"It was our pleasure..."

The lab results of the colonoscopy I had last month arrived in our mailbox last week. Two identical letters were sent. Not sure why. The results are kinda good news/bad news. The good news is that there was no microscopic colitis found in the random biopsies/tissue samples. That was the first I learned what they were looking for. The bad news is we are no closer to resolving my digestive problems. It's ironic, but I suppose at some point I want a test that comes back "positive" for something so we can start treating for the trots. 

The first sentence after the salutation "Dear Mr. Schrag," is: "We had the pleasure of performing a colonoscopy at Penn State Hershey Medical Center April 25, 2014.....". Really? "The pleasure"?? I often wondered what drove med students to enter this specialty. Regardless, the pleasure was NOT all mine. But I'm glad they enjoyed it.

We are pinning our hopes on the gastroenterologist specialist we are scheduled to see the first week in June. I continue to take chemo - orally and by infusion. That doesn't help me feel any better. Both chemos are at reduced amounts because too many of my white cells are killed with full dose. Also, fewer pills to help me tolerate it better. On the bad news side of things, my tumor marker keeps escalating:

• April 9 — 173.9
• April 16 — 195.0
• April 30 — 250.3
• May 7 — 376.7

I've had blood tumor numbers like this before, but they will really fuel my oncologist's desire to keep the chemo up. I'm weaker than ever and on Sunday purchased two new pairs of pants because Barb said I was "drowning" in my 34" waist trousers. I guess folding over/bunching up the waist of pants is not a good fashion look!

My journey with cancer is taking me down a new path and it is not pleasant. I have good days and bad days. In fact I have good hours and bad hours. I don't enjoy eating much at all anymore.

We continue to be grateful for all the love and support of friends and family. It's hard to image a better support system.

/Ricky