Some Great News

Hi everyone, here's a health update.

I got some bloodwork results today and my bloodwork is the best it has been since I was diagnosed with cancer.  The CEA is a blood tumor marker for colon cancer.  A person without cancer would have a 0-3, a smoker might have up to a 5 or a 6.  Anything over that indicates metastatic activity.  People with severe metastatic activity could have numbers in the hundreds, mine was in the 70's when I was first diagnosed.

Today, my CEA was 1.2.

My family and I are rejoicing in God's goodness to us in this and I wanted to share it with you.  Again, many thanks to all of you who have prayed for me over these last two years.

This doesn't mean I'm without cancer.   My latest scans show many tumors still present.  But they have all shrunk.  And although this CEA marker isn't the last word, when the number decreases it shows that the cancer is being surpressed.  So, even though the tumors are still there the cancer is being suprressed.

As far as treatment goes, I am currently on a maintenance treatment with a drug called "Avastin."  The medical folks call this a "biologic," it's different than what we typically think of as chemo.  Avastin has always been one of the drugs I have gotten in my chemo cocktail, but now it is the only thing I am on.  It doesn't have near the side effects as the others.  The only real side effects are bleeding and high blood pressure.  I haven't had any bleeding, and the blood pressure is being managed with medication.

These days I am still pretty fatigued and sleep a lot, but I am thankful that most of the other ugly side effects I had when I was on the full regimen are gone.  My nurses have told me that chemo patients can struggle with fatigue for up to 5 years, so it actually helps to know that - though I wish I had more energy this fatigue is not unusual.

The plan now is to continue the maintenance treatment and I'll get these blood tests every couple of months or so.  I will have another CT scan in January.  If the CEA goes up or other blood stuff gets goofy or if the scan shows tumor growth then we have to consider other things.  But for now, for at least the next 2 months I get to live a fairly normal life, just going in for the maintenance treatment every other week.

So again, thanks first and foremost to God for these days of respite.  And also, many, many thanks to all of you who have prayed for me and my family.

Comments

[Joe Carter]

That is indeed some great news!

[[email protected]]

I am so excited to hear you are doing great! You helped me through a lot of issues and I thank God everyday for you...you really helped me open up and use my full potential...THANK YOU!

[Bbbys4lif]

This is Heather Cunningham by the way.

[Barry Wallace]

That's great news, David. I think about you often.

[Patricia (Pollywog Creek)]

Rejoicing with you, David, in all that is good!!!

[Les Arthur]

Praise God, and may the good news continued unabated! Les Arthur

[Les Arthur]

Praise God, and may the good news continued unabated! Les Arthur

[Chris Brauns]

Praise the Lord!

[Kat]

Great news--Great God! I rejoice with you.

[Janie]

congrats for the great news regarding your health...hope you handle that cancer as well sa you can ! Good luck in the future !

[Dan Phillips]

Yayyy!! That is TERRIFIC news!

[DMD]

Outstanding. I hope you can be on maintenance for a good long time.

[DMD]

Outstanding. I hope maintenance continues to work for a good long time.

[Tara Barthel]

Hooray! Praising the Lord with you!

[Lisa Hoffman]

This is wonderful news! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Wish you and your family a blessed Christmas season! Your friends, Lisa and Curt

[Barb]

Yeah! Great news!

[Mike & Alison T]

God bless you and your family David

[Mike]

That's great news brother. Rejoicing with you!

[Dale Roach]

I just came across your blog. Just wanted you to know that I am thanking the Lord along with you! I hope you and your family have a blessed Christmas.

[EAJ]

What wonderful news Pastor.. I couldn't be happier for you. For that matter for all of us - we need yoi. I'll be praying for your energy to pick up and that you will be ready soon to run a marathon - that is if you care too. :-)

[Nutsy Fagan]

Congratulations on your good news. My first time here and I'm glad I stopped by. I hope the next two months are great. My sister is receiving Avastin as well (in addition to Taxol and Cistplatin). We too received news we consider a Christmas miracle. Her CA 125 levels went from 580 pre-surgery to 37 during her 3rd round of chemo. We are overwhelmed with joy. We know that this can change and probably will, but she's responding amazingly well to her treatment. I wish you continued success and hope you continue to do well. You seem to have the same fantastic attitude that my sister has and I believe that to make an enormous difference. Be well and happy new year.

[tom]

A Prayer From Jesus

It's finally come down to this, I knew it would eventually. Unfortunately for YOU, who have missed the mark, which means you are going to hell. Your portion will be in the lake of fire. Don't be offended at me, it's your preacher, or that radio personality, even that man that told you that you are saved, blame them. Then again when your screaming in the pit it really doesn't matter whose at fault, does it. For it is your responsibility to know the way of salvation.

Why? You ask. Simply, you trusted man to lead you to Christ. Not once have you asked Jesus if you are saved. If you did you never waited for an answer. There is only one that we should ask on how to be saved, that is Christ Jesus.

Jesus has made it easy for you to know where you will stand on the last day. Pray this Prayer, and Jesus will answer all who diligently seeks Him.

These are the last days, This is your last chance.
Pray the Prayer, and KNOW!

- A PRAYER FROM JESUS -

This prayer is from Jesus that we may hear from Him, that He may speak to our hearts. It only consist of three simple steps.

1) We need to read one scripture. This will focus us in the word that brings everlasting life.

2) Since this prayer is from Jesus we need to direct our prayer to Him personally. Too often Christian focuses they're prayer's to G_D the father. Scripture proclaims that Jesus should be the focus of our prayer.

3) The simplest part of this Prayer is to ask Jesus one question. Please, all that is required for this question is that it should be simple. Let Jesus Himself finish the question when He gives you that understanding through this prayer.

The PRAYER

The scripture that is the focus of this prayer is "ACTS 2:38". It's not necessary to do any study into this scripture. Jesus Himself will give you the understanding that will resonate in your heart. Just read Acts 2:38, keep it in your heart and take this one scripture to prayer

The most important part of this prayer is that we need to direct our prayer directly to Jesus. If you normally would say Father in your prayer, change your focus from the Father to Christ Jesus, by lifting Jesus name up every time you would normally use Father in your prayer.

Maybe the hardest part of this prayer is the question that we need to ask Jesus. For man as we are, always trying to understand the question instead of listening to the answer. The simplest question is all that is required.

Simply ask Jesus 'WHY'

For those who are obedient
tsquare777(at)gmail.com