Goodbye 2016 - Hello 2017
I hate to wish my life away, but I am very ready for 2016 to end! While there were several good things that happened in 2016, mostly I am ready to put it behind me. April 6, 2016 basically changed my life. What I thought was a routine colonoscopy ended with a cancer diagnosis and began a whole new life routine for me, my husband, and many who worried about me. Surgery - which was scary on its own, six months of chemo for a total of 12 treatments - that many thought I couldn't complete because of their toxicity, and the side effects that linger long after the chemo is done. It has been one hell of a ride. I finished my last chemo treatment on November 1, 2016 and rang the bell, although I was still wearing the chemo pump, so it was a little less sweet than it should have been.
Since that time, I have anxiously waited my first CEA check which was scheduled for December 13. My CEA level when I was first diagnosed was 4.6. From my understanding at that time, it was a pretty low number which was encouraging. Therefore, I was pretty disappointed when my biopsy showed that my cancer was Stage 3. After the surgery to remove the tumor and half of my colon, my CEA was down to 1.9 which is considered in the normal range. WHEW!
Imagine my fear then, when I had my December 13 check and the CEA registered at 4.3!! I was a nervous wreck. My doctor assured me that it could be a false positive, and that if I had been around a smoker, my results could be skewed. My husband and I had just returned from a trip to Las Vegas and we had spent a good portion of our last night there in a casino filled with cowboys (National Rodeo Finals) and smoke. Even so, I was very fearful - especially because the level was so high! The doctor order CT Scans and a Colonoscopy for that week, just to take a look at what was going on and thank God and all his power, these all came back clear! I have no doubt NOW that the casino was probably the reason that CEA level was skewed! Evidently a smoker's normal CEA level is around 5. I am staying out of the casinos for awhile!!!
Tomorrow my sister-in-law and her family, my mother-in-law, my mom, my two kids and Mindi will all be here to celebrate Christmas. I have been busy making cookies, and getting some snacks ready as well as a bit of cleaning. I firmly believe in the policy of "clean a little before company- clean a lot after." My New Year's Resolution will be one that I have made before--to get myself into better physical shape, except there is an urgency and motivation behind it this time: To remain Cancer Free.
I have never had such better motivation!
We are helping to plan a wedding with David and Mindi, and my daughter has a pretty special guy in her life as well as a sweet little gal whom we have all fallen in love with! Brian and I are closer than ever - these are the things that I am grateful for this 2016!! Oh, and also I gave up my teaching job. Lots of thought and decision went into it, but basically I felt my health was affected by the stress of the job and therefore I resigned. Hopefully, my health will benefit!
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I have new reason to smile and feel great going into 2017 with a "clean" bill of health!!! Love to all!!!!
Mary
Since that time, I have anxiously waited my first CEA check which was scheduled for December 13. My CEA level when I was first diagnosed was 4.6. From my understanding at that time, it was a pretty low number which was encouraging. Therefore, I was pretty disappointed when my biopsy showed that my cancer was Stage 3. After the surgery to remove the tumor and half of my colon, my CEA was down to 1.9 which is considered in the normal range. WHEW!
Imagine my fear then, when I had my December 13 check and the CEA registered at 4.3!! I was a nervous wreck. My doctor assured me that it could be a false positive, and that if I had been around a smoker, my results could be skewed. My husband and I had just returned from a trip to Las Vegas and we had spent a good portion of our last night there in a casino filled with cowboys (National Rodeo Finals) and smoke. Even so, I was very fearful - especially because the level was so high! The doctor order CT Scans and a Colonoscopy for that week, just to take a look at what was going on and thank God and all his power, these all came back clear! I have no doubt NOW that the casino was probably the reason that CEA level was skewed! Evidently a smoker's normal CEA level is around 5. I am staying out of the casinos for awhile!!!
Tomorrow my sister-in-law and her family, my mother-in-law, my mom, my two kids and Mindi will all be here to celebrate Christmas. I have been busy making cookies, and getting some snacks ready as well as a bit of cleaning. I firmly believe in the policy of "clean a little before company- clean a lot after." My New Year's Resolution will be one that I have made before--to get myself into better physical shape, except there is an urgency and motivation behind it this time: To remain Cancer Free.
I have never had such better motivation!
We are helping to plan a wedding with David and Mindi, and my daughter has a pretty special guy in her life as well as a sweet little gal whom we have all fallen in love with! Brian and I are closer than ever - these are the things that I am grateful for this 2016!! Oh, and also I gave up my teaching job. Lots of thought and decision went into it, but basically I felt my health was affected by the stress of the job and therefore I resigned. Hopefully, my health will benefit!
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I have new reason to smile and feel great going into 2017 with a "clean" bill of health!!! Love to all!!!!
Mary
Comments
Post a Comment