Let Freedom Ring

As you can see from the photos in my last post, our girls' weekend was so much fun! But all good things must come to an end.

I was slammed right back into reality on Monday when I saw Dr. McK. and found out that my tumor marker (TM) has risen.

Here's the breakdown of the numbers:

06/09/08 - 65 (began chemo break)
09/15/08 - 89 (still on break...but not for long)
10/15/08 - 88 (after 1 Taxotere treatment)
11/10/08 - 119 (after 3 Taxotere treatments)
12/15/08 - 123 (Happy B-day to me!)
01/07/09 - 140 (after 5 Taxotere treaments)
02/09/09 - 151 (after 1 Xeloda round)
03/16/09 - 140 (after 3 Xeloda rounds)
04/27/09 - 116 (after 5 Xeloda rounds)
06/08/09 - 174 (after 10 Xeloda rounds)

So yeah...not good.

Seems that any time I am feeling stronger, my cancer is also getting stronger. So keeping me weak and sick seems to be the best way to keep me 'alive'.

Dr. McK. ordered another TM test which they took on Monday before I left.

I am having a CT/PET scan today as well.

I am scheduled to see Dr. Mck. for all test results on Fri., 7/10.

Depending on the results of the TM and today's tests, it is likely that we will be changing and/or adding drugs to my current treatment.

See, my other doctors never did TM tests because they didn't think they were accurate and there are too many variables that affect the results. I wouldn't mind not knowing, I hate dragging my friends and family through all of the ups and downs of those stupid numbers.

My jaw continues to be an ongoing issue. The spasms, the locking...it is very painful and prevents me from eating at times. Last night I had to blend up my food so I could eat in order to could take my meds. Dr. McK. has no answers or solutions...so, no help there.

So now we wait.

But in the meantime, I plan on having a good long weekend of celebrating our nation's independence, as well as my own.