Why the Redwood Forest slideshow?

Judy had always loved trees, and in 2008 we spent some time among the California Redwoods. Some of the ingredients in Judy's chemo cocktail were derived from trees (not Redwoods but Yews). We always knew that Judy loved the trees, and the trees got their chance to repay her affection.



Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Fantastic Pre-Thanksgiving News!

It is hard to describe our elation when Dr. Phillips' office called this morning with the results of the latest CA-125 blood test for cancer markers. This test was conducted yesterday, right before Judy underwent her second (of eight scheduled rounds of) chemo treatment.

Judy's CA-125 yesterday was 97, down a full 216 points from pre-chemo #1 CA-125 of 313 just three weeks ago. You may remember that her pre-surgery CA-125 was somewhere around 1,275 or so.

So, wow, that's just the best news ever! No, it doesn't mean that Judy is healed, but it shows that the medication is doing exactly what it is supposed to do, maybe even better than could have been expected. We haven't had a chance to talk to Dr. P. about whether such a drop is "normal" or "extreme," but whatever it is, it is positive and we are totally stoked!

Judy made it OK through yesterday's treatment. She said it was a little rougher than the first time, but we expected that from what we had heard about the increasing difficulty of the treatments. She also received a white-cell booster shot, and that will probably kick in tomorrow or Friday in the form of bone aches that can be so severe that Judy was told not to overreact if she thinks she's having a heart-attack--it is just her sternum and other bones in the chest area reacting to the shot. Well, by golly, and I would have probably thought it was a damn turkey leg that she had swallowed whole and that got stuck.

Anyhow, from both of us HAPPY THANKSGIVING! We will travel on Thursday to the Marble Falls area in central Texas for a reunion with Judy's family, if things don't suddenly turn bad for Judy this afternoon or tonight. It will be Judy's first road trip since surgery, and she is excited to leave town.

Jürgen

5 comments:

aka Kathy said...

So glad to hear such good news.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and Jurgen. Travel safe.

Kathy, Alan & Kyle

Anonymous said...

Such great news Judy!!

Happy Turkey Day to you and Jürgen!

Rich is in CT visiting his family, me and the fuzzies are holding the fort down here. Ice melted off the roads yesterday and with temps in the 30s-should get in a nice bike ride tomorrow!

Hugs,
Cindi :>

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the good news! Thank you for keeping the blog, so that all of us can keep up with Judy's news. It does seem the chemotherapy is doing its job!! Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels. Fred and I will stay here and be grateful for your good news and for good health in general.
Cheryl

Anonymous said...

That news is so wonderful!!! It just makes me think of the pink & purple motorcycle! :) Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Nana (Deb Stevenson) said...

GREAT News! I hope these tests continue to be positive for you. Hope you had a great time with family and friends! Happy Thanksgiving!