Good News

Round 3 is in progress. I am wearing a pump until about 3pm today, then I start the IV hydration for 4 hours today and 4 hours tomorrow. It seems less harsh on me this time...granted, I am forcing myself to drink more water than I want to. I don't seem as tired this time. Yes, I am still sleeping more than normal, but I am finding myself awake more this time. 

So, the good news (with a bit of background)...

They did a CEA test on Weds, a test that detects cancer in the body. Normal levels for a person without cancer are 0-2.5. Smoking can raise this level. When I was diagnosed, it was 3.0. When I started chemo, it was 2.8. Today, it's 2.2! Normal range! Woot!

Finally I have some information that says we are doing things right. So comforting to me. It makes all this crap worth it.

The oncologist was doing cartwheels when he found out I quit smoking. This was the first time I had seen him since mid-July...I see his PA most of the time. All of my blood work looked good. My hemoglobin is slowly recovering from the tumor bleeding prior to surgery...it's almost normal! He is very pleased with what is going on with me, said I was doing stellar.

The next item on the cancer agenda is genetic testing for Lynch Syndrome. Lynch Syndrome is a genetic defect that raises the probability of colon/rectal/bladder/uterine cancers. Being I was diagnosed at 40 with colon cancer that had been there for 1-3 years, it raises a red flag. My dad having had prostate cancer raises another one. I had a hard time making the decision to be tested for it, because I didn't know how I would take more bad news (if it's positive). I have decided I need to do it, so we can be proactive about things moving forward. I want to do everything I can to NOT have to go through this again.

I have a CT scan of my abdomen schedule for Weds. I will be having them done every 2 months during chemo to monitor for abnormalities. My last one showed a slightly swollen lymph node at the surgery site. It was 5mm. When I read the report, I read 5cm, and freaked for a moment (this was the size of the largest one they removed). I reread, and saw millimeters. Not a big deal. They will watch it...hopefully it doesn't get bigger. We will find out on Weds!

And, finally, I will be returning to work part-time on Monday. I am a bit nervous, but looking forward to the taste of "normalcy". It will be good to have purpose again. 

Happy Friday!