Jane, Rae Nell and I saw Dr. Kaseb my liver cancer specialist at MD Anderson this morning. Two positives. First, the AFP Tumor marker is still trending downward and is now at 71.8 as compared to 190.7 the last time it was measured. The normal range is from 0-5 but from where we started at 1500 all indications is the treatments are working. All the other bloodwork show my liver function trending toward normal. Second, as Dr. Kaseb signaled before, he is leaving me alone for the month of October. Sometime early November they will schedule more blood work and scans to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatments and talk about treatment options going forward.
In the meantime, I will try and see the GI specialist for a follow-up EGD and banding, a preventative move to keep a vein from bursting in the esophagus which could land me in the hospital again. Highly recommended by Dr. Kaseb.
Still have the one radiation treatment to complete. From our reading I have tolerated the abuse better than most. I think my recovery will be quick.
And the weather is nice today also. Good news. Last Radiation Treatment, Great Day.
RayRay-so happy for you!!! you look so elated and thankful in that picture with your daughter, (I presume)! I know the feeling you had towards the staff on the way out the door - "thank you for all you've done - but I hope the hell I never see you people again - no offense!" That's how we felt leaving the hospital with Michael even though the staff made a positive out of a negative.
ReplyDeleteSavor your freedom - you've been paroled for a month, now I expect you and Jane to take a vacation. :)
Wow, great news on all fronts, seems to me. I think that your general good health and fitness before all this began has helped you get through it well. That and the Grace of God. I agree with noel—you should take a vacation.
ReplyDeleteSue.