We just returned from a truly wonderful vacation, one that gave us some much-needed rest and joy. I’ll be sharing more about that in a separate post, but today I want to update you on where things stand with my health.

A Clinic Visit Right After Vacation

Last Monday after we got home Saturday, I headed to the clinic for an appointment with my oncologist. The tumor board had reviewed my case while we were gone and after thoughtful consideration, they are recommending liver resection surgery. I guess when your surgeon calls you in the middle of Disneyland, that has to be a good sign! Thursday July 24th will be the big day!

This surgery will remove 20% of the bottom left lobe of my liver, along with the tumor, which has shrunk from over 10 cm down to 5 cm. That’s a big step forward, and I’m deeply grateful for that progress. I truly feels this gives be a much better shot at keeping this cancer at bay then worrying about if it starts growing again!

One amazing fact: the liver is the only organ that can regenerate itself. The doctors are hopeful that I won’t experience any long-term side effects from this procedure. That’s reassuring as we head into this next phase.

A Pause in Chemotherapy and a Hopeful Lung Report

With surgery on the horizon, chemotherapy is currently on hold. We’ll reassess my treatment plan after I recover, using the results from my next scan, scheduled for the end of August.

Another encouraging update came from my lung scan. Things looked very good. There are only two small spots remaining, both under 1 mm! The radiation oncologist is confident enough to take a “watch and wait” approach. If these areas remain stable or shrink further, radiation may not be necessary at all. That is the hope we are holding onto.

CEA Numbers and Ongoing Monitoring

My CEA number (a marker used to monitor my type of cancer) is now down to 3.9. While our goal is to get it below 2.9, which would place it in the normal range, this is still great progress. My doctor will continue monitoring it monthly, as it’s proven to be a helpful diagnostic tool in my case. If only my first oncologist in Akron would have taken this test much more seriously!

Moving Forward With Hope

This journey has been filled with both challenges and victories. Right now, I’m incredibly thankful for the progress we’ve seen, the excellent care I’ve received, and the support that surrounds me, especially your prayers. I know that the prayers and lifestyle changes have done more for me than any modern medicine out there! It has taken a combined effort to get me where I am today.

There’s more to come soon, including some joy-filled stories from our recent travels. Stay tuned!

With peace , love and gratitude, Michelle