Logical Thinking

I didn’t mention this in my latest entries, but my CA 19-9 went up recently from the low of 645 to a bit over 1000.  As  a reminder, the CA 19-9 is a Cancer Marker that is floating around in your blood.  Normal is below 35.  When I found out I had Cancer, they initial marker reading was 64,000.   I have been super proud and my body has been really responsive to go from 64,000 to 645.

My doctor mentioned that it could be that the cocktail I’m on (Folfirinox) is not working anymore.  He’s seen 6 to 8 months before Pancreatic Cancer starts mutating into a smarter way to keep growing (I picture a team of little tumor cancer scientist feverishly working on that)

My positive attitude isn’t going down that route.  I am thinking taking 5 weeks off (because you tried to bleed to death) would give the tumors a little time to grow.  I mean it’s 400 points!

I get my next CA 19-9 test at the end of this month and it will help tell the tale.  I had one treatment two weeks ago and I went in yesterday to get my second one this month (my 10th overall)  My platelets came back low and I almost didn’t get that 10th treatment.  My wonderful nurse called the Doctor and I had begged her to let me do it.  He agreed and the treatment was done without issue.

Another treatment two or three weeks from now wouldn’t affect the test.  We’ll get the CA 19-9 test at the end of the month and I’ll try using logic again to see where I’m heading.  I’m placing my bets on a number lower than 1,000.  If Folfirinox is working for you the studies indicate that it will work for couple of years (maybe).

I know this is long, but one more thing I have to add.  Of the two treatments I’ve had recently, I haven’t experienced Mouth Neuropathy with either one.  I still soak my hands and haven’t had Hand Neuropathy, but the ability to continue icing my drinks and eating ice cream has me puzzled.  I will admit to having some tingling in my feet these days.

One of my theories is that the big dose of Benedrly I now get before the “Bad Neuropathy” (remember my fancy allergic reaction I developed on my 8th treatment) is protecting me?  That wouldn’t explain the feet tingling, but maybe the Neuropathy HAS to go somewhere.  If it can’t get to the hands, it goes to the mouth, and if it can’t go to either, maybe it’s the feet?  No, but I’m happy about the hands and mouth and if I have to start soaking my feet… I will 🙂