Latest MRI Results

My cross transforms my life anew!

My apologies that it's been a while since my last update, but your continued prayers have kept me on a track of healing and health.

If you recall, my last chemo treatment was on February 14th and following that I had a MRI on the 18th. My medical oncologist didn't want to see me for 2 months and we scheduled a MRI for prior to that upcoming visit. All was good, life was good, and thankful for being a 'chemotherapy graduate".

I've always experienced some numbing and tingling symptoms, but for the last few weeks, the tingling, numbness and twinges here and there have become a 'bit more noticeable to me. From a brain cancer survivor perspective, you can imagine that every little symptom tends to cause some concern and wondering. Well, two months have passed, believe it or not, and I had a routine MRI on Wednesday, April 20th. All the while I lay in that tube, I pray for everyone on my prayer list (which includes all of you!) and it makes the time go much, much faster. I left the Pratt Cancer Center just feeling very nervous.

Well.....I visited Dr. Stroud, my radiation oncologist, on Thursday morning. He walks into the office and says, "Hi there! You look great, how are you doing?" I looked at him and said, "Thank you and YOU tell me how I'm doing!!" He smiled at me and said, "You're doing great, your MRI is stable!!" I said, "Oh my gosh!" I felt the tears well up, I jumped up from my chair, gave him a hug and said "That's is wonderful, you just made my day....this is fabulous news!! I was prepared to come in here and ask you to pray with me." He said, "It's stable, but we can still pray together! Why were you worried, don't doubt the power of prayer!"

Obviously I was more concerned about the results than I led on to anyone. We talked about the presenting of these symptoms, which is more likely than not the nerves trying to regenerate themselves causing some small seizure activity. I had alot of radiation 15 months ago, and there are long term effects that can happen from it. This is one of them. I will remain aware of any symptoms and we'll just go on from here. I will talk to the neuro-oncologist at Duke about this too. It is such a wonderful relief to know that there is no re-growth and that my head is 'stable'! :-b

Next up on my schedule is visiting Dr. Hu, my medical oncologist, on Monday, April 25th and then I go to Duke Brain Tumor Center for my follow-up on May 9th. (The best part of that trip is that I get to spend a couple of days with Alison and Isaac, since they live about an hour and half from Duke.) In my opinion, based on the outcome of Dr. Hu's visit, I would think it will be another 2 months between appointments. I also think that I won't need to go back to Duke for ~4 months.....but I guess we will see how accurate I am with that. I will update my blog with all of those results.

You all have been such a blessing in my life as your prayers continue to be a phenomenal source of strength to me. We are just a couple of weeks away from the 18-month mark of that life changing diagnosis. Look how our faith has grown....it's amazing as we stand together and give thanks to our awesome God!!

The rising of Jesus has given US ALL new life!

+Peace,
Sandy