In these days of political turmoil, Covid variants, earthquakes, avalanches, and ice storms, we seldom seem to hear any good news, but today was different for us.
It started with a phone call 45 minutes before we were planning to leave for the city to meet with the doctor to receive the results of the CT scans that I had last Friday. Scans that would tell us whether or not my neuroendocrine cancer (NETs) had grown or spread. Would I be okay with a phone consultation instead of meeting with the doctor in person? You bet I would! I’ve been feeling fine. I didn’t have any specific reason for needing to see the doctor in person and a phone call would save us four and a half hours of driving!
The really great news came with that second phone call, the call from the doctor himself. Almost immediately, I heard the word I’d been hoping for. Stable! But then I heard, “for the most part.” For the most part? What did that mean? “It’s good news” he hastened to assure me.
There has been a change, but it’s a change for the better! Twenty months after my final PRRT treatment, after feeling like I was stepping off a cliff because I would no longer be on any treatment other than the monthly injection that I’ve been receiving since diagnosis in 2013, I’m still improving! A spot on my liver has decreased in size since the last scan almost seven months ago!
Another indication of how I’m doing showed up in the blood work that accompanied my scans. Chromogranin A, a protein released by neuroendocrine cells, is the most valuable marker of neuroendocrine tumours. In December 2019, six months after that final PRRT treatment, my Chromogranin A level was 112, which in the words of my doctor, was “at or slightly above normal, but not worrisome.” By last August, it was down to 49 and now it’s 27! This, too, is pretty remarkable.
Neuroendocrine cancer is incurable. I’ll have scans and blood tests again six months from now and once again, we’ll wait for the results and hope to hear that wonderful word. Stable! In the meantime, we’re praising the Lord for today’s good news!
Following Augustine 
Praise God for this great news. I’m so happy for you. Anne
Definitely doing a happy dance today!
Praising the Lord! So happy for you Elaine
Thank you, Judy!
That is wonderful news, Elaine. May you have many more healthy, active years to enjoy with Richard and your family.
Thank you!
You’re right…. GREAT news!
Terri Boldt 780-571-3228Sent from my iPad
We are definitely rejoicing!
I praise God, as well! Very good news.
So glad to have good news to share!
Great news Elaine!
🙂
I am happy for your good news! Thank you for sharing it.
I’m so happy to have good news to share!
Praise the Lord!
Praying your good reports continue!
NOTHING is impossible with God!
Amen! God is so good!
Thanking our Almighty God for your good news!
He is so faithful!
As Eugene Peterson paraphrases psalm 100, vs 1 in the Message bible (I don’t think he’d mind my substituting a different pronoun)…
We are “on our feet now, applauding God!”
So, so good, to hear your news Elaine.
I love that, Randy! Thank you!
Awesome!Thanks be to God!
It’s definitely an answer to prayer!
Wonderful news, Elaine . God is good. ❤️🤗
Yes, He is!