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Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Les' Latest Scan Results

"Miracles sometimes occur, but one has to work terribly hard for them." ~Chaim Weizmann, Chemist, First president of Israel, 1874-1952

     Today was scan result day for Les. I stayed on the boat and kept myself busy washing four loads of clothes and drying them before he came home, cleaning up the boat, filling the coal bucket, bringing wood in to dry, answering emails--anything to keep my mind occupied so it couldn't play the game "What if...?" I haven't had a decent night's sleep in a week between the pain in my knees and the thoughts I've evaded going 'round in the back of my head. 
     Les called me this afternoon to say that the spot they found in his lung six months ago, and which had grown from 4 to 5 millimeters as of three months ago, has not grown since then. The scan found no other lesions in his thoracic or abdominal region or in any of his organs in these areas. They are mystified though as his PSA blood cancer marker test has risen although they cannot find any reason for it to do so.  After review by a medical panel they may recommend a PET scan.
     I know from all the research I've done--especially regarding alternative cancer treatments, that stopping a treatment or going back to one's old diet can cause cancer markers to rise in the blood stream. We've been naughty eaters this holiday season, imbibing in alcohol, salt, dairy, red meat and sugar. Come January 2nd we will be back to our regular anti-cancer regimen again. 
     I also know that there are many, many non-cancerous things that can also cause one's cancer markers to rise. With respect to colorectal cancer, smoking is one of them. Les doesn't smoke anymore however we do stay warm with a solid fuel stove and it is powered by a combination of coal and wood. It is impossible not to inhale the smoke as one checks the fire, feeds it, rakes out the hot ash, etc. It could definitely be a valid reason for Les' PSA markers to rise. 
     Finally I know from my own experience as an ovarian cancer survivor, just how imperfect PSA tests can be. They present false-positives and negatives frequently. Some research indicates that PSA test results can be incorrect at least 50% of the time. While cancer was colonizing my right ovary, my ovarian PSA marker test came back as nine.  Zero to 35 is considered within the normal range. This innocent number nine led my ObGyn surgeon to believe I had nothing to fear. Nothing could have been further from the truth. 
     On New Year's Eve we will celebrate that our journey together has carried on to this point of quiet optimism. We will lift a glass of Asti Spumante to toast all of our friends and loved ones far and wide whom we miss; we will lift our glasses with tears in our eyes for those of our Best beloveds who died this past year. We will toast to each other, our steadfast love, and the chance for one more trip around the sun together. Blessed Be...

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

How Wonderful that you have cause for an optimistic end of the year! Yea!!! Big Time YEA! Keep on keeping on and putting one foot in front of the other.
Karen in white an sunny (at the moment) Pullman

Tom and Jan said...

Booze...... You can afford booze! Back to the oats and bran I say! 😁

Congratulations on the positive news.

Unknown said...

So happy to hear this mommy I love you and da to the moon and back may you both have many more trips around the moon together

Carol said...

Brilliant news indeed!

Herbie Neil said...

I had to read a few other blogs and even then steel myself to open this one. But comforting news, thank goodness. Let's hope the PSA market is just a 'blip'.
Have a good Christmas and New Year.
Kath (nb Herbie)

Carapace said...

Wonderful news Jaq and Les. Keep up the good work with the diet, it obviously works for you. Lovely end to the year. Enjoy the festive season.
Carolyn. Carapace x x x

Geoff and Mags said...

Great news, just in time for Christmas. Best prezzie ever!
Keep well, have a good one.
XXX

Unknown said...

PSA tests can indicate many things.
My oncologist suggests anything higher
than 5 is major cause for concern;
especially for males.
And the "test" is the indicator
for prostate cancer; having been subjected
to over three years of chemo, not quite
sure could what may of cancer has
survived.

I am very happy for Les; and you
Jaq. May you both have a Merry Christmas.

Mrs. Jaqueline Biggs said...

Hi Karen,
Yes!! YEA!!! And yea that Washington State got snow! Hopefully there will be less drought and no more raging wild fires this next summer. Enjoy the white stuff for me. No snow here.
Love Jaq and Les xxxx

Mrs. Jaqueline Biggs said...

LOL!" Hi Tom and Jan,
Replace the oats and bran with grass and pine cones and you have the exact same thought from my daughters! We will enjoy our holiday indeed. YOu both do the same and we will toast to you tomorrow at dinner.
Love Jaq and Les xxxx

Mrs. Jaqueline Biggs said...

LOL! Sleepy Spark??? We are traveling around the sun--not the moon--but we love your good thoughts and sentiments. Da and I love you TO the moon and back again!
Momma xxxx

Mrs. Jaqueline Biggs said...

Thanks Carol! Happy hols. Sending big hugs to you and George. xxxx

Mrs. Jaqueline Biggs said...

Awww Kath, thanks so much for your love, good wishes, and offer of assistance throughout Les' cancer journey. It does take its toll and I appreciate your honesty about it. We were due for some good news and pleased to share it with all our peeps!
Jaq and Les xxxx

Mrs. Jaqueline Biggs said...

Hi Carolyn,
We are pretty chuffed indeed. It is such a relief to know that all my research (thousands of hours) have paid off for Les. When people discover he has cancer they are always taken aback. He looks so healthy and indeed other than the lesion on his lung, he is, for which we are both grateful.
Happy holidays form us both!
Jaq and Les xxx

Mrs. Jaqueline Biggs said...

Hi Geoff and Mags,
We will indeed enjoy our hols and we will remember you both as we toast our joy and good fortune. Stay warm,stay dry! xxx

Mrs. Jaqueline Biggs said...

Dear Beloved Bryce,
Sadly all too often Chemo created genetic changes in our DNA that support the growth of second line cancers caused by the treatment which is supposed to cure the initial cancer in the first place.

I wish with all my heart we had "met" earlier. Still, hope and laughter are very potent medicines and so is love. If I could love you well again I would mate. I know it is rough and the slough of despond is ever near, but I have a challenge for you: can you find two funny films a week and one funny book a month to watch/read and keep me posted on which ones you choose?

I'll start you out with the film American Dreamer from the 1980's. YOu have to start watching it from the very first credits as it has three plots lines running concurrently! for funny books I challenge you to read the American "Shit My Dad Says, by Justin Halpern. I know you will keep up your juicing, as it does make a difference in how we feel. Know that Les and I are here any time you want to talk.
Sending Biggs big hugs across the pond,
Jaq and Les xxxx

Anonymous said...

Great news, guys! Happy New Year to you both.

Alistair

NB Valerie & Steam Train by Les Biggs

NB Valerie & Steam Train by Les Biggs