We've stopped using alarm clocks. When the kids wake up in the mornings, usually a bit earlier than we'd wish for, they jump into our bed to cosy. This morning, the oldest kid had just curled up when he asked "Is there more than one Santa Claus?". Smart kid, he had been doing some thinking during the night. Marjo took an easy way out and answered that the issue is a bit complicated. We've organised for Santa Claus to visit tomorrow afternoon. He may have to answer tricky questions.
We'll be celebrating a traditional Finnish Christmas at home with Marjo's parents and sister. On Boxing Day we've made it a tradition to cook pork ribs, a Norwegian-style Christmas dinner. The visit at the butcher is always exciting. We need to give very specific instructions how to cut out the piece of meat and not to make it into a Finnish-style ham. It usually works out well.
I have another secret to share. Most of the hair of my body fell off after I started the Camptosar treatment last summer. My eyelashes on the other hand, took off to the other direction and grew wild. Weird stuff. Marjo will do a Christmas eye-lash cut tonight. By the way, the hair on my head has actually slowly grown back and I haven't been bald since autumn.
Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Another CT
CT scans start to be a routine. I had another one on Friday and got the feedback from a doctor today. Yet another good scan! Marjo and I were quite relieved. It means we've got some peace of mind for another 2-3 months until the next CT scan. CEA was down from 33,6 (on 24.11.2009) to 30,3. Despite the rather small decrease in CEA some of the tumours had shrunk quite much. We were even talking centimeters with some of them this time. This was a good example why they want to use both CEA and CT when they analyse the situation, one alone is not enough.
The CT report talked about four tumours. It seems Mr. Big is still doing fine and size isn't changing very much, but Number 2 has had a collapse. These were the strategic measurements:
* 6,7 x 4,1 cm (previously 6,6 x 4,3 cm)
* 2,6 x 4,2 cm (previously 3,6 x 6,1 cm)
* 2,1 x 1,9 cm (previously 2,6 x 2,3 cm)
* 1,7 x 2,4 cm (previously 2,0 x 2,4 cm)
After the initial positive message that the direction is still good I was more or less ready to leave the room. The doctor, however, went through some nail, skin and well-being stuff before she let me run. I got a prescription for 1 kg tubes (buckets?) of body lotions as some of the medication makes my skin extremely dry. I've got to put on lotion every day at least once.
Winter has finally arrived. We've had a couple of beautiful days with minus 15 degrees, some snow and clear sky. I'm back at hospital tomorrow (Wednesday) to continue the weekly treatments. Afterwards I may shoot some winter photos and go and buy a Christmas present for Marjo.
The CT report talked about four tumours. It seems Mr. Big is still doing fine and size isn't changing very much, but Number 2 has had a collapse. These were the strategic measurements:
* 6,7 x 4,1 cm (previously 6,6 x 4,3 cm)
* 2,6 x 4,2 cm (previously 3,6 x 6,1 cm)
* 2,1 x 1,9 cm (previously 2,6 x 2,3 cm)
* 1,7 x 2,4 cm (previously 2,0 x 2,4 cm)
After the initial positive message that the direction is still good I was more or less ready to leave the room. The doctor, however, went through some nail, skin and well-being stuff before she let me run. I got a prescription for 1 kg tubes (buckets?) of body lotions as some of the medication makes my skin extremely dry. I've got to put on lotion every day at least once.
Winter has finally arrived. We've had a couple of beautiful days with minus 15 degrees, some snow and clear sky. I'm back at hospital tomorrow (Wednesday) to continue the weekly treatments. Afterwards I may shoot some winter photos and go and buy a Christmas present for Marjo.
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