Apologies for not getting this up much earlier. The new semester has been unkind to me in its emotional and mental toll. Also I wanted to talk to close friends and family before posting about my test results.
I'll get right to the good stuff. At my doctor's appointment last month we compared my latest ultrasound to the one taken in June, 2012. My June ultrasound showed a large mass (3.5 cm) on my right side (it's been there for a long time, but is not painful). On my left, where my remaining ovary is, the technician reported a "complex mass" of "numerous" cysts. Yeah, couldn't even get an exact count. The largest cyst in this mass was 3.8 cm, which is pretty enormous.
My ultrasound taken last month showed that the right-side mass is completely unchanged. On my left side, however, I only have two (TWO!) cysts, and the largest is 1.2 cm.
I'm so utterly relieved. I almost can't even explain why I'm so relieved, except to say that the worst result for me wouldn't be "no change." I was afraid of hearing there had been "some reduction" or a "slight change"--something miniscule and ephemeral, something that left me in limbo. Had it been the treatment, or something else? Was it worth doing over again? What other options were there?
Instead I got definitive, and that's a great feeling. Does this mean I'll be pain free forever? Well, no. The link between growths and pain is tenuous at best. And it's possible my endomees will grow right back. I'm hopeful, though, that this treatment has bought me some pain-free time. I've been off the Lupron since January and I'm still feeling good.
The biggest side effects have been the weight gain (I just started a new exercise program--go me!) and knee pain, but those are minor given how good I feel.
The next step is following up with my surgeon and then back to the ol' "monitor and adapt."
Still. Hope.
