MRI days are always difficult, and today's MRI results left us with lots of questions, a heavy heart, and a request for prayer in Dad's cancer battle.
Our MRI results today weren't great, but they weren't terrible. Let me attempt to explain the news we received.
Dad's MRI showed increased enhancement where the tumor was removed. Which means there is blood flow to this area- and in the cancer world, blood flow is a source of growth for a tumor, and growth is the last thing we want. The amount of enhancement, compared to our last MRI, is small, yet there is still an increase. We do not know if this means we were lucky enough to catch the initial growth of the tumor, or if this enhancement is really nothing and just how the contrast was flowing at the time the MRI was taken.
After a long discussion with Dr. Fleener, we felt as though our best option was to in fact wait four more weeks and re-perform the MRI again, while continuing on chemotherapy and Avastin. The waiting game is so incredibly difficult! But, taking Dad's current MRI to another doctor would result in the exact same outcome: waiting.
This morning I came to my office to find my favorite "stress" drink (Diet Dr. Pepper) with a note that said: "Thinking of you this morning and hope that whatever the day may bring, you feel HIS presence with you..." Not to mention another co-worker brought me Starbucks this morning- have I mentioned I have the absolute BEST co-workers?
But that note. What a wonderful reminder for this morning- HIS presence! And then I turned to my devotional that read:
"Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Hear Me saying, "Peace, be still," to your restless heart. No matter what happens, I will never leave you or forsake you. Let this assurance soak into your mind and heart until you overflow with Joy. Though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, you need not fear!"
Talk about another wonderful reminder!
So we wait. Waiting is not fun. But we wait, not fearful of bad news, instead we wait confidently trusting the Lord to care for us, to care for Dad.
This is not the news that we wanted to hear this morning. And this is not the news that I wanted to share. But it is what God has so perfectly placed on our path. It is part of this plan that I do not always know the reason why we have faced trouble, disappointment, and discouragement- but what I do know is it is all part of this amazing plan- that there is purpose to our suffering.
We take the next four weeks and we pray, each day we pray that the treatments will work on Dad and the next MRI will look better- and we also pray that if it is God's will to help heal my Dad that he will do just that!
Dad is so incredibly strong. He's faced so many moments of suffering, and instead of turning away he's been able to fight through it all with faith, family and friends. I can't share how truly blessed we are to have such an amazing support group of friends and family throughout this all.
I would be lying if I said we weren't saddened by this news we received today, but I would also be lying if I said we weren't HOPEFUL that the treatments will work and God's hand will help in healing Dad.
When hope and hopelessness are both an option, we will always choose hope.
Asking for continued prayers throughout Dad's journey, especially in these next four weeks, as we continue our fight to BTHO Brain Cancer.
From one GBM family to another, you all are in our thoughts and prayers. HE will see you through!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words! It's so comforting to have so much love and support coming our way throughout this journey. We are so HOPEFUL that the treatments will work, and throughout it all we are so thankful to be able to lean on our faith through difficult days.
Delete