As many of you have heard, my markers came back almost okay this time. HCG is under 2, desired = 0. AFP is at 10, again desired of 0. That puts me on the almost surveillance route towards avoiding surgery...hearby named the "aggressive surveillance" route. Basically, they'll test my blood more frequently to see if those markers start creeping back up. If so, we'll dig in and cut out all the remaining nonsense. While I'd prefer not to go there, there is some solace to having your cancer sitting in a pathologist's lab vs. in your body. Therefore, if it must be cut out, so it goes.
We get a 3 week break before the next round of markers. So, we'll count our blessings headed into Christmas, a 3 week reprieve from treatment, and enjoy it fully with family and friends. Whatever they end up being at that point, at least we'll be within range of finishing this battle. Nobody yet knows what else this war can bring...but for now, we'll be content with finishing this battle and taking some R&R.
10 comments:
Thank God, this is the last day. You have stood strong even though from your side you tend to mitigate that, tis still true. What a story you will have to share when this is all over, Geoff. See you about 2 this afternoon.
John
Geoff,
So happy your markers were low enough to just do surveillance. We will be praying they continue to go down and get to zero.
All our best to you and Melissa and the rest of the family for a happy happy holiday.
Love Mike and Kathe
Geoff,
I concur thank God, the worst is over and now it is on to recovery, we love you very much and the close communication will continue as long as you can stand it!
Look forward to a truly happy Christmas.
Sue & Dad
Praise God - the last day of treatment is here! I know that it's been a long, tough road, but like you dear Uncle Dick said, 'you have stood strong' and I have all confidence that you will make it through this day. Then YES!! R & R, just in time for Christmas. Thank you for your honesty, your courage, your faith and for sharing your life with us. We have all been blessed! God's Peace.
Praise God - you have made it to the last day of treatment! I know that it's been a long, tough road and like your dear Uncle Dick said ' you have stood strong' ! Thank you for your honesty, for your faith and for sharing your story with all of us - we have all been blessed. Praise God for 'almost okay' markers and for your status of surveillance for now. I wish you peace and blessings and much needed R & R this Christmas Season. God's Peace to you!
I'm raising my pint for you tonight Geoff! I saw a guy on the train today with a button that said "Cancer Sucks!". If you believe in signs, that one was quite blatant. :)
Congrats Geoff for getting through it all. You hair isn't your best feature anyway!
Have a Great Christmas!
Adam & Niki
Hey Geoff - We'll all focus on the fact that the sampling for those markers was done before you completed this last round of chemo - I'm sure both of them will have been given the TKO!
Wish with all my heart that you & Melissa were coming over for Christmas dinner with all of us - my baked salmon with all that great omega stuff would do you good!
We'll keep praying that the aggressive surveillance will continue to prove you are well on the way to full recovery -
Love to you both, A. Tessa
Geoff, I've been so consumed with things going on in my own life I have been behind reading your blogs. I just read your Thanksgiving one and I have to say I cried through it all(probably due more to the time of the month and my hormones).
I think you no longer entitled to say you are a bad communicator because communication can be verbal, visual and/or written. You definitely fall into OUTSTANDING communicator on paper category. It makes me believe that you have so much going on in your head that there's a traffic jam en route to get the words verbally out of your mouth. The picture of that going on in your head is quite comical to me for some strange reason but makes perfect sense why you initiating contact with others is not the norm.
All that being said I'm happy for you getting a break from the battle field. I love you bunches and thankful our paths crossed. I look forward to our next communication. Ann (Ann Shilt that is in case you know more than one) :o)
Merry, Merry Christmas Geoff and Melissa - enjoy your holidays - continued prayers for markers to be zero.
Q: How fast does hair grow?
A: The speed of hair growth is roughly 1.25 centimeters or 0.5 inches per month, being about 15 centimeters or 6 inches per year. With age the speed of hairgrowth might slow down to as little as 0.25 cm or 0.1 inch a month.
So you should be Shaggy in no time!
Your friend,
Nancy
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