Earl update

I'm sorry I haven't had the heart to update this lately. We got news on the 29th that Earl's CA19-9 had gone up this last time. When they found the cancer was back in late July, it was 43. As treatment progressed it fell to 39 and 30. This last time it had gone up to 58. Dr. did say the CA19-9 will go up/down during treatment. Will be doing another test on that, too.

Earl will have PET scan on Oct 8 & will see Dr for results on Oct 13th. Scan is only thing that will show, for sure, what is going on. We're hoping for some good news. Would make a good birthday present. (His bday is Oct. 9th)

If the cancer is spreading/growing, there are other things that can be added to current chemo. In other words, doubling up on chemo. This will also be harder on him.

No chemo this week.

Please continue to remember Earl in prayer.

WOW!

We wonder just how low it will go!

Blood was drawn before the second series of chemo began last week. The results of the CA19-9 tumor marker this time was. . . . . "less than 2". This is down from the Aug 1st. test that was 5.

I think I'm running out of ways to say how thankful we are by all this. We're very glad the number is still going down and not heading up!

CA19-9, done monthly, will not be done again until right before the start of the third series of chemo at the end of Sept.

CA19-9 results history

I looked up Earl's CA19-9 history.

On 4/3/07 it was 572 before bile was drained
On 5/1/07 it was 309.6
8/9/07 it is now a grand total of 5 (This blood was drawn before first chemo)

News from Philly

Good News! Prayers are being answered!

#1: Results of blood work for CA19-9 last Thursday came back today. It is now 309.6. It was 572 on April 3rd. It's not 200, but Dr is pleased.

#2: CT Scan from March 23 shows there is no involvement with the main blood supply that runs thru the pancreas near where the tumor is located. This was a huge concern.

The above were the two things that would have made Earl's cancer inoperable. If the number had not dropped and the tumor had spread to involve the blood supply.

Recent scans show there is "something" in the liver. We know that has been there for several years. Former Dr. had run CTs and kept watch on it. Always said it was not anything to be concerned about. Philly radiologist wants to do an MRI, just to make sure it is "nothing".

Overall, Dr. Watson (Philly surgeon) said he was pleased with what he is seeing. Stated that if not for the liver thing, he would have Earl up for surgery asap.

Dr. Watson faxing orders for the MRI. He will be out of his office rest of this week returning next Monday. As soon as they get results of MRI and confirm that situation, he is talking about getting Earl back to Philly for surgery!!

We have appt. with Oncologist in Knoxville on Friday, May 4th @ 3:15 p.m. He is the same doctor who did my year of chemo when I had colon cancer. Will be good to see him again.

MRI is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Friday.

Thank you for all your prayers, emails, cards, blog comments & phone calls. Every contact is just great. Thank you for keeping in touch.

Please continue to remember us as MRI is done, plans progress, and we take up the battle with the insurance company to try to get the out of network surgery done "in-network".

Lillian