess is free & at peace!
I want to shout from the rooftops of Nashville, "TB2G! TB2G! GO TEAM VANDERBILT!!
IF, God forbid, you are ever diagnosed with a Gastrointestinal Cancer, there is NO NEED to travel to Houston & MD Anderson or Johns Hopkins in Baltimore! We have a top notch facility with world-renowned, well respected thought leaders in the world of GI cancers right here in Nashville at Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center!
Now, I'm going to enjoy the evening & weekend with my fabulous friends!
I know I'll have challenges ahead, but if I can overcome this, I can overcome anything. As long as I have the support I've had through this, this Princess can take on the world.
Thank you all!!! I love you so very much & am so humbled by the love & support. I never could have done this alone. TB2G, my family & friends. <3
Sharing your joy! Amen
ReplyDeleteSo thrilled that you beat pancreatic cancer and you are a survivor! Your attitude helped as positive thinking. diet. exercise. and prayers also got you there and.....Dr Berlin! I am so proud to have you for a friend. You can help others with your story too.
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