Posted in Just Our Day-to-Day Life

I want to thank each and everyone of you who has been praying for my Dad and my Mom-in-law.  I have some better news to report today, thank God! 

My mom-in-law went to find out about the new lump that was found in her other breast, and they think that it is just scar tissue from the surgery!  I don't know how scar tissue can be in this area from the surgery, but that is what they believe it is.  She can now start her chemo, radiation, and herceptin, and will go back to have this other lump looked at again in a month.  They were so sure that this is what it is that they held off on doing a biopsy.  She is still really scared and concerned about the chemo treatments that will start on Thursday next week, so continue to hold her up in prayer. 

The doctors have FINALLY decided what to do with my Dad's course of treatment.  They agreed that it was ok to put him on the Coumadin, a blood thinner, and then after a couple weeks, they will do a Trans-Esophageal Echo,  and if that shows no clots behind his heart valves, they will do a cardioversion to shock his heart back into proper rhythm.  We're a bit nervous, because this is not without risks, but the atrial fibrillation, in his case, causes a really high risk of stroke from clots behind the heart valve possibly forming, since he can't be on blood thinners for long periods of time.  The last time we had him on Coumadin, he had nose bleeds bad enough that we had to take him to the ER, and also had a terrible flare up of diverticulitis that bled profusely, causding a stay in ICU and blood transfusions.  So please pray that they are able to adjust the dosages properly to allow for the cardioversion, and yet not cause any excessive bleeding.  He also started taking the oral chemo drug, Tarceva, today for the spots in his other lung.  We are praying that this will stop the progression of the lung cancer dead in its tracks, and if it is the Lord's will, even cause it to completely go away. 

We are so happy that both of our parents are now able to start the treatment protocols that are necessary, and not have to fool around waiting to figure out what to do anymore.  Cancer patients do so much better once they finally are able to DO something about things, instead of sitting around waiting for doctors to decide what to do.  It helps take the fear away when you know that you are finally doing something.  And we are also hoping and praying that they will be able to get Dad's heart back in proper rhythm. 

Aunt Ginny is doing well back at home, although she is hating having to use the walker all the time.   Aunt Mary had her oncology consultation today to decide whether, at the age of 87, she can hold up well for surgery on her colon cancer.  I should hear tomorrow what she found out, and the dates of the surgery.  I am nearly certain that they will do the surgery, because she, like my dad, is in incredible shape for her age. 

Thanks for joining in prayer with me about our loved ones.