What I mean by "adventure" is that my life is so full of surprises. I wish all the surprises were happy good ones like birthday presents. But I know God allows difficult things in our lives so we can grow. I have another chance to grow.
Today my friend, Debbie, took care of Matthew, Sebastian and Julian so both Emily and Betsy could go to my appointment with Dr. Tezcan. My Greg was with me too of course. It was so sweet because Betsy sat on one side of me and Emily on the other. And just before the doctor came in the room, Jake called and it felt like our whole family was in that room. Anyway, the CAT scan showed that the chemo kept the cancer in my liver stable, but my entire left lung is completely collapsed because the cancer in my lung didn't respond to the chemo. That explains why I'm so short of breath these days! The chemo was not effective in preventing cancer from growing like crazy in my thyroid. Dr. T. told us that he looked carefully at the list of chemo drugs I have received and he said he's run out of options as far as chemo drugs.
The radiation is supposed to shrink the tumor in my thyroid so I can swallow better. My main concern at this point is to not be so short of breath. Dr. Tezcan told me that there is a procedure where a stint is placed in the area allowing for more air. I don't understand this at all but I'm certainly willing to give it a try so I can enjoy more than the view from my couch. They don't do this procedure in CDA or Spokane. Dr. Tezcan called a doctor in Seattle and I will have an appointment with him Wednesday and if I'm a candidate for the stint, he will put it in place in my chest on Thursday! Wow!
After that, we will probably take some time off from treatments and enjoy life for awhile. It will be so great to live without the side effects of chemo and radiation especially if I can breathe and swallow easily! Then when I'm ready, Dr. T. has an idea for further treatment. He's amazing.
I hope this hasn't been too confusing. I appreciate your prayers and your words of encouragement. Please pray that I will be able to get the stint and that the whole process will go smoothly. Thank you so much for caring about us. Love, Julie
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3 comments:
Hi Aunt Julie! Just wanted you to know that I love you. Paul and I are praying for you!! :-)
Julie, we are praying so hard for you. Your faith and grace are incredible, and you are a constant and amazing inspiration to me. God has truly blessed anyone who has had the chance to have you in their lives!
Hi Greg and Julie,
I just got caught up on reading your blog. (It had been since June!) It sound like you had a blessed summer! It sure was fun for me to see Greg the end of July. I want you both to know I'll be praying for you this next week with your upcoming appointment and procedure. "May the Lord bless you and keep you...and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26" Bonnie T.
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