Now we know

There has been absolutely no change in my tumor status. It's the exact same cancer that showed up two years ago. And now it's back, like an old friend who you never liked but never could manage to get rid of. The other news that Glick had was that my CA27 test, which is a blood test that measures the amount of tumor cells in your body, had shown elevated levels last week. However, he said that he's learned not to rely merely on that test. He said that I'm an excellent historian and that I am in tune with my body, and he listens to that. And what I'm saying is that I'm feeling better and have less pain. So that's a good sign. He examined me, and he thought that the liver edge felt less full. What really is the determining factor is the CT scan, which I will have on June 4, just as I finish my final round of Xeloda. He said you really need three rounds of Xeloda before deciding whether or not it's working. If the scan shows that the tumors are stable, or that they've decreased, then I stay on it. If it shows that tumors are increasing, then obviously I switch to a different chemo.

This appointment with him, I felt that he was truly listening to me. He said that in early June there is the annual conference for the ASCO (clinical oncologists), and he knows already there are abstracts being presented about the protocol I'm on now, and he will listen for updates and news with me in mind. I truly believe he will. I feel really good about him now, especially now that we've established that we know exactly what we're fighting.

So it's just another few weeks and I'll have some real answers. I asked for a script of Ativan to help get me through the more panicky moments! And I had my Avastin and Zometa treatments today, and those went in very easily. Today was good news overall, I think. I know it's never all good, but generally, this felt good.