Hello everyone,
I know there is some delay between my messages but don't worry things are going well even though I don't write as often.
My time is shared between the chemotherapy treatments, doctor appointments or my psychologist appointments and my family activities.
Indeed since January we went out 4 times (three for me) for cross-country skiing and went to Stowe, Vermont for a ski weekend.
My father-in-law is now back in Canada for his retirement and he spoils us often dining out or with homecooked meal by Loulou (his wife).
We celebrated Valentine's day at home with the family of Marie-Josée. Big party with loud music which had Windows shaking.
Two of my brothers come to spend time with me during my non-chemotherapy week and helps me keep my morale up playing X - BOX 360. Football and hockey of course although we haven't managed to beat the system... yet.
Of course in the last week I spend a lot of time watching the Olympics (day and night).
Yesterday, we had the opportunity to introduce our two boys to a rock show at the Bell centre, Clapton- Beck tour. Fantastic! Thanks to my niece Myrelle for the tickets at an incredible price.
So little time and little inspiration to write...
The meeting with Dr. L mentioned in my previous message was special and here's why. We had not seen him since December 2, not seen since the pet scan. Our nurse called to tell us that he wanted to see us on January 14 even if he was not seeing patients that week. Naturally, the reaction of Marie-Josée and I was a little anxious. Why was it so important to give us the results of the scan while there is no appointments that week. To Josée this meant bad news. For my part, I was scared too. We therefore had an OMPAC counselor (Multi resources agency for people with cancer). Charming lady who has helped us to prepare for all eventualities. Finally, news were good as I mentioned in my other message and Dr. L explained to us that he was leaving for two weeks, and he did not want to leave us without news that long. That is why he made a special effort to see us in-between two commitments at the hospital... not because the news were bad. It goes without saying that we were very excited by the news, Marie-Josée even more than myself because I believe she expected the worst.
We also had an appointment with my surgeon Dr. Y. He got the pet scan results by his Secretary who read the summary on the phone. We could see his face illuminate. It was excellent news for him also. He had unfortunately had to leave a tumour in place in June because it was too dangerous to attempt to extract it, so he expected to see some tumor on the pet scan. He was pleasantly surprised to find that out that the scan didn't show any. It is therefore possible that the HIPEC procedure has successfully eliminated whatever he had left. As for the 1cm ganglion, he told me he could not go in to remove it because he would not find it. He said that at this size, with blood in the cavity, it would be impossible to locate.
What this tells me is that it is not worth worrying about it for the moment. We will monitor it with another scan in 2-3 months and we will not let it become a problem.
If you go by the hospital Sacre-Coeur on Wednesday 24, I will be getting my third chemotherapy. You can come and say HI between 10:00 and 14:30.
Have a good day!
Martin
