A quick update for those who have been following my cancer survivorship:

[Longhorn]

I had CT and MRI scans on Tuesday and the results were excellent. All tumors showed remarkable shrinkage or disappeared completely. I saw the doctor today and we've decided that I will get a PET scan in two weeks to make sure that the remaining spots showing up on the scans of my lungs truly are cancer and not scar tissue. The PET will also help us see what, if anything, remains of the tumor in my pelvis. I'll meet with the doctor the following Friday, August 29, to discuss options, which could include more chemotherapy or surgery or internal radiation.

I'm excited about getting a break from chemotherapy -- at least six whole weeks off! And next week, we're going on our "planes, trains, and automobiles" vacation from Austin to California to Denver and back. :bounce:

:hi:

[TZ]

1. Good for you!

I'm glad things seem to be going so well for you. Your attitude and strength you have brought to this battle are something to be admired!
Have a great vacation, you deserve it!
:hug:

[Longhorn]

8. I get a lot of strength and boost to my attitude from the good folks at DU!

Thanks! I hope you're seeing improvement, too! :hug:

[Rhythm]

2. You go, Longhorn! Kick ass!

And have a great time on your trip, hon. :hug:

[Longhorn]

9. I had gold boot charms put in the acrylic on my thumbs

to remind me to keep kicking even when I'm not wearing the cowboy boots! Thanks! :hug:

[femmocrat]

3. Thanks for the update, Longhorn.

So happy to hear that you are doing well. Enjoy your trip-- sounds like fun!

:hug:

[Longhorn]

10. We hope to have fun and also relax and leave our worries behind.

Thanks! :hug:

[mwdem]

4. Great news, Longhorn!

Have a wonderful trip, and enjoy every minute of it!:bounce:

[Longhorn]

11. Thanks! One thing I hope I'm up to

is renting bikes at Fisherman's Wharf and riding across the Golden Gate bridge down to Sausalito, then taking the ferry back. Doesn't that sound like a great experience? It's only eight miles and supposed to be an easy ride.

[Haole Girl]

5. Thanks for the update!

Sounds like great news! :-)

Hope you have a wonderful vacation & it's not too much like the

movie "Planes, Trains and Automobiles"! :hi:

[Longhorn]

12. I bought trip insurance just in case!

;)

Thanks! :hug:

[CBHagman]

6. Thank you.

Have a wonderful, wonderful time on vacation, and all of us at DU will be waiting to hear of your adventures and of course more good news from the doctors.

:hi:

[Longhorn]

13. I've received so much love and support from people I've never met in person!

It means so much to me. Thanks, Hon! :hug:

[greenbriar]

7. awesome

.

[Longhorn]

14. It is awesome, isn't it?

I was hoping for completely gone but it has only been five months so a little more patience is required. :hi:

[FloridaJudy]

15. Wonderful news!

Here's hoping you can kick that nasty stuff's butt!

Go get 'em, cowgirl!!!

[Longhorn]

18. Thanks, Judy!

We've definitely got it on the run! :hi:

[undeterred]

16. Glad to hear you're doing so well!

:applause:

[Longhorn]

19. Thanks!

I've been very lucky that I've felt good most of the time during this treatment. I even gained 20 pounds. :blush:

[ThomCat]

17. I hope you get nothing but good news.

And after everything, I hope you have an amazing vacation! :hug:

:toast:

[Longhorn]

20. Thanks, ThomCat!

The Coast Starlight and California Zephyr are supposed to be the two most beautiful train routes in the country. And we got roomettes for both trips so we'll have our own recliners, picture window, and beds for the overnight trip from San Francisco to Denver. There's even a wine-tasting on the Coast Starlight. It should be relaxing and fun. :hug:

[ThomCat]

21. That sounds beautiful. Please take some pictures to share

if you can.

And please let me know how comfortable it is. I've contemplated taking long train trips by gettnig one of those private rooms. :)

[Longhorn]

22. I'll do that!

:hi:

[lavenderdiva]

23. man! This is the best news I've heard in a LONG time-

There are many of us here who have been rooting for you to kick that cancer's butt, and those boots worked!! Those results are wonderful!!!!!!

