Opdivo Day At UT

Today, was Opdivo day...  with a 7:30 am arrival time that forced me to leave home no later than 6:30 am and an alarm setting of 5:50 am which to me is no different than 6:00 am but those extra 10 minutes gives me an opportunity not to feel like I m rushed and make a cup of coffee before I leave.

I see the Oncologist every other month and this appointment was set with the doctor so he could review the results of my CT scan that I had on Monday.  My results were good however there were a couple of spots that around a millimeter of growth which is almost insignificant...  but, for me, growth is growth.

My Oncologist did not appear to be too worried with the results and said that we were going to proceed as we have in the past....  in other words, there will be no changes in my treatments.

However, when I asked about the discoloring on both of my forearms and if that was caused by the treatment, he first comment was, "they aren't bruises?", to which I replied NO.  So, after examining them further, he was concerned about why there was blood just under the skin and wanted me to see a Dermatologist.

After 13 years of treatment and going into my 14th year in 2022, I am grateful that my recent test results are extremely positive and hope that this positive rhythm will follow me forward.

A New Perspective

For over 12 years I have been battling with non-Hodgkin's "B" cell Lymphoma or SLL (see my blog My Cancer Pilgrimage) and after 5-6 years of receiving monthly chemo infusions, my body contracted Melanoma that started on the bottom of my left foot, spread to the left area of my groin, then to the left area of my neck.  So, for 6-7 years I have been fighting off two cancers simultaneously.  Also about 12 years ago, I had a heart attack (not associated with my cancer treatments) that resulted in the recommendation to have a triple bypass but I went to NYC and had my arteries cleaned out and stents inserted...  5 stents in all.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have lived with cancer(s) for over a decade and I am still alive...  it must not be my time...  or someone or something is looking out for me...  it cannot just be coincidence...  that's too simplistic and melodramatic.

Each morning when I wake up and before I go to the bathroom, I sit on the side of the bed and just appreciate the fact that I actually woke up again.  This may not seem so special to you, the reader, but to me it is very special.  

In 2018, I had radiation treatments to slow down the spread of melanoma along with Opdivo infusions because the radiation was supposed to supercharge the Odivo...  which it did...  working perfectly...  and, several months later my Oncologist let it slip out that my cancer(s) had turned very aggressive and he was not sure if he was going to be to get them both under control...

I never knew this...  and, I am glad that I did not because my whole attitude would have changed and no doubt I would have gotten depressed, perhaps very depressed...  and, when one is fighting cancer, depression seems to make things worse.  ODD...  but a positive attitude actually helps fight the cancer sometimes.

But, each day is a blessing for me.

An appreciation of life.

A chance to see the beauty of life FREE OF CHARGE.