It’s been 10 weeks since I started treatment. For the most part, we have had no idea whether the chemo and study drug treatments or anything else we are doing is actually working. The doctors can look at indicators in your blood work for some idea, and there is a pretty direct relationship to how you are feeling and whether the cancer is responding to treatment.
In my case, the doctors were pleased with what they were seeing in my blood work, and each week, I’ve been feeling a little bit stronger. The doctors took this to mean that in all likelihood the treatments have been killing cancer cells, but without CT scans there is no way to tell how the tumors are reacting to treatment, how fast we are killing cells, and whether we are getting ahead of the cancer’s growth.
Today I had my first CT scan since starting treatment. The radiologist is working on a full write-up and analysis that will be available tomorrow or Friday. However, my doctor did a quick work up of the images, took some measurements, and compared the new scans with my scans from 10 weeks ago. The headline is that we have seen a THIRTY percent (30%) decrease in the size of the lesions/tumors that she measured. She also said that there was no new growth and no new “spots” that were concerning. Additionally, there were several suspicious “spots” and inflammation and fluid in the original scans that are no longer present in the scans from today.
This is fantastic news. It is legitimately the kind of news that so many people have been praying for and that our support network around the country has been focused on for the past 10 weeks. For all of you reading this and all of you that have been praying, sending positive thoughts, passing love and healing energy to us in any way you do it, thank you and please keep it up. IT IS WORKING!
My doctor told us today that when I first came in she was worried about me. She said that with aggressive metastatic cancers like mine treatment typically has one of two options: (1) The cancer shows no response to treatment and just continues to grow and tear the body apart; or (2) The treatment will corral the cancer, stop its growth and basically freeze it in place. The fact that we have stopped its growth and shrunk the size of the lesions/tumors by 30% is the definition of outperforming expectations. Again, this is stunning progress.
In addition to the positive early news from the scans, I’ve been able to gain and hold on to about eight pounds over the past two weeks. My massive weight loss has been a major concern and to think that we are finally getting a handle on that as well is further reason to stop and celebrate. If I’m able to add additional pounds over the next two weeks and keep them on then I will start the process of building back muscle mass, my strength and endurance with focused training.
Overall, it’s been a good day. I’m happy I get to share this news with everyone. I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but this feels like the first sign that we are turning the corner on this disease, or at least it’s the first time that we can see a path to progress. I can’t tell you how badly I want to run again. I’m setting a goal to run the 2021 Sylamore Creek 25K in February. Let me know if you want to join me for slow training runs. At first they may be training walks…
Tommy
Sending love to you and the girls. Thanks for the update, Tommy.
I'm running that 25k with you...
great news tommy. so glad to hear this. have been praying and will keep on.
Thanks be to God, Tommy.
Very encouraging! A great example of under promise, over perform.