Good tidings of great joy!

In addition to, but certainly not surpassing the impending news of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we received more good news today!

We had a rocky start. Abigail and Meredith decided to make the trip to MDA with us this time since school is out for Christmas break. So I called and arranged for a suite instead of one room. Because one of the princesses says I snore and she can't sleep. I'm sure that I do not, but I try to be accommodating.

Upon check-in last night we discovered we did have a suite. The tiniest suite you ever saw. 2 rooms yes, one queen size bed and one queen sofa bed. After a phone call they said come back down and we'll find you another. Turned out the only thing available was our original room. 2 queens, one room. Well a queen bed in the same room is better than a sofa sleeper anywhere. I had packed ear plugs, so I thought we could make it work.

And we did. But I did pray that this was not a bad start to a bad appointment! In the middle of the night I  stumped my poor toe in the dark, I don't know if it's broken, but it sure did hurt and it sure has a big knot on top! This morning one precious daughter referred to me as "revving my engines" and something about a "monster truck rally". Sweet. I'm sure she is mistaken, I pointed out that her bed was squeaky, I'm sure that's what she heard.

Anyway. David had to have blood drawn at 7 am and then check in for scans at 9. He said we should just sleep in. We argued and argued, but he insisted. Not really. We just said ok, thanks!

So shortly after he checked in for the scans, he texted me the insurance company was denying part of the scans the doctor ordered. He always has a chest scan, that's where the tumors are, and a abdomen/pelvic scan, that's where it all started. Well, it seems the insurance is tired of paying for the abdomen/pelvic scan since there hasn't been any cancer there since the original tumor was removed.
I'm not sure who talked to whom but he did end up having all the scans today. Just about 1 and a half hours later than scheduled.

It all turned out fine because we did not see the doctor (appt at 2) until 4 anyway!

The clinical trial nurse, Marisa, came and got him and went ahead and gave him the vaccine ahead of the doctor appt. That was nice because he has to wait 30 minutes after the injections to make sure he doesn't have a reaction. And especially because then we knew the scans were good! If he has any progression, he is out of the study, no vaccine. So getting the vaccine means no progression! Yay! Turns out the scans showed significant shrinkage again! Surely someday significant could mean complete?

David was so relieved. He was worried that because they reduced his medication dosage 3 months ago, that there might not be continued reduction of the spots on his lungs. But there was! Yay again! Also, he has been feeling much better, hardly any stomach issues, lots more energy, and a better appetite. We were shocked to learn he had gained 30, yes 30 pounds since September! The doctors were so pleased and excited for the positive results!

We finally got out on the road about 5 pm and amazingly enough the traffic was not too bad!

So what started out rocky, turned out wonderfully! And we really enjoyed having the girls with us this trip. They are such sweethearts and so fun to be around. We will go back to MDA in March. But for now we can focus on the holiday and celebrate the Reason for the Season!

Thank you for your continued prayers, please pray for more and more shrinkage, for David to continue to feel good, for him not to gain 30 more pounds (and me either!).

Thank you for loving us!

Merry, Merry Christmas!

All around great day

Good things to report all around!

Wednesday evening David had his first of three scans. the brain MRI. He was most apprehensive about this because, well it's his brain, and claustrophobia. But they revamped the machine and rigged up some kind of mirror thing so now you can see outside of the tube! He said it was most improved!

This morning bright and early, ugh 6am, he started off with the bone scan, followed by the chest/abdomin/pelvic scan. Believe me, it takes much longer to do it than to tell about it, because now it's noon. So we get lunch and head to the doctor's office. But his appointment is not until 2:30. So we prepare to wait. Knowing we probably won't be seen until 3:30 or 4.

Well, will wonders never cease! We got in early! Like shortly after 1:00. This NEVER happens. Can't say that anymore!

So the results...drum roll please...

The brain scan is...CLEAR!

The bone scan is...CLEAR!

The lungs are...bummer, I would have loved to write CLEAR! But, no. BUT, there is more SHRINKAGE!

So, YAY!!!

We also squeezed it an appointment with a dietician, because David is having stomach issues and has lost too much weight. So we have a plan.

And we were LEAVING, about 3:00, earlier than we even expected to see the doctor!

Happy happy joy joy!

Thank you for your prayers!

Please continue to pray for
1. More shrinkage, til it's all gone, and quick!
2. No more weight loss.  For David.  Don't worry, it's not permanently lost. I find it all the time.

We go back December 22.

~Bonus PSA~
1. If you are going to be in an enclosed crowded area (anywhere at MDAnderson), please do NOT use a whole bottle of perfume before you arrive. Everyone may not enjoy your fragrance as much as you do. But DO practice good personal hygiene.
2. Do NOT use the public waiting areas to conduct all your personal business on your cell phone.

Thank you.

Thank you for loving us!

I'm baaaaack!

It was a great, busy summer, without thoughts of MDA. But today we head back to Houston.

Boo.

David will have the works this time, Bone, Brain, and Abdominal/Pelvic scans. He is not looking forward to the MRI especially. That's tonight @ 9pm. Tomorrow is a full day beginning at 6am and ending with the Dr at 2:30pm. Then Houston traffic for the ride home!

