PET Results

Good morning! We have just returned from the appointment with Dr. Becdach and for the most part everything is good news! I have been praying so expectantly for God to remove this cancer! It turns out that he only had a PET scan and not a CT scan last week. The results showed that of the 3 cancers that were there when we started, one is inactive, one is gone and one showed "no change"..This is fabulous news because the one that showed NO CHANGE is really inaccurate. The report is referring to the tumor behind his left ear which was not really visible externally at the time of his last PET in January. However, the doctor saw it when we came in to start the chemo with his own two eyes and it was inflamed, red and actually pushing on his surgery scar causing an infection like discharge. It was just awful! This being said, it was obvious that the tumor had grown and gotten worse since the January scan. He did not go in to start the chemo until April 4! So, the comparison from January to now was not accurate. Does that make sense? Since starting the chemo, this particular place has completely healed and is not inflamed or bulging in any way. So we KNOW that the chemo is working! Dr. Becdach just kept saying over and over that dad was definitely responding to the chemo and it is definitely working so we are going to keep going! At least two more rounds, maybe more, with radiation (along with its risks) to come. I can't help but smile while he is telling me how great he is responding because I KNOW it is all God! I sometimes think I can see a little hint of "surprise" in Doctor Becdach's face and I just want to giggle knowing all the time exactly why this is happening! It is my prayer that we all glorify God through every single day in this storm. To God be the glory! We have a major fight to fight!

The scan results also showed two questionable areas. One lymph node in the chest area and one tiny spot on the 3rd vertebrae in the neck. Both of these could be a number of things and did not seem to worry Dr. Becdach very much. He said that because he was responding so well to the treatments that these spots didn't overly concern him. The one in the chest has lit up before and it turned out that dad had a case of pneumonia. It is very possible that this is the same type thing. The one in the neck is small and could be a result of scar tissue from the radiation. That is why they don't bank on the results of PETs very much. They can be very inaccurate. He wants to schedule an MRI and a CT in 3 weeks to further evaluate these and give him some measurements on the places that we know are there. Technically, this should have really been done before we started the chemo so that there would be a more accurate way to measure the progress. These two things do sound scary, but if you were in the room you could feel that Dr. Becdach was focused more on the great progress he was making and he was ready to "march on"!

So, please be in prayer specifically for the next round and all the side effects that Dad endures and the MRI/CT to be done in a couple of weeks. (They have not given us the date/time yet, but I will let you know)

He did loose a little weight since the last round and we can't let that happen. It isn't like he doesn't try, it is just so hard to eat. He sure does want to though! He has been instructed to eat 3 to 4 meals a day and drink Boost in between. No matter what! So pray that eating will be easier and more desirable during this round..We've got to fatten him up a bit.

Michelle

Week 3 and Scans!

Hello friends and family. Papa made it through round 2 of chemo. The first week was mild and brought on tiredness. Week 2 was icky as expected accompanied by a bad rash on his face! Week 3 is here and it is expected to bring on good feelings. Last time week 3 was filled with energy, healing and an appetite! Today he is at the CCI getting Erbitux and tomorrow is scan day. PLEASE pray for this. He is getting a PET and a CT scan to compare with the last one done in January. From talking with the doctor last time, I believe the scans will be used to sort of mark where we are and if he is still responding to the chemo as expected he will do 2 more rounds before radiation plans will be made. Please be in prayer for this all week! We will meet with the doctor NEXT Monday to go over the results. I will let you all know.

Read John Chapter 9 when you have a moment. Reading it today, I was reminded of the story of Christ healing the blind man. One of the disciples asked "who sinned, this man or his parents that he should be born blind?" The answer...."Neither this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was in order that the works of God might be displayed in him" (v.3)

To God be the glory for all that He has done! Thank you all for your prayers.. They are so important to us!
Michelle