Hi All
I'm sorry to make everyone wait for this next posting. We just got the conclusive results back yesterday from Stowe's second CATScan & PETScan... and it's good news! The cancer has NOT spread to the liver, as the doctor had speculated. This means that Stowe can wear the official sign, "curable!" HALLELUJAH!!! Of course, we never believed that the word "incurable" was in God's vocabulary, and we were prepared to face that detour as well. But this makes us breathe easier, because the doctors have confidence in thier own efforts to defeat this thing, and that gives us confidence in their work, too.
So, next week Stowe will meet with a Radiation Oncologist for a consultation, and also be fitted with a "port," for a chemo-pump. This is actually worn 24/7 and omits the need to go in for daily chemo treatments, only going in once a week for a "fill-up." Radiation, however, will be a daily event for the next six weeks... about 10-15 minutes a day.
Stowe & I are still praying and researching every day for other, complimentary treatments to include in neutralizing this cancer. Nutritional supplements, living food, stress reduction, prayer and healing treatments are all going to play into this project. I'm very glad to report that her attitude seems to be positive & realistic...and although some of you have wondered if her cheerfulness is a form of denial, I can tell on her that she has many moments of deep grieving and anger (though rarely misdirected :).
It looks as though chemo will start on May 28, and that puts surgery back to mid-to-late September. Adding a second 12-week round of chemo, we can see this will take much of our attention through Christmas...
Thanks again for all your wonderful support. We've been very glad to get your calls and e-mails, and will answer all we can. Meanwhile, we'll keep posting here on CaringBridge.
PS- Sunday is Stowe's birthday and we are having a small family gathering at the house tonight to celebrate...(wish you all could be here... ;)
Much Love,
Peter, Stowe, Christina & Grace
