Mixed Results

We met with the Oncologist (in record time too) and the results are a little mixed but mostly good - we are very grateful.

This is his last treatment - that is good.

His CEA is slightly up, to 4.7 (from 3.4), but seeing as how it was in the 180s at one point we're being told not to worry. We missed a treatment when our flight got delayed coming home from NY. I can't help but wonder if that is why it is up a bit and if so, what does that mean?

The game plan is to come back in six weeks for tests (CT scan and blood). As long as things remain stable (slightly elevated CEA is ok as long as it doesn't make a drastic turn upward), he will have these tests every three months for a year and then every four months for the next year and then every six months. At five years they will declare him "cured." We're looking forward to that! The Bambino will be in first grade!

I asked the oncologist how to define what stage he is in now. The answer is "no evidence of disease" Phil calls it "NED." We'll take NED. According to the web this is the same thing as "complete remission." We like the sound of that.

So, although I would love to see that CEA headed downward and hanging out at around 1, we'll count our blessings and increase our faith, and come back in six weeks.