Man, just had a stressful visit to the doctor. I finally received my first set of post-chemo tumor markers back...and they were elevated. AFP was 174 vs normal of 0-6...a mere 29x normal, and HCG (beta), 39 vs. 0-9, or 4x. No doc or nurse immediately available to interpret for me (my choice), so immediately I placed my heart in my throat and swallowed hard.
These are the moments when being good at math don't help you...variances are calculated all too quickly, and outside of winning the lottery, there are few times when something exceeds normal by 2,900% and anything good can come of it.
Back home with the news to scour for the one thing that matters...a benchmark. I searched for both my prior results (which I didn't have), and started my online search. Rarely do you find that Google fails you...but it did. While there are sites telling you what the markers are, and the oh-so-helpful "normal" range, (that 0-6 number again). Finally got on the horn with my urologist to get my old set of labs.
...holding breath...
HCG dropped from 1,607 to 39.
AFP dropped from 1,988 to 174.
...exhale...
Now those are good variances...98 & 91% respectively. I'm no doctor, it could still be bad...but hell, I'll enjoy my personal interpretation for now.
It is rumored that hair grows back in all different ways post-chemo. This picture, and related hair, have nothing to do with that. No, they are the result of having a jackass for a brother.
12 comments:
Well I would not get all excited about numbers that we are not qualified to quantify. Relax and let the specialists tell you what it all means on Monday All this has been going far too well for it not to continue in that direction. I have total faith in HIM and HIS healing hands on you, Geoff. BTW, the new hair do - looking GOOD man!
G - we (being Andrew, Rob, Jenn & Ann) LOVE the mullet!!! Rob thinks you should think about using some soul glo on it to give that jerry curl look. Just remember to put a doile on the couch so you don't leave a wet mark. Don't think Melissa would like to return home to a dirty couch.
P.S. We think the drop in #'s are wonderful! You've still got 2 more thingys to go so they can only continue to get lower. How low can you go?
Is this the same HCG levels that home pregnancy tests look for? Because that could be fun.
And my god, the hair is perfect. You absolutely must wear that style from now on, everywhere, all the time, forever.
Hey Geoff - I'm no statistician, but heck, until the experts tell you otherwise, those variances against pre-treatment values look pretty good to me, after 2 sessions .....
I hope and pray that your specialists tell you the same!
About your 'Glamour Shot', nice picture, eh? It's great to see that irrepressibly wonderful, uplifting humour - you & Mark are priceless!
All the best for next week,
Love from A. Tessa and all
Oh good golly! Things are looooooking good, numbers and most especially YOU! Praise God for your healing...can I see you in your toboggan! :-)
Oh my friend...that is just the beginning! hahaha I was howling at that picture. It's great, it's like a blank canvas to work with. So many styles to consider! We'll have a blast in a few weeks when I come down to visit! I'll bring some more head-gear! I can't have you looking bald and beautiful like myself! haha
Love ya!
Markus
I say a big Halleluah! for the numbers; it's all relative right now and they are SO far down from where they were. Praise God! Stay strong and look forward, things are looking up! Blessings!
I did hear once...or maybe I saw it on a shirt...that the "mullet" is the hair of the gods!! So there ya go!!
The drop in the AFP from the 1,988 to 174 is good. I remember these daily counts. They are etched in my mind. They are going down. Let the chemo keep doing it's job.
Hang in there - I'm praying!
Your attitude is fantastic -and that helps fight the battle!
The similarities between you and your brother continue...
Jeremy Carkner (Milton, Ontario)
Geoff, you'd look great front-lining the new band I'm starting!
Hope the readings continue to improve....love your tough mindset.....They way time flies, your treatments will be done before long.
Congrats on the new Prez elect....hope you switched teams! Don't know how he fared in your neck of the woods, but let's hope he can lead us out of the quagmire we're in.
All the best....and hang tough as you usually do.
Everard.
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