Win! Win! Win!

That's how I feel about the last two weeks. The break from chemo was wonderful. We enjoyed a family reunion in Idaho for 3 days and had a wonderful Father's Day/half done chemo family celebration. Emily made a piñata named cancer and we took turns "beating" it. My body responded to the rest with normal lab values and I felt better than I've felt in a while. I was thrilled that my CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) dropped from 6.5 to 4.6. The drop supports the theory that the chemo is what is causing it to rise. There's no proof of that, but it sure makes sense to me.

So, last Tuesday, June 23rd I had treatment #6. My oncologist decided to reduce the dose back to 50%. She thinks 60% was too much as evidenced by the low platelet count. She feels it's better to proceed with the lower dose and stay on schedule than to continue the higher dose and have to take breaks in the treatment. I agree. I seem to be recovering from this treatment faster, probably because I was in better condition when it was given.

I feel so blessed to have endured this far. At the onset, and especially after the first treatment, I wondered how I could do it. But through prayers, blessings, love, and support from all my amazing family and friends I am half way. I can see the end and have hope and faith to continue the journey. I would be remiss to not acknowledge the spiritual help that has constantly sustained me, especially through the hard parts. I bear what I can and the rest is carried through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  Praise God, and love and thanks to all of you!