Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Oh Happy Day!

Not since our daughter was born have I known such joy as this morning.

Springing up I hugged my radiation oncologist Stephen Milito, MD and Medical Director of Oakwood Cancer Center ... maybe a half dozen times (in a manly way of course) … fighting back emotions. 

Whole Brain Radiation was effective, MRI looked good … next checkup in four months.  … yeah there is still some metastatic gunk in there but benign and may or may not need cyber knife or gamma knife. 
I was struggling big time not to lose it emotionally while trying to control a breaking voice talking and riding with Megan who shared every moment of this drama … It wasn’t until I called Patti’s Mom to let her know ... that she fell apart taking me down the happy tear trail with her.

It’s difficult to explain because lung cancer is bad enough but metastasis to the brain was my personal horror show … and will always be. 

Except now I’ve got Stephen Milito, MD checking on my brain every four months while Margarita Gareis, MD with Andrews & Patel Associates is on the lungs with chemotherapy. … her next CT Scan is in about four weeks to evaluate how chemo is doing with right lung. 

Nothing is cured and never will be ... but with the right team ‘lung cancer’ can hopefully become a treatable chronic illness.

Simply hearing my next appointment is in four months is somewhat life affirming ... 

“I'm a shooting star leaping through the skies
Like a tiger defying the laws of gravity …
I'm gonna go go go
There's no stopping me …”
Freddie Mercury
--
Patrick Leer
Health Activist:
Caregivingly Yours, MS Caregiver @ http://caregivinglyyours.blogspot.com/


13 comments:

  1. I am happy happy joy joy for you also. This is just the great news I needed today.

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  2. I am happy happy joy joy for you also. This is just the great news I needed today.

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    1. thanks Julie I am happy happy joy joy +++++++++

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  3. "WEeeeee are the champions!" I am so, so, so relieved for you!!!! Just more than words and tears can express!!

    Jackie

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    1. Jackie WE are indeed "the champions" ... thank you for your support and care

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  4. FANTASTIC! Let's go cruisin' and crank up the music!

    SteveS

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    1. "Born To Run" has been vibrating the windows :)

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  5. Replies
    1. thanks Mel!! ... oh no those radiation target points on that mask are treasured :)

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  6. Answered prayers! I met Ana the other day who had stage I lung cancer that after surgery progressed to stage 4 and brain metastis. He went through the same treatment and 14 years later he remains cancer free! I pray the same for you!!!!!!

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    1. You have just made the happiest day of my life even happier ... I pray the best works out for you all also .... your comment is making me tear up ... Bless you!

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  7. J. Patrick - My thoughts and prayers are with you. If anyone could beat back the enemy, you'd be the one. I've never, ever met a mentally tougher sonofagun than you. You da Man! - Mad Dog Phil

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    1. OMG!!! MadDog you have just made my day!!!

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