HndrdPrcnt
10-22-2008, 01:49 AM
So we woke up this Monday morning with a mixed bag of emotions. The day of the follow-up appointment where we would find out the results of the high-definition CT Scan was finally here. What would we be told?? We kept ourselves so busy this last weekend so that we really didn't have time to even think about the upcoming appointment, but now the day had come and we were merely hours away from hearing what our future had in store.
While both Jen and I had some hard moments throughout the day, we both experienced a most amazing sense of peace that we were going to be ok. This overwhelming peace that we felt truly could have only been the result of all of the prayers that were being lifted to God on our behalf. Of course, answered prayers did not end there!!
We were joined by our dear friend Debbie Harris who came and picked us up for our appointment. Jen and I wanted to have one extra set of eyes, ears and an extra voice at the appointment in the case that we heard something that caused us to go silent. Anyhow, Debbie drove us to the appointment and after a short while of waiting, Dr. Bold entered the room. The time was finally here.
Dr. Bold pulled up the results of the scan right on the computer for us to see for our very own eyes. The report from the head radiologist read, no markable change in the scans from that of the scans taken immediately post-op. So, what did this mean???
Dr. Bold explained that while we have seen a steady increase in my polypeptide blood tests and the PET Scan showed activity suspicious of cancer growth, the high-resolution CT Scan was not able to make out any tumor growth. While this is not to say that I don't have any growth of tumors happening right now, it does mean that if there are tumors growing, they are currently less than 5mm in size.
So, now what?? Well, we have been given a 3-month "hall pass" (as Jen likes to call it) from any more tests, doctor appointments, or anything else. 3 more months to live without the stress of scans / appointments / etc. I will have to go back in early January for another high-resolution CT Scan to see if the tumors have grown large enough to be picked up in the scan. However, even at this rate of growth, even if they could do nothing to get rid of this cancer, I should have years ahead of me to look forward to.
This is all wonderful news and we could not be more excited!! However, I am continuing my planning and preparing for the worst. Not because I think that they are wrong and that I am going to pass from cancer any time soon. However, nothing is to say that I might not get hit by a semi truck while I am out driving to see one of my customers. Getting our family prepared and having plans in place for a tragedy is a good idea for EVERY family to have!!
I know that my journey is far from over and I know that we will continue to have to LIVE with cancer and all of the uncertainty and financial stress that comes with that. However, we are so wonderfuly grateful that we have that luxury and blessing to LIVE with cancer. I am not dying from cancer, I am LIVING with cancer and that is a beautiful thing!
Thank you again for all of your wonderful support! How awesome it is to see, hear & read that we have people praying for us in most of our 50 states and even in foreign countries!! We are so fortunate to have the group of supporters who are showering us in prayer! Our church, our family, and even people that have stepped forward and supported us in one way or another. We are seeing God's love shine through every one of you and we have seen that God truly does answer prayers!
I want to thank our most Holy God for each and every one of you and I ask that he blesses each and every one of you the way that you have all blessed us!!
We will continue to pray daily for all of you!
While both Jen and I had some hard moments throughout the day, we both experienced a most amazing sense of peace that we were going to be ok. This overwhelming peace that we felt truly could have only been the result of all of the prayers that were being lifted to God on our behalf. Of course, answered prayers did not end there!!
We were joined by our dear friend Debbie Harris who came and picked us up for our appointment. Jen and I wanted to have one extra set of eyes, ears and an extra voice at the appointment in the case that we heard something that caused us to go silent. Anyhow, Debbie drove us to the appointment and after a short while of waiting, Dr. Bold entered the room. The time was finally here.
Dr. Bold pulled up the results of the scan right on the computer for us to see for our very own eyes. The report from the head radiologist read, no markable change in the scans from that of the scans taken immediately post-op. So, what did this mean???
Dr. Bold explained that while we have seen a steady increase in my polypeptide blood tests and the PET Scan showed activity suspicious of cancer growth, the high-resolution CT Scan was not able to make out any tumor growth. While this is not to say that I don't have any growth of tumors happening right now, it does mean that if there are tumors growing, they are currently less than 5mm in size.
So, now what?? Well, we have been given a 3-month "hall pass" (as Jen likes to call it) from any more tests, doctor appointments, or anything else. 3 more months to live without the stress of scans / appointments / etc. I will have to go back in early January for another high-resolution CT Scan to see if the tumors have grown large enough to be picked up in the scan. However, even at this rate of growth, even if they could do nothing to get rid of this cancer, I should have years ahead of me to look forward to.
This is all wonderful news and we could not be more excited!! However, I am continuing my planning and preparing for the worst. Not because I think that they are wrong and that I am going to pass from cancer any time soon. However, nothing is to say that I might not get hit by a semi truck while I am out driving to see one of my customers. Getting our family prepared and having plans in place for a tragedy is a good idea for EVERY family to have!!
I know that my journey is far from over and I know that we will continue to have to LIVE with cancer and all of the uncertainty and financial stress that comes with that. However, we are so wonderfuly grateful that we have that luxury and blessing to LIVE with cancer. I am not dying from cancer, I am LIVING with cancer and that is a beautiful thing!
Thank you again for all of your wonderful support! How awesome it is to see, hear & read that we have people praying for us in most of our 50 states and even in foreign countries!! We are so fortunate to have the group of supporters who are showering us in prayer! Our church, our family, and even people that have stepped forward and supported us in one way or another. We are seeing God's love shine through every one of you and we have seen that God truly does answer prayers!
I want to thank our most Holy God for each and every one of you and I ask that he blesses each and every one of you the way that you have all blessed us!!
We will continue to pray daily for all of you!