Latest Update

Today, I had my appointments with the pulmonary doctor and my oncologist.  After the last appointment with the pulmonary doctor, my oncologist said he wanted to see me one more time before he gave me the paper work that I need to go back to work.  I repeated the pulmonary function test and it is stable.  That is good because I am on less prednisone now than I was for my last test.  The pulmonary doctor is happy with my progress and wants me to have another CT scan of the chest in February.  My oncologist is also very happy with my progress.  He has given me the official "green light" to go back to work on January 3rd!  So I am very happy.  He also would like me to have a CT scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis.  I am having the scan on February 25 and I will see him again on March 2.  That is the day I will also see the ENT doctor about the nodule on my thyroid.  My doctor says that even though it is most likely benign, the ENT might want to operate to remove it.  (He was just giving me the worst case scenario.)  Actually, if it should come to that, I don't care.  After all I have been through, what's another surgery?  It will be fine.  

I asked my doctor when am I considered to be in remission and what is the definition of remission.  He said that remission is when there is no more evidence of disease.  He could not say that I am in remission after the last scan because of the inflammation he saw.  But if all goes well after the scan in February, he will be able to say that I am in remission.  He also said to tell people, "My oncologist says that I am doing great!"   

So, this was the best Christmas present I could get.  I am very happy.  I hope everyone has a great Christmas and New Year!  Thank you, again for your prayers and support.