Making Progress

Sorry no fish joke today.  But not to worry the chuckles will not be gone long.

Yesterday was treatment day and Rich and Sheri were able to join in and experience a morning at the Cancer Clinic.  Not a whole barrel of fun - though it was nice to be share what Teresa and I do every other week.  We did play a card game, which there was no sympathy to let me win. 

This week has been a really good week.  My energy levels returned to near normal, started sleeping better and no pain.  It has been over a week since any pain medication was required. Thursday we met with the Oncologist for a progress review and he was very happy with the results.  All my blood work came back with positive and track numbers.  He was happy to hear the pain had subsided and was no longer a problem.  Most importantly the CEA levels, the tumor markets found in the blood stream which is used to track progress of treatments, was of normal levels.  Normal levels meaning they could not use this to track effectiveness as there are no markers to track.  Future progress will be monitored by CT Scans and all these results are showing the treatments are being effective. 

We are extremely happy and relieved to have had this great review with the doctor.  Then because of the progress and time for my port implant to heal I was able to start having the Avastin Treatment along with the standard chemo.  This medication basically stops blood vessels from and feeding the tumor to prevent growth while the chemo attacks the tumor. We are very excited excited about this additional  because of the statistically increased results this can have when combined with my chemo regiment.  Check out the link for more information.  The side effects we are not concerned with as they are pretty much the same as chemo and I have been handling them well.  Actually after receiving treatment yesterday - I slept most of the day / night and today feel really good.  Stomach is alittle flip floppy though very tolerable and easy to handle. (mild hangover feeling - easy peasy - some popsicles and plenty of munchies)

Keep Smilin

Jason