Sunday, October 7, 2018

Grateful For Prayers And Blessings



Sometimes you get a second chance. Sometimes prayers are answered. Sometimes even a miracle unfolds.

On Thursday, Sept 27th, I would have told you that miracles only happen for other people...not for us. 



But my mind changed the next day when, on Friday the 28th, Wild Bill and I were at the oncologist's office anxiously awaiting the results of his latest PET scan. The results were nothing less than miraculous for us!

The first baseline scan (done last May) showed Bill had 4th stage terminal cancer with a devastating prognosis of 8 to 12 months. 



On June 6th, after reviewing that PET scan report, the Oncology Clinic doctors stated radiation and surgery (to shrink and eradicate Bill's cancer) were no longer an option! They immediately cancelled the "radiation and chemo, then surgery" treatment plan.

The Oncology Clinic offered only an every-other-week, intensive 3-day chemotherapy treatment that would, at best, retard the inevitable spread of cancer and possibly give Bill the full 12 months, instead of just the 8 months.

Our daughters discussed the situation and Youngest Daughter flew in early the very next morning after that horrible diagnosis. 

Youngest Daughter came right to the hospital to be with us as we said our last goodbyes to Bill's mother who subsequently died that afternoon. 



Before Bill's mother Jessie died, from right there in the hospital room, Youngest Daughter arranged a 2nd opinion appointment for Bill the following week at MD Anderson Cancer Center of Houston. 

I truly believe that hopeful conversation penetrated Jessie's coma and helped ease her passing. 

Jessie, even though she had slipped into a coma right after she chose to have all life-support removed, had held on for 4 more days! It was as if she was waiting to hear better news for her beloved only child.


Youngest Daughter Helping Drive To MD Anderson


Unfortunately, the 2nd opinion doctor at MD Anderson concurred with the original diagnosis and prognosis. He was kind, but sent us home with advice to make the most of the time Bill had left.

That takes us back to Friday the 28th and the results of the latest PET scan. The hope was, at best, the cancer hadn't spread too much more. 

The doctor, just returned from a trip to bury his own father, had pulled the report up and sat there silently staring at his computer. 

Finally he broke the silence with "WOW!" and read us the report findings...stopping right in the middle of the reading to say it's very rare a doctor gets to tell a patient such good news...

The intensive chemo, which was only expected to retard the growth of cancer, has basically had a phenomenal effect on it. There is no activity in the tumors in the three organs and Bill's lymph nodes show minimal activity. One lymph node that had registered 9.4 in the first scan now registers 2.1, while most of the others show no activity at all!

OK...We know that Wild Bill isn't out of the woods yet...but it's been exactly 4 months today, and for the first time we feel like we have hope. 

We want to thank you, all our blog friends, who kept us in your prayers. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts! 

Thank you to our three daughters and their husbands who've spent countless hours sharing our burden, listening to our fears, helping us make plans and contingencies.

And again...thank you to Youngest! We could not have made it through the funeral, or to Houston, without your helpful hand to steady us.

And most of all, a sweet thank you to my "cross-wearing" mother-in-law Jessie, who no doubt gave them hell to pay and probably stomped across those "pearly gates" after hearing her son was expected to join her very soon!



I now know she is our angel...an angel who crossed over on a mission to change the course of her son's dreaded disease. At that point, I'm sure not even Jesus could tell dear Jessie no.




Thank you all for your prayers...
And thanks for dropping by!


Joining:
Wonderful Wednesday


Post Note: 

My wish is that our story might bring hope to someone else who may be struggling today. Nana Diana's recent post is a prayer request for a friend. If you can, please drop by Nana Diana Takes A Break today.
  

30 comments:

  1. Awww, Sugar. God is good! I am so very, very happy for you and Wild Bill. We had the same type of miracle here-Stage 4-no hope of recovery--and, guess what? John's cancer disappeared after radiation and chemo (which was supposed to buy him time). He has been cancer-free for over 3 years now. I am believing in the same miracle for you! Ask the doctor now about the option of starting chemo and/or radiation with removal of the cancer at some point in the future. That might be a viable option for you at this point.

