Friday, January 29, 2010

Doing Great!

Hello everyone. Thank you for all the prayers and support over the last few weeks.

I have to say this was the easiest thing I have been through, procedure/treatment wise in almost 3 years. I recovered quickly and well (something that NEVER seems to happen in my circumstances). Before even the first week was out I was in no pain, and wasn't even sore. I don't even think this procedure is going to leave a scar. Though it really can't compete with the big momma-jomma scar I already have. That will always be my best one heh?

So I am going to go for a CT scan next wed, which will start documentation of the baseline of what my liver and the tumor looks like post ablation, with subsequent scans to follow and mark the progression of healing(of liver) and death(of tumor). We are still moving toward the cyberknife treatment but as Dr. Moriarty said to me the other day "lets just see where the dust settles." But my impression is that the cyberknife will also be done but maybe in a month or two.

Here is the link to cyberknife info (because I am horrible at explaining it).

And now for just some icing on the cake. My CEA before the procedure was at 52 with us expecting it to rise after the procedure, because that's generally what happens when you go in there "sturrin up some stuff." But today I was told that it is at 29! I was happily shocked and it felt great to hear good news like that again. It was a small sweet victory and I was savoring it all day.

Thanks again for all of you support. The best notes of love and support and funny jokes always come at a perfect time. I hope you all know I am praying for you all who pray for me and my family and love us and support us. We are so grateful for all your help.

With Much Love,
Karen

12 comments:

Teresa Loughnane said...

Way to go Karen! Hopefully the falling CEA level means the tumour is biting the dust. Great news and thanks for the update. Thinking of you all. Love
Teresa xx

Don MacLeod said...

Hey Karen

I'm thinking about getting a rusty zipper tattoo over my big moma-jomma surgery scar. Hey if it's going to draw attention at the beach I might as well have some fun. 8?}

Hold Fast
Don MacLeod

Anonymous said...

Great news Karen. You have worked for it you prayed for it and you really deserve it!!!!
I hope the kids are well and I know Francis is rejoicing with you.
Love Jo.(Limk.)

Anonymous said...

Great news Karen. We are all rejoicing and thanking God. I'll be having Frank, Edie, Jim, Teresa, Mike, & kids tomorrow and we will all celebrate this victory. Keep going with that strong faith & good cheer. Regards & lots of love to Francis, Sydney & Ethan. Brigid

Anonymous said...

Yeah this is just the kind of news that I love to hear.

Prayers for continued healing.

Love,
Mirjana

Everyday Survivor said...

Hi! just happy to know you are doing well..keep it up..

My prayers goes out to you and your family.

-

Anonymous said...

Great news Karen
Happy for you

James said...

VERY GOOD!
James

Catherine said...

Thats brilliant Karen, its terrific that you recovered so well and the falling CEA is the icing on the cake. WELL DONE! lots of love to you,Fran and Sydney and Ethan

Anonymous said...
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Dennis Pyritz, RN said...

Happy New Year! I am working on improving my blogroll- Cancer Blogs - at Being Cancer Network where your own blog is presently listed. One of the things I want to do is to improve the 800 blog entries, making them more useful for readers.

Check to see if information is correct. Please let me know your specific cancer diagnosis - the medical term. Also the year you were diagnosed and anything else you think is relevant for the listing such as a transplant. If you have written a book or memoir, I can feature it in a special Cancer Book List section. Please include the name of your blog in the email so I can put the information in the correct listing.

It would also really, really help if you could let me know of any cancer blogs that are not on my list. Thanks in advance.

Cancer Blogs I & II has been a very popular (over 8000 visits) and valuable resource for folks. It allows people to view what others with a similar diagnoses have gone through. And it brings additional attention and traffic to survivor’s blogs. It is helping to build a strong, vibrant community of survivors.

Please consider adding Being Cancer Network to your blogroll if you have not already done so. I am now following you on Blogged.

Please see my January 10 post - New Year’s New Face - for additional changes in the website. Wishing you a happy and healthy new year.

Dennis Pyritz, RN
leukemia & transplant survivor
beingcancer@att.net

www.beingcancer.net

Denise said...

I am creating a website called god Is Bigger Than My cancer and I want to include a blog roll of Christian bloggers. May i add yours?