Update #5: January 12, 2022

Good evening, family and friends!

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

Psalm 91:1-2 (ESV)

We continue to dwell, abide and trust in God, our refuge and fortress, who is omnipotent, omnipresent, and loving.

It's only Wednesday, but we have completed our week of five appointments/procedures.  :-)

Monday's whole body bone scan came back as a NORMAL bone scan, no areas of suspicious activity.  No evidence of bony metastasis.  Tears of JOY and praising God!!  (And what a blessing to know the technician from former youth club leader days.)

Tuesday's post-op check up #1 went well, with a not-so-sad goodbye to the drain.  Healing is going well.  Post-op #2 is scheduled for next Tuesday.

Tuesday's CT scan (chest, abdomen, and pelvis) also came back with no lytic or destructive bone lesions, no abdominal or pelvis mass, and no suspicious lung mass!!  Tears of JOY and praising God AGAIN!!!

Those test results are BIG and SIGNIFICANT!!!  We are so thankful!!

No presence of cancer was seen on these tests.

Today's appointment with medical oncologist, Dr. Peterson, brought an important discussion and decision to send the tumor for an oncotype test.  The result might help determine the treatment road.

Because of the size of the tumor that was removed, and the presence of cancer in now 2 (one microscopic) lymph nodes (also removed), radiation and hormone therapy are givens.  (Minute cancer could still be lurking.....)

The question is whether or not chemotherapy should precede radiation and hormone therapy.  BUT---the cancer type might not be the kind that responds well to chemotherapy.  So---we will wait two weeks to see the oncotype and determine at that time the treatment. 

Treatment wouldn't be able to start for a few more weeks anyways, due to the need to heal from the surgery first before any kind of treatment.

Please pray with us that God will make clear to us the path to take for treatment, and for continued healing in the meantime.  Thank you so much!!

The words of this old Swedish hymn are a comfort and calm in days like these as we lean on His strength.

1. Day by day, and with each passing moment,
   Strength I find, to meet my trials here;
   Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
   I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
   He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
   Gives unto each day what He deems best—
   Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
   Mingling toil with peace and rest.
2. Every day, the Lord Himself is near me
   With a special mercy for each hour;
   All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,
   He Whose Name is Counselor and Pow’r.
   The protection of His child and treasure
   Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
   “As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
   This the pledge to me He made.
3. Help me then in every tribulation
   So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
   That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation
   Offered me within Thy holy Word.
   Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
   E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
   One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
   Till I reach the promised land.

Karoline Sandell-Berg

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Linda and Dave