The Rat Results

I read the title to Tom and he stated "Sometimes it's good to be a rat!"

Tom came home today after being in Detroit since Sunday. He had a Bone Density test, MRI, and CAT scan. This morning he met with his doctor to go over the results. The doctor was very pleased with the scans and told Tom that he his bone scan showed that the cancer is stable. The cancer will not shrink in the bone so stabilizing it is the best result. The scans over his soft tissue (lungs and liver) shows that the cancer has shrunk. Dr. Ali talked with Tom about his side effects and determined that Tom will stay on his current dosage again. Tom has some blistering in his feet. He also has numbness in the fingers but Dr. Ali said that as long as it is not effecting his writing then he feels Tom should continue with his medication.

Tom will be back to Detroit on October 19 for a 4 hour visit. Then head back again on November 16. He will have scan sometime in early December. Then on December 16 he go over those scan results at his last visit for the year.

Thank you to all who have prayed over Tom and our family. On Saturday when I was explaining to the kids that Dad would be gone again for more test I was asked some questions. I told Katie and Cody that these scans show how Dad's cancer is doing if it grew or stayed the same. Katie pipped up and said "Or shrinks". I smiled and said, "Yes, that too. But I was afraid to say it out loud. Let's hope that is the case" Today Tom got to tell her that was! It was a great to see her face light up!

God makes a promise-faith believes it, hope anticipates it, patience quietly awaits it.

"But we have the true hope that comes from being made right with God, and by the Spirit we wait eagerly for this hope" Galatians 5:5

Weekend Trip

It has been way to long since my last blog. Too long actually, I had to be reminded to update it by family members. The kids are back into school and we are falling into the "school" routine. Tom is back to work, ready or not.

On Sunday Tom is heading to West Bloomfield for 2 fun filled days of scans. Because of the medication they give to him before & during the scan they have to be spaced out as to not effect the other scans. Tom will be having his first scan on Sunday afternoon. His next 2 scan will be on Monday afternoon and evening. Then on Tuesday he will head to Detroit for his appointment with Dr. Ali before coming home. Tom will be handling this trip by himself. I am glad that he is bringing his laptop so that we can stay connected.

This will be Tom's first scans since going on the drug. I am curious (and maybe a little anxious) to hear what the results are and to find out how the drug is working. Tom continues to fight his nausea and soreness of feet. He is eating better since the dosage reduction but is not able to eat everything he would like. His fatigue is a struggle, especially since going back to work. However, he is determined to keep living life.

This weekend I will keep asking for God's guidance in our lives. My prayers will not cease.

"But I keep right on praying to you, Lord. For now is the time-you are bending down to hear!" Psalms 69:13