We are back at CTCA in Zion Illinois. The break was so nice and we felt our life had returned to a sense of "normal"- whatever that is!
We knew we had to come back out here, so we arrived yesterday for the scan and had results this morning. The news we got was some good and some not exactly what we wanted to hear. The rib is stable. There is evidence of continued healing from the radiation treatment. There are, however, several very small nodules appearing in the right lung. The largest is about 1cm.
Because the stuff in the lung has increased, the doctor wants us to start chemo again, so here we are. This is quite a long infusion - total of 5 hours - a lot longer than the previous one which was about 90 minutes. The combination is similar to the ones used when we first started treatment here. They did drop the irinotecan, in favor of oxilaplatin. Arnie has taken oxilaplatin before, with some neuropathy resulting. Here, they are giving him calcium and magnesium to try to control the neuropathy. The previous combo was Avastin, Xeloda, and irinotecan. That worked well initially, clearing up the lungs in 3 months. This one will be Oxilaplatin, Xeloda, and Avastin.
The oncologist explained to us that often times, if the cancer cells are given a break from a specific drug, then the drug can work again on the cancer. She seems to be confident that this treatment will produce good results. So are we.
So, we had good news on the bone tumor and not so good news on the lungs. Life goes on, and God is still in control.
"Sometimes Christ sees that we need the sickness for the good of our souls more than the healing for the ease of our bodies." ....Matthew Henry
Please keep us in your prayers and feel free to comment or email me.
Hi Arnie & Sharon,
ReplyDeleteI appreciated your update and I understand your disappointment in not getting a clean report with no further issues.
When I read it I thought about this morning when I was looking for encouragement in preparing for my pre-op appointment with my doctor at the Michigan Ear Institute later this morning. I was reading my favorite POWER verses in the Bible and then read the Daily Bread devotional. It was titled Waiting…… Here are some excerpts that spoke to me and I hope might be an encouragement to both of you too.
“When I think of hunters who are so patient when it comes to waiting for deer, I think of how impatient we can be when we have to wait for God. We often equate “wait” with “waste”. If we’re waiting for something (or someone), we think we are doing nothing, which, in an accomplishment-crazed culture, seems like a waste of time. But waiting serves many purposes. In particular, it proves our faith. Those whose faith is weak are often the first to give up waiting, while those with the strongest faith are willing to wait indefinitely.”
“Not receiving an immediate answer to prayer is no reason to give up faith.”
Not ours to know the reason why
Unanswered is our prayer,
But ours to wait for God’s own time
To lift the cross we bear.
“Waiting for God is never a waste of time.”
This was an encouragement to me and I hope it was for you. You both are strong in faith and an encouragement to others in how you handle a challenge of this magnitude. As we hold you up in prayer, you in turn are being an encouragement to others.
Take care, have a good evening and a safe trip home. We’re praying for you.
Joe & Karen
Hi Arnie & Sharon,
ReplyDeleteI appreciated your update and I understand your disappointment in not getting a clean report with no further issues.
When I read it I thought about this morning when I was looking for encouragement in preparing for my pre-op appointment with my doctor at the Michigan Ear Institute later this morning. I was reading my favorite POWER verses in the Bible and then read the Daily Bread devotional. It was titled Waiting…… Here are some excerpts that spoke to me and I hope might be an encouragement to both of you too.
“When I think of hunters who are so patient when it comes to waiting for deer, I think of how impatient we can be when we have to wait for God. We often equate “wait” with “waste”. If we’re waiting for something (or someone), we think we are doing nothing, which, in an accomplishment-crazed culture, seems like a waste of time. But waiting serves many purposes. In particular, it proves our faith. Those whose faith is weak are often the first to give up waiting, while those with the strongest faith are willing to wait indefinitely.”
“Not receiving an immediate answer to prayer is no reason to give up faith.”
Not ours to know the reason why
Unanswered is our prayer,
But ours to wait for God’s own time
To lift the cross we bear.
“Waiting for God is never a waste of time.”
This was an encouragement to me and I hope it was for you. You both are strong in faith and an encouragement to others in how you handle a challenge of this magnitude. As we hold you up in prayer, you in turn are being an encouragement to others.
Take care, have a good evening and a safe trip home. We’re praying for you.
Joe & Karen
Well, I know this is not the news we expected to get but God has his own plan and way of doing things. I know Dad will be healed. We just have to follow the path God has chosen for this to happen, and continue to be strong and keep the faith. You are not alone! We love you both very much! Travel safely going home!
ReplyDelete