Yesterday was supposed to be results day for Andy. To tell us if the chemo got all the cancer. To tell us he’d be going on a monthly/bi-monthly surveillance but that the chance of relapse is quite low (and with Testicular Cancer it is). This post was supposed to be me sharing my elation that we are almost back to normal, reflecting on the hard journey that it was and looking to the future.
But our doctor’s appointment didn’t quite go that way. It opened with ‘I am going to start by saying don’t panic, which means you will panic’. Yup.
We didn’t get BAD news. Seriously. There’s no evidence of tumours from his last CT Scan, and two of the three blood markers are good. This in itself is good news.
There’s just that one rogue one. It’s higher than what they call the average. What does this mean? Either his count is just always a bit higher than normal (no way of knowing since it’s not something he was ever tested for before being diagnosed) or something is brewing somewhere.
So we’ll wait four more weeks. He’ll do a weekly blood test, a new CT Scan, an MRI that includes his brain, an ultrasound on the other testicle, all to see if there’s something.
If there isn’t (and we remain hopeful that there won’t be!) he’ll go on surveillance and we’ll feel a sense of calm again.
With each follow up appointment and wait (oh the wait!) we will have to relieve these emotions. We try not to let the ‘what ifs’ in too often and we are happy to be living our lives as normal as possible. We are blessed with family and friends and wonderful children who bring us joy. We have each other and draw on that strength daily.
In four weeks we plan on celebrating.
In the meantime, I ask you my dear readers, if you haven’t already done so, book your annual physicals – for you and your spouse. They are very important! And if you have suspicious pains or changes in your health, seek help. My husband sought answers rather quickly which was fortunate because it was within weeks that it had started to spread.
Thanks for hanging with me all this time (it’s been 5 months!!) and for sticking around the next four weeks and beyond.
Hope is a great feeling.
Good luck with the wait for the next four weeks. The waiting is the hardest part. (Waiting & I have reached a Zen like place with some chocolate).
I just went for a mammogram and ultrasound of my breast after finding a lump. We got results right away and it’s not cancer, thank God, but I was very worried and scared.
I’m thinking about you guys, Rebecca, and hope in 4 weeks you are happily celebrating. xoxo
Praying that 4 weeks will bring you the happiest news. Hugs.
Hi there, I found you through mutual friends on Twitter & I’m sorry you’ve been going through such a life altering experience. I hope you get the news you are waiting for soon so you can celebrate. I find it so hard to get my Hubby to the doctor, he hates it. But, Cancer or any disease doesn’t discriminate so I push & push.
Hi Rebecca
I’m thinking of you. Fingers crossed and saying prayers.
I live in Ottawa, as you do, and if there is anything you need, I would be happy to help.
Hope indeed is a great feeling and one you have to hang on to. I know that the past five months have seemed endless and now these last four weeks but I’m praying that we will all be celebrating joyous news with you very soon.
I appreciate it Paula 😉
Rebecca, so sorry this wasn’t the celebration post, but thankfully it is going to be the pre-celebration post. Stay strong and positive and we will be ready to celebrate with you in another four weeks time.
Thanks, the celebration will come soon!
Nancy, thanks for your comment. Yes, insist on getting him to the doc -even when he is healthy!
thanks 🙂
I truly hope that 4 weeks from now the visit will be better and that things will go back to normal for you. Good luck and sending positive vibes to you.