Wednesday, January 28, 2009
PET/CT Scan
I had a PET/CT scan this morning. Friday I’ll know the results. This is a very important milestone for me. If my cancer is still in complete remission I will have gone 13 months since the start of my chemo. For prognostics, such as survival rates, studies use the start of chemo treatments as day zero. Typically, my type of cancer takes one very quickly if it is going to take you. The highest chance of the cancer returning is in the first year after chemo has started. There still is significant risk during the second year, but a lot less than the first year. Not that I worry about it much, but it is nice to know my odds of surviving the next few years is much better than 50/50.
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Hi Chemo Man
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that things are going well with you. (And your hair has grown back!).
To fill you in on my marathon training I was keeping to my schedule - only missing 1 day - but then I went away and missed out on 4 long runs... Now I am back home I am trying to get back on track. Today was supposed to be a 30k run but I just took it as it came and managed about 27k with a few walking breaks but I was quite pleased with that. I only have 5 weeks of chemo to go if everything goes to schedule and then I will have about 4 weeks before the marathon so am still trying to be positive.
Regards Jenny
Hey Tasgirl,
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear from you and that you are still preparing for the marathon. Being a Yank I had to convert your running distance into miles to appreciate how far you ran. Wow, almost 17 miles, that’s exceptional considering what you are going through and regardless if you walked some or not. All that matters is that you cross the finish line. It may be your worst finishing time, but I can tell you it will be one of your most cherished experiences. Are you going to fly some kind of banner, wear something that says you have just gone through chemo or battled cancer? Your story is very inspirational and people would love to here it.
Good luck with the rest of your training.
Lee
Hi Chemo Man
ReplyDeleteAnother update. I managed 2 10 milers (16kms) and a 3 miler this week and I was meant to do a 20miler today but only managed about 18 (with a few walks) but I was quite pleased with that. I am following Hal Higdons intermediate program which I have done the last 8 years but think I might go back to his beginners program.
I went to an alternative doctor the other day and she was trying to talk me out of running. She said my body is under stress from chemo and running is putting the body under extra stress and hinted that there could be problems later. Have you experienced any problems with havind been on chemo and training/running a marathon? I told her it was good for my mental health and I would listen to my body...
I was thinking about puttin something on my t-shirt but it would have to be in french and english.
Regards Jenny
Hi Tasgirl,
ReplyDeleteI believe that my marathon running actually reversed the damaging effects caused by the stress of chemo drugs, not made it worse. I have not experienced any problems. I'm healthier than horse. See my new recent post for more details. I can tell you one thing, if I ever have to go through chemo again, I would do it the same way. I would pick the soonest marathon I could prepare for and train for it during chemo.
It doesn't matter how fast you run or if you end up doing a lot of walking. When you cross that finish line it will probably be your most cherished finish of all your marathons.
Lee
Hi Chemo Man
ReplyDeleteWhen I had my last chemo treatment I was told that I am now anaemic. I recalled from your website that you also suffered so reread how you managed your long runs being anaemic as I had a long run this morning and really did not think it would be possible. I also did what you did and ran very slow and managed about 29k in just over 3.5 hours so was pleased with that, as on Friday I could not even manage a 5k run.
I have 2 more treatments to go and hopefully will have 3 weeks off chemo to see if I can get my running back to scratch ready for April 5th.
I am really glad that I found your website and know that through exercise the body can do amazing things.
Thank you so much for all the insight into what to expect during chemo and training.
Regards Jenny