Where to begin?
The Good News:
My MRI looks “excellent” according to the doctor 
He said that the area where the tumor was looks “very good” and he could barely see the “hole” where the tumor had been (paraphrased, of course 
)
This is my MRI today:
Now for the not so good news:
My labs came back really really really low. My platelets are down to 33,000 (low normal being over 150,000) and my WBC is down to 2 (normal being 11). I’ve lost another 10 pounds bringing my total weight loss to 40 pounds 
. They want to hold off on continuing Temodar until the 8th of November, and are lowering my dose from 300 mg to 200 mg per cycle. I will get labs 2x a week until the 8th, just to be sure they are coming back up.
That explains the way that I have been feeling lately. I felt the same exact way last time my platelets were low, but this time I didn’t bruise (odd because last time my platelet count was 55,000 and I had bruises all over). When I mentioned how miserable I am when I am on chemo, they told me that my body obviously responds very well to chemo because it is not only attacking the bad cells, but is also “over attacking” the good (proven in my low labs), and suggested the lower dose of Temodar. I kinda looked at him funny when he said that my body responds good to chemo, because it doesnt feel very good! He said to take the fact that I barely function on chemo as a sign that the drug is working…so that is what I am doing
I didn’t ask him for sleeping aids this time, because I want to see how I feel with higher platelets under my belt. I can go back and attribute every symptom I had (down to fatigue) to having such low platelets, so I can only assume that not being able to sleep is due to that too.
I am so very exausted, but so very pleased. I was so worried about this MRI and Neurology consult. I knew something was wrong, I just couldn’t figure out what…. Now I know and it really does explain alot! I will get labs from now atleast two times a month until I finish chemo. I will stay on top of my labs and not let them get on top of me, because obviously getting checked once a month isn’t enough.
I am going to go spend some well deserved time with my family! Thank you so much for your prayers and comments, they mean more than you can ever know….
-H
Wow Heather, that is wonderful news. And I’m glad you found out why you’ve been feeling so bad too. Odd that feeling so bad would actually be a sign that the chemo is working. Will pray that you get your strength back soon.
You’re in my thoughts and prayers daily and thanks so much for continuing to so generously share this journey with us. God bless you.
YEAH!! PRAISE GOD! I am so happy for ya. Thanks for updating us and go be with your family. We will be here when you get back…don’t feel guilty about not updating…they need ya!
I am happy to hear about the MRI….sorry to hear about you lab work. I will continue to pray for you and your family.
OH, this is such a relief. What good news. Plus, knowing the facts makes all the difference, doesn’t it?
Still praying here in Maine…
Go God! That MRI is quite impressive, what an enormous difference. Hopefully it helps a little to know there’s a reason you were feeling so awful. HUGS!
Still praying here in NC…
This is awesome news girl! We’re still praying for you here in LA. Enjoy your time with the family!!!
I’m praising God with you!
I pray that your counts will all go back into normal ranges and that God will give you strength and energy.
love & prayers.
Annie
So happy to here the good report! Praise God!!!
Yahooey! What a great report. Still praying for you always, Love, Lynnebee
Praise God for an excellent MRI. What an incredible difference in the first one and the second. I am so happy for you Heather!! I used to have labs done
weekly and it really kept an eye on things. Have a most wonderful time with your family now and feel at peace in your heart knowing what was causing the lows you were experiencing. Love you and continued prayers for you sweet girl.
Laurie in Ca.
Wow. With counts like that it’s no wonder! My son hit the bottom many times while undergoing his chemo – it’s God’s blessing that you’re not getting opportunistic infections as well.
And such a good looking MRI…
God is good. Prayers continue.
YEAH!!!!!!!!!
What good news – I’ve been following your progress avidly
Heather that is such good news. I continue to pray for you daily.
Today I found out my 23 DD has early stage cancer. She will have surgery for it this week.
Hi Heather, I found your blog from linking from other blogs. I read your blog daily and find great inspiration from you. I gave you an award over at my place. If you do not want to mess with it, I totally understand. I just want you to know that there are lots of people who read your blog who are rooting for you and Emma! God Bless You and Yours!
Danielle
Hooray on the good MRI! I hope the platelets give you all the energy you deserve–and then some!
Praise God He is with you Heather he is there making that Chemo get every cell Amen what would we do without him not well I can say for myself I talk with him all day everyday as if he was living in this house with me of course he is. I am so very t6hankful that you get a little break afrom the Chemo and may you enjoy this rest from it. So many times we doubt and then we know for sure that we should never doubt his promise BE STILL AND NO THAT IAM. God Bless so happy for you the lab work should be getting better here soon.
