Death of Porlock, ACT III
I just finished my pre-op appointment, getting my vitals scrutinized and the details to prepare for surgery. Most interestingly, I got my latest CA results. My marker fell another 4 points, to 18! After 7 weeks of taking high dose cannabis formulated to kill cancer, my marker decreased by almost 50%. Sometimes the crazy conspiracy corners of the internet are true.
It's possible the cannabis is somehow interfering with the CA test, but I think that is unlikely, so my hopes are buoyed. We will know soon enough. The surgeons and pathologist should see evidence of cell death, called apoptosis. I hope they document the apoptosis. We need more proof, more data, that for some tumors cannabis has powerful antineoplastic (anti-tumor) properties.
Surgery is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. The OR is booked for 5 hours with an hour or two in recovery. Bruce will be posting news that I made it through surgery in late afternoon or early evening.
Thank you for all the love and support; I appreciate and need it. But a reminder that this is major surgery. To illustrate, last time I was in hospital for 9 days. I couldn't wash my own hair for 3 weeks because I couldn't lift my arm above my head. I couldn't manage, oh, how to say this politely, "bathroom sanitary operations" for two weeks. When the abdomen is assaulted with 12 inch incisions and 54 staples it's hard to move. I will be sleeping lots, and at all hours. So, please limit calls and texts to really, really important issues. Emails are great. Posting on the blog is even better. Bruce will post info about visiting and how to be helpful as I recover.
Hugs to all,
MK
P.S. I just noticed an error on my chart. I promise to update and correct as I can. But the gist of it is correct.
Comments (42)
I’m so excited that surgery is still on. I will hope to be able to visit you if you want, but will check through Evelyn. And I’m so excited that the cannabis seems to be delivering the goods.
Anxious to get there. We are so encouraged‼️ See you tomorrow Sweetie Mom
So happy to hear that there's promising news!
Wendy and I are so pleased that your CA results are on the decline Michelle. Best wishes for the operation and we are looking forward to receiving good news post-op. Cheers, Barry & Wendy Finlay (from Oz).
Hi Wendy and Barry! how nice to hear fom you. A few weeks ago I was sorting through pictures and came across the lovely one of all of us at Foley Bridge and our house warning in our new flat. And that cute mini cake you gave us from the covered market. fun. Hope you are well, mk
Hi Michelle, we often look through the photos and reminisce about our time in beautiful Oxford with our lovely friends from the US. Ah, Folly Bridge, the covered market, the pubs, the party at the Jericho flat .... We are both well thank you. Looking forward to hearing from you in the next few weeks. Cheers B & W
Well, isn't that fabulous. I am buoyed as well. I'm hoping for much less than 5 hours in the OR with laparoscopic surgery, but we will be there for help and support no matter what it
Hooray! Michelle, you are becoming an expert. Apoptosis here we come! You are the best, and we are all cheering you on. I am sending you all my best vibes for a successful surgery with an excellent outcome (and not too much difficulty in the recovery). Hugs, M
Thanks Maria, I gott keep fighting so I can get a job at the new Harvard medical cannabis institute. Please keep me posted if you see news. Its so encouraging.
This is SPLENDID news! We will be sending you love and support. And extra thoughts to guide the hands of the surgeons! K
Sending you lots of healing energy. I wish I could do more. Just spend 7 hours in Infusion. So I'm not very available for help but lots of spiritual support
Joyce, you hang in there and keep fighting too.
Sending positive energies from the east coast. Your news of the positive effects of the cannabis is so encouraging. I know all will go well; your spirit and support network is strong. Step by step... Much love, Jen
hugs hugs to you, BJ and kids.
Hi Michelle, ThIs news is so encouraging! I send you much healing energy and can't wait to paint with you in the near future! I look forward to hearing from Bruce on Wednesday with your good news and how I can help in the future healng period! Many hugs, Helena
Can't wait to hear all about the France painting trip. Yes, I look forward to painting in the garden this summer.
