Halfway Celebration – Let’s Party!!!

Today marks the halfway point for my chemotherapy treatment!!!  I am so happy to be at this point that I can hardly stand it!  I’m sitting in my chemo lounge chair getting my feet rubbed.  Life is good.

The best news is that when we met with the doctor today, he said that the PET scan was the best results we could ask for.  In fact, I went back to him later before we left for the day and asked, “If I were to show up in your office for the first time today, and you saw my PET scan, what stage would you put me at?”  Dr. Kovach replied, “Oh, I wouldn’t stage you because there’re really nothing that you can see there.  Based on what I see, you’re in remission!”

PET Scan Image BEFORE (4/23/2012)

PET Scan Image AFTER (7/12/2012)

 (the dark spot by my bladder is the ovarian cyst I just found out about today)

Side view PET Scan BEFORE (4/23/2012)

 PET Scan Image AFTER (7/12/2012)

CT Scan Image Before (4/23/2012)

CT Scan Image AFTER (7/12/2012)

So please, party with me today – this is a day to celebrate!  Praise the LORD!

“10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)”

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name

You’re rich in love, and You’re slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

[Chorus x2]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I’ll worship Your holy name
Lord, I’ll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I’ll worship Your holy name
I’ll worship Your holy name

Wonderful News!

So you may remember that I had a PET scan last Friday. Well, while I was outside at the gas station today getting the propane tank filled for our family BBQ tonight, Sharolyn calls to me from inside the car, “Mom, it’s your doctor!” I grabbed the phone and expected a reminder call about this Thursday’s chemo appointment. When I answered, it was a nurse with my scan results. She told me that it showed my mass has shrunk to HALF the size it was before, and there is NO abnormal activity in any of my lymph nodes!!! To quote her exact words, “None of the lymph nodes lit up!” I actually had to have her repeat the results to me a couple of times in different ways before it really sunk in.

I started crying during the call and the poor service station woman was wondering if everything was ok, so I had to explain it all when I got off the phone. It turns out that her sister had died from cancer, so she could really relate. It’s amazing how many people’s lives are touched by this awful disease.

What does this mean now? Well, to be honest, I’m not exactly sure, but as far as I know, it will be business as usual in regards to chemo. I should have my last session on October 4th if everything continues as planned. I’ll find out a little more this week, and I promise to pass it on when I do, but until then, please be praising God with us for this wonderful news!