Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Scan #1 Results are in!

Um.

HOLY FREAKING MOLEY!

Good news, friends. My oncologist called my house late tonight (rather than making me wait 'til Thurs a.m.) to let me know that the scan results were very good. In just 4 chemo sessions (and only 2 of those included the tumor-slaughtering drug, Avastan), my tumors have already SHRUNK OVER 50%!! In just four sessions!

Put another way: The two tumors didn't stay the same size, nor did they just shrink ever-so-slightly, nor, God forbid, did they grow. They are more than halfway gone. Not to brag.

Truly, my doctor tends not to overreact or over-promise, but he very enthusiastically called this progress, "Terrific!"

I freaked out and started jumping up and down really, really high, and I couldn't stop. I am sure my doc could hear the odd grunting noise from my efforts, though he didn't say anything. Then, mid-jump, I told him that I loved him.

Then I called my parents, in-laws, brother, and sister. Then I had to put the kids to bed. Then Neil and I sat on our front porch swing and stared at the lake, and I listened to the wind blowing through the trees (my favorite sound) and the rain as it pitter-pattered on our roof. (Good Lord. The writing. This is an English major on drugs. Any questions?) And for a few minutes, I squinted my eyes a little and pretended I was at Tupper Lake, and it made me even happier. And I just kept on thinking, "GOD, I love being alive."

Not out of the woods, of course, but getting closer and feeling more hope than ever.

Thanks so much for all the thoughts, prayers, and general Shelly Power. It's been helping me get better. And now we have proof of that.

20 comments:

  1. Thank you for not quoting Patrick Swayze's "She's Like the Wind."

    Thank you more for coming out swinging and winning Round 1. You've got it on the ropes.

    Now finish it.

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  2. YES, Shelly. Putting the power in power.
    Love you!
    Congrats. A most wonderful way to start the day!!!!
    ws

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  3. go shelly!!!!!!!! "gosh, i love living." youre an inspiration!!! keep fighting this shi-at! :)

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  4. Yeah!! this is awesome news. I am so happy reading this post. hugs

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  5. Incredible! Congratulations on dominating the first heat of the colonchemo olympics! Keep it up, my friend.
    Thanks for sharing this news and getting my day off to a great start.

    Shelly Always Triumphs!

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  6. Hurray, huzzah, hallelujah, amen, and some other words an atheist has no business using! The point is: Shelly Power!!!

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  7. Yay!!!! This is the best news!

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  8. Awesome, I am hearing the theme song to "Rocky" in my head right now!

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  9. Im smiling and skipping down the halls at work at this news - way to go!

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  10. Yipppppeee for shrinkage!! You will beat this, Shelly - I'm certain! I too am jumping around at this happy news :) XOXO

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  11. Oh yay! I'm sooooooooooo happy! *snoopy dance*

    Rockin!

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  12. YESSSSSSSSSSSSS! I KNEW it! It was that bacon, speaking of pork :)

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  13. I am officially stalking this post. I have read it over and over and I cry each time. Yippy, yah, yippy!! The best news!

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  14. Awesome news! Keep up the good fight, Shelly!

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  15. This is probably the first time that "shrinkage" is a POSITIVE thing!!! :) I am so excited and happy for you!!! And I got the Shelly Power bracelet that Emily sent! GO SHELLY!!!!!!!!

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  16. Yea, Shelly! I'm so psyched to hear the good news! Rooting for you over here in Chicago!

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  17. Shelly,
    I wasn't sure what was going on & Heidi said I should read your blog. With tears in my eyes (tears of inspiration?)I just read your whole blog and I just wanted to tell you that you are truly an inspiration to me! What an amazing story and a true testament to what happens when you are surrounded by people you love and have a positive attitude!!! You will be in my prayers. :)
    Dottie

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  18. YAY, SHELLY!! That is the very best news! I am so glad: happy dance! happy dance time!

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