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Went to the oncologist yesterday and his opinion is that my cancer is cured. Blood work is great (AFP=2.0, after starting at over 250), CT scans and x-rays negative. Heck, even my anemia is gone and my hair is coming back! I have monthly chest x-rays and blood draws, plus monthly oncologist appointments, but this Christmas will be the best I've had in many years. Thanks to all for your support.
My oncologist told me that in men over 40, his experience is that it's best to hit TC very hard on the first chemotherapy (I had 4xBEP) because the disease can be very difficult to treat if it recurs. I figure that he's the expert, he cured me, and I'll take his word for it.
Not all is rosy news, however--the bleomycin caused lung irritation. My lung capacity is significantly less than pre-chemo. I met with a pulmonologist, who wants to do (another!) test called a bronchoscopy. My oncologist agrees with the procedure. So...if we confirm bleomycin irritation, the treatment is either watchful waiting or steroids. I think I prefer the watchful waiting, I certainly don't have any breathing problems.
Best wishes to everyone this holiday season.
My oncologist told me that in men over 40, his experience is that it's best to hit TC very hard on the first chemotherapy (I had 4xBEP) because the disease can be very difficult to treat if it recurs. I figure that he's the expert, he cured me, and I'll take his word for it.
Not all is rosy news, however--the bleomycin caused lung irritation. My lung capacity is significantly less than pre-chemo. I met with a pulmonologist, who wants to do (another!) test called a bronchoscopy. My oncologist agrees with the procedure. So...if we confirm bleomycin irritation, the treatment is either watchful waiting or steroids. I think I prefer the watchful waiting, I certainly don't have any breathing problems.
Best wishes to everyone this holiday season.
Back in June, I was told I had embryonal cell carcinoma, "one of the most aggressive kinds", and trust me, that was a bad day. I know that the chance of recurrence is real, but for now, I'm elated and I've been undergoing surveillance for almost two months.
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