The past couple of weeks has been a whirlwind of tests in addition to the surgery to remove the old port and install a new one. The oncologist wanted to have a clear picture of the extent of the progression and to ensure we wouldn't run into problems due to any unknown underlying health issues. The good news is that other than one anticipated result, everything else was positive. Until yesterday I figured the appointment would simply be the oncologist confirming the good results and getting the chemo scheduled.

BUT the night before last I woke at 5AM shivering and shaking harder than I've ever experienced. It took over an hour for the shaking to stop. I checked my temp and though I had a fever, it wasn't overly high … except I rarely run a fever unless it's pneumonia. Which I didn't have. Since I'd had surgery, I checked the incisions, but nothing seemed amiss there. Tylenol helped bring the temp down for a short time, but yesterday it kept flaring. Fortunately, I only endured the shakes once, even though the temps were higher throughout the day. I contacted both the surgeon's office and the oncologist's nurse line wanting to get an antibiotic started. The oncologist's nurse asked me to do a COVID and Flu A/B test and to let her know the results, which came back negative. This morning, a new wrinkle appeared. When I swung my legs out from under the covers, my right calf glowed red. It truly looked sunburned, the skin stretched tight and swollen. When the oncologist took a look, she ordered an ultrasound to make sure there was no blood clot lurking. The efficiency of everyone involved amazed me. After having the ultrasound, I had no sooner climbed into the car when the oncologist called to advise the results were negative—no clot!! We picked up the antibiotic on the way home.

So what did all those tests show??? I've already mentioned the bone marrow results which were clear. The most important results were that of the PET Scan which showed ONE tumor, but that everything else is clear. The oncologist kept calling the tumor "ugly under the microscope" (the picture at the top is how I imagine it). It's a brute and aggressive and has beaten up on my immune system already (those were the one results that came back negatively—the values are basically in the basement, which is probably why the leg infection happened.) The oncologist was so pleased with the unexpected results. At our first meeting, she worried about how to get me started on the chemo protocol as quickly as possible, but this time she said with the results, she feels that if we have to wait an additional week to start chemo due to the infection, it won't be as critical.

One thing the oncologist said during the appointment made me want to leap up and dance. I'm ready to shout it from the rooftops. In ALL the results there was not one OUNCE of leukemia present, which is exceptionally unexpected to the point I'll call it a miracle. There is no cure for my type of leukemia and to have ZERO markers just doesn't happen. I've always said God is taking care of me, and this just proves it.

When does chemo start? It depends. If my leg is responding to the antibiotic and has cleared up enough by Friday, then my first treatment will be next Tuesday. If it hasn't healed enough, then I'll start the following week. Now it's time to get some rest.