Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9
Wow! While I’m trying to be cautious in my optimism, I believe Amy has turned the corner with her pain. Sure there are times when she’s in pain and she still tires quite easily, but the pain she does have is greatly reduced from what she was experiencing on Saturday & Sunday. We have learned a few lessons in the past couple of days as well; 1) While Amy’s mind still thinks she can eat a full meal, her stomach can not and if she does try to eat too much, she will be paying for it (the idea is less food, more often). 2) Some foods aren’t tolerated by her stomach anymore. Whether this is a temporary condition or something she’ll have to be aware of from now on, we’ll just have to wait and see. She felt good enough that she went with me last night to take our nephew to Platteville where we met up with his parents to take him back. When we got back home she went straight to bed, but she had a good time and traveled quite well.
Found out yesterday that Amy’s CA19-9 on June 15th was 48. To remind you, CA19-9 (Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9) is a blood antigen that can be used to help indicate the presence of cancerous cells in the body, especially in the gastrointestinal tract and more specifically in the Pancreas. Amy’s CA19-9 level was 1036 before her Chemo/Radiation treatments and was 292 just before her surgery on May 31st . Normal range is right around 40!
In general, before surgery, the higher the CA19-9 level is, the larger the tumor is. For the purposes of evaluating treatment, a decreasing or stable CA19-9 level generally indicates an improved prognosis. So we have one more reason to praise God!
Psalms 7:17 I will give to the LORD the thanks due to His righteousness, and sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.
Psalms 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psalms 150:2 Praise Him for his mighty deeds; praise Him according to His surpassing greatness!
James 5:13 Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise.
This is Amy's story as seen and told by me - V
Found out yesterday that Amy’s CA19-9 on June 15th was 48. To remind you, CA19-9 (Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9) is a blood antigen that can be used to help indicate the presence of cancerous cells in the body, especially in the gastrointestinal tract and more specifically in the Pancreas. Amy’s CA19-9 level was 1036 before her Chemo/Radiation treatments and was 292 just before her surgery on May 31st . Normal range is right around 40!
In general, before surgery, the higher the CA19-9 level is, the larger the tumor is. For the purposes of evaluating treatment, a decreasing or stable CA19-9 level generally indicates an improved prognosis. So we have one more reason to praise God!
Psalms 7:17 I will give to the LORD the thanks due to His righteousness, and sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.
Psalms 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psalms 150:2 Praise Him for his mighty deeds; praise Him according to His surpassing greatness!
James 5:13 Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise.
This is Amy's story as seen and told by me - V
# posted by Vince @ 11:48 PM 
