Remission

Last Friday we had a bi-monthly visit to our oncologist, Dr. Gilcrease, at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.  It was just a blood draw for the cancer tumor marker and a short visit with the doctor.

The bloodwork results would not be back for 24 hours (which meant Monday).  Dr. Gilcrease asked the usual questions.  He reminded me to be as active as possible and said that it would be fine to schedule bloodwork again in three months and to see him again in six months.  Of course, he reminded us that if anything changes in how I feel, to schedule something sooner.  I mentioned to him that it was great to have more "chemo vacation" and he said we should call it "chemo holiday" as it implies more positivity and celebration.  As he was leaving, he said it was even okay to say that I am in remission from cancer.  I questioned him asking if it was okay to use that word and he reiterated it was okay to say.

On Monday we got the result of the bloodwork.  The CA19-9 tumor marker was 20.  This is a really good result and in the range of a person without any cancer at all.

While it may take years to truly believe you have survived cancer, this was great news.  I know that I owe a large debt of gratitude to so many family and friends for their thoughts, prayers, e-mails, text messages, visits and availability -- whenever and for whatever.  I especially thank Kath for all she has sacrificed to be my main support, for my children and grandchildren for their constant caring, and for the many friends and family members who keep track of how I'm doing.  Thanks so much -- it directly relates to my positive attitude which is one of the keys for cancer patients.

It's been a tough fourteen months, but things are definitely looking up.  Thanks again.

Two More Months

We did bloodwork and saw the doctor again last Friday. Everything is going well. The cancer blood marker was the same low number as the previous month. Dr. Gilcrease gave me two months before seeing him again. That will be a total of six months without chemo. He also urged me to stay as active as I can.

Thanks again for your prayers and support.

One Year

July 10 marks the one-year mark of learning that I have gallbladder cancer.  Major surgery, CT scans, and lots of chemo treatments have occurred in that year.  The last chemo infusion was at the end of March and I have been on "chemo-vacation" since then.  The last CT scan at the end of May showed the "spots" on the liver to be smaller in size and the tumor blood marker test was good.  We did another blood test at the end of June, and it was even lower, so we were given another month of vacation by Dr. Gilcrease, my oncologist.  He said we would do this until the marker started showing an increasing trend and then we'd do another CT scan and most likely restart chemotherapy.  We're also hopeful of being included in a clinical trial for a new drug that is showing promise in other forms of cancer.

At this one year anniversary, I am reminded of all the tender mercies along the way: a very early diagnosis because of good doctors (both in New Mexico and in Utah) who like to be thorough but not crazy in how they practice their craft; NO PAIN and no nausea while going through all this (I'm told that most people with cancer suffer lots of pain that can, at times, become very difficult to deal with); an amazing world-class facility in the Huntsman Cancer Institute only a few miles from home, staffed by a caring staff of doctors and nurses that really know their stuff; and most of all, a very large and diligent support system of family members, friends, and neighbors in our ward who constantly pray for me and my family.  As I've been reminded many times by the doctor, attitude is an important part of dealing with a cancer diagnosis.  For the most part I've been able to maintain an optimistic and positive attitude, and this is because of my strong and extended support system.  I want to acknowledge that power.  Thanks to each person who prays for me and my family, who send e-mails or text messages, or who makes that occasional phone call.  It means more than mere words can express.  Thank you again.