CT results

Well, the tumor has gotten bigger since last January. "Slightly" is how the radiologist writing the ct scan report put it. It was under 2 cm and now it us under 3cm. So the gyn onc talked to the med onc and they both think I should do the hormonal therapy. Megace, which is progesterone. It's less toxic than chemo and has a 25 to 30% response rate in those who have hormone receptive tumors (mine is PR+ progesterone receptive). So they say I should take it for 8 weeks and repeat the scan. If it's working, great, keep taking it. If not then switch to chemo. He talked about using the same chemo I was on 2 years ago, Taxol/carboplatin. He said it had been a long enough time to try it again and that the current research (which he said has not been published yet) shows an 80% response rate. The thought of doing chemo again is depressing. It will mean losing my hair again, which will have a big effect on Z. (not to mention me, it will be my third time and no, it does not get any easier). It might also mean not being able to go to Mexico this summer for my BIL/SIL's 2nd wedding reception. Not to mention the just feeling like crap, immune system suppression, and all the other side effects of chemo (I always really feel like I am being poisoned, which I guess I am!) But at least the response rate is good, which is not a cure rate mind you, but it has a good chance of beating back the tumor, but I don't know for how long. Cancer stats tend to be very short, like a matter of months is considered a victory. It's hard to know these things.

Meanwhile I will be seeing the new rad onc tomorrow to see if I am a candidate for any other radiation (he does stereotactic rad, but I will ask him his opinions on cyberknife and proton beam). The gyn onc said even if I did radiation he thought I should do the hormone therapy. I see the med onc next Wed. and can ask him more questions. I also see the dr. about my salivary gland next week. A. and I are still discussing what we want to do next, go get another opinion someplace else, do the TM copper reduction therapy, or what. It's so hard to know what to do and when.

I also got the MRI results which as best as I can tell (and from what the gyn onc, who did not order the test told me) are pretty much unremarkable. No metastatic disease to the spine and some "increased signal" (whatever that means) due to prior radiation and a mild disc space narrowing at L1-L2. In other words, I've got a 50 year old back. So maybe it's the tumor on the psoas muscle causing my pain, or it's "just" a myofacial thing. Not sure what to do next about the back pain except that maybe if the tumor shrinks so will the pain. I am concerned about using ibuprofen so much for so long. If it continues at this dose (6 to 8 a day) I may need to go to a pain clinic to see about other options. The acupuncture helps, but it's not enough.

It was a long and exhausting day and I have another one tomorrow. I think I'll go lay on the couch and escape with the first episode of American Idol.