Post-Treatment MRI – No Change is Good News!

MRI and meetings with oncology team

I had a great appointment with Dr. Prabhu, my radiation oncologist, yesterday. He was really pleased with the scan - even gave me a hug. He said because it’s slow growing, it will also be slow regressing. The fact that it’s not growing or changing is good news and it did regress a bit, particularly as it relates to the midline (where it presses over the center of my brain a bit). He was happy with my increased left side strength and is going to start tapering me off of the steroid over the next 2 weeks, which is great news.

Exciting pictures of my brain below - where you can sort of see where the midline has straightened out a bit from one scan to the next. Ideally, that line down the center would be straight but the tumor is pressing against the midline.

Next Steps

I meet with the general oncologist next week to learn about my next 6-12 months of oral chemo. I'll be taking a higher dose than I did before for 5 days on and 23 days off. Then, they will continue to monitor the tumor with scans every 2-3 months. I also spoke with him during a virtual visit on Thursday and he was also pleased with the scan results.

Other Medical and general updates

Somehow the acidic mouth I experienced during chemo has turned me off of coffee. I'm hoping it's not permanent, as I love the ritual and taste of coffee. I've also lost the desire for almond/peanut butter but I now drink a ton of orange juice, which I could take or leave before chemo.

Levine Cancer Institute offers some great alternative therapies for post-treament patients, like massage therapy, acupuncture (next week!), and something called Healing Touch which is energy healing. I had this done earlier in the week and the practitioner unblocked and replenished some of my energy sources/chakras. I'm honestly not sure how it works but I have felt great ever since.

Healing Touch is a biofield (magnetic field around the body) therapy that is an energy-based approach to health and healing.

Healing Touch uses the gift of touch to influence the human energy system, specifically the energy field that surrounds the body, and the energy centers that control the flow from the energy field to the physical body.

Fall in North Carolina and Chicken meditation

The weather this fall has been so beautiful in North Carolina - perfect for afternoon meditation sessions with the Golden Girls. We love the afternoons in the 60's and 70's and so do the girls! I recently started using the app Headspace for meditation and really like it, so far. And, yes, I actually put on real pants yesterday - I think it was the first time I've worn anything with a button and zipper in at least 6-9 months.

Plant-Based Thanksgiving Menu and facetime with family

Tofurky - not necessary for a meat-free Thanksgiving but I really like it - my ex-Mother-in-law used to get them for me when I was previously a vegetarian. Brad doesn't think he's going to like it, but I know he will!

Mashed Potatoes with nondairy milk and mushroom gravy

Ciabatta, Peppadew and "sausage" stuffing - with veggie broth and Beyond meat hot Italian sausage

Pecan Bars - I tested this recipe a few weeks ago and these are fantastic!

Some type of green vegetable in there for good measure.

We plan to videoconference with Mia and my family while we eat - it's not perfect but it's safe and a small sacrifice for our health and peace of mind.

Figuring out the transition back to work

One of the many gifts that I have had during this journey is the flexibility I’ve had in my work situation. To be able to focus on my health and not worry about my job is a level of privilege and a gift that I do not take lightly. Now that I’m through the tough part of my treatment and my energy is beginning to return, I’m looking at returning to being a contributing member of the Charlotte 49ers team in the new year.

My brain is still on the mend, but I’m pretty psyched to have typed this post with 2 hands – please excuse the typos!

Rest of our lives, Best of our Lives

I mean, our wilder days were all well and good, but have you tried drinking orange juice and tonic from a Christmas glass while binge watching Dexter with this guy?!

We feel like this good news is just a reminder to stay the course and not get complacent with our diet and lifestyle changes, mitigating stress/setting boundaries to avoid negativity, staying active/fit and mentally engaged in our lives - appreciating each day that we get together on this earth!