“My ONLY Aim Is To Finish The Race and Complete The Task The LORD Jesus Has Given ME—The Task of Testifying To The Good News of GOD’s Grace – Acts 20:24”
Hi Everyone! Can you really believe we are almost into Mid-December! Where has the time gone? Mike and I hope that you have entered the Holiday Season with a BANG and the abundance of Christmas Cheer feels each and everyone one of your households!
Mike and I put up our tree right after Thanksgiving and what a tree this year we have! Mike and I had really wanted an aluminum tree – just the thought of white lights gleaming on the silver in dim lighting was so exciting and something we both yearned for. Mike had grown up with an aluminum tree and I thought how perfect to have one to bring back some memories of past holidays spent with his Sister and Family. However, we opted to just put up our tree from last year as the holiday approached so fast and I had no idea where to find one! Well…being that we have such amazing friends, we were given one as a gift this year with décor to go along!! Rick and Stuart out did themselves and the tree is beautiful – I have attached a pic we took a few nights ago. We’d love to see pics of ya’lls trees as well and décor – I know we have some REALLY crafty Family and Friends with Great Style!!!
As I reported in my last email, Mike went for a few MRIs of the Brain and Spine last week. The news of the recent findings of the Lung Chemo he has been receiving held optimistic results, so we prayed hard and trusted that GOD would again provide us results of good findings of the Brain and Spine areas that Cancer had attached to. Our prayers were answered and the chemo is working and though some of the results were mixed, we generally have learned that the chemo that he has had thus far is working and treating most of the areas.
Monday (12/07/10) we had to reschedule our original appointment with our Neurological Clinic so we were not able to sit with the Doctor to discuss the results nor view any MRI labs. However we did visit with his Oncology team today and they were able to provide us the reports and a so-so summary of the latest results. So before I begin, my apologies, for I am hearing this and reading this just as the Oncology team reported to us (with them not really specifically knowing the exact findings being that they are a different team – they provided a generic summary).
From the reports regarding the brain it looks as if though there has been NO evidence of tumor progression at the surgical site (the left frontal lobe). The previous described multiple parenchymal (In cancer, the parenchyma refers to the actual mutant cells of a single lineage) are no longer visualized in this current study. There are no new lesions. What we gather from this is that the chemo is working – Cancer is shrinking and nothing new has formed ----------- Praise Be To GOD!
From the reports regarding the spine, this is where we receive the mixed report. Although multiple new and progressive osseous metastases (Osseous tissue, or bone tissue, is the major structural and supportive connective tissue of the body. Osseous tissue forms the rigid part of the bone organs that make up the skeletal system) have developed since the last MRI on 09/27/10 – the lack of significant enhancement is suggesting that the chemo is working. The Minimal Epidural disease at L1 has been resolved (Praise GOD). No MRI evidence of leptomeningeal disease (Leptomeningeal - Having to do with the leptomeninges, the two innermost layers of tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord. Leptomeningeal metastasis refers to cancer that has spread from the original (primary) tumor to the leptomeninges) within the thoracic, lumbar or sacral canal. I was happy to see this. This was a HUGE concern in the beginning of the possibility of the chemo not treating the nervous system/spinal fluid surrounding the brain and spine. This gives us hope that if the chemo was able to fight these cells, and it will continue to fight all that is attached to the spinal bone.
Tomorrow (12/09/10) Mike will meet with the Clinical trial team to discuss the new chemo I mentioned in a previous email that will hopefully replace the Lumbar Puncture (spinal chemo) he has been receiving – you know the one with the HUGE 12” needle? Yeah, that one!! This clinical trial will provide a chemo to work along with his Lung chemo to attack the nervous system as it is also attacking the lung Cancer. He will undergo a few tests and physical tomorrow to ensure he is still a good candidate for this trial. After speaking with his Oncology team, the clinical trial will include a little stronger dose of this, Nervous System chemo, I’m going to call it, and will be monitored a little closer than the normal chemo he has already received. We are anxious and know that GOD has placed us in the hands of these Doctors and he has been chosen for these studies for a reason – we must continue to have faith!!
As I head off to finish my night and bundle up for our 33 degree weather we are expecting tonight here in Houston, I continue to be so thankful for where GOD has placed us and how far medicine has come! MD Anderson is a truly a Heaven-Sent facility that I know is working non-stop to heal my husband and provide HIM the best treatment suitable for HIM. Though we may not like the procedures he as to endure we know that it is what is needed to make him better and we already can see the results and know that it IS working – I will continue to keep my mind open along with my heart and be thankful daily!
As always, Mike, Myself and our Family thank all of you Powerful Prayer Warriors that bring us into your lives daily with Prayer and lift us up amongst all adversity and ensure that our days are filled with Hope, Strength, Courage and an Abundance of Love!! For ALL of you, we are so very blessed and WILL continue to praise GOD for this journey and having you on it with us!
Till next time, I wish you a Joyful Holiday Season with Your Loved ones and know that with Our GOD, NOTHING is Impossible!
XOXO Lyndie
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