On a positive note

Good news!

Not AS good as I wanted.  But it'll do for now.

 

(Pic: my happy face.)

SO, where to begin? ... This was the first tumor marker test done since undergoing Radioactive Iodine Therapy.  In my, innocent-cancer-patient-positive-outlook eyes I thought this would be the end all be all yes/no black/white, it worked or didn't work test.  BIG DEAL right?

Weeeellll, that's not how it works.  First thing you gotta know is there are two tumor marker tests.  The one I use at the moment is new, better, more specific and very accurate (for those who want to know: TKTL1 & Apo 10).  And when I met with the Dr yesterday he said the marker is down!!!!  In the normal perimeter!!!! 

GOOD NEWS!!!

It went down.  it's 'normal'...whew!  I would HOPE SO after swallowing radioactive iodine but don't get me started on that.

The thing is... my body needs time. Time to process, re-adjust and who knows what else (honestly I don't even understand 100% how all this is connected... but I know it is) to know FOR SURE those cancer cells are gone.

I told the Dr.: well, I would like to know when we can say "I'm cancer free"...

This is a tricky question, and I love to ask Doctors tricky questions.

His reply was, maybe this summer!

(pic:  Is it summer yet!?)

Did you see that "maybe"?  Yeah.  He wants to see the marker go down more, to the less than normal area - most importantly NOT go up... then there's the OTHER tumor marker test... that needs to be done (appointment for April- they wont do it before lots of other tests and that "time" thing has gone by.  Man, I need lots of this time thing!!)... oh, THEN they always gotta stick in some kind of disclaimer that reads: oh, and just so you know, it could come back so it's best that we wait 5 years - do tests every 6 months to make sure its not coming back - THEN, and only then, could we say your probably cancer free.

So....Big party.  My house.  In 2020!!!

ugh.

Really wanted some kind of clear, 100%, definitive answer.  Doesn't always happen huh?  Actually, I just wanted to celebrate.  Something.

I guess I can celebrate that I've been doing better, in general.  See those stairs (in the pic)?  I have to climb those to get to our apartment.  For months I had to take a break, or go REALLY slow.  And now, I can go up the stairs.  Like a normal person would.  Not fast.  Just normal.

And in I'm staying quite positive.  Mood is better.  Stickin to my Anti-Cancer diet... poppin thyroid pills every day... drinkin green juice.  And doing better... really.  No really.  I can finally say I feel like I've turned a corner.  A big, depressing, scary, LONG corner.

I'm just feeling like, SO grateful.  Thank you all!  So so much.

Love
Stacy