TWO DANG STINKIN' FOUR! (woooo deee woooooo woooo wooo!)

So... we went to the doctor today. 

A week ago, Harv's CEA count -- which is only part of the picture of the cancer in his body -- was 2.4!!! Two point four! Remember, now, that "normal" is 0-5. (insert big smiley face right here)...

When we got the pathology report we were told that the tumor they removed had no margin -- which means that it's very possible that the "roots" of the tumor are still hangin' out in the liver. 

But still! 2.4 is pretty doggone good.

It doesn't mean we get to relax. It doesn't mean we don't have anymore trips to Seattle. But it does mean that the situation is not dire. It means that we continue to live in hope for a lot more years with the man that we know and love. It means that we continue to fight and continue to hope.

Dr. Lin ordered more blood work today and Harv will have more again in two weeks. Meanwhile, Dr. Lin will talk to Dr. Park and a team of doctors at UW and develop a "next steps" plan. Next steps might include radiation. Next steps will most likely include chemo -- probably a pump situation again. And, it's possible that after those steps or some combination of those steps in the order that seems best, that Harv will end up on some maintenance chemo.

I continue to be amazed at the prognosis we were given from other doctors who didn't seem to share the hope and possibility that we feel with Dr. Lin. We are aware that Harvey has cancer. We are aware that a "stage 4" diagnosis isn't really very positive... But! We also know that hope changes things. We know that often times there are miracles in life. And, we know that we've had two pretty doggone good years for a family who began this journey in fear and trembling. And, we are expecting more time with more good years..and we will continue to live and enjoy the life we've been given. ('cept I might be grumpy every now and then when Harvey doesn't put his shoes in the closet.)

Thank you for doing life with us. You have been a wonderful support to us all. 

We love you.