Today was nothing but good news! All the prayers, well-wishes, positive energy and good thoughts have paid off. Nearly finished with this chapter, and I am SO eager to get on with the next one. Our dear friend John the Bear from Seattle was here today, on a break from visiting his family. He got to share the news and we were happy to have him to celebrate with in person. He's been a rock and an inspiration for me, with tales far beyond this little story to tell.
The best news: no more chemo. That's over with, done, gone, behind me, and past. Woo hoo! I was thinking of a big "final chemo" party, but this trumps that by a good margin. The oncologist agreed with my wishful thinking of that knot on my head being the last refuge of the last cancer cell on the run from the chemo. Now that last refuge is gone and there's a titanium shield there--chew on that, cancer cell!
The next best news, my CEA marker was something like 20.3 and dropping like a rock. That's down from 80 the last time we checked it. Next time, we fully expect to see something in the 5 range.
It's not all quite over, though. It looks like they'll have me back at the radiation center for a littler insurance on that skull spot. With a few mild zaps they can "sterilize" the area and ensure that no more of those nasty single cells get away. Because it's external to the body (mostly) there shouldn't be too many ugly side effects. We'll meet with the radiation oncologist on Monday and see what he says.
Tomorrow (Tuesday) I'll see the brain surgeon to have the zipper of staples pulled out of my head. With that, his work will be done. I wonder what he'll have to say about that squeaky plate?
More news as it happens, but we're looking for this trip to be downhill from here. I have a life to live and I'm tired of putting up with these shackles of illness. No more pacing the cage...
Clem
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7 comments:
I'm so happy to hear all the good news! Congratulations on the progress and prognosis . . . now back to playing with ropes and knots?
yay!! great news. down with those pesky CEAs i say, so you guys can get on with breaking in that Bambi ;)
Very, very good!
Yes!!!! get out of the cage.
No more pacin'.... how 'bout a little sailin'?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K00u77GK5Yc
You are an inspiration, Clem. I have followed your battle regularly and thank you for sharring such an experience with us. Good thing you had Pam.
Thanks! I'm working up to playing with ropes and knots again. Not sure how quickly I can get back up to speed there.
Guy Clark is one of my favorites. "Stuff That Works" is my favorite song of his, though "Boats to Build" is now ranking up there, too.
Let the chips fall where they may...
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