Romans 12:2 "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
Before I give an update on our appointments today, I wanted to share something that Wayne wrote this morning. It was important to him that I share it with all of you.
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This is Wayne. I would like start by thanking all of you for praying for me and my family. Continue to lift up Rebecca in your prayers. She is taking on the brunt of decision making process with regard to my medical treatment, finances, household decisions, AirBnB decisions (Thanks Miriam for mowing, Carla for cleaning Happy Top, and Naomi for cleaning BRF), and my children, who have been scattered all over the country.
The outpouring of gifts and prayers has been a real blessing to us, and has helped us financially as well.
A weekend ago, I was at the ER because they had weaned me off the steroids. I went to sit down and I missed the chair and bumped my head. I hit the opposite side of my head than the surgery, but just to be cautious, a CT scan was done and they put me back on a low dose of steroids.
Tuesday, Rebecca and I traveled to the Cleveland Clinic. They performed an MRI of my brain. They found the tumor that is in motor cortex, where it would cause permanent paralysis, has not increased in size too much. However, the part of the tumor left in the area outside of the motor cortex, where the amount of pressure is triggered to the muscles, has doubled in size, from 13mm to 26.5mm. Presumably, it will disqualify me from the trial study we were attempting to try at Cleveland Clinic.
Rebecca and I were down for the next 24 hours. There have been bouts of crying, me more so than Rebecca. Then we realized that we still serve the same Jesus that is seated next God. Ephesians 2:6-7 "And raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." I was reminded of this yesterday evenings in Bible Study. It is already done. It is completed we are seated up in heaven places with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I'm also reminded that your love for us flows out a true love Jesus Christ!
Wayne
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This afternoon, Wayne and I met with his surgeon for his post operative appointment. The last 48 hours has been discouraging for Wayne. He was struggling with learning about the tumor growth and discovering that he probably wouldn't qualify for the trial. On our way back from Cleveland, we took time to specifically pray that God would make it very clear and evident the next steps we needed to take.
Yesterday, Wayne told me that he has decided that the trip was going to be too much on him so close to coming off of treatment. I had been feeling like the trip was going to be too much, but I didn't want to be the one to make that decision on my own. I knew how much the trip meant to Wayne. We both feel peace about this decision and look forward to just enjoying our kids and our finished backyard.
Wayne loved the radiologist at Northwestern when we met with him. He answered all of our hard questions and was very thorough in his explanation to us. That made Wayne feel very comfortable with the doctor. At today's appointment, Dr. Chandler was very encouraging. First, he reminded Wayne that eight years is amazing. Next, he encouraged Wayne by telling him to not give up because his body can fight this. Wayne's genetics are positive for his body working hard to help keep the cancer at bay with treatment. Finally, when we discussed the MRI results, he told Wayne to not allow the "progression" to get him down because sometimes this close to surgery other things can appear on the MRI and cause what they call pseudo progression. He said it is too early to know for sure what % is tumor vs swelling or other things. He told us moving forward with the treatment we did before was a wise decision, given how well Wayne responded eight years ago. Wayne had more pep in his step when we left Northwestern today than he has had the last 48 hours. We aren't out of the clear by any means, but having a positive attitude and "fight" attitude will help him much more than being down and discouraged that he's dying.
Wayne and I talked about everything that has gone on the last 48+ hours and we both said that the decision to proceed with radiation and chemo feels like the right decision and we both feel at peace. That is what we had been specifically praying for and God answered our prayers.
Please pray for Wayne as he will be visiting the radiologist's office on Monday to get mapped for radiation. We are hoping that they have the treatment ready to begin on 5/22, but we will see. We will do three weeks of radiation with temador (chemo). Pray for me as I am traveling to KY with the girls to visit the other kids. We once again cannot thank you all for your prayers!!
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