I am writing today to give an update. About 3 weeks ago I had my follow up CT scan and saw my oncologist as well. Good news! I am still in remission and there is no evidence of disease (as the CT scan report reads). The days before the scan, there is a bit of "scanxiety". A common thing cancer fighters/survivors go through. There is a love/hate relationship with this machine. It told me I had cancer and it also told me I am cancer free. I think the thing that gets me the most is the prep for the scan. I am allergic to the Contrast dye they use for CT scans. I have to take Prednisone and Benadryl. Both make me a bit loopy! And the Barium. I can't even drink the 2 bottles they ask me to. I barely can get through 1 bottle! And I feel like crap afterwards. When I saw my oncologist, I actually said I would rather get Chemo than deal with meds and Barium. I am crazy, I know! Good ole Dr. Leo and Betsy are truly wonderful. Just warm hearted, patient, and fun. They thoroughly explained the chances of relapse. Relapse occurs within 18-24 months after the last chemotherapy treatment. There is a 10 % chance of this relapse. BUT, relapse typically occurs with patients that had radiation (which I didn't have), patients that did NOT receive the full 6 months of ABVD chemotherapy (I had the full 6 month cycle), patients that did NOT respond well and quickly to treatment (I was cancer free after 2 months of chemo), and patients that were in late stages of Hodgkins (I was Stage IIB). So I have everything in my corner!! We discussed my minor heart issue- low ejection fraction, which I am currently under the care of a fantastic cardiologist. I have to get echos every 6 months for now and continue to take Coreg. I am at risk of congestive heart failure (CHF) because of the chemo but that could be 10 years from now, 20 years or never. The medication I am on now will help protect me from CHF and there are some subtle changes of improvement on my last echo. I see my oncologist in 3 months, my cardiologist in 6 months, and echo in 3 months, and CT scan in 6 months!
Some other news that I haven't really spoken about is my fertility. I mentioned in earlier posts that there is a 10% chance of becoming infertile from chemotherapy. I had some basic blood work drawn in January and was told that I was possibly infertile but it wasn't definite. I wasn't scared when I was told this because it had been only 6 weeks since my last round of chemo and my body was still recovering and regenerating new and healthy cells. I didn't have signs of menopause (which is a possibility at my age because of the chemo). I knew the "picture" wasn't complete as there was more to check into. I saw the specialist again 2 weeks ago and was told things look promising. She believes I am in good shape if I ever want to get pregnant (and it's not anytime soon). But she did say that we really won't know if I have fertility problems until that time comes for me to create little noreens. I am hopeful. Only time will tell.
Overall, I am feeling well. I am active and have gotten back to my very busy social life. I am tired and fatigue at times but that's normal. I am rocking my short hair and get several compliments on it. I have been told by a few strangers that I am beautiful. Just random people coming up to me and saying that! It's a nice feeling, I am not going to lie. One of the best things I am excited about are my eyelashes! They are completely back and I have missed them oh so much. Losing my eyelashes was really hard for me. I know this sounds silly but I felt ugly when my eyelashes were gone. They made me feel beautiful and feminine, and seeing my eyes (during chemo) broke me down at times. But that's in the past and I feel good! On to the next tiny victory!
