For Now We See Through A Glass, Darkly

Stable disease.  Two words, great import.  The tumor is smaller, no change in the mets.  Her CA 19-9 is still above 3350 (but less than the 3427 of two weeks ago) so Dr. P has classified the cancer as stable.  This is one of a range of classifications, among them are:
  • Complete Response or CR
  • Partial Response or PR
  • Progressive Disease or PD and 
  • Unequivocal Progression or UP
The brass ring would obviously be CR, meaning the chemo killed the cancer completely.  While I would prefer that, or even PR, this still beats any sign of progression. Given all the uninformed reading I have beem doing, this is a pleasant and very welcome surprise. I feel a bit like a hookah smoking caterpillar at this point.  I'd better switch my tobacco.

Dr. P expressed shock and dismay that no film was taken of Jenny's hip last night by the ER staff, and has ordered an X-ray  to be dine immediately after today's chemotherapy.  Neither Dr. P nor Dr. B, the palliative care doctor think its metastatic disease in the bone.

While there is a great rift between
Jenny and I, I have worked hard to set it aside to oppose this cancer with all my might, helping her in the fight of and for her life.  I am so thankful for medical science that she is still here and happy for her, for me, and most of all for my children.  Inshallah, she will be with us for many years to come.



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