Wednesday, June 21, 2006
CHEMO NUMBER FIVE.....
Well today was memorable. Dr. Morgan could barely keep a big smile off his face. He came bouncing into the room, asking Rocky how he felt today. Rocky said fine and waited for the report that Dr. Morgan had in his hand. We were kind of tipped off by the nurse that it was good news.
Results of the Echocardiogram showed some damage from the past…..relating to the two heart attacks Rocky had in 1983 and 1994. He thought it might be a good idea to see a heart doctor just to make sure we were in safe territory with the chemo treatments and direction Dr. Morgan was going. He is a very cautious and thorough guy and we like him a lot.
Next down the list was the fact all of the blood work was right on target. Doing great with that. The smile prompter was next……the CEA report. Now remember, after the first month it was 148.7.……last month it was down to 43 and today it was down to 10.4.………YES……10.4 !!!! Dr. Morgan said this shows Rocky is responding to treatment in a dramatic way….the tumors are shrinking and we have one more chemo treatment before the big conference on where to go from here.
It is considered “normal” if the CEA number is below 5 and we aren’t far away from that, obviously. Dr. Morgan made it clear that although the tumors were shrunk to a normal range, there was still the fact it could return anywhere at any time. It is a terminal situation but the good news is, we can postpone the inevitable.
Our Dr. Wiehe has gone the same route and has managed to survive very healthily for several years. We are doing the same thing he is and apparently those results along with Dr. Morgan’s good doctoring may have bought us a little more time.
I have to give both men credit for excellent decision making. Dr. Morgan studiously labors over the reports with each patient and has a personal interest in each one. Dr. Wiehe has spent considerable time with us to get us on the right track with the Integrated Medicines and diet.
Rocky and I are also very grateful for the many people who are praying for us and being concerned. It gives us both pleasure to give you all a good report, which lets you know your prayers are being answered. Thanks to God, doctors and you…….. Rocky and I are giving you a high five right now. This is one team that is on the winning side for the moment and giving all of us hope.
Until tomorrow,
Essentially Esther
Results of the Echocardiogram showed some damage from the past…..relating to the two heart attacks Rocky had in 1983 and 1994. He thought it might be a good idea to see a heart doctor just to make sure we were in safe territory with the chemo treatments and direction Dr. Morgan was going. He is a very cautious and thorough guy and we like him a lot.
Next down the list was the fact all of the blood work was right on target. Doing great with that. The smile prompter was next……the CEA report. Now remember, after the first month it was 148.7.……last month it was down to 43 and today it was down to 10.4.………YES……10.4 !!!! Dr. Morgan said this shows Rocky is responding to treatment in a dramatic way….the tumors are shrinking and we have one more chemo treatment before the big conference on where to go from here.
It is considered “normal” if the CEA number is below 5 and we aren’t far away from that, obviously. Dr. Morgan made it clear that although the tumors were shrunk to a normal range, there was still the fact it could return anywhere at any time. It is a terminal situation but the good news is, we can postpone the inevitable.
Our Dr. Wiehe has gone the same route and has managed to survive very healthily for several years. We are doing the same thing he is and apparently those results along with Dr. Morgan’s good doctoring may have bought us a little more time.
I have to give both men credit for excellent decision making. Dr. Morgan studiously labors over the reports with each patient and has a personal interest in each one. Dr. Wiehe has spent considerable time with us to get us on the right track with the Integrated Medicines and diet.
Rocky and I are also very grateful for the many people who are praying for us and being concerned. It gives us both pleasure to give you all a good report, which lets you know your prayers are being answered. Thanks to God, doctors and you…….. Rocky and I are giving you a high five right now. This is one team that is on the winning side for the moment and giving all of us hope.
Until tomorrow,
Essentially Esther
