Down!!

I believe it is safe to breath again.  I've blown all the dust off and the cloud of dust from the last month is sure to have settled by now.  The last month has been very busy for us with Vacation Bible School prep, late spring cleaning, and medical treatments.

Today I am getting treatment number 5.  We met with the Doc this morning to go over how treatment has been going.  The meeting was mostly par for the course.  The two things that were "new' were the following.  First we found out today that My CEA level had gone up at my Pet scan in early May.  I was surprised to find this out.  From the very beginning of treatment a year ago my CEA level has run in the normal range.  This is the main reason I have Pet scans to see what the progress is.  The doc indicated since the CEA was up at the last PET scan it had fallen down back into the normal range.  This is optimistic news.  However since we are talking about miniscule changes neither the doc or I want to rely on only the CEA test and want to see what a PET shows.  My CEA had gone up to 4 which is 1 pt above normal.  It is now back to 2.5 as of today which is right in the middle of the normal range.  So this coming week a PET CT scan to show size and activity level. 

The other thing that was "new" is reducing the amount of one of my medications.  Chemo therapy these days is as much about the Cancer Killing drugs as it is for side effect controlling drugs.  This Chemo has a side effect of diarrhea and a medication to counteract it.  Since I have been fighting constipation the last several treatments, the doc chose to lower the dose of the medication the counteracts the diarrhea.  Not sure I'm excited about more of that however it might be better than constipation.

I'm  praying for really good results from the PET then we meet with the doc in 2 weeks to discuss the results of the scan, what that means for future treatments, and where we go from that point.  This likely means another discussion with my surgeon as well as another doc that offers a "new" treatment here in town.  This treatment is not something we are willing to do at this point since we noticed negative results in the long term from this treatment when Leah's dad had it.  If and when we meet with this doc we will point  him to the research we've found and he will need to convince us this treatment is 100% effective in the long term.

In 2 weeks we have VBS Monday - Wednesday, then Thursday is Doc appointment and possibly treatment # 6.  Then we hope to find some time this summer to pack in a short vacation not to far from home. 

We would love prayers for the 25th of July.  That is when we'll start planning what the future of treatments looks like.

I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has been so supportive the last couple of months.  From those who watch Lydia during treatment days, to those bringing meals to our home or to treatment, to those caring for the home and yard.  I especially want to thank all of you for your prayers and emotional support. Our family really appreciates these ways you care for us.

--Kent