HEALTH REPORT 11.04.09

I am writing this piece on November 4, 2009 but I don’t know when it will show up on my blog.  Something is wrong with my blog account and it is being checked.
 

Yesterday I went back to my endocrinologist, Dr. Carlos Verdonk at Scott & White Hospital for a final evaluation until I finish at M D Anderson.  I am going to stay with M D Anderson until I complete my work with the Southwest Chinese Baptist Church in Houston.
 

The blood marker, Calcitonin, that indicates the presence of Medullary cancer cells in the body, was down from my test in August.   In August my Calcitonin level was 100 (it was 3500 at the time of my surgery in 2006).  My blood draw in November revealed a decrease to 84.  It is always a good sign to see the Calcitonin marker going down indicating less Medullary activity.  But it is likely to show an increase when I have my next blood draw in April.
 

I have to keep focused on the fact that Medullary Thyroid Cancer is a disease like diabetes – as yet, no known cure.  The best we can do is monitor and manage.
 

So, between now and April I intend to focus on my life counting in the Kingdom’s service and “taking no thought for the morrow.”  I am blessed to have a place of service among some of God’s choicest people whom I love and who love me back.  I have no pain and lots of energy.  I don’t think it gets any better than this.
 

This year the Atkinson family has much for which to be thankful and we ARE grateful.  Thank you, dear Lord!  And thanks to each of you who care enough about me to want to know how things are going.  Grace and peace!