Charles Swindoll says "Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it." In your case it's 5% and 95%! You are invincible, unbreakable, unstoppable, unshakeable -- a true champion! Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you tackle this latest opponent. We believe you'll emerge victorious! Bruce, we'll be thinking of you and (virtually) sitting by your side to lend moral support while you wait to rejoin your soulmate. Love and hugs to you both! Naomi & Bob Martin
thank you for all these fabulous adjectives. I hope I live up to them. The favorite I often use is Unsinkable, because in 4th grade that was my end of the year award.
this graph makes me happy :)
this makes me happy too. yeah graphs and charts.
Love the slope of this line, Michelle! I have a vision of Porlock tumbling down it, undone by THC and your amazing attitude and strength of will. We were watching part of some ancient pirate movie tonight. The heroine, who was captain of the pirate ship, reminded me of you as she overcome one obstacle after another. She got frequent support from a handsome rival treasure seeker and together they finally located the treasure deep in a cave, at which point we turned it off to head for bed. They still had a way to go to retrieve the treasure, beat off the bad guys, and sail off into the sunset, but I'm certain they were going to succeed just as I am certain you, with all the support you have from your loving family and friends, will do as well. Headlines read...swashbuckling Michelle, cheered on by her crew and armed only with a scalpel, drives Porlock off in the gangplank and into oblivion. Cheers, love and one big pre-op hug, Milly
I have never thought of myself as a pirate, but cool.
Her love of the sea and adventure were the traits that made me think of you (and she was a beautiful pirate!). With your world-wide support group cheering you on, I’m confident “pirate“ Michelle will indeed pulverize Poldark. Meanwhile my thoughts and love are with you tonight and tomorrow. Milly
We are sending love your way and hope your surgery is not as bad as last time. Really excited about your cannabis treatments and lower test scores. Love ya Michelle
Patty, yes, oh please lets have laproscopic! hugs, MK
So exciting to see your CA markers fall like that, Michelle! You and Mary Jane make a powerful combo;p Sending you lots of healing thoughts, hugs and happy feelings from Summertown! Leslie xx
Thanks Leslie, I miss you guys, I want to come visit.
Your Oxford contingency is routing for you, praying, sending love and healing wishes, fasting, putting your name on various prayers rolls, and generally doing whatever we can think of to send successful healing power your way. xxx
Shelley, happy belated birthday. I heard you had a big bash. I want to hear all about it. We will skype in a week or so.
Awesome wonderful talented friend— holding you in our hearts now- and on Wednesday- be there for recovery and any necessary tasks. Xoxo Hodgie and Laurel
miss you, but hope your having a fab trip. Eat somthing yummy and take a pretty walk for me.
Dearest Michelle, We will keep positive, healing thoughts of you Wednesday. Love, Cary and Liz
Thinking of you and wishing you an easy recovery and continued cannabis success. Sending healing, comforting, harmonious thoughts and will sing for you this weekend.
thanks Paula.
Thinking of you and sending love!
Thanks SHannon, hope you are well. We should catch up sometime. in a few weeks lets skype. I need to know what your up too. big hug,
Thinking of you, remembering Oxford, wishing I could be with you, lots of love and hugs, Rosa
ROsa, wish you were here too and we were just hiking in the green so cal hills. we are having a lovely cool spring and the flowers are lasting much longer than usual.
Porlock is goin' down! Your fighting spirit + intelligence + humor + community + care + family + a big slug of THC = Porlock pummeling & pulverization (how's that for an alliteration?!) Sending you waves of love, Sarah Ettman
P cubed! thanks Sarah.
Ok, I'm going to be thinking HARD about you tomorrow -- sending lots of positive energy your way. I suspect I will have lots of company! I'm looking forward to seeing you when it's done, and trying to keep you entertained as you recover!
Amazing news, praying for your surgery tomorrow. 18 is low!