Please pray for safe travels and clear scans.  Like totally clear everywhere. If the lungs would be clear, it would be a true miracle!  I'm so down for that.

Also please pray for peace, there is added anxiety when they do the other scans that they will find something, instead of nothing.

Additional prayer requests for Holli, Donna, and Bobby, please.

I'll update Thursday evening. Thank you for loving us!

Marathon day

It's been 12 wonderful weeks away from MDA. As nice as it is, and as great a facility, I'd really rather never go back. But.

So David had blood work, scans and a Dr visit. Thank God for great news today! All of his levels are with in normal range. Kidney function, thyroid, blood pressure all good. 

Dr. T read the scans and said they look really good, in fact better than last time. More shrinking! Yippee! In April they called the disease "stable", today they called it "minimal"! I like "minimal". I would prefer "gone". 

Today we learned that the study David is in will close the end of this month. That just means they will have reached the target enrollment of 450 participants, nationwide. There are 30 participants at MDA. Out of the 30 at MDA, only 10 are still receiving the vaccine. I don't know how many originally received it, along with medication. Out of the 450, 2/3 were randomly chosen to get it, 1/3 received the medication alone. Marissa, the trial nurse, said she thinks they are considering the vaccine very successful and are gearing up a facility to produce the vaccines on a large scale. I'm so glad David was selected (randomly, prayerfully) to receive it! As long as people receiving the vaccine are responding, they stay on it. So we will continue! Yay!

She also said there is another trial going on for Kidney cancer that looks very promising for a cure! The side effects are more harsh, but for a cure maybe worth it!? 

After a long day, we left for home about 4:00. In the rain. This is what Houston traffic at 4pm in the rain looks like:

Nice right? But we made it home safely and don't have to go back until September 24! Woohoo!

Thank you for continuing to pray. 

Please pray:

1. Continued shrinkage. Let's just pray it G.O.N.E.

2. Continued minimal side effects

Also please keep Donna, Lennon's family, Greg (praises here!), Laura's mom, Holli, and the Windham's in your prayers also.

Thank you for loving us!

It is well

You know those people that you give them an inch and they try to take a mile?  The ones where good isn't enough, they want better?  That's me.  Guilty as charged.  Please lock me up!

Today David got a good report. There has been no cancer growth or spreading.  The disease is stable. 

This is good news.  Really, it is great news and I am so thankful.  Thank you God.  Thank you, all for your prayers and love.  Really, really, really!  THANK YOU!

But. I am THAT person.
I. Want. More.

And after much thought I have decided that is okay.  Why can I not want more from a God who can move mountains?  Why can I not ASK FOR MORE?  I may not get it, but where's the harm?  God will use me exactly as he wants..  But thankfully, he does not give me exactly what I deserve.  So I will ask.

I am tired of this disease.  Cancer how I loathe you.  Go away.  That is my prayer.  God, please remove this cancer.  Please pray that with me!

Pray for:
1. Cancer to GO AWAY
2. Shrinkage
3. No growth or spreading
4. Decrease of annoying, but thankfully not debilitating, side effects

In addition to my previous requests, please also pray for Donna.

I will continue to trust, and to be content and joyful.  Because, it is well with my soul!

Thank you for loving us!

Believe it or not.

This past Saturday marked the one year anniversary of our homecoming from David's surgery. I am sooo thankful that is behind us. I went back and read this blog from the beginning , and I reread texts that I have saved from the days before, during, and after the surgery. It was a horrible time. That is just the truth. Thank you all for a year+ of prayers, calls, cards, hugs and love. Thank God for his steadfast faithfulness. And I mean that even if we get bad news. But today we got good news!

Today was a GREAT day for us. David had blood work at 6:15 am and then scan prep at 7:00. He let me skip and sleep in! His Dr. appt was at 11:30. Guess what time they called us into the Dr's office? 11:30! I kid you not!!! We were astonished and thrilled!

Here is how the appt always goes. First the nurse asks a bunch of questions but NEVER tells us about scans.

Let me back up. About a week before a scan appt, it gets more somber around our house. There is the hope that it will be good, but the dread and fear that it will be bad. It's just kind of a silent, unspoken cloud that hangs in the air. So, of course the nurse doesn't help AT ALL!

This time was no different. Questions, questions, questions! What about the scans?!

Next Marisa, the clinical study nurse, comes in. So we hold our breath because it is either good news and we continue in the study, or bad news and she's going to say we are out of the study. She is all smiles!

Breathe.

The scans show shrinkage! Not just stable but shrinkage! One of the nodules is almost gone!

Then the PA comes in and confirms, yes good news! And then the Dr. Yes!

Happy dance!

So they tweak his meds, and he gets the vaccine. We have to wait 30 minutes to make sure no reaction to vaccine. And we are out of the building by 1:00. This has never ever ever happened before and may never again. We would normally still be waiting an hour an a half later.

AND, we don't go back until April 14! Twelve glorious weeks! Well, 11 glorious weeks where we will pretend we've never heard of cancer and 1 week where we will worry what has happened in the last 11 weeks!

But for now, all is well.

Please pray for:
1. Continued shrinkage
2. No spreading
3. Reduction of some minor side effects

Please continue to pray also for Greg, Mary, and Ty.

Thank you for loving us!