Thank you all so much! John, do you have your test results yet?
As for me, there were no changes in the CT scan; i.e., no new lesions, etc. My blood work was also good. Re: Liver enzymes, only the AST was a little high...but just 3 points above the high end of normal. My eosinophils were high, but that's just an indication of inflammation from the hep C.
I asked about grade and stage. The hepatologist said I am stage 3, grade 3-4, per biopsy done in May '07. My blood work does not reflect that, which only goes to show that it's not always a good indicator of what's going on inside.
For now, though, she felt I am doing well enough that I won't need another CT and blood work for 4-6 mos.
She said they were amazed at how well I had done, through the liver cancer, post-surgical hernias, etc. I told her I had great doctors, but she said to give myself credit, too, for doing all the right things.
I did tell the doctor that I really do not want treatment at this time, just when I'm starting to feel decent. She also felt I should I "take a break" after all I've been through. She did say that there is a new drug to prevent recurrence of certain cancers, and if I had any suspicious lesions in the future, she would put me on that, along with another drug. She also will refer me for any new hep C treatments that might come along.
I had gained 4 lbs. since the end of July, so I need to cut down the amount of food I'm eating, as I'm eating all the right things...just too much of them!
Again, thanks for the prayers and good thoughts. They seem to have helped!
Hugs,
Connie