What good news. I am hoping you are more energized soon. Glad that you all figured out what is going on! Praying for you, Heather.
Mandy
GA
http://www.madelinegracehopkins.blogspot.com
praying
Great news, Heather. You’re in my prayers!
Heather,
I’m so glad that your appointment brought you some much needed relief. Take care of yourself and enjoy your time with your family. I will be praying that your counts will increase, your joy will overflow, and that you will be feeling much better soon.
Many Blessings
Paula
Awesome news, Heather! Even though you must feel like total crap, it is good to hear that just means the chemo is working well! I’m looking forward to seeing you and your folks when I’m home for Christmas!
Jen C.
Oh Heather we are rejoicing with you as I read your post to my husband he had a smile on his face..we both have been keeping you, Emma and your family in prayer..you have become a part of our ( ohana) means family here in Hawaii (smile). Hugz joyful
Heather, I’m so thankful to hear of your good news. I can’t imagine the toll that chemo takes on a body. It sounds quite miserable. Hope you have a good, restful evening! Thank you for sharing.
Wow, Heather, those brain scans look fantastic!! Thank God! Hope you start to feel better soon and that your platelet levels don’t get any worse.
SO glad they found the reason!! And what a great looking scan!
d:)
WOW! Great news on your scan!!! I hope you start feeling better soon! We’re still praying!
Wow…seeing the MRI difference is amazing! You must be excited. And relieved. God is good…all the time!
I’m still praying for you!
Hugs!
Kat
That is so wonderful–look at that MRI—WOW!!!!
Heather,
God is so good!! So happy about the good MRI, you can really see the change. And yes you deserve some time with the family, go for it, relax and enjoy the love, hugs and kisses that will be bestowed upon you!!
Hugs and prayers,
Norma
God bless you, Heather. As you know, you are in our prayers constantly. I admire your strength and faith. Remember, “With God, all things are possible.”
Much love and blessings,
Bob & Betty
Yeah!! Praise God! I will be praying for your levels and labwork.
God bless and much love!
That is some VERY good news!
Continuing to pray for you.
Blessings,
Karla
Praise God for the good MRI! That is good news! Praying your platelets get where they are supposed to be!
Wow – your MRI looks fantastic! Prayers are ongoing for your lab counts. God bless!
Great news! the Lord is so good at showing us when things are not as they should be, so we can pray. The bruising can look so scary. Glad you missed that this time.
Enjoy your family and your rest.
Because of Jesus, Bobbie
Praying real hard that God will remove the rest of that cancer, Heather, and that those numbers will go up! Thank God for the excellent report!
) Enjoy some time with your family.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, HEAVENLY FATHER. I’m praising His name tonight. And I will pray regarding the numbers too, Heather. My 3yo second cousin is fighting Leukemia and I know his counts have been all over the place as well. He is doing well in spite of it (all God) and I’m petitioning for you, that your numbers will recover and that you feel more energy very soon. ENJOY loving on all who love on you.
Blessings,
~Toni~
Praise God! Rest and take care of yourself!!
Praising God for your good news! As someone who has lived with ITP (low platelets) for over 3 years, I can attest to its symptoms and the way they make you feel!
Connie Hopkins
Good news !!! Enjoy your family, go and play !
Thats great news. Im glad you now know what was causing you to not feel well, and can work on that. Praying for you.
You are going to beat this. Beatiful after picture (compared to before.)
Wonderful news Heather. That’s so neat how you were able to post the before and after photos.
God is so good! MRI photos speak volumes. I pray you gain some strength. I know my Dad finally gained a little weight back. He will know more at the end of the month.
Keeping you in my prayers! Also, please pray for my Mom-in-law who is having surgery this morning. She is having a cancerous “mass” or giant polyp removed from her colon. She is 82 and a fabulous lady.
God Bless!
That is excellent news!! And, at least there is a good reason for how you have been feeling! That always makes it easier. And then you can deal with it!
EXCELLENT NEWS!! Praying for you always Heather. Praying for all of you!
I’m glad to hear that your MRI results are so good! Hang in there! Your treatments are working.
That new MRI looks wonderful! I’ll pray that the lower dose of chemo is as effective in killing cancer cells but is easier on the rest of your body.
A picture sure is worth a thousand words…
Praying for you way up here in Northern Alberta, Canada
Ivy