I’m just back from visiting my oncologist after I had my 3rd PET scan yesterday. Hodgkins lymhoma is in remission 6 months after my second round of treatment. Last time it returned within 6 months, so as far as I’m concerned, Dr. Pierce has killed it. Hodgkins has a way of coming back quickly so I’ll return for recheck in 2 months, but no further scans are scheduled.
On a different front, she now needs to address the mysterious growth that has been showing up in all the scans that’s on my right thyroid lobe. I have an ultrasound scheduled for Thursday and a future visit with an endocrinologist. While concerning, the lymph nodes surrounding it have shrunk on this scan, so it’s probably nothing too terrible.
After a 3 month wait, I finally got to see the neurologist about the neuropathy in my feet, legs and fingers. The office testing wasn’t normal so an EMG has been scheduled for next month. However, he has explained about why I’m having so much difficulty with balance, coordination, and stairs. Not only do I have sensory neuropathy, but the motor nerves that control function have also been affected.
The neuropathy and congestive heart failure (now stabilized at half of the normal heart function) are both a result of the chemotherapy I had to take. While the monoclonal antibody I took last year didn’t affect my heart, it did significantly advance the neuropathy I had from the original chemo. It’s likely the price I’ll pay for remission. If Hodgkins’ is dead, I’m fine with that end of the bargain.
I look at things realistically, but also with optimism. Years ago, I couldn’t have been fixed. Today, it’s quite possible to cure cancer. And I was retired when it happened so I never had to worry about going to work or how I would pay for things if I lost my job and insurance. Way too many people have those agonizing worries and way too many seek treatment too late because they can’t afford it.
The ACA has also helped. Thank you, President Obama! I didn’t have to worry about annual or lifetime caps on my Medicare extender plan. I also never got any grief from Medicare or my insurance. They even covered my second chemo, Brentuximab, which (from the billing information I received) cost a whopping $85,000 PER DOSE (I had 6 or 7 of them).
My desire, aside from good recovery, is that everybody get the kind of care that I got without worrying about how to pay for it or going bankrupt because of it. They need to concentrate only on getting well. Medicare for All and guaranteed sick time benefits are badly needed.
Thanks to everyone for all the kind thoughts, prayers, and air mail deliveries of positive karma. They all helped me realize I wasn’t alone.