Nothing to Lose -- Redux

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Getting Results

I'm not even sure why I'm writing this. Since I've been updating so seldomly, most of you have probably stopped checking the blog altogether.

I wanted to update everyone on some medical results. I've had a series of bloodwork done and met with an endocrinologist. Essentially, all of my hormones are currently normal so there is no evident effect on my pituitary gland. My doctor did say that sometimes it takes awhile for the pituitary to show such impact, so we will check again in 6 months. In a way, this is good news. On the other hand, it would be nice to have some explanation to my skin going haywire and shedding hair like a dog.

I also had my first MRI last Thursday. I forgot how excruciating such tests are. I was in that stinking machine for over an hour. Good thing I'm not too claustraphobic or I would have had a panic attack. I just kept thinking, "Hey... at least you're not in California with your head bolted to a table." Dr. Wheeler's (my radiation oncologist at Goshen who will be in charge of all of my follow-up care) nurse called today to say that Dr. Wheeler reviewed the results and didn't see any apparent cancer in the MRI. He did say there was some significant scarring due to the radiation, though. I got this information via voicemail, so I want to ask some quesitons and verify what I heard, but this is obviously great news!

I'll try to be better about updating.... but maybe you shouldn't hold your breath or anything.