Scan Results and the way forward

Today (Friday August 24 2012), Dr Young shared with us the results of the CT Scan that was performed yesterday.

Teresa's tumor is smaller than the original scan. That is good news, certainly, from our original scan. Dr. Young was very pleased that things were moving in the right direction, especially since we have only had 4 rounds of chemo.

Teresa is still in Baptist Hospital receiving fluids and trying to get her digestive system back on track. We are to receive a different medication to help that along today and then tomorrow morning we will be discharged.

Our next round of chemo won't be until the day after Labor Day, which gives Teresa a much needed break. We will continue on the protocol that we have been following with a slight reduction in the dosage of the drug that is the source of our digestive issues.

Keep praying. This is good news but it is not the best news which is a complete healing from cancer!

Nothing is too hard for our Jesus and we are trusting simply in what He has told us.

We are going to celebrate Alfie's baptism on Sunday. It will be a great start to a great week.

We love you all and thank you for your prayers, your support, your food and your embodiment of the Spirit of Jesus.

A Scan and A Hospital Stay

I want to give everyone a quick update. Teresa finished her 4^th round of chemotherapy on Monday August 13, 2012. Our first follow up CT Scan was scheduled for Friday, August 24.

This past week the severe side effects from the chemo became chronic. Home health care came to the house on Tuesday (the 20^th) to administer IV fluids. On Wednesday (the 21^st), the side effects continued so Teresa was admitted to Baptist Hospital that morning.

She continues to receive fluids and the staff is working to get her system back in working order. Since we were already in the hospital, Teresa had her CT scan today (Thursday the 23^rd). We anticipate having the results of that test tomorrow.

Teresa is resting well and her spirits and her courage continue to be high, which is extremely normal for her. She is my hero.

I will try to post updates here as we get them.

Mixed Emotions

It’s been about 3 weeks since I have been able to post a blog. Sorry about the delay, it’s just been a busy time.

Someone described their journey through cancer as one big roller coaster and I couldn’t agree more. There are up days and down days. You can attempt to predict them but those are hit and miss as well.

Then there are the days of mixed blessings. This is one of those days. Today our 8-year old, Alfie, started 2^nd grade at Madison Station Elementary. After being home-schooled by Teresa for the last two years, we are so blessed to have a quality school with a quality teacher to continue his education. And at the same time, Teresa and I both feel that something special has been stolen from us. That may seem trivial to some of you but it’s a real burden for us. We trust that Jesus will protect him and that he will learn the right things, the good things. And I pray that the LORD will grant us peace as we release him.

As far as her treatments, overall, Teresa seems to be tolerating them. We have had one really lousy week but most of the others have been manageable.

The pain seems to be under control for the most part and that is a blessing, although she experiences 4 days of bone pain from an injection that helps boost her white cell production.

We will have one more treatment before we have an updated scan. I will try to keep you posted.

Thanks for following us. I know you take time out of your day to read these. I don’t have much in the way of a spiritual challenge or application, but some days you are just living out life with Him at your side. Some days that has to be enough.