CT Scan Results and Genetic Test Results

Happy Friday, it's been about a month since the last post and there's been a few bits of information to note including the last CT scan results and genetic test results.  Here we go:

CT Scan Results: I had a CT scan at SCCA on Monday 3/2 and met with Dr. Back on 3/9 to go over the results.  Long story short, the results came back positive and the cancer hasn't grown!  With that said, it hasn't shrunk either, but I'm definitely happy with the no-growth path.  There are still the same spots on my lungs and the same spot on the liver, but most importantly they haven't grown.  

Dr. Back also said that he would be comfortable moving the next appointment out three months instead of two, and that the riskiest time and greatest chance for recurrence is within 2 years of surgery.  Having past 6 months, I'm just about at 25% the way there.  There is a very small subset of patients who do well with the treatment and end up living a long time with the cancer, and for now I'm in that category (knock on wood).  He also reinforced that working 4 hours per day is medically correct at this time.  

Genetic Test Results: Last year after my diagnosis, I was given the option of having genetic testing done.  I opted into this test, as more information may help me understand the cause and may help in prevention of this disease in my siblings and son.  Needless to say this diagnosis was a shock to me as I have never smoked a cigarette, never smoked marijuana or done any drugs, so I assumed there was a genetic mutation.  Back in December, a couple genetic tests were done, one by SCCA, and another experimental test conducted by the University of Washington.  I got the results back a few weeks ago, and was presented their findings.  

The SCCA test showed that there were no indicators of genetic mutations that are commonly associated with colon cancer, but with that said, they only tested 30 genes out of around 24,000, as there isn't enough research and knowledge about the remaining 23,970.  Although this was the most extensive test option available, their only finding was a mutation with gene PMS2, which they said they didn't know enough about this gene or mutation to draw any associations, called a "variable of unknown significance".

The UW experimental test was more thorough, checking about 120 genes out of the 24,000.  Similar to the SCCA test results, they identified a mutation in gene PMS2, but nothing else to note.  I was sure the genetic tests would find something, but because the research conducted to this point is limited, I understand there is much more to learn about the remaining 99.995% of genes we don't know enough about.

I have made many small and some larger changes in my daily life to hopefully reduce the chance of cancer recurrence or growth.  I'll share this in another post and would like to hear about other things from you I could be doing.  

Keep sending the positive thoughts, prayers, juju, vibes, and whatever else you're doing, because it's working!  Have a great weekend and thanks for reading!