3 Month Check Up & A Meeting With The Urologist
I had a scheduled post-op follow up with my GYN-ONC (gynecologist oncologist) to look at the site where my IP Port was removed. This appointment was just to ensure that I was healing properly. However, when I arrived at my appointment, I was notified that we were close enough to my 3 month post-chemo check up that they were going to do that appointment as well. This involves all my labs being drawn, including the tumor marker CA125, and a physical exam. What a pleasant surprise.... :-/
After getting over the shock of unexpected prodding, we learned that my labs were great! My CA125 remained steady at <5, which is the lowest value the lab will report. Even though the CA125 isn't the best marker for me, I am thankful this number remains low. Also, my doctor said my physical exam looked perfect!
Way back last September, we learned that I also had a "spot" on my kidney. My urologist oncologist felt that this should take a back burner to the ovarian cancer treatment. I met with him a couple weeks ago to follow up now that my ovarian cancer treatment is complete. We know that the "spot" on my kidney is not a simple cyst, those have a very distinct look on a CT scan. We also know that it is the same size as it was last year. My doctor would like to get a better look at my kidney through an MRI in a few months. I will likely have a laparoscopic surgery next year to remove and biopsy this spot. There is a good possibility it is a benign mass, or it could be some type of kidney cancer, then there is a very slim chance it could be more ovarian cancer. Based on the fact that it has not grown in the last year indicates it is more likely either a benign mass or some type of kidney cancer. The good news for either of these options is that the treatment is just to remove it, which we will be doing anyway. My MRI scan isn't until this December, so for now I'm just back to life as usual.
In other news, we all finished of our foster classes and are now waiting to be assigned a case worker. We were told that this could take up to two months. Once we are assigned a worker we will schedule the first of our two home visits. After our home visits our worker write up a report and our file is submitted for approval. The whole process to become approved foster parents could take up to six months. Even though it seems like a slow process, we are excited that things are moving forward!
That's all for now! I'll be posting something soon about a fundraiser for my Livestong group at the YMCA, and I hope you can participate! This program has helped me immensely and I am passionate and helping them in return.
After getting over the shock of unexpected prodding, we learned that my labs were great! My CA125 remained steady at <5, which is the lowest value the lab will report. Even though the CA125 isn't the best marker for me, I am thankful this number remains low. Also, my doctor said my physical exam looked perfect!
Way back last September, we learned that I also had a "spot" on my kidney. My urologist oncologist felt that this should take a back burner to the ovarian cancer treatment. I met with him a couple weeks ago to follow up now that my ovarian cancer treatment is complete. We know that the "spot" on my kidney is not a simple cyst, those have a very distinct look on a CT scan. We also know that it is the same size as it was last year. My doctor would like to get a better look at my kidney through an MRI in a few months. I will likely have a laparoscopic surgery next year to remove and biopsy this spot. There is a good possibility it is a benign mass, or it could be some type of kidney cancer, then there is a very slim chance it could be more ovarian cancer. Based on the fact that it has not grown in the last year indicates it is more likely either a benign mass or some type of kidney cancer. The good news for either of these options is that the treatment is just to remove it, which we will be doing anyway. My MRI scan isn't until this December, so for now I'm just back to life as usual.
In other news, we all finished of our foster classes and are now waiting to be assigned a case worker. We were told that this could take up to two months. Once we are assigned a worker we will schedule the first of our two home visits. After our home visits our worker write up a report and our file is submitted for approval. The whole process to become approved foster parents could take up to six months. Even though it seems like a slow process, we are excited that things are moving forward!
That's all for now! I'll be posting something soon about a fundraiser for my Livestong group at the YMCA, and I hope you can participate! This program has helped me immensely and I am passionate and helping them in return.
Continuing sending loving healing energy to your whole being!
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