All About the Numbers....

Hello all, sorry it's been awhile, but we are all caught in the daily routine (well, not so much routine as craziness) of life. So here's where we are with Mom...

Mom just finished her 4th round of chemo (only two more to go!) last week. The first 3 rounds went very well, and she was able to get to work most of that time (With a blood transfusion thrown in for good measure). This 4th round has definitely hit harder this time and we're really starting to see some of the chemo effects building up. Her nausea has come with a vengeance, a hacking cough keeps attacking, and of course that constant feel of exhaustion. Her hair still continues to stay put (yay!!) and the swelling in her belly from the tumor has really diminished. She did have to take off a day last week to work through these symptoms, but that support she is receiving from coworkers and parents is wonderful. We had been waiting to hear back from her oncologist regarding her tumor count numbers and finally got news yesterday. Now remember, the tumor marker number is just an indication of what the tumor is doing-it's not concrete (the scan at the end of the chemo rounds will tell us the true story) but it does show the doctor if the chemo is working. At the beginning the numbers were going down a little bit but nothing significant. Today, the number is slightly elevated, but the doctor gave us a great explanation of why this is occurring. Remember, the cancer cells are living and they are now under attack. The cells are trying to "fight back" against the chemo, making them more active. However, other indications (lack of belly swelling) are telling us that the chemo still seems to be working. Again, we're not going to be really sure what's going on until the scan in October.

So where does this leave us? Prayer. Lots of it, never ceasing. Mom and Dad have been under attack-they're tired and vulnerable at times, so we just need to continue to cover them with prayer and hold fast to the promises that God has given us. Even though it's several weeks away, we are praying that this scan shows us that this tumor is ready to come out, so we can start to be done with this cancer and journey.

I am also asking for specific prayers for Dad-care taking is exhausting-emotionally, physically, mentally. He needs renewed strength and patience as he battles nights of little sleep, doctor's phone calls, and the loss of a fully-abled partner at the moment.

It's been such a long journey, and I know we still have far to go....thank you for surrounding our family with love and support, and continue to press in to our Father for healing and hope.