Second verse same as the first

Well, it didn't get better, but it didn't get worse. And short of a miracle, that is all we can hope for.

David had another 12 week appt including bloodwork, scans, and a Dr. visit.

We drove over on Tuesday afternoon. The drive was one of the longer trips we have had and included 40 extra minutes to travel 2 miles for roadwork in Columbus. And a torrential downpour just as we got into the heaviest Houston traffic. Fun times.

We were right on time for bloodwork and a bit early to check in for scans. That was the last early of this trip. A 5:30 check-in for scans turned into a 3 hour wait. Out just in time for a quick trip to IHOP and then to the hotel. The Rotary House is newly renovated. And they evidently spared every expense when it came to wall insulation. I finally banged on the adjoining wall around midnight, put in ear plugs and went to sleep. We were not amused to see our loud neighbors front door sporting a Do Not Disturb sign as we left our room at 10:00 am. Ugh.

In the waiting room we were greeted by the wait board, insuring us the wait was less than 30 minutes. Lol. I watched what must have been a newbie couple enter the waiting area. As the wife looked at the board she exclaimed to her husband her delight at the short wait time. Amateur!

We were called in for the 10:30 appt at 12:15.  By this time they had already posted the radiologist report to David's online acct, so we knew there was no progression of the disease, but no shrinkage either. So the Dr. came in and shared that with us again. And then the nurse gave David his vaccine. They are very happy with these results and feel that David should be able to continue on this treatment for many years. So we stay the course. I did ask about new medications. They said there are always new medications being tested and approved. They assured me that in the event of a better drug (a cure), they would pull David out of the study and give him the new treatment. Okay good. I also asked about the study and when they would have the results. Hopefully another year. I don't know how many were in this study nationwide, but MDAnderson had 40.  2/3 received vaccine and a medication, 1/3 just the medication. Each patient is allowed one progression, and switched to a different medication. If there is another progression of the disease, they are out of the study. David has had one progression, changed medications and had many regressions since then. The last 2 visits he has remained stable. There are currently 9 people still in the study at MDA, 2 are only receiving medication. 7 receiving the vaccine and the medication. Idk but that doesn't seem like great results. But I guess it's great for those 7? And for us.

Anyway, we were out of there about 1:15.
Grabbed a sandwich and got on the road just as the HOV lane opened at 2pm. So yay.
Poor east bound travelers on I10 suffered same traffic in Columbus as we did the day before. Thankfully the construction was not on the west bound side. And the weather was good the whole way home. We rolled into SM about 4:30. I went to Wednesdays at church so that's why no blog last night. Sorry if anyone was worried I was not reporting bad news. All is well and we will press on.

Thank you for your continued prayers, I will not stop asking for a cure or a miracle. Please join me in that prayer. For us and so many others. I hate cancer. And that's a strong word. I. Hate. It.

Thank you for loving us!

Summer Fun

MDA contacted David to see if he wanted to participate in a free program for people who use tobacco. Because, yes he still uses smokeless even though he has cancer. I'm not judging. I still eat even though I'm fat, so yeah...addiction is hard.

Anyway. So yesterday he went to the behavioral studies place, idk the real name of it.  He had some success years ago using patches, so he's going to try that and the gum and try to stop. They will evaluate him by phone. If they/he doesn't feel like the patches and gum are working, they will move to something else. Anyway, it's all free, some settlement from big tobacco. They didn't give me anything to stop eating. Oh well. It's not about me. :)

Today he had scans and Dr. appt. But the scheduler didn't leave enough time between the scans and the Dr. appt for the scans to actually be read by the radiologist before we saw the Dr.  The Dr. was a little miffed. So he had to base the appt off his interpretation of the scans and his examination. I feel confident in the Dr's ability to read the scans. He said the disease is almost undetectable and the fluid that has been on one lung forever is gone! He feels like this was David's best appt yet!

Praises!

So we stay on this course. Idk what would happen if we went next time and they said they couldn't see anything at all, but I would like to try that!

Thank you for praying so faithfully for us. Please continue to pray. Also pray for my sweet friend, Mary, and Bill. Cancer SUCKS!

Have a great summer people! Try to stay cool! Oh and also, volunteer to work at VBS, kids need you to invest in them and their hearts for Jesus!

Thank you for loving us!

Spring Break 2016

Our girls are in New York for spring break. My sister and nephew are skiing in New Mexico. My niece is in Germany. Many are posting beach pictures from various locations for their spring break destinations. David and I spent a fun filled spring break, or at least part of it, at the beautiful, luxurious, vacation hot spot of MD Anderson! Yay.

As fun as it might be, I don't ever wish you are there!

But if we had to go, thankfully we got good news! The scans show the cancer to be stable. No growth or new spots! That's great news! David has also gained more weight. He thinks too much, but it's so much better than where he was last September, that everyone at MDA says he's doing great!

The trip was good, good weather, not awful traffic, less patients at MDA (due to new system they are implementing), shorter wait times because - less patients, and some beautiful Indian Paintbrushes and Bluebonnets to enjoy along the way.

Did I ever say that there is a grand piano in the lobby of the Mayes Clinic, the building where most of David's appointments are? Well there is. I think they pay someone, or maybe it's volunteers, to play. Sometime nobody is there playing. I always enjoy when there is. Usually they play popular songs most would recognize. Today as we were leaving, someone was playing old hymns. And several were gathered around singing! Never have I heard any singing! I do love me some old hymns and hearing them sung in the lobby was a great way to end our visit and a wonderful reminder of my God and his provisions. I'm ready to move on and away from MDA, but if we must continue, I am thankful God is with us!

Please continue to pray! No growth is great news! David is feeling good and can do all the things he wants and needs to do. But. I want it to go away! Cancer stinks. It is physically, emotionally, and financially draining! It steals time, security, and peace of mind. I do not like it, Sam I am.

So pray that the cancer goes away! All the while giving thanks for no growth!

I leave you with the chorus they were singing as we left MDA today,

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living, just because He lives!

He is risen indeed!

Thank you for loving us!