Hello everyone! Thank you for the encouragement, prayers and positive stories. I continue to improve! My last CEA on May 20 was 6.4, and I will begin chemo round 10 on Monday. My hair has been thinning which isn't fun, but it is a side effect so I deal with it. I have been having neuropathy in my fingers (numbness), so my oncologist adjusted the dosage of Oxaliplatin, and because of increased fatigue she stopped the 5-FU bolus that the nurses give before attaching the ball. I did finally get an answer to why surgery was not an option initially: it was 1) because of the metastasis to liver and both lungs, and 2) I would have to wait 6 to 8 weeks following surgery before starting chemo and they wanted to start chemo right away to stop the spread. My second opinion rectal cancer oncologist located in Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL, agreed with the plan that I'm currently on. My oncologist here locally did talk about maintenance chemo starting possibly in July after 12 rounds of chemo, and my next CT scan to see exactly how the tumor and mets are measuring. Keep praying and offering encouragement! Sending love and appreciation to all of you!