    Much love to you- it has been a privilege to be along with you on this journey towards recovery. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives. xo Diana

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    1. Thank you again Di. As I said on your blog today, your late night emails meant so much to me and gave me such hope. Maybe in the near future cancer will finally be cured for all.

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  2. God is good all the time. All the time God is good.
    Miracles do happen - and you made my day, week, and month with this post! How wonderful for Wild Bill and you all.

    I will continue to raise you all up in prayer and continue to ask for God's complete healing.

    Huge hugs!!!!!

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    1. Your prayers and kind words kept my spirits up, Cheryl. Thank you.

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  3. Such wonderful news. Prayers continue.
    Love
    Joy

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  4. Oh wow! Never underestimate the power of prayer. What wonderful news.

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  5. Hi, I came over from Chery's blog to read your post. I am praising God with you today! The doctor will never forget that day, either!

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    1. Thank you for dropping by. Cheryl was very kind to refer her readers. She has been supportive and a rock to me throughout our journey these last 4 months. God...it seems like a lifetime! As for the doctor, his father had just died and he flew to Pakistan and back for the funeral. He had just gotten in and had not seen the report. His genuine reaction made us realize just how bad Bill's condition was thought to be by all the doctors. Praise goes to God.

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  6. That's wonderful news!!!! I do believe in prayer.

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  7. I totally believe in faith and prayer, and miracles -- How wonderful and what a wonderful blessing that you've had all of those! I will continue to keep you all in my prayers and add my thanks for the ones that have been answered!!

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  8. BLESS GOD! WHY ARE WE SURPRISED WHEN HE ANSWERS? HE IS SO GOOD! THANK YOU JESUS!
    Hugs to you,
    Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

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    1. Laura, I think we are surprised when He answers because we believe we are undeserving. Plus, in our situation, all doctors said there was no hope of recovery. To me, the doctors have confirmed that no one but God knows what our future will be.

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  9. Your wish has been granted; your story has brought hope to us. Ten days ago we received the news that my husband has cancer that has spread to multiple areas. He is having a lung biopsy tomorrow and had a prostate biopsy earlier in the week. No one has discussed prognosis with us yet; we expect that later this week. Thank you for reminding us that God is good.
    Susan

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    1. You have my whole heart's wish that your husband will recover swiftly and completely. I will pray for him and you. Please take care of yourself and keep your spirits up. It can get lonely during the journey. And thank you so much for letting me know this post gave you hope. It makes it easier to share personal info knowing it makes a difference to someone's spirit. Know you are not alone.

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  10. Wow, that is such great news. Praise God for answered prayer. I am rejoicing with you. : )

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  11. I am thrilled for you all, you will continue to be in my prayers. We had our own miracle when Gerard was given a second chance in March after a heart attack. Miracles really do happen.

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  12. What a beautiful story of hope and faith. I will keep you hubby in my prayers.

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  13. Miracles do happen and prayer is very powerful! So glad you received good news and sorry to hear about your MIL. Will pray for continued healing! Love and hugs to you!

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  14. God bless all of you. I am so happy that he is doing better, I will keep you all in my prayers. Miracles do happen. I learned that when my daughter was 13 in ICU with meningitis and her organs were shutting down. She is 25 now and perfect in every way. I thank God everyday.

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    1. Your daughter's story is inspirational. So happy for her and you.

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  15. Such wonderful and happy news! Wishing for continued health and many blessings as you go forward. Your Mother in Law is truly a guardian angel. x Karen

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  16. This is so wonderful. I will continue to pray and send good wishes your way!

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  17. Sending continued prayers!! Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by with all you have going on!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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  18. Amazing and wonderful answer to prayer! Thanking God with you!

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  19. Came here from Nana Di’s blog. I am so happy for you and your husband, and your whole family. I love hearing good stories of hope like this! What a wonderful answer to prayers.

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  20. Oh my goodness, what wonderful news, Sugar! I love when I hear that miracles do happen. I am so happy for you and your hubby. You certainly DO have a special angel beyond the pearly gates.

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  21. Miracles do happen and prayer is very powerful! So glad you received good news and sorry to hear about your MIL. Will pray for continued healing! Love and hugs to you!



    D2bet

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