The bad news first, so we don't get too imbalanced. My IV-chemo time changed today, and one of the side-effects I have which was verified today, called "chemo brain," helped me forget or never notice the change, so that at 9:30 on the dot I was looking through some SCCA paperwork, then realized, "Oops, today's chemo starts right now, and I'm not there." Missing class or a dinner appointment, different story. So I called, panicked, told them I'd be there late, and 20 minutes later I was on the bed half naked and fully unshowered. I had to leave a msg for G. and let here fend for herself.
Tuesday's are draining, what with all the sexual innuendo... or really, what with all the drugs they pump into me. Which means I'll be keeping this short.
The good news: seems, to me anyway, that this phrase has been too seldomly used of late. Every two weeks or so they check my CA 19-9 numbers from blood work. It's an antigen that works as a marker telling how much cancer (specifically pancreatic cancer) is in the body (roughly). The normal person should have a number of 54 (five-four) or less; the cancer person will have a "grossly elevated" number up in the thousands. Four weeks ago my number was about 12,800, twelve thousand eight hundred. More than 54. We want the number down, of course, because it functions very accurately as a mark of cancer levels. Right after chemo started my number was 11,700ish. Down, but too soon to be remarkable.
Today the number I got back (from week-old blood tests) was 9,400--what the good doctor says is a "significant drop" and yes, a number that can be taken for a trend, cautiously. Some fucking good news, finally! What appears to be happening is that my cancer is responding well to the GTX treatment I'm taking. I'm really wiped out right now, otherwise, I'd piss for joy, or at least jump up and down. Seems good, seems to be helping. [short round of applause]
Instead of Franky Scale today, I'm submitting that number: 9,400. You always have to look at the context, right?
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11 comments:
9400 is my new favorite number. The next wheat grass-flavored, high-protein energy drink is on me.
s'cuse me a moment....aaahhhhhhh!!!
that's f'in GREAT!!! :)
is it a coincidence, or did you just beat my 9600?!! i think i put that magic number in your head ;) my latest was 450-try to beat that, ok? seriously. that's the best news to date!!
:-) me so happy for you...
BRAVO my brother-- WOW.!!!
Some good, good, news.
Working on my travel plans.
Sleep well you little pooh.
Big love,
Sheri
well slap me silly. im so happy i am pissing for joy and jumping up and down, what a fucking mess im making. but who cares.
i do believe in miracles!!!
next rounds on me
Hey Ms. G: You are HUGE !!!! Thanks so much for the TLC ( and the x-tra benefit and bonus ) of massaging Mr. Jones pectorials. : )
We can hardly wait to meet you and thank you in person. Wow. -- and we won't be sleepless in Seattle, but taking you out wherever you want to go. Think BIG!
Big Love from Two Big Lesbo's from Devereauax Way / Zion, who also love Mr. Jones: aka Monkey Man.
We are now your biggest fans as well.
We love and thank you.
Gratefully,
Larry and Lefty
thanks to all for your support. each comment deserves something clever in reply, but i'm going to stick to one: "aveda institute goth girl"--i love you! how many days have i sat in Caffe Vita wondering "Who the hell are all of you who dress the same, in some theme of black with the occasional red articulation, sitting in the parking lot behind That Door, almost in uniform, kind of collectively trashy, and all smoking?" it would haunt me, if my academic book ever appears, no doubt, all its pages will be marked with signs of the aveda girls..... now i'm just trying to figure who is this one. definitely someone who's spent time in Vita.... really an aveda "girl" is that a sex decoy? thanks anyway. one more americano for me. --mr. jones
Hah, now I know what it takes to get more comments than when Frank posts! Still much love Grande. -Mr. Jones.
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