MRI post radiation

An MRI, blood work and three doctor visits all on Feb. 18th makes for a long, long day but I schedule them like that to avoid making several 2 hour one way trips to OHSU.  My darling husband took a vacation day to drive and accompany me, for support and because I tire easily.  We were concerned about me attempting to drive home safely afterwards. 

Dr. Fuss, the radiation doctor, Oncologist,  was very clear during all my visits prior to this one that his goal for the radiation treatment of my tumor was to keep it from growing again and to preserve my eyesight.  Given my history, the type of tumor and how aggressive the darn thing had been, we were to expect no shrinkage, at all, ever, well possibly years from now.  Radiation works slowly.  This MRI  was six weeks after the completion of radiation. We, me, Chris, the boys, my family, the doctors, all hoped to see no growth.  That would be a good result.  My MRI results were better than expected. 

The tumor shrank, still there, but clearly smaller.  Dr. Fuss said he kept flipping back and forth to make sure he had the right patient.  He checked to make sure I hadn't had another surgery during the six weeks, lol.  He/They haven't seen that result before.  Usually it's 6 months or better before anything encouraging is seen.  I was the first pituitary patient to do 5 day radiation (same amount of radiation as a person receives over 6 weeks, given in 5 days) and Dr. Fuss said if this is the result of that, it may be the way they treat people like me from now on. 

Am I excited?  Mostly.  Chris is, boys are, Mom and Aunts and etc... are.  Chris says we need to celebrate the small victories along the way.  I'm trying.  It's great news.  It's just... well I've had good MRI's before.  At 3 months post surgery (which this is), 6 months from then (all good post last two surgeries) it's that pesky year past that, the 18 months post surgery MRI that has nailed me with disheartening news both times before.  I just can't get jumping up and down excited yet.  I need to pass that milestone first.

Hormone test results:  Cortisol still hanging on in normal range :), thyroid levels improved after being on medication for two months - still waiting to see if they will keep me on this dose or increase it, still waiting on GH levels (IGF1) but Dr. Fleseriu said they want to wait another year before (if the tumor behaves) putting me back on GH replacement.

How do I feel?  Weary, fatigued, all in, beat, broken-down, burned out, collapsing, consumed, dead on my feet, dog-tired, done in, drained, drooping, flagging, petered out, played out, pooped, prostrated, run-down, spent, tuckered out, wasted, worn down, worn out - gotta love thesaurus :)

I'm better than last month though and I hope next month I improve as well.