Y’all! Dance, Shout, Sing, Leap With Us! (Duke Trip No. 4)
Good News! I’m thrilled to finally be able to report some excellent news in Mike’s cancer journey. Along the way, we’ve had some hills of various heights peppered along the hopelessly deep valleys. But, we haven’t had many genuinely hopeful cancer reports. We’ve found blessings along the way in other areas, but the cancer itself hasn’t given us much to rejoice about. Until today.
An Early Morning Phone Call That Changed The Day
As has become our practice, we traveled to Raleigh yesterday and arrived in the evening to go to Mike’s Monday treatment and doctor’s appointments. Today, we had an extra one stacked on the schedule so he could do his post-surgery follow up with the ostomy nurse—that meant a total of four appointments in one day (nurse, labs, oncologist, infusion). The first one wasn’t scheduled until noon, so we planned to not rush through the morning.
At 7:45 a.m. Mike got a phone call from the radiology department saying they had a cancellation and he was the first person on the cancellation list, so would he like to get his PET scan that was scheduled for the 18th today before his other appointments? Yes, please!! So, our low-key morning quickly got kicked into high gear and we got out the door in time for the PET. (It’s been a long day!)
We don’t believe in coincidences. Just like the top surgeon that did Mike’s surgery two weeks ago, we know this was a movement of the Lord on Mike’s behalf. What I didn’t know was that Mike had been praying specifically that this scan would be moved up to this week. The technician later told him it was ‘kismet’—we told her it was Jesus. She said “that’s right, this was an answer to prayer.”
The Results
Before I get to the PET results, I have to tell you how great Mike’s been feeling since his surgery! He’s got more energy, less pain, and his appetite is crazy good! He has virtually no nausea anymore (he was taking nausea meds around the clock just to keep it at bay) and he’s eating whatever he wants without consequence. No one wants a colostomy bag, but this is absolutely what he needed at this time.
When we saw the oncologist, he first asked about how he was feeling after his surgery and he said Dr. Georgoff (the surgeon) was the most kind and considerate surgeon he’s ever worked with. Because Dr. Georgoff was just donating time to the Raleigh hospital, Dr. Ramalingam (the urology oncologist) hasn’t ever had opportunity to work with him. I’m telling you all this to show you God’s hand at work along the way (because it’s about to get even better!).
The very next words out of Dr. Ramalingam’s mouth were “well, your PET scan looks great!” He got the one from September up beside today’s scan and walked through it with us. Y’all!!! Every spot from September showed drastic improvement and most places didn’t even light up at all anymore!!!! Go back and read that again, I’ll wait. . . As the doctor moved his mouse down Mike’s body on the screen and showed us the differences in each location, he said “see how this is lit up on September’s? Now look at today’s . . . nothing,” over and over and over again. Every new location brought fresh happy tears to Mike’s eyes. There are still some problem areas lighting up, but his PET scan no longer looks like a distorted, sad, cancer laser light show. Now, it looks more like some caution lights along an otherwise dull and boring, uneventful roadway.
The doctor went on to describe the results as “phenomenal” and told Mike he’s really done some hard work and he’s proud of the fight he’s putting up. I told him his expertise is doing some fighting for us and he said “we’re helping you along the way, but you’re the one doing the work (looking at Mike). Keep it up, you’re doing great.” He is such an encouraging doctor!
What’s Next?
Mike had Cycle 3, Day 1 of his current regimen today. The doctor doesn’t want to “take our foot off the gas” while we’re waiting for transplant arrangements to take place. He sent a message to the transplant doctor while we were there and we’re anticipating an appointment sometime next week with him. We’ll finally have some sort of timeline after that appointment.
Today was a day of great news! Please celebrate with us in whatever way your soul delights! Sing, dance, shout, leap, pray, praise, and share! Share our story far and wide. Let others see that God really does answer prayers. As a dear friend said to me today in a rejoicing prayer, “Lord, we want to celebrate you in the good moments as much as we lament to you in the hard ones.” There has been much lament in our updates. We anticipate much to celebrate as well. Join us, won’t you?
