Expect the unexpected…and DON’T PANIC!!!!

One of the tests done to try to predict/monitor tumor growth is called a carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). It’s far from a perfect predictor of cancer. There is a whole list of nonmalignant issues that can cause it to increase – many of them related to the GI system. Chemotherapy can also cause an increase. When an increase occurs in a patient with cancer the protocol is to go looking for possible new tumor activity. My CEA tests have always stayed within the normal range (1-3). But since starting chemo my CEA has been 3.4 a month ago and 6.5 last week. It’s worrisome for sure.

So a CT of my chest, abdomen, and pelvis were done yesterday and the results are in. There is no evidence of malignancy in my abdomen and pelvis. The large pelvic blood clot has resolved and the colon inflammation is healing nicely – still present but much better. There is a 3.1 cm x 1 cm “new mass” in my lower right lung. Remember – DON’T PANIC! The first thought from the radiologist that read the film and my oncologist was to suspect a new malignant mass. BUT, when I was so sick after my first treatment I also developed a pulmonary emboli and area of infarction in (you guessed it) my lower right lung. My oncologist called the radiologist and had him take another look at the film. After a closer look at the mass and surrounding blood vessels he feels it could “easily” be inflammation from the infarction. One other observation from me is that cancer usually does not cause pain and I do have pain in that area. Infarctions do cause pain.

So a situation that was to be a game changer is now considered a watch and monitor. I will have the CEA repeated in 1 month, another CT of my chest in 2 months, and my current chemotherapy will continue. This remains a worrisome situation and the possibility of a new tumor is real. However, so is the possibility that it is simply inflammation. In the meantime prayers, hope, and trying to live a healthy and happy life style continue.

Round 5 of chemo went well despite a 10% increase in my 5FU dose. The norm seems to be 5 days of yuck and then I slowly start to feel better. By one week past the onset of chemo I am feeling pretty good. I have to pace myself, but by then I’m getting better every day.

Last Sunday was Stake Conference and the theme was about hope - probably because so many people in our stake are having challenges - poor health, emotional, family problems. The scripture theme was from Proverbs 13:12 "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life." It implies we need to have a desire for hope, which to me says we can choose to have hope or despair. Hope is a gift of the spirit and ultimately comes from the Lord. Despair, on the other hand, comes from a dark place and tries to pull us away from all things good and positive. Without question hope is "a tree of life." It produces happiness and optimism. It is an active expectation of good things to come. This theme really touched my heart...not because I have been to that place of despair, but rather because I have been blessing with so much hope. Not once have I felt despair. I don't know what the ultimate outcome of my journey will be. It doesn't really matter because I know for sure that either way all will be well. I am loved and cared for by earthly and heavenly beings. No one could ask for more! Hope...YES!!!