Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” ~Joshua 1:9
As most of you know, Ron sees a Colon Cancer specialist at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, a regional facility 2- 1/2 hours away via ferry. The doctor prescribes the care in collaboration with an oncologist that serves our rural island. Usually it is a day trip to Seattle, but this time Ron was having a larger battery of tests done. So it took two days.
The findings:
CEA levels up a couple of points to 679
1 new lesion in one of his lungs
3 small hypermetabolic foci in the liver
Newly found metastatic disease- a tumor on his pelvis (doctor believes this is feeding the growth in the other tumors)
Doctor is pleased with Ron's quality of life and we are, too
We were told that overall, there is only a slight progression in his disease
The plan for now:
Stay with current chemo
Get target radiation on the tumor in his pelvis
Re-check the effectiveness
Future options:
Participate in a clinical trial
Try new drugs, pending FDA approval.
When you look at the big picture, this news is not that bad. Ron has survived Colon Cancer for 6 years, 5 months, 3 weeks and 4 days.
Whereas some of his treatments have been darn right bruttal, this one has gone well. The side effects are few and easily managed.
Thank you for your prayers. We experienced the peace of the Lord, sleeping well both nights we were in Seattle. No nervous stomaches or headaches, either. As we process this new information, we know that God's strength we get us through whatever lies ahead (Joshua 1:9).
As most of you know, Ron sees a Colon Cancer specialist at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, a regional facility 2- 1/2 hours away via ferry. The doctor prescribes the care in collaboration with an oncologist that serves our rural island. Usually it is a day trip to Seattle, but this time Ron was having a larger battery of tests done. So it took two days.
The findings:
- CEA levels up a couple of points to 679
- 1 new lesion in one of his lungs
- 3 small hypermetabolic foci in the liver
- Newly found metastatic disease- a tumor on his pelvis (doctor believes this is feeding the growth in the other tumors)
- Doctor is pleased with Ron's quality of life and we are, too
- We were told that overall, there is only a slight progression in his disease
The plan for now:- Stay with current chemo
- Get target radiation on the tumor in his pelvis
- Re-check the effectiveness
Future options:- Participate in a clinical trial
- Try new drugs, pending FDA approval.
When you look at the big picture, this news is not that bad.Ron has survived Colon Cancer for 6 years, 5 months, 3 weeks and 4 days.
Whereas some of his treatments have been darn right bruttal, this one has gone well. The side effects are few and easily managed.
Thank you for your prayers. We experienced the peace of the Lord, sleeping well both nights we were in Seattle. No nervous stomaches or headaches, either. As we process this new information, we know that God's strength we get us through whatever lies ahead (Joshua 1:9).