Pondering.......

 Good and not so...

Ann is good. Getting her energy back and her taste buds are
beginning to wake up.

Carol is facing more challenges.
The tumor on her lung is growing. Doubled in size in three 
months.  So...it seems none of the options are particularly good. 
There will be a consult with a surgeon but she is still considered
high risk with anesthesia because of her lung function. After
all the years of different chemo drugs, they have taken a toll.
Radiation is another option except... if it's too intense and/or
hits too much of the lung it could do more damage. Consult
with her radiation oncologist is scheduled.
Third option is more chemo. The last treatment almost killed
her so obviously they will need to find something else.

She's getting physical therapy twice a week to build up
her strength. Whether that makes a difference in her choice
of options remains to be seen. One of few things that can't hurt.
Good news was that all the many scans that were done did not
show any cancer anywhere other than the lung. They do want a
mammogram done, just in case.

Decisions need to be made sooner rather than later. 

Carol got the biopsy results this week.
The spot on her lung is migrating colon cancer.

That puts her at Stage 4.

She is not a candidate for surgery. Too high risk.
That leaves radiation or chemo.
She'll see an oncology radiologist first week of December.
They'll make a decision after that.

Her oncologist is hoping they can do radiation
because it could be a "one and done" treatment.

So far, she's feeling fine. Not quite the energy level
she once had but close. Her positive attitude continues
to amaze us. She says "I've been through this before. I'll
get through it this time, too."

I hope she's right. 

In spite of good news, there is a new hiccup for Carol

They've been monitoring a spot on her left lung.
Comparing it from this scan to the one done in June,
it has doubled in size. Not good.

Oncologist said that is a definite sign of active cancer.
The complication is placement. It's behind the heart
which may make it nearly impossible to reach
to do a biopsy which means they won't know what
kind of cancer it is. Which means they won't know
what chemo to attack it with.

Radiation would also be tricky to impossible.

She is scheduled for a PET scan Friday. It will give
a more detailed look at the lymph node/spot area.

They'll be involving top-notch radiologists and surgeons
to look at the PET scan image and make recommendations.
Probably won't get their evaluations until beginning of November.

In the meantime, we will be (at least I will be) on pins
and needles waiting...waiting...

If you are so inclined, more good thoughts and prayers
would be appreciated.

(update...Carol got a call this morning saying her insurance
company refused approval for the PET scan. She had to
reschedule for November 7. Waiting 3 weeks instead of one.
Damn their asses.)

 Good news is always a pleasure to spread.
Ann had a follow-up MRI and the results
were exciting and very encouraging. No signs
of the pituitary adenoma coming back or spreading.
The surgeon was thrilled and said she would
have another MRI in 6 months just to keep track.
Big sigh of relief.

Carol came through the ostomy reversal surgery
with flying colors and has completely healed.
She has an appointment with her oncologist Friday.
She'll get the results of her latest CT scan and hope
there are no signs of new cancer or spreading of
the cancer we know is there. Because of all the
surgeries and emergencies, she hasn't had any
kind of chemo since January...well, except for the
one colon cancer cycle that put her in the hospital
and rehab for almost two months.
We're 99% sure she'll go back on chemo for the breast
cancer she's been battling for more than 12 years but
unless the colon cancer rears its ugly head, there will
be no chemo for that.

This past month has been almost like a vacation because
there have been so few appointments and procedures
to deal with.

I'm getting ready for Christmas. Almost done shopping
and ready for wrapping and hiding and mailing.
Life is good.

I've been able to take more time to read lately.
This is what I'm working on now:

The worst situation is the horrible hurricane
damages and deaths this year with yet another
monster on its way as soon as tomorrow.
May all in its path survive.