The week that was / The week that will be

Monday Cathy and I met with the plastic surgeon. He's pleased with her mending process so now, instead of Monday and Thursday apppointments, we've now moved to appointments every other Monday [for now, at least].

Wednesday mid afternoon we met with the oncologist and his staff. Cathy is scheduled to begin her chemotherapy on 11/4 with a combination of Cytoxan and Andriamycin ["heart toxic"]. Due to her stage 3c "triple negative" diagnosis, Cathy's care is referred to as "dose dense". Not only are the meds "aggressive" in nature, the frequency is every other week for four treatments, followed by a second medication [Taxol] for four more treatments, instead of "normal" chemo once every three weeks for six treatments.

Friday morning brought a minor "procedure" to install her medi-port below her right collarbone to facilitate easy hook up for her chemo.

Cathy has bounced back very well [continued dull pain at incision sites] from the original surgery and was out for dinner with friends and me on Friday night after her surgery in the morning. However we are very wary about the future with 8 doses of chemo, followed by radiation therapy. As a result, I'm concerned we'll likely not see the effervescent Cathy we all know and love so well for 4 - 6 months.

The week ahead appears to be relatively light with all of Cathy's current engagements occuring on Monday, 10/27: MUGA test in the morning [to begin a baseline of her heart function as they'll monitor it throughout threatment] and chemotherapy "education" at Delnor Hospital in the afternoon.

Thank you once again for being Christ's arms, feet and heart to us in such a tangible way as well as taking our cares, concerns and needs before the Lord's throne of grace in prayer.

The results are in!

Cathy received the call this morning from her surgeon that her PET scan came back "clear" [with a little qualification]. She told Cathy that a spot shows up in her left chest, as if an infected lymph node was left behind, but she believes it to be a "shadow". The Dr. said they would proceed with chemo and radiation and take another PET scan afterward to assure that any potential real spot has been eradicated.

On 10/24 Cathy will undergo a minor surgery to install her "medi-port" to ease administering of chemo.

WOW, as I write this, I realize that three weeks ago the first blog entry was made on the eve of her surgery.

Much has transpired since then. Cathy's energy is increasing but pain still remains. Through it all we have seen God's faithfulness in handling the large and small details. Thank you all for your prayers and many acts of service, we are sooo appreciative.

Steady as she goes

Well, the pain is beginning to wane, energy is returning slowly and we've been heartened by two good tests [whole body bone and CT scan were "clear"]. However, we still have a very important scan [PET] to take on Monday evening. Cathy also meets with her surgeon Monday at noon in preparation for her 10/24 surgery to implant her Medi-Port [for chemotherapy] and has standing appointments every Monday and Thursday afternoon with the plastic surgeon. As you can see, 10/13 will be a busy day, but it is the results of her PET scan that we covet your prayers for. Thanks for your outpouring of love, prayer, and interest in keeping up with Cathy's Journey!

Oncology ...

The last 24 hours have been busy with the medical community. Tuesday evening Cathy did the whole body bone scan and initial reports from her surgeon's office staff were that they were good.

Wednesday afternoon we met with the oncologist and received sober news of Cathy's "triple negative" diagnosis. As a result, in addition to the other tests we had scheduled [PET and CT scans], we need to do a genetics test for BRCA1 and meet with research specialists at the University of Chicago Hospital. At this point we're looking at two rounds of Chemo [one may involve a very expensive, aggressive and potentially damaging drug] followed by radiation. Blood was also drawn today for two blood tests: microscopic tumor material and protein tumor markers.

We are to meet w/ U of C Drs. between now and the next appointment with our local oncologist on 10/22.

Additionally, this evening [from 6:30 - 9:00] Cathy completed the CT scan but nothing has been revealed about the results.

Cathy has stopped taking her prescription pain medicines as of Tuesday and has only two tablets left of her antibiotics.

We see the plastic surgeon tomorrow evening and we hope to make some positive advancements with him during this upcoming appointment.

Had I known how prophetic Cathy's blog title might be, I wish I had called it, "Piece 'O Cake, Cathy".

We have never been Christ followers for a Health & Wealth agenda, so we are not focused so much on the prosperity aspect of this verse we are clinging to, but rather the "hope and a future": "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

God is sovereign and he will accomplish His purposes. Please pray with us that His plan for Cathy is full restoration of her health.

Prayer & Thanksgiving

We continue to be amazed at God's provision through so many of you in prayer, meals, assistance and pleas to help further. We've been well cared for and want for nothing physical except healing for Cathy and rest for us all.

We would ask for continued prayer for Cathy for comfort and good results from her upcoming tests [whole body bone scan on Tuesday, CT & PET scans TBD] and ongoing healing and that the pain would subside soon.

We meet with the oncologist on Wednesday afternoon so we hope to get more information and direction from him [we've heard exemplary things about him].

Hope still wants to hug her mom with her "all body bear hugs" but she is content just being near mom and getting kisses and "makeshift" hugs.