Results! Results!

Today was the big day…Scan day!! I had PET & CT scans, neither of which showed any definitive signs of cancer. It did come back abnormal with an enlarged spleen (whatever that’s indicative of, I don’t know) and a long black region on the liver. Dr. Bilchik wasn’t able to determine whether or not the blackened region was fluid, scar tissue or tumor. He’s ordered the scans from my last stay at Cedars Sinai to compare them. Hopefully we’ll hear back by next week what they’ve found.

Because I’m CEA sensitive, or in other words, since my CEA level has proven to be a significant indicator of the amount of cancer in my body (which was at 0.6 four weeks ago), and because I feel so good, we are going to stop all treatments unless they find in future tests that the darkened region is cancerous. The plan is to go back in six weeks to test the CEA level in my blood, and then I’ll return for more scans in three months to see if there’s been a growth of the black region on the liver.

I’m surprised my spleen was enlarged and not my heart, because it feels like my heart could burst with joy. I am so lucky to have had Eric here by my side every step, heartache, tear and moment of joy along the way. Could I have married a better companion? I don’t think so. My family gave me purpose to live, my friends and doctors gave me the courage and know-how to persevere, my faith in the Lord gave me understanding and patience. I owe my strength and success to all those who prayed, fasted, cried, sent cards, brought in meals, watched my children, and so much more unmentioned, on my behalf. I’m grateful for this life we get to experience and hope to not let any wonderful experiences pass me by.

Now…who’s going to join us for Hawaii in December????? It's time to make some reservations!