CT results and more...

Well obviously neither of us got around to posting during chemo today. I still think it is pretty awesome that they have wireless...what an age we live in.

CT results were pretty good. The main tumor which is on the pancreas has decreased 10-20%. Dr. Pal said that the tumors in the liver seem to have stabilized (I think that's what the radiologist report stated). He on the other hand believes that comparing scans, there seem to be fewer tumors in the liver then he as seen previously. This all sounds positive to me (thank you Lord!). The best news for Gavin is that he is going to continue on the same chemo treatments for the next 2 rounds (no new side effects, etc.). As you could tell from the last post, he was quite nervous about having to switch it all up.

The good doc did tell us a bit of what the immediate future holds. I will try to explain it but I'm sure Gavin will have something to add when he posts. At the moment, they are only planning on giving Gavin 6 rounds of chemo. So at the end of April will be his last round. After that round he will have another CT. One more doctor's visit to find out results and he is free for a bit of time. Well o.k., there will be a few visits here and there but no more chemo for the next few months. Dr. Pal wants to give his body a rest for 2-3 months as long as no symptoms show up. At the end of the waiting period there will be another CT and he will tell us where Gavin's headed after that. Good news because it sounds like there is a good chance that we can head to the Grand Canyon chemo-free. Bad news, well not so much bad news I guess, is that I'm sure we will both be pretty anxious during the no treatment phase. Seems like when you have cancer, there should always be something being done to you to combat it. This wait and see approach is going to be absolutely nerve wracking!

Thanks again for all of your kind words, thoughts, and prayers. They really do continually lift us up. Special thanks to all the women who were on the retreat...I truly felt surrounded by your love and support and appreciate it more then I can say in words. Thanks to Ruth and Hurst for a delicious dinner, the kids are chomping at the bit for dessert! (also for dropping Drew off at bells). Only 2 more thanks to go...thanks to all of you who transport my kids, especially Drew, around. It is great that they can keep doing what they love to do and maintain a sense of normalcy. Finally, thanks to all of you who I haven't mentioned, know that your various kindnesses are noted and appreciated! We love all of you!

To close I'm going to cut and paste an email I received from Norma today. I immediately identified with it as I'm sure most if not all of you will too. Take care and God Bless! Maria

Scars

Some years ago, on a hot summer day in South Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.

His father, working in the yard, saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could.

Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him.

From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go.

A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.

Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved.

The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Dad wouldn't let go."

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you.