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Thumbs Up!

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   The day had come, Feb 6, 2019 - 5.48pm, my first breast MRI scan since I began my treatment in October 2018 for Stage 3 male breast cancer.  This is what they call the "scan" it's pretty huge for cancer patients as it shows how the cancer is.  I had had trouble with the first scan, getting overly hot as I lay face down wrapped in blankets in an MRI that I didn't lay on my back for.  So I knew going in, I would just be wearing a gown and try to get as much airflow around my head to make me more comfortable.   I had just finished my 14th cumulative chemo about 1 hour before, armed with another IV stuck in my hand right hand for the MRI contrast, I had the technician snap this photo of me standing beside my machine, with my cell phone on the safe zone as no metal is allowed in the room.  I gave the "Thumbs Up" with my left hand. 
   The scan, went great well sort-of, I was definitely cool and had good airflow around my head, so I didn't have to stop the scan in a panic as I was too hot like the first one.  Remember, I am face down with about 1" of space between my face and a piece of plastic, I can't see anything.  I think a big help has been the mediation classes I've been attending at the hospital to help my on breathing, increasing awareness and collecting my soul in the moment to focus.  I used my breathing techniques throughout the scan and thought I was done until a big pause.  They came over on the PA "sorry Mr. Parker, the computer mouse broke and we are trying to find another one and get it hooked up to the computer."  It's easy to laugh, the computer mouse broke... so I laid there for what felt like an additional 45 minutes.  So not only did I not panic on my second MRI, but I was in longer than the first one, I felt like the scan was a great success.  
  So my next steps were to meet with my cancer team; Dr. O'Donnell my Breast Surgeon and Dr. Smith my Oncologist and Dr. Croog my Radiation Oncologist to go over the MRI results and plan for post chemo procedures.   This all happened over a few visits and my 15th cumulative chemo.  Below are segments of the report, for those reading that are doctors or cancer patients that know all the terminology.  

   My reaction, my reaction after 5 months of putting my body, and soul through 16 cumulative chemotherapies, fucking ecstatic!  I told my doctors, where are the helium tanks, I'm ready to blow up the balloons!  But seriously, this is the absolute best news I could have gotten, and while I still face many battles, surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, more scans, insert whatever, this will live as a great moment in the cancer beating journey.  Maybe that was my Soul back on February 6, 2019 at 5.48pm giving my the Thumbs Up!  #HammerOn


   

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