Well I took a little road trip on Tuesday over to the great state of Kansas (boo Chickenhawks LOL). My oncologist here in Columbia wanted me to see one of his colleagues at the University of Kansas Cancer Center, so I obliged him and went. I forgot how cathartic it is to set the cruise on 80 and crank the tunes up loud and sing like a crazy fool! Although if I've said it once I'll say it a thousand times, you couldn't pay me enough to drive in that big city traffic after work every day.... no freakin' way!
It's funny how memories pop into your head when driving a somewhat familiar route from the past. As I got closer to KC, the signs for Lee's Summit popped up and it took me straight back to the days when I would come to Lee's Summit to see my baby boy. He moved there right after high school to go to college and play soccer. So many emotions went through my mind. I will never forget the day I moved him into his first apartment. We went to the grocery store and I stocked him up on all his favorite foods. Helped him unpack a little and then I had to leave him there. I cried all the way back to Moberly that day. Over those next four months, I would go to work on game days and then would change into my MCC blue and drive that road to see my baby boy play college soccer then drive that path back home so I could work the next day. Those were some long nights but so worth it! There was also several weekend games and we had some great long weekends spent in the little town of Lee's Summit that fall. What great memories that came back to me yesterday on my road trip!
I made my way over the Missouri line into Kansas and on to the doctor's office. Now I'll be honest, I have massive trust issues with doctors in big city universities. If you have followed my full story you know that I had been misdiagnosed for almost 2 years by one of those guys. But I have full confidence in my doctor here, which is why I agreed to go to this doctor. I checked into the center and was called back to see the doctor. He seemed very knowledgeable and we had a great chat, but in the end he said he didn't have anything better than the treatments I was already receiving here in Columbia. He said he would keep me on the logs and would check in with me if any trials pop up that might be a good fit. But he also stated he didn't think there would be anything soon. Which I already kind of knew because I learned the hard way that I had to do my own research and be my own advocate. We discussed some possible future moves I might want to take here at home, so I guess it was not a total waste of a trip. I find it comforting to know that another doctor validated my treatment protocols here and why I have 100% trust in my current care team. Plus I now how another top notch oncologist in my arsenal for future possible endeavors, God willing!
On my way home, as always, I hit up my favorite Taco Johns. I know, I know, there's one in the mall.... but it is not the same as the one in Odessa. For me, again, it's about the memories. The Odessa Taco Johns takes me back to my childhood every time. In my hometown of Moberly, my sister, our neighbors, and I used to ride our bikes to the end of our very long street, which came to a T at the local Taco Johns. I cannot begin to tell you how many adventures we had, riding our bikes with probably $2 in change in our pockets for a good ole taco burger and some potatoes on those hot summer afternoons. Ah sweet memories.
So after my long memory-filled road trip, this is where I am on this journey..... I will have another CT scan on Monday, the 6th and then scheduled for my 10th of 12 chemos for this round the 7th-10th. My tumor marker number continues to rise despite the harsh chemo. Normal is 0-34, I am now at 1,491. All of my doctor are in agreement that this means the cancer is growing, but still too microscopic to be shown on the CT scans which continue to remain stable. I am hopeful for the same stable result again on the 6th. If that is the case, the new doctor in Kansas recommended that I request a PET scan which will, more than likely show where the cancer is growing. He then said it might be possible to go in and use radiation to zap the microcells. All of this, of course, is VERY tentative, but praying hard that all will go in a positive direction. All prayers are welcomed and so very appreciated! And for now I am so very grateful for every single day on this side of the dirt. I try to live every day to the fullest and will continue to fight like crazy, travel, hang out with my friends and family and my furbabies as long as I am able to!
