Good News!

Well, Emma et al. have returned to Virginia, leaving our home eerily noiseless. Emma's Fourth of July birthday party went off without a hitch, and I think her favorite present may have been the tissue paper filler from the gift bags. She, Annabelle, and Addison loved throwing the weightless papers in the air and dancing as they floated to the ground around them. Shannon's girls still come over everyday asking where Emma and her parents are. They miss their playmate.

Friday's celebration was made all the more enjoyable after the weights were lifted from my shoulders at Thursday's oncology appointment. Dr. Segota said my lung tumor has shrunk about 2mm, and the cancer in the rest of my body looks stable - meaning it has not changed in size. The fact that the cancer has gotten slightly smaller is remarkable considering 50% of people in my situation are dead six months after diagnosis. Here I am seven months from diagnosis and my condition has improved! We asked Dr. Segota what she thought about the amount of time I have left, and she said she is confident I will live at least a year beyond my diagnosis. She added that whether that means little more than a year or two and a half years, only God knows. How true. Still, I am happy to tell you that all of your prayers and support have helped me to fare far better than most people with stage 4 lung cancer. Praise God!

I will undergo the usual tests again in 2-3 months to see if the cancer has progressed, and then in 3 month intervals until a change is noted. Whenever that happens, we will delve into the possible treatment choices. I would be tested to see if I qualify for a promising clinical study, and if that is not for me, there are multiple chemo options on the horizon. We will cross that bridge when we get there, but for now I am delighted with the good news!

Dr. Segota said I can expect to see much of my energy return and the other chemo side-effects wear off within a few weeks. As I've mentioned before, I will continue Zometa and Avastin, but the effects of these drugs are far less severe. I'm most eager to see my hair grow back. After chemo, the re-grown hair often looks different than it did prior to treatment. I remember my sister Jeannie's hair came back in tight little ringlets that framed her face beautifully. Right now I've got some peach fuzz that appears to be (gasp!) white. My scalp has been tingling, similar to the sensation I had just before my hair started coming out, so I think it's a sign the fuzz may be filling in soon.

We took a mere 357 pictures during Steve, Dawn, and Emma's visit, so I have to share some with you!