Today I had my normal oncologist appointment.
I have been tired the past two weeks. I did not “bounce back” like I have in the past once my chemo pump was removed. The theme of this round has been naps and moving at a slower pace.
On a positive note I did get to the gym twice. I do not do a lot. My max weight is certainly a lot less than what it once was…but it is good to exercise. At one point I was working with my trainer and she said, “ok, let’s go to the leg machine”…she was off, heading to the machine and I shuffled behind. As she got further ahead, leaving me in the distance I started to laugh out loud. I am sure it seemed odd to all those who were working hard on their exercise bikes but it was funny to me that I could not even keep up with my trainer as we walked across the room.
As I met with my oncologist we talked numbers again. At the start of this journey my CARCINOEMBRYONIC ANTIGEN (CEA) blood work results were at 124. In June the number had dropped to 37.4. My most recent test numbers came in at 3.9! “The CEA test measures the amount of this protein that may appear in the blood of some people who have certain kinds of cancers, especially cancer of the large intestine (colon and rectal cancer).” What does this mean? Well my oncologist put it this way, “this is the best result we could have hoped for.” Then he smiled.
It does not mean this journey is over. There is a long road ahead. I will complete the twelve rounds of full chemo treatments and then we will decide what to do. Most likely I will be on some form of “maintenance” chemo where we work to keep the cancer at bay.
It is an odd place to be. I am excited about these numbers. My body has responded to the many prayers and treatments in the best way that it could. My doctor is encouraged. I am encouraged and it looks like I will have the opportunity to be with those I love and do things that are important to me for a while longer. Yet within the moments of excitement there is the reality that there is currently no cure for this illness that afflicts me. My oncologist is excited because I could not be responding any better to the treatments I am receiving. His words about the future are more optimistic than they were when we first met in the hospital on May 3rd. I need to get through these next six treatments and then look to what “maintenance” chemo will look like.
Thank you all for your prayers, thoughts, words of encouragement and support.
God is Good All the Time…All the Time God is Good
Still praying for you dear brother. And WOW what great news about your CEA!
Great news! Keep up the good work & I’ll keep up the prayers for God’s healing white light to flow through your body. P.S. Happy Birthday! Didn’t say it before because I figured you’d get so many you wouldn’t notice mine! Gail, Church in the Acres
Thanks Gail!
Thanks for the update, Dan. While there may not be a cure, it is certainly good news to know that your numbers have gone down. We continue to pray for you and your healing.
Praise God for the encouraging test results. Thankful for your continued Faith and Trust in the only true Hope, you, your family and the doctors are continually in our thoughts and prayers.
Such a good and faithful servant of the LORD! My hopes and prayers to this good and GODLY MAN. May the LORD fully heal him!
Each day is an exercise of finding and seeing God. Who knows what tomorrow will bring. But much to be thankful for today!
Yes, your comment captures the reality of my life in a way that is becoming new and fresh to me each day. Who knows what tomorrow, or the next hour holds? I am thankful for the moment, and the fact that Abba Father knows tomorrow and He walks with me thru today and into tomorrow. I have learned to embrace the truth and depth of my brothers and sisters from AA, “One Day at a Time.” Sometimes it is one hour at a time…and yes, there is much to be thankful for in each hour if we only have eyes to see.