Good results!

Dear friends,

Last wednesday, October 2nd, I had an appointment with my oncologist, Dr. Baars. She had good results for me. The MRI showed a reduction in the tumor from 1.1 cm to 0.8 cm. No new lesions or washout (whatever that means) have appeared. The previous scans had shown that the lymph nodes appeared normal again. The CT scans, as always, are difficult to read since cancer cells cannot be distinguished from scar tissue. And since the Mytomycine-C treatment of the liver, the liver is mostly scarred. But the areas in which they could discern tumors, the scans showed a reduction in these tumors as well. So the cancer is clearly in regression/remission.

Even my oncologist seemed relieved. My next appointment is on December 4th. I mentioned that my left arm has been painful the past few months. Usually the pain occurs at night. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night with pain in my left arm and hand. In the morning, the stiffness usually disappears. Dr. Baars referred me to the hospital neurologist (18th of October) and a nurse took pictures of my neck and arm. So we’ll have to see.

Last night, Marc Dufour stopped by. I was home late because I volunteered at the Undergraduate College Fair, organised by John Terwilliger on behalf of the Ivy Circle. The fair took place at the International School of Amsterdam. Quite a lot of kids stopped by our Penn table , and Flor  – who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2010 – and I enthousiastically explained the admissions process, how great Penn is, and how good the faculty is. A lot of young students were really impressive and wanted to study in the US. There were quite a few Dutch students as well. I heard it is very difficult to get in Penn these days, standards are even higher than when I attended.

Marc is visiting his family and friends for about two weeks. It was good to see him, it has been a few years since we had seen him and of course, that was before he (and I) found out we have cancer. Marc has been following a special treatment, which has kept him alive for longer than he had anticipated. This past May, however, scans revealed new tumors in his lungs, which are now the size of orange/grapefruits. He underwent radiation therapy and feels much better. We had a great time but had to break off our conversation because Victor wanted to watch Three Days of the Condor – a great movie btw with Robert Redford. Ofcourse Marc and I knew every scene already and inevitably, Victor dozed off.

This morning I went for a run (it was really warm!). And today we went to the framer to get the enlargements of our wedding pictures framed. It’s quite expensive but it’ll be nice to have them hanging in our house. Tonight is Ada’s party but I’m a bit tired. And tomorrow I have Aerial Yoga which is great fun! I’m not at all limber but it’s like playing around (we do yoga postures  in draped fabric which hangs from the ceiling).

Have a great Saturday evening and Sunday!
Sheila