Update on visit to Duke

Hi, everyone!

I wanted to take a few minutes to update you on our visit today...

You are all so faithful to pray, and I love you for that. I want you to have the most updated information so we all stay "in the loop".

Today was a day of marvelous news and a tiny bit of not so good news (but not a huge deal).

The wonderful news is that the nurse practitioner was amazed by the increase in my liver function. We will not be surprised because our God is so good. My liver function is almost back to normal!!! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!

Here are my numbers:

ALK PHOS - Normal range is 24 - 110

04/23/08 - Mine was 264
04/30/08 - 217
05/07/08 - 167

AST (SGOT) - Normal range is 15 - 41

04/23/08 - not registered
04/30/08 - 69
05/07/08 - 48

ALT (SGPT) - Normal range is 14 - 54

When I was in the hospital, this number was well over 300

04/23/08 - 275
04/30/08 - 116
05/07/08 - 63

Isn't this amazing!!! Praise God!!! I asked the n.p. what that meant as far as the cancer cells were concerned. She said this means that they are responding to chemo. They are dying and allowing my liver to go back to functioning the way it should. She told me that we still have to continue the plan of treatment because this cancer has to be managed forever (when God isn't factored in the equation). But, we are off to a great start!!!

Now, the not-so-great news...

When I began chemo, my white cell count was at 3800

Last week it was at 2100

Today, it was at 400

As you can guess, this is not good. I could not receive both drugs today. I was only able to take the herceptin. They are hoping that my wbc count goes up over the course of the week. I really need to start back on the Taxol next week. So, I am asking for specific prayer that the white blood cells in my body multiply like crazy this week!!!

This is going to put a lot of restrictions on me for a while. I was asked to avoid public places and crowds (as much as possible) and to limit the amount of visitors I have (especially children). I have to do a lot of hand washing and maintenance on germ control. Hey...it could be much worse!!!! God is going to bring us through this. I just know my body will overcome this setback!!!

I love you all...thank you for being here for me at all times

You are all precious to me!!

Tiffany Pate