IS THIS NEWS GOOD OR BAD?

I have always been honest in all of my writings.  Whether it's for my blog, Lungevity or LungCancer.net, I say the good with the bad.  So here is what I know and don't know.

As you know from reading my blog, I am preparing for my next TURBT this Thursday, Nov. 9th.  I had a hard time with the last two (which had one tumor) so this time knowing I have 5 plus, I'm extremely nervous.

I'm nervous.  Take that with a grain of salt.  Doc chose to switch my medications last week.  She wants me to take Klonopin instead of Xanax.  Ok, I thought.  Let's try it.  I took it for 3 days. NO. NO. AND NO.  On day 3 and 4, I was a basketcase.  Hands shaking, voice shaking, crying if I couldn't find the new roll of toilet paper.  I was a mess.  I couldn't stop thinking, "I have cancer.  I'm going to die."  This is what we say at initial diagnosis.  Not four years in.  So I called my doctor on call and he said to immediately stop taking new stuff and go back to old until I talk to my doctor this week.  That phone call took place yesterday and I can't begin to tell you how much better I feel.

Now on to the lungs.  My latest CT scan does show several minor/tiny changes.  Multiple lung nodules and lymph nodes are stable - no change.  One nodule grew by 4mm.  And a new one has appeared. 3mm.

Bottom line my doctor is ecstatic about my lungs....still.  She feels since I have tolerated Opdivo for so well for so long that I am the 1% of patients that make it to/past 5 years.  (My 4 year canserversary is this January).  She feels even though there are very minor changes, the other nodules staying the same proves to her Opdivo is still working and we will continue it.  She is cautious because of new growth, but it is so small we will simply watch it during my every 3 month scans. She specifically said to me, "even with these changes I am no where near saying we are at the end of the road."  This is a great thing!

The lung scans also show I have "moderate diverticulitis."  This may explain my stomach issues and a diet change can possibly change this.

So overall, good scans.  I say that lightly because the day I found out about the tiny growth, was one of the days on the new medications, so I was a basketcase.  Now that I'm back on my original, I'm ok with this - no growth means I'm still winning. As I said earlier, "I have cancer  I'm going to fight this monster and kick its ass."

GOTTA KEEP UP YOUR SPIRITS WHILE GOING TO CHEMO/IMMUNOTHERAPY, SO WHY NOT HAVE FUN.

(P.S.  Nurses were filming the entire thing while laughing hysterically.  The poor woman in the beginning in the red vest was a volunteer and had NO idea what was going on)

The volunteer must have worked the front desk because as we were exiting the building she started yelling to her co-workers, THERE SHE IS!!

LUCKY ME - 2 DIFFERENT CANCERS

Having over a dozen people in my family diagnosed with cancer, I've always approached "growing up" with - not if I will get cancer but when??

As you all know, it has been 3 years and 3 months since my Lung Cancer diagnosis and everything that journey has entailed.  Well, yesterday I had a Cystoscopy to check a mass in my bladder.

It is approx. 1.5 cm in size and it is Bladder Cancer.  It is not from my primary tumors in my lungs but a totally separate tumor.  According to the Urologist, I will have surgery to remove the tumor.  It is called TURBT procedure. A TURBT is a procedure in which bladder tumors can be removed from the bladder wall. This is a procedure performed completely with a scope that is inserted through the urethra into the bladder. It is generally performed in the hospital setting as an outpatient with the patient anesthetized.

6 weeks after the surgery I will begin chemotherapy.  BCG, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin, is the treatment.  Bladder cancer is the only cancer in which BCG is commonly used. Other agents have been used in bladder cancer, but none has surpassed the effectiveness of BCG.  In my case the BCG will administered in an induction (once weekly for 6 weeks), wait one month, then maintenance (once weekly for 3 weeks) course. Another 6-week course may be administered if a repeat cystoscopy reveals tumor persistence or recurrence. Induction therapy combined with maintenance therapy every 3-6 months for 1-3 years may provide more lasting results. Periodic bladder biopsies are usually necessary to assess response.

I will have BCG and Opdivo concurrently (at the same time).

So there you have it.  I am officially a Lung Cancer Survivor and I intend to be a Bladder Cancer Survivor.

I am currently awaiting on the hospital to call me to schedule the procedure.  I will update as soon as I know more.  

I continue to thank you for all your love, support and prayers.