Doctor's Visit Today

It is time for another update. Today I went to see a doctor up at the University Hospital here in Salt Lake City. I have felt the need to have a doctor monitor my journey through blood work, ultra sound and check ups. That has been difficult as I have chosen a path that medical people are not comfortable with. Dr. Doan was very kind and respectful. He did communicate his concerns and what he would like to see me do. He ordered a CEA cancer blood test. This first test will be a baseline test. And then he ordered an Ultra Sound for the middle of March.
He did a manual exam and could not feel any tumor. So that was good news for me.
The doctor's sister died from breast cancer and he told me she did everything she was suppose to do.......surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, Tamoxifen. But her father, a Surgeon, and her brother, an Internist, could not save her. He still wanted me to go up to the Huntsman Cancer Center for consultation.
He was surprised that I felt so good and had no pain. He is willing to continue to work with me and I feel thankful to have someone who will order the tests I need.
I asked him how I would know when I am cancer free and he said the only way would be to have a lumpectomy and have lymph nodes removed and tested. That is not on my agenda!!
If the AMAS test remains normal and when the Ultra Sound shows no tumor I will consider myself cancer free. I did learn that if I went the medical route - that with my type of cancer I would have a 20% - 50% chance of a 5 year survival. (He said I was probably between a state 3 and 4) That 20-50% rate is not acceptable to me. I believe God's way will give me a long, healthy life.

I will be flying to Portland, OR on Thursday to spend some time with my mother. Tawnya and Emma will fly out with me and spend 4 days with Grandma. After Tawnya flys back home on Sunday, mom and I will drive down to Southern Oregon to visit other relatives in the Myrtle Point, Bridge, Powers, Bandon area. I will return home on March 9th.

Continuing on my therapy is essential so I have plans on ways to do that while traveling.

Thank you, thank you for your continued prayers. God is good ~ and I am counting on the immune system He put in my body at creation to heal my body and to destroy the cancer cells and tumor.

Blessings to one and all~