I think your vacation sounds like the perfect capper- You're gonna have so much fun, and the break away will be great for you and Mr. Longhorn. Thank you for the update! :hug: :hug: :hug:

[Longhorn]

24. I'm so glad you saw this!

I want all my DU buddies to share in my good news! Your encouragement has helped me so much! Thanks! :hug:

[Sheltiemama]

25. Yippee-ti-ki-ay!

What wonderful news!

[Longhorn]

26. And a YEE-HAW to that!

Thanks! :hi:

[PeaceNikki]

27. I wish you continued healing and strength.

:hug:

[Longhorn]

35. Thanks!

I feel like I'm recuperating more from the chemo than the cancer but I appreciate how well those drugs have worked for me. :hug:

[GOPisEvil]

28. That is fantastic!

I'm so glad you're doing well! :)

[Longhorn]

36. Thanks, Neighbor!

:hi:

[Forkboy]

29. Now there's some great news.

It's a good feeling when the treatments go right and you can feel like you have the upper hand again.

Here's to your continued improvement, and to a great trip, too! :)

[Longhorn]

37. Yes, there's a domino effect to good news!

Thanks so much! :hi:

[latebloomer]

30. Beautiful!!

Here's to continued shrinkage,and the final disappearance of those noxious growths!

Have a fabulous vacation.

:hi:

[Longhorn]

38. ...

:toast:

Thanks! :hi:

[yellowdogintexas]

31. now this is just excellent news. I hope your 'Planes, trains and Automobiles" vacation

is everything you wanted it to be and more.

You know you have to post pictures along the way, right :D :toast: :toast:

[Longhorn]

39. I should have internet access at least part of the way

and I'm bringing my laptop. I'll give it a try. Thanks! :toast:

[Eurobabe]

32. Good for you!

Now enjoy your vacation... :hi:

[Longhorn]

40. The only negative

is leaving my dogs behind. :(

But we have a good friend coming to feed them and they'll be in their own home.

Thanks! :hi:

[applegrove]

33. Wish you well soon.

[Longhorn]

41. Thanks!

"Soon" sounds great but I'll even take "eventually." :)

[av8rdave]

34. What wonderful news! Thanks for the update

And enjoy that vacation - sounds like a lot of fun!

[Longhorn]

42. Thanks!

Love that pic in your sig, by the way. :)

[Tummler]

43. Great news -- thanks for the update!

And thanks for putting these updates in your DU Journal so those of us who don't read the Lounge every day can follow your recovery!

:yourock:

[yellerpup]

44. Great news, Longhorn!

You're going to keep getting better and better. :woohoo:

[AwakeAtLast]

45. So happy to hear your good news!

Enjoy your trip - it sounds like a lot of fun! :bounce:

[fizzgig]

46. fantastic news!

i'm so glad you're doing well and i hope you have a wonderful time on your vacation!

[cwydro]

47. I'm not here very often

and so I didn't know about your battle.

Very glad to hear the news is good!

Enjoy your vacation and keep thinking positive!:bounce:

[Tommy_Carcetti]

48. Great news!

Enjoy your vacation and enjoy life indeed!

[La Lioness Priyanka]

49. i wish the very best for you

:hug:

[SallyMander]

50. Yay yay yay!!!

Oh, i'm so glad to hear this great news Longhorn!!! I have a friend who was just recently diagnosed with a non-Hodgkins lymphoma. She has also had a great response to her first couple rounds of chemo. You both have just the most amazing and inspiring attitudes i've ever seen.

I hope you have a FANTASTIC trip!!! Be sure to take lots of pics for us! :D

:hug:

:loveya:

[lost-in-nj]

51. Wonderful update!!!

:hug:

:woohoo: :woohoo: :applause: :applause:

so very happy for you!!!!!!


have a GREAT time on your trip!!!!


:hi:



lost

[Bake]

52. That is fantastic news, Longhorn!!!!!

In a Lounge full of crap today, you've made my day with your good news! Enjoy your vacation!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :hi: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

Bake

[LisaM]

53. Congrats! I've been on the Coastal Starlight (farther north)

and it's really fun. One of my best memories was travelling from Seattle to Portland on it one year when the women's World Cup Soccer match was in California. At every stop, the train picked up soccer teams of little girls and teenaged girls who were travelling by train to see it. It was so fun to hear their excited voices.

I hope the trip gives you the same good memories and I'm sure you can make the bike ride! Good luck!

[ulysses]

54. great news, Longhorn!

Continued strength to you. :)