Todd's Journey

My abdominal scan has come back showing very positive signs of improvement. There was no further spread of the cancer to the abdominal region. Reproductive system, kidneys, pancreas, and ureters all looked good with no signs of abnormalities. The only comment on my bladder was that it was contracted, however that would be expected since there is little urine in my bladder at the moment.

My cancer will never be "cured" as it had already spread beyond the bladder, however it can be controlled and kept from growing and spreading. That ultimately is the goal for long term living with cancer.

The recommended course of action for me now is to receive immunotherapy which will teach my own immune system to keep attacking the cancer so it is kept under control. That's the best we could have asked for at this point.

Overall the results are very positive in terms of controlling my cancer. Now we move to a phase of keeping it under control.

I will have a consult with Dr. Macrae (the radiology oncologist) to see if any radiation is needed or required now.

That's the results update. Look at is as positive for sure. Just got to keep my cancer in check now.

It's been 12 days since my chemotherapy ended. I am still awaiting the results of my latest CT scans to determine what, if anything, the chemo has done to the cancer.

I am slowly starting to feel a bit better, and less fatigued. Every day I get a little bit more energy back, and my requirement to nap during the day has lessened. At night now, I am almost entirely off my sleep aids, and getting back to somewhat of a normal sleep pattern.

The only two issues I continue to deal with are; my nephrostomy tubes, and my bladder infections.

As for the nephrostomy tubes, they really are an inconvenience of having to cart around collection bags on each side of my body. It really does restrict my mobility somewhat. In addition, while the tubes do remove the majority of urine from my kidneys, it leaves very small amounts going into my bladder. This may sound like a minor issue, but I just want to get back to urininating normal amounts of fluid.

I still suffer a bit of PTSD from the days where I was retaining and passing very small amounts of urine, so now when I only pass small amounts (due to the nephrostomy tubes) I sometimes get anxious and worried again. It is very difficult for me to overcome the past traumatic experiences from June. The smallest issue can prompt me to suffer mental anxiety.

I have finally stopped taking my anti-anxiety medication as it wasn't something I wanted to be on for a long time. Perhaps that is why I may still have some anxiety but I will overcome that. I await the moment that Dr. Morash tells me I can get rid of the neph tubes.

As for the bladder infections, Dr. Morash started me on a daily dose of antibiotic as a strategy to prevent further bladder infections before they start. The first antibiotic that he prescribed me makes me quite ill, so he switched me to a new antibiotic today.

Around the homefront, we finally got all our Christmas decorations and tree up for the year. We finished our Christmas shopping (thanks to Amazon), and just have to wrap them up now.

Anyhow that's the update for now. The official discussion with my oncologist will be this Thursday, so we will definitely know what's next by the end of the week.

Here is the Monday video update.

My final chemo is complete. I received my very last dose of Gemcitabine today, along with the help of my newest best friend, "Annie".

When done, I rang the bell, and had a piece of cake.

I would post the video, but it makes me look too fat, so I am not going to. I know it's all in the eye of the beholder, but I am particular about my cancer weight gain and do not want to post it right now.

The next big step will be the scans (next Wednesday) followed by the results the week after.

Thanks to everyone at the Winchester Cancer Chemo unit, and all my nurses (Andrea, Jackie, Callie and Sarah)

Here is the Chapter 13 update of my Journey.

Finally had my last Cisplatin treatment, along with one of the two Gemcitabine treatments. My last Gemcitibine treatment on Thursday will mark the end of my chemotherapy. It will have been three months of chemo for me.

This cycle, and the previous one, has been the toughest on me so far as the toxins in my blood have continued to build up in my system. Just more fatigue, more nausea and some weakness.

But as I said, we are close to the end now, so I just need to bite the bullet and get through it.

Thanks again for all the support, comments, and gifts. I feel so much love and caring from all of you. I really do feel that Jamie and I are not in this alone.

Talk to you tomorrow for the Monday video blog update.

Doctors have approved me to conclude my Chemotherapy starting tomorrow ending next Thursday, November 30th. They say this last three months of Chemo is the toughest part of my cancer treatment, so to have it done with will be an exceptional milestone.

For this last treatment, I will still require a blood transfusion and some booster shots to help my neutrophils again. They are also going to lower my cisplatin dose to try and help with some of the tougher symptoms I endured after Cycle 3.

All in all, I am super excited to get this part of my Cancer treatment overwith for now. Now we can hope the results of all this aggravation is positive.

Just got my bloodwork back for the upcoming final cycle of chemo. Neutraphils look good, White Blood cell count looks good. Creatinine level is a bit higher, but that could be because I am fighting yet another infection. Am on Cipro so that should help get rid of the infection. My hemoglobin is quite low so I am likely anemic again. With the infection and the low hemoglobin, the fatigue I am experiencing is likely due to that. They will fix my hemoglobin issue with another top up likely Friday or early next week. But that shouldn't impede proceeding with my last cycle of Chemo.

Of course the official decision on proceeding with chemotherapy will be made by Dr. Reaume or Dr. Touche tomorrow when they review the bloodwork and talk to me.

However, my prediction is we should be good to go.