I got the final approval today for the upcoming clinical trial! Woo hoo! There are many things to be grateful for and many things to continue to remember in prayer.
Praise: My emotions are much more even-keeled these days and my energy levels are HUGE! I can't believe how good I feel and all praise to God for that. I'm still a puzzle to the medical team because of my lack of pain.
Praise: My biopsy samples arrived from Hong Kong in less than a week! I won't go into detail, but let's just say it took a lot of working the phones to make that happen.
Praise: I've been accepted into the study and all involved are optimistic that this will work to shove my cancer back and to control it.
Prayer: Lots of details go into a clinical trial. Here's the scoop:
Monday, Nov 18 -- Meet with neurosurgeon
Tuesday, Nov 19 -- Lab work, bone scan, CT scan
Wednesday, Nov 20 -- Eye exam, bone strengthening shot, cardiology testing. Special request ... there will be a one-day strike by medical support staff at this location on this date. It could end up being a very long day.
Monday, Nov 25 -- Lab work, go over all test results, finalize paperwork
Tuesday, Nov 26 -- TREATMENT DAY 1 -- I'll be at the clinic 10 - 12 hours
Wednesday, Nov 27 -- TREATMENT DAY 2 -- I'll be at the clinic roughly 6 hours
The first two months of the trial, I will spend lengthy time in the clinic for 7 - 9 treatment days of each treatment cycle. I will never need to spend a night unless there is a medical need for it.
Prayer: I ask for special grace for Art and the kids as we juggle these first two months in the midst of a holiday season. Side effects are expected to be minimal, but there is no true predictor as to what impact will be felt.
I don't know if the photo can be read, but it says this: "Life need not be easy to be joyful. Joy is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Christ." -- William Vanderhoven
The troubles aren't over ... there are no guarantees. The cancer is getting worse and our prayers are that this is the tool that God uses to facilitate a complete healing.
I continue to ask for prayers for those who are also dealing with Stage IV cancers with limited (if any) options.
Thank you for walking this road with us.