We just got back from the oncologist who told us that he wants to start watchful waiting. So for now its over. Next action is a CT scan in 3 months…. IN THREE MONTHS!!! What do I do now?
Here is the video I made just after we heard it.
We can hardly believe it and are in a bit of shock. A good one, but still in shock. So much has happened, so many good things and so many nasty things. And now they tell us that this part of the journey is over. That we can get out and stretch our legs. So weird. Tomorrow I will understand this better π As usual it takes me a day to ‘get’ news.
Theo shrunk from 21 x 59 x 39 mm to 17 x 54 x 36 mm.
Here is the scan they did, you wont see much unless you are a radiologist but still it’s cool to see π
For the fans here is the write up in Dutch from the radiologist:
CT Thorax
klinische informatie:
Follow-up mediastinaal seminoma +2 longafwijkingen.
Regressie?CT-thorax:
CT scan van thorax volgens het longtumor protocol. Onderzoek vergeleken met 12/09/2008.Bekende massa in het anterieure mediastinum heeft een AP-diameter 17 mm, voorheen 21 mm (serie 1 ima 37). In het coronale vlak meet de massa 36 x 54 mm, voorheen gemeten 59 x 39 mm (coronaal ima 30).
Lymfklier rechts paratracheaal 12 mm (ima 14), conform voorgaande twee scans. Verder mediastinaal meerdere opvallende klieren, qua korte as diameter niet pathologisch vergrote echter wel groter dan op voorgaande CT scan.
Gynaecomastie beiderzijds (ima 46) op voorgaande scan was hier slechts lichte aanzet toe zichtbaar.
De nodulaire verdichtingen zichtbaar op de fissuur major meten 7 respectievelijk 3 mm, voorheen 6 respectievelijk 2 mm, gezien meetfout beeld ongewijzigd.
Geringe atelectase van posterieur gelegen longdelen (ima 41 axiaal, 88 sagittaal).Normaal beeld van bovenbuiksorganen.
Intacte ossale structuren.Conclusie:
De massa in het anterieure mediastinum is kleiner dan op voorgaande scan.
Een lymfklier rechts paratracheaal met korte as diameter 12 mm, conform voorgaande scans.
Longlaesies in essentie ongewijzigd.
Gynaecomastie beiderzijds.[try not to make your own conclusions from this if you don’t understand]
So he is still there. Also I still have some lesions on my lungs. My onc also mailed Einhorn inform and to make sure we are on the right track ( UPDATE: Einhorn agreed with the new path). The big journey is definitely not over. But the main first part is. In three months I’ll go back for another scan to see how it is then.
In the coming months I’ll work on getting myself back on the road. This afternoon I have an appointment with my GP for some minor ailments due to the chemo and to get some advice to efficiently get back on track.
Thanks for all your support. I really helps!
Yuppiee!!! This is the best piece of text I have read in a long time, am soo happy!! Wow, this calls for a celebration, knew you’d be all right, yuppie!
Watchful waiting aka mad partying, what a great start of the wionter solstice celebrations π
Love and hugs ( and yes, we defintely need more pizza)
Marta
Have to admit I became a bit emotional (on my way to a business meeting) when I heard the good news from you this morning, Maarten.
Still shouting it out to everyone around me – and even people who only know about you via me are telling me this news brings happiness to even their lives!!
Sooo proud of you – you are a blessing not only to SPRXmobile but to so many people around you. You have no idea π
Claire
hehe..
this calls for one thing only..
The dance of joy!
Very happy for you, brother. Your heart is winning. I wish Theo a happy disappearance.
Wonderful news!!! Yay!
Awesome news! Great news to go into the new year with! Sure wish we were all together to celebrate! Enjoy yourself! You deserve to celebrate!
Connie
Fantastisch nieuws. Moet bekennen dat ik wat huiverig was over de uitslag. Dit is heerlijk nieuws. Gefeliciteerd jullie twee!
Geweldig nieuws!
Geniet ervan met z’n twee, er leven velen met jullie mee.
Liefs,
Annebet
Maarten,
Wat een goed nieuws!! Mooi om dit bewogen jaar mee te eindigen. Geniet van de kerst en geniet met volle teugen van de volgende 3 maanden. Maakt mijn dag weer goed.
grt Jonas
This is fantastic news and just what we expected! Merry Christmas Lens and Lori. There could be no better gift other than us all being together to celebrate this news.
We are so happy!
Very, very happy to hear this. Your Christmas will indeed be a much happier one.
Happy news. Answered prayers. Have a wonderful cozy and warm Christmas. Now that you have reached that summit enjoy the hike back to full function (i.e. having lots of parties to celebrate).
Love Julia and Grandma
Wonderfull news M&L, congratuations! Happy Holidays! We are really glad for you.
Ooooo what an excellent news, guys!!! What a big relief… I am very very VERY happy for you!
Happy holidays
Te gek Maarten (en Lori),
Helemaal blij!
By bye Theo!
Fab news – CONGRATS!
Liefs,
Katherine en Hans
xo xo
Maarten, ik ben zo blij voor jullie. Het was mooi om die twinkeling in je ogen te zien toen je via de video het beste nieuws van 2008 vertelde. Hier gaan we nog vaak het glas op heffen! Veel geluk voor jullie beiden.
Liefs Marleen, knuffel van de meisjes
Dear Maarten & Lori,
We are SOOOOOOOO HAPPY to hear the GOOD news! What a GREAT Christmas gift and what a GREAT way to start 2009!
Keep taking good care of each other. Our love & good thoughts are always with you.
Shirley & David
Good going, dude. Congrats! Ladies and gentlemen, Theo is leaving the building …. π Happy X’mas Lens and Lori !!
Gefeliciteerd met het goede nieuws, Maarten π
wahoo!!!
Maarten & Lori,
That is fantastic news! I couldn’t be happier for you both. I remember the elation of getting the all clear to proceed with watchful waiting quite well.
One day we will celebrate this and many more milestones in person.
Happy Holidays!
Hey…I just found your site. I was looking for more information regarding PET scans and SUV values. My mom is going through the same things as you did/are. The doctors’ found tumor-like things in her lungs and she’s done PET scan, CT, scan, bronchoscopy, smear test, and a biopsy. We’re waiting for the results of the biopsy now.
Oh and I forgot to say I really like your attitude on this…it’s good to see some brave people around. I’ll be following up on your (hopefully good) news.
[…] from the first checkup. And they were GOOD. We were very nervous because would confirm or not our decision last December not to go back to chemo and wait to see of it […]