Last chemo-NOT

Monday I went to the oncology/radiology floor at the Swedish Center to get a pet scan and CT scan to determine what the next step would entail. Optimistically I had been announcing that I was all better and that I would be canceling my scheduled chemo the 11th-only a few days later, but realistically the doctor had warned me not to count on 6 (treatments) as the final count. The testing entailed new IV (they couldn't use my port), drinking a cool aid type drink and 1/2 and resting for 45 minutes to let it all absorb (not to mention the previous days diet of no sugar, high fat and carbs, and no exercise-boy was that a switch! All to prep for best absorption by the tumors of the radioactive sugar water I drank that would illuminate any tumors found in the pet scan. Then prone on to a metal board in a cold room that would slide me in and out of a rounded plastic hollowed out log all the while taking 1800 photos to be read by the radiologist. Fortunately I was allowed to wear my fuzzy warm hat and a warm blanket over hospital pj's, so the cold was not a problem. No music this time, and fairly quiet. The pet scan took about 18 minutes and the entire process I was made to raise my arms up over my head and hold them there while my hand went numb and cold as I held the stretch-I wondered how inflexible folks made it through this process-I do yoga and think I am better than average in this department but was very relieved to be done! The CT scan in contrast took less than 8 minutes and I could have my arms at my side.
The results were to be done in an hour, but my doctor was not back from vacation, so I had to wait a full day and a half for the call. "Hi, this is Dr Kaplan calling". "Great, I know you have good news", I answered. "Yes, I do." I was sure I was going to be cancelling my appt for chemo the next day. The pet scan is clean, but there are 2 little spots showing on the CT scan and we cannot tell if it is scar tissue or residual tumors so we would like to go through a couple more treatments and do another CT scan to make sure. "OK, I think I can handle that." "So, let me verify that. A couple, meaning 2, another CT, not another Pet, scan, and we can be done?". That is the new plan.
Today was my scheduled chemo date and I got my blood work done and port hooked up readying for the appt. There was time today to do a puzzle with Erica, who came with me this time. 2 hours later I was dismissed for a shot to boost my white blood cell counts so that I could reschedule another postponed chemo. Now I go in on Saturday (not the way I wanted to spend a weekend) with 2 additional shots to boost my immunity. But at least I have been able to keep on track and the news is GREAT. I am feeling recharged.
I went to Gilda's club tonight to meet a fellow cancer survivor and listen to a talk on neuropathy-a nerve symptom of the chemo that I have been experiencing lately-numbing of the feet, in my case, not painful but bothersome.