talk 732

A Hopeful Summer
---- Thanks for the Prayers ----

by Karen Kao (C33)----August 11, 2007

This summer is mostly gone, leaving us with a week or two till school starts again. I hope everyone had a nice relaxing vacation. I am so happy to be able to see some of you in the last few weeks.

Since my last report about "All Done With Treatment", I was extremely fatigue the couple of weeks following the last radiation treatment. During that time, afternoons were mostly for naps. Then, slowly, the body started to recover. For the last couple of weeks, there were noticeable daily improvements. I am feeling much better now and not quite as fatigue anymore.

Yesterday afternoon Bill and I went to my follow-up appointment with Dr. Ray, my radiation oncologist. A week prior, Dr. Wu, my primary oncologist, had ordered all sorts of tests and scans for reviews. So, I had been very busy with all these scans and tests. Here are the results:

1. The blood test was as normal as can be, with the exception of the elevated liver enzyme that was five times normal. Dr. Wu said that was due to residual from the radiation cumulation and should be back to normal in a few more weeks. She already ordered follow-up blood test for next week.

2. Endoscopy pictures showed the bump in the stomach had already disappeared, the swelling subsided with some redness remaining. Biopsy samples tested negative for lymphoma.

3. PET/CT scan that was done with injection of radioactive glucose, did not show any visible cancer. Both Dr. Wu and Dr. Ray said that the cancer has been cured for now. But cancer is not considered healed until after 5 years of no recurrence. I will have to live the lifestyle for cancer prevention and be careful with what I eat for the next several years.

Moving forward, I plan to be back at work around August 20. It will probably be difficult for the first few weeks. I may work part-time or take lots of vacation days in between. Early retirement is also an option.

Thank you for your support with prayers, phone calls, cards, flowers, and well wishes that are all very much appreciated. I am sure your prayers helped ease my treatment and recovery process.