Jewish Prayers and more

I have had two days now to figure what to write in my blog this evening.

I was getting ready to wind down my blog and then on Monday, I learned that a new set of blogs is called for.

I had my blood work and the petscan done on Monday morning and was finished by about 1:00. The normal procedure is that I ask for a CD of the scan and then take it home for the research manager's analysis. I then go back to the radiology center on Tuesday morning to get a report on the findings. I had to wait for the CD because the "CD" person was at lunch. When she finally came back and produced the CD, I was surprised to learn that the report was done also.

The good news is that my blood work was very good, in some respects the best ever. (The CEA would not be ready till Tuesday afternoon though.)

The more challenging news is that the scan found "numerous" mestastases on the liver and also significant mestastinal activity in the lymph nodes.

What does this mean?

It means that I will get to write more blog entries than anticipated.

It means that in the last three months, the dormant cancer cells have resurfaced and are having a party in parts of my body.

It means that the oncologist will most certainly want to recommence chemo in some form.

It means that we will investigate alternatives to chemo and simultaneous treatments to go with the chemo to maximize the positive potential going forward.

Meanwhile, the CEA marker results came back with a reading of 2.2 ( 0 to 2.5 is normal), my second lowest reading. For what it is worth.

We meet with the oncologist tomorrow to discuss his thoughts and observations. We are viewing the meeting as exploratory, not decision making, and will continue with our own research and possibly a second opinion re alternative strategies. Then, in a week or so, we will make a decision.

One of the strategies from www.cancertutor.com is called the Bob Wright protocol. Apparently, it is superior to the Bob Left protocol, which makes sense if you have ever seen a left handed person attempting to bid while playing bridge.

Today, I was offered "Jewish" prayers without the prayer warrior knowing the outcome. I chose to keep this news quiet until tonight. And now that the cancerous cat is out of the bag, I welcome all prayers and positive thoughts for insight and wisdom as to how to proceed and for healing by whatever method is made obvious to us.

Thank you for your support and interest. I love you all for the energy that you give me.