
Some of you may have noticed that after we celebrated my very low CEA in April, the second half of my test results were never posted.
There was a reason.
On 4/22, my Signatera results came back at 7.7 — the highest result I have ever had. Signatera is a circulating tumor DNA test, and for me, there is only one acceptable number: ZERO.
I know I have been very open about sharing my journey, but for some reason, I just couldn’t bring myself to share this result. I didn’t want to give it any energy. I wasn’t going to accept that number as my fate, and I wasn’t ready to believe it could be true.
I immediately went back to doing everything I could to fight.
Unfortunately, the CT scans that followed showed two enlarged lymph nodes in my left chest and two spots on my left lung. Additional testing confirmed what we didn’t want to hear — it was the same colon cancer, just showing up in a new location.
So, I began oral chemotherapy.
Then came some encouraging news.
On 6/29, my Signatera had dropped from 7.7 to 1.88!
As some time passed and I wrapped my head around everything, I finally felt ready to share what had happened. One of the reasons I have always shared this journey is because I want something good to come from it. If my story can help even one person avoid going through what I have gone through, then sharing it is worth it.
Please, get your colonoscopy. Screening can find precancerous polyps so they can be removed before they become cancer, and it can find colorectal cancer early when treatment is often more effective.
But before I even had the opportunity to sit down and write this post, my NEXT Signatera result came in.
Drum roll please… 🥁
8/12 — ZERO!!!!
ZERO.
Mind blown. 🤯
Beyond grateful.
PRAISE GOD! 🙏🏻
So what does ZERO mean?
It means I received the result I had been praying for. It means no circulating tumor DNA was detected in that blood sample.
But it does not mean I can take my foot off the gas.
I still need follow-up scans. I still have to remain on chemotherapy, which is certainly not without its side effects. And I still have to keep fighting and doing everything I can to stay one step ahead of this disease.
The good news is that overall, I feel pretty darn good! I haven’t missed a minute of work or play, and I plan to keep it that way. ❤️
So now I’m asking for one thing from all of you…
Please pray for CLEAR SCANS tomorrow, Tuesday 8/29! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
We got our ZERO.
Now let’s pray the scans tell the same story. ❤️
GET YOUR COLONOSCOPY!
You are a warrior role model!! Wrapping you in positive vibes!
Sending you positive thoughts and prayers. You are the strongest woman i know. Keep on fighting. 💙❣️
Praying for ZERO from now on 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻. You got this