Annie: Matt got a brain MRI and chest/abdomen CT scan on 1/29/2021. I got to join Matt at his results appointment on 2/3/2021: the first time since COVID-19 restrictions started in March 2020. February 3rd was also exactly one year from the date we learned that there was an effective drug for this particular cancer mutation and that Matt’s treatment plan no longer included toxic chemo and radiation!
We had expected to get the written results ahead of the in-person appointment, but they hadn’t arrived. I was nervous as this was going to be my first opportunity to “see” the cancer, but Matt was pretty unfazed reporting a “zero” to the intake nurse about his distress level. Matt’s doctor led off the discussion noting that Matt’s red blood count had increased–a jump of 2 units! I guess rigorous CrossFit training is back on.
Then Matt’s doctor took us through the most recent scans and did a side-by-side comparison with the scans from a year ago. She started with the MRI. There is now a hole (empty space that is shrinking) where the brain tumor was–there is literally nothing there! The doctor said that this area would continue to close up, but that the inflammation that was around it would continue to show up on future scans–his brain is still “angry” that there had been something foreign there. The inflammation, however, was significantly diminished from when there was a brain tumor present–the brain is a closed system, it takes a long time for the healing process to happen.
Next we looked at the CT. This is the trickier scan to interpret as the tumors there did not have clear borders. What I gathered is that there is now no active cancer and that whatever is currently showing up in the scans of the lungs is, again, significantly diminished from a year ago and may just be little scars/inflammation left over. The lungs, similar to the brain, take a long time to heal up. There is still an amorphous shadow in the liver, but again, clearly different (smaller, less definition) from what was there a year ago. We just get to keep growing our patience capacity which is, thankfully, fertilized by hope.
Matt wanted me to also see the PET scan and Bone scan from awhile back and it was really encouraging to see that the spot of cancer that was on his rib is also gone–no cancer in the bones! The PET scan could be rotated in 3D and in-profile, I could clearly tell it was Matt–ha! The doctor was so generous with her time and very encouraged by the healing taking place in Matt’s body. We are grateful for the good care Matt has received.
In non-scan health news, Matt had an optometric appointment and his eyesight has improved by 0.25 in both eyes! This is a normal process for nearsighted people in their 40’s-50’s with muscles becoming a bit more lax, but we’re pretty sure its due to all the carrots (estimating over 600lbs juiced this past year). I’m going to spiritualize this a minute…Matt’s near-sightedness is improving–God is extending our vision far past 2021!
So we’re making big plans and taking big steps–more fun news to come!
Matt: I felt calm going to hospital to get scanned the morning of the 29th. I am not in a rush to heal, but confident in further improvement with each scan. My biggest takeaway from the scan review with the doctors was the change in language used to describe the spots that had obviously been active tumors a year ago. What had been problem areas, are now referred to as areas the doctors do not know whether or not still contain active cancer. So…hooray!?
The weight and urgency of the initial diagnosis has not been matched by the pace and finality of the healing process. Even when I reach a point when the scans do not detect any more problem areas, there can still be circulating tumor cells in the body. As a result, I remain committed to the diet, supplement and lifestyle adjustments I have made. I shared with my oncologist that I turn my phone off roughly an hour before bed and do not even keep it in the bedroom. She openly admired my routine and encouraged my healthy sleep habits. The blood-brain barrier makes the detoxifying process slower than it would be in other parts of the body. Regular, uninterrupted sleep is one of the best things you can do to help your brain heal.
We remain hopeful and confident about the future for many reasons. In the meantime, we can each do our own brain a favor and stop scrolling late at night 🙂
Matt & Annie - Journey 