My husband is in the midst of a roadblock now. It is a nasty, stop you in your tracks roadblock. We learned in October, 2009 that my husband has cancer. When the Doctor delivered the news it felt like I had been suckered punched right in the middle of my being. I looked at my husband and knew he was feeling the same way. Even thought the Doctor assured us that this cancer that my husband had was Hodgkins Lymphoma and easily curable we still staggered from his office in bewilderment. I am sure that the pain of this news was reflected in our eyes.
The Doctor's plan was six months of chemo and then we should see remission. He did warn us that there were about 5 percent of patients who do not respond. We didn't dare to even think about that five percent. We thought ok, this will work. Remisson by late spring, then vacation in July. WRONG! Late spring rolled in with warmer weather and flowers but not remission.
It was with much pain that my husband heard the news that he would be spending much time that summer in the hospital, not on vacation. We love to travel and look forward to our family vacations each year. The Doctor's plan now was stem cell transplant after more chemo. The good news was that
the stem cells could come from my husband. The stem cell transplant took place in August, 2010 and after many days in the hospital and recovering at home he returned to work. He was tired of being cooped up and ready to go.
A pet scan was performed in October, two months after the stem cell, and it was with high expectations that we went to get the results. The Doctor had a nervous look and stammered as he handed out another roadblock in my husband's battle with cancer. The stem cell transplant had not worked and this Doctor seemed at a loss about what to do. We decided to get a second opinion and booked an appointment at a leading facility in Houston, Texas.
December, 2010 we arrived at the facility with hopes of a cure and different opinions. Several days and many test later we received grim news. The type of Hodgkins Lymphoma that my husband has will keep coming back no matter what. They did suggest that there might be a trial my husband could qualify for and a donor stem cell tranpslant might help but didn't give us much hope. We faced alot of what ifs on that long trip home.
We made a second trip to Houston right before Christmas. More test were run and we met with the stem cell Doctor. Finally this Doctor gave us a sliver of hope! He told us that with the right donor this cancer could still be cured. There are still many hurdles to get past but this is still HOPE!!
The donor stem cell transplant will take place when my husband gets close to remission . There are already two excellent donors who are ready and willing to be used when the time is right. The transplant will take place in our state which means no travel and family and friends will be close.
I am so proud of my husband. He is a fighter and even though he has faced the reality of what could become an early expiration date he has continued to live life.
The Family of God has gathered around us and showered us with prayers, visits, calls, cards, food and money. We feel humbled and blessed from the outpouring of love and support that surrounds us daily. We can feel the power of those prayers going forth on our behalf. We can feel the Arm of God surrounding us as He walks this journey with us. The hopeless pit in the middle of our being has eased as we remember who we are and that God is in control.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (New International Version, ©2011)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
This is a good testimony. God is good & faithful. He does have good plans for you. I know this was hard to write, but very encouraging to read. I love you all & look forward to seeing God's plans gloriously completed.
ReplyDeleteUPDATE: WE got results from a pet scan today and even though Richard is not in remission he is close enough that the DR.s feel they can go ahead with the transplant. He will probably have one more chemo before then!!
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