I guess we left Maumee just in time - to avoid the beginning of the latest snowfall. Here in Zion there was no additional snow even though their piles of snow are still around.
When we left the hotel to come to the hospital this morning, the sun was shining and it wasn't so cold that you froze to death just stepping outside. We got here, signed in and immediately went to the second floor where they do the port access and blood draw. We were not scheduled to see the doctor today so normally the blood work they do is not as complete as it is when we see her. We knew, however, that they would be testing for CEA today because, depending on that reading, we might be making some adjustments to the treatments.
We got the results just before chemo. Two weeks ago, the CEA reading had jumped to 5 from the previous reading of 3.4. Today's reading was 4.3. Praise God!! We were told that if that reading was higher today, we would have to begin taking an additional medication which has it's own set of special unpleasant side effects.
There are so many lessons to be learned through this journey. We go to God with our problems -- we pray and then we tend to take those problems back and worry about them instead of leaving it with Him. That is the human part of us. He is there for us - He makes that promise to us. What we should be doing is putting it in His hands and not continuing to worry about it.
Outside the cafeteria here is a white board with a map of the USA on it. There are markers available for people to write comments. We usually check it out and sometimes put our name on the state of Ohio. Today we saw a reference to Jeremiah 29:11 AGAIN!! That scripture reference has appeared to us previously when things have not been going that great!! God keeps reminding us that He is in control... he knows the plan and we need to have faith that His plan is best for us.
Please keep the comments and emails coming -- I love hearing from you -- and keep us in your prayers!!
Hi Arnie & Sharon,
ReplyDeleteYou have no idea how I relate to every step of your journey out there. Right from the drive out, to the weather, to the port access & blood draw, to the results of the latest blood work and the apprehension before & relief after receiving a good report. It's amazing how much you learn in dealing with this disease.
Then to the cafeteria and the white marker board. I always stopped and read it every time I went by it. The Lord always seemed to have a word or verse of encouragement on there that seemed to be intended for us. I know many others felt the same way.
The Medical Center & it's staff were always such a source of encouragement to me as a care giver for Sharon and to her as a patient. It's difficult for me to imagine going through treatment any where else because of the confidence I gained and they earned in the way they cared for us and the other patients and their caregivers.
I appreciate your very real expression of thoughts and feelings about all that the two of you are experiencing. It's good for you and those here at home who want to walk this journey with you and are praying for you as well.
May God bless the two of you with safety and comfort on your drive home.
As ever,
Joe
Great news! Bless you both.
ReplyDeleteThis is such encouraging news! Every time we get good news it makes me wonder why we ever thought twice about it. God is good and he is definitely in control. I love you both!!! You are both an inspiration to all of us who love you.
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