So to recap, at it's height the hCG # was 64,000. Last week it was 9.9. Single digits. So low they start marking decimal points. That's some amazing medicine!! We need to get to zero - less than 2 is actually the measurement. While it seems like it's so close, we've been here before. In 2009, I was <2 for two weeks and then it bumped up to 2.4, resetting the "3 consecutive zero's" count. So this end game can get a little tricky.
Plus, Dr. Evans explained it like this. The number drop is important, but the percentage is even more so. For a while, the hCG level dropped by more than 50% - an astonishing drop. The decrease from 11 to 9.9 is still good though - a 10% drop. But as you can see, it starts to slow down a bit. Like on Biggest Loser, when someone is 500 pounds they drop the first 50 lbs in no time. It's that pesky last 10 pounds that takes forever to shave off. We're in the 10 pound range ... and by golly if I could run for miles and do hundreds of sit-ups to get to <2 I would. It's just that that won't help AND I get winded just going up a flight of stairs. So it's up to the chemo.
Had infusions last Wednesday and Thursday. Nauseous all weekend. Big infusion coming up this Wednesday and more blood work. Keep your fingers crossed and the prayers coming. I'd like to say we're halfway through (my end-game was July 4th) but Dr. Evans cautioned rushing it (she said Labor Day - Bah! Humbug!) Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot. I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Can you?
 |
| I was so cold the first time I was in the hospital, they put warm blankets over my head. Beth says I was envoking Mother Teresa with the blue stripes. I know one thing: I ain't no Saint. |
Prayers are sent your way Mer!!
ReplyDeleteReminds me. I need to donate platelets. Perhaps I can make the cut if you need them again.
ReplyDelete