Cancer is stable

It always seems that when we go to CTCA in Zion, Illinois, things happen in a different way than we expect.  When we get scans, I am always, in my worry-some way, expecting the worse.  This visit was no different... I was apprehensive and expecting to hear bad news. 

We had a CT scan Tuesday afternoon; got results Wednesday morning.  The scan showed that the cancer has not grown at all since the last scan 3 months ago.  It is still there, but Dr. Neelam is calling it stable right now.  The CEA has gone up about 2 points.  There are a lot of reasons for CEA to be elevated but the real evaluation of the cancer is from the scan.   Scans show the exact size and activity of the cancer, so scans provide the most accurate status of the cancer.

We talked at some length with Dr. Neelam about Arnie's particular cancer.  Her attitude seems to be that she has a handle on his disease but her concern is also for any side effects demonstrated from the chemo treatments.  She omitted one of the chemo drugs from his infusion this time, since it caused a reaction during the last 3 infusions.  These reactions could lead to anaphylactic shock which is something we really don't want to have to deal with. 

We talked about the possibility of looking into some clinical trials.  There is a lot of research going on which has resulted in a drug or 2 being very close to approval by the FDA. 

God continues to take care of us and we are thankful for that!  Please continue to keep us in your prayers -- it works!!