A better colonoscopy

Hi Family and Friends
I wanted to update you from our last blog. We've gotten a bit behind with our updates. We did get Debbie's blood work back that tests for tumor markers. A tumor marker is a substance found in the blood that is produced by the tumor. Here's some terminology for ya...CEA. That's short for carcinoembryonic antigen. That's the bad stuff produced by the tumor. Her marker came back at 0.8. Anything less than 2.5 for a non-smoker is considered normal. So if the marker is low, nothing bad is producing bad substances meaning there probably isn't a tumor growing. So we are good there.

Today was Debbie's follow-up colonoscopy and the results came back negative, which is good. The doc did see a small ulcer and did biopsy the area. He didn't seem too concerned and we'll know the results in about a week. I feel very confident that an ulcer is all it is. We had the same doctor as the last time and he was so relieved to give us that news, as opposed to what he had to tell us a little over a year ago. Deb does have to do another one in a year.

Next week we have a CT scan scheduled and when it comes back negative (and it will) I think we'll have a little time off from poking and prodding and tests. She still needs to get blood work done about every 3 months but that is not so bad. We get to see our Rocky Mountain Cancer Center family that way.

We feel very fortunate that we have doctors and surgeons who are so pro-active with Deb and her care. If, God forbid, there ever is recurrence they want to be able to treat it at the very beginning stages...but of course we'll never have to worry about that.

Thanks again for your caring and support of Deb and our family. It is most appreciated.

-Doug