Some Good News & Prayers Needed!

Apologies for such a long time between updates.  My mother has been faithfully undergoing her three weeks on/one week off chemo treatment regimen with very good results.  In an e-mail to her kids the last week, she had this to say:

I am excited about my new tumor marker number which was recorded in Broward County back in January when it was first diagnosed at 555.  The normal number for a CA-19.9 is 35 and lower.  The reading for my last marker was is mid-range 30s...yeah!  Kicking that tumor in the butt as promised.  God is good, no doubt those thousands of prayers have been heard.  Doctor told me not to get too excited, that number goes up and down, he is always so cautious, but mine has mostly gone down.  I am hopeful!

Love you all,  Mom-Boo

Since that e-mail my mother had another round of chemotherapy at home.  While her progress has been good, the side effects of the treatment continue to get tougher and tougher.  Fortunately, she remains patient and hopeful.

Here she is during her last at home treatment:

This is the "woman in the mirror", having chemo at home last month.  The black case carries my two mixes of chemo drugs connecting to my port (chest area left), see fine clear tubing in my hand.  

This Monday, my mother skipped her chemo treatment for a third set of PET and CAT scans.  These scans determine the function and basic "look" of the organs that have been affected by the cancer.  By Thursday they should have the latest results and my parents will then meet with her doctors to determine next steps.

We'll close with a verse that my mother has found comfort in and recently shared with all of her kids.  We hope you find comfort and strength in it, too...

"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you." ~ Psalm 55:22