Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Results ...

I met with my Oncologist. Apparently this CT showed similar results as the previous one several months ago with a slight increase in size noted with only one of the masses/tumors. We are talking millimeters (ml) in size. This is encouraging in that there has been no massive changes. This is such a small change that this is actually good news in my mind.The best news would have been to have no evidence of liver involvement anymore.
So, we have been discussing alternate treatments such as "Yttrium-90 Microspheres" which in a nutshell, involves going through the artery at the groin - similar to a heart cath - and up into the hepatic artery which is the artery the feeds into the liver, and depositing these tiny spheres of radiation material. They are 1/3 the size of a human hair. These spheres would then become lodged in the very small blood vessels of the tumors and irradiate them. Anything within 2 to 3 mm's would be hit with some heavy radiation. This is more targeted than the traditional beam radiation which is like a shotgun pattern - broad coverage. This product has a half life of 2.5 days I think and by 2 1/2 weeks has done the job. There are alot of potential benefits and also risks involved, so I am prayer for guidance on this one for sure.
The wound VAC is doing a great job. I have noticed the changes since I started using it last Friday. Changing the dressing is also getting easier, well, kind of easier. Thank goodness for pain meds when they are truly needed.
Met with my parents today and we all three went to see my mom's Oncologist. He explained the course of treatement with risk/benefits. There is only one test the results of which have yet to be returned - and depending on the results of this test, the treatment options could change. We asked alot of questions. They both feel better about the whole thing after having talked with him. The chemo would be 2 months of one set of drugs - once every 2 weeks for 4 treatments and then another set of chemo drugs once every 2 weeks for 4 treatments. This would total 4 months of chemo and he did let her know she would lose her hair at about the 3rd week - but it will grow back. Then she spoke with the radiation Dr. afterwards. We are proceding with prayer and caution. She may seek a 2nd opinion. Her Dr. even said he was totally in favor of a second opinion if she wanted to get one. We shall see. Otherwise, she is feeling good and her sister Eva has been helping her around the house cooking and cleaning, etc.
Tonight was Lauren's first Basketball game in Reserve, her team won. The opposing team seemd like some decent kids.
Afterwards we had to hit the IHOP for some breakfast food. Man, I could have hurt myself eating at that place. But I did use self restraint, thank God!
We are going to keep on living, and trusting God Almighty with tomorrow. We do not know what it brings, but He does and has already promised to be there with us and for us. We serve a big and a good God Who is faithful. Praise His Name. Please continue to believe with us.
Have a great day.
George.


6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am believing with you. Nothing is too difficult for God. He is with you and will never leave you. You're a blessing.

Carole Turner said...

Dang George I hate that both you and your mom are dealing with Cancer right now.

I can't just say I believe God is bigger, can heal, does heal, I have to really believe it. So that is what I'm gonna walk in for both of you. I see you and your mom years down the road telling everyone what God did for you both.

Hang tough George, keep believing and prayng and I will be there believing and praying with you.

Anonymous said...

Eph. 3:20 (the Word that the Lord gave Pastor Don Sunday night for us to stand on and believe!!!)
"to Him who is ABLE to do EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY, MORE than we can think or imagine, according to HIS power that is at work within US, to Him be glory in (George's healing) now and forever. AMEN!"

...continuing to believe, really believe, with you!

Anonymous said...

Dear George,

I've been reading your blog for a couple of months now and feel so blessed to have stumbled across it. Coincidentally,I'm pretty sure that several years ago I used to work with Robin, and her cousin Barbara. Anyway, you are such a tremendous example of FAITH!! I can only pray that if I am ever challenged the way you have been, that I would handle things as gracefully and as faithfully as you are! You are such an inspiration! Please know that my prayers are with you every day! I know that God can, and will, heal you...nothing is too big for Him to handle. Keep the faith and know that you are not alone.
Lesley

Anonymous said...

Thank you George for keeping us all informed with your blog. It is such a blessing to see what you have written and I am so inspired by it. Your faith in Him is truly wonderful to see. Even when I know that you are going through so much, with yourself and family, you still keep up such a good countenance. It is so encouraging to see faith like that. I am praying for you and your family and I just know that there is no weapon formed against you that will prosper because you have so much to give. Again, thanks for writing and I am always blessed to be able to read your blog. Pamela (Sonja's sister)

Sonja said...

well George Tanya Rainey beat me to it but when I was reading your blog that scripture came to my heart too so here it goes AGAIN....
Ephesians 3:20, He IS ABLE to do exceedingly(extremly,to it's farthest point),abundantly(great supply), More (something additional to what we ask or think) than we can think or imagine according to His power(ability to act,authority,influential)that IS at work within us! To Him be the Glory!!!!

Another note: Have you ever read Fearfully and Wonderfully made, not sure on the author, I read it while pregnant with Jonah. Russell Marino has a copy....it's a good one to read, a doctor wrote it and he talks about good cells going bad, refering that to the operation of the body of Christ. How cancer starts when a fat cell feeds off other cells and doesn't share it's reserves, basically it's a selfish cell, being fed but never sharing....anyways I will stop before I get "too deep". Just thought you'd like to read it.

Praying for your mother and for you! Hang in there.
Believing with you always on the healing of your body and now your mom's!!!!

Sonja