BREAK TIME

Mom had a post chemo follow up appointment with Dr.Weeks (Oncologist) yesterday. She is doing well, all her blood work looks good. She is a little on the anemic side but better than usual and nothing to worry about. Her tumor markers have both gone down. We are not really sure what they mean or what they track besides the identity or metabolism of the cancer itself. Before chemo one was 198 and has moved down to 19.3. (last round it was 25). The other was around 1200 last time and is down about 300 points or so in the 1000's. She has a PET scan scheduled this Thursday and we will be able to find out more with that. Here is some information on PET scans if you don't understand:
A PET scan measures important body functions, such as blood flow, oxygen use, and sugar (glucose) metabolism, to help doctors evaluate how well organs and tissues are functioning.

What are some common uses of the procedure?
PET scans are performed to:
detect cancer
determine how much a cancer has spread in the body
assess the effectiveness of a treatment plan, such as cancer therapy
determine if a cancer has returned after treatment
determine blood flow to the heart muscle
determine the effects of a heart attack, or myocardial infarction, on areas of the heart
identify areas of the heart muscle that would benefit from a procedure such as angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery (in combination with a myocardial perfusion scan).
evaluate brain abnormalities, such as tumors, memory disorders and seizures and other central nervous system disorders
to map normal human brain and heart function

The plan is to have about 6 months off of chemo to help mom build up her system and get strong again and wait to see what the PET Scan shows us. They will continue to do lab work each month to watch her blood and marker levels and she will have to have her port flushed along the way. She is hoping to have a great summer and be able to get out in the garden and do some more outside. FISHING OF COURSE. Last week she made cinnamon rolls, went to the gym and did a little exercise and yesterday she washed the windows outside the house. CONGRATULATIONS MOM, YOU'RE BACK!