Well you can see how Sam feels about how our visit with the oncologist went this morning. Psalm 37:4 has been a verse that I've often claimed but as you can see today Sam is claiming verse 7 "Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him." (He's going to shoot me when he sees this photo on our blog :o)
Today we met with our oncologist and weren't sure what to expect or what he would say. It was the first time we've had a consultation with him since before we started chemo. We had no idea if things were progressing or improving.
Dr. Felice poked around on Sam and announced that he thinks the mass on the liver is getting smaller. He ordered a blood test to check the cancer markers and we scheduled another CAT scan for Wed. morning. Needless to say we left his office feeling more encouraged than we have in many weeks. Everything I've read on the Internet about Sam's unique type of cancer has been discouraging so to hear this kind of report after only two rounds of chemo was good news! Only 1/100,000 cancers are cholangia carcinomas.
Of course good news needs to be celebrated. So we left the doctor's office and went out to Wendy's for lunch. On the way home we stopped by Trader Joe's for some fresh produce and healthy foods. However, we had to celebrate some more. So we put a "healthy" strawberry rhubarb pie into our basket. Back home on the deck we enjoyed a couple of slices together under a very blue, sunny September sky. Sam went on then to literally "rest in the Lord" as you can see in the photo.
His chemo and meds. still make him sluggish and call for naps but I think the contented look on his face this afternoon comes from the good news and his ability to rest in the Lord.
What's next? The doctor had blood drawn and they are checking Sam's "cancer markers" to see if they've improved. Then the office set up another CAT scan for Wed. morning. That should show what's been going on inside of Sam as your prayers have gone up and the chemo has dripped down.
Your prayers and emails and cards and facebook messages have kept us going and encouraged. Keep them coming as they help us to continue to rest in the Lord. We are in no way "out of the woods" just resting in our hammock on our deck :o)
Thanks for your blog, Nan. It is such an encouragement to read about how God is working in your lives. I know it is not easy, but you are teaching us all so much about putting our faith into action and truly trusting God when it hurts. We love you both and are praying for you daily! Laurie and Bob Gray
ReplyDeleteSam and Nan,
ReplyDeleteSo thankful for that encouraging report from the oncologist. Keep resting physically and spiritually, as the battle is the Lords. Your lives are in the palm of His hand, and oh what a strong and loving hand that is. He will lead the way through this wilderness, and make Himself known in such beautiful ways you may not have seen otherwise.
With much Love and Prayer for your complete healing,
Susan and Denny Miller
cute photo:)
ReplyDelete