| |
A note from Lydia:
Ruby had a Cat Scan and an M-IBG scan yesterday. During her sedation, they also removed her Hickman line. It was so nice to bring home my beautiful Ruby without a cord sticking out of her chest...even though she was in a very drugged state. Dr. Alzein had wanted to get one more set of scans done before January so that our insurance would still fully cover everything, that is why we went back so soon. He called this afternoon and said that the spots on her liver have not grown at all!! They are still alive, but not doing anything thus far. He is fairly confident that they will either begin to shrink or go into a dormant state. This is exactly what his colleague in Chicago thought would happen!!!! She can stop taking all medicines and she doesn't have to go back to the clinic until late February/early March! I am so grateful for people praying for Dr. Alzein's decision-making skills. I am truly in amazement of our great and holy God. I am such a weak and lowly human and He has allowed me to go on this wonderful journey of drawing closer to Him in so many ways. In addition to this wonderful news...we received a very large financial gift by an anonymous fellow friend of Christ this week. I really feel like doing something crazy because I am so giddy right now...maybe go on a polar bear swim or something? Or maybe not...it's really, really cold outside and I don't want to end up in the hospital with pneumonia when we finally get to have some time off from frequenting the hospital (even though Blank Children's Hospital is the best hospital ever!) Trent, Clara, Ruby, and myself sincerely thank all of you for your prayers, care, and concern. Even if this had been bad news today...we would still be rejoicing, because our God loved us enough to send His Son to die for us so that we can have eternal life with Him in heaven. It just doesn't get any better than that!!
A note from Lydia: (11/14/2008)
James 1: 12 says, "God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to hose who know and love Him." That is an appropriate verse for today's news. Dr. Alzein called today with the results of Ruby's M-IBG scan that she had yesterday. He said that the questionable spots on her liver were still showing signs of activity. There is no new activity anywhere else and he is feeling very confident about getting a favorable outcome. He is going to consult with one of his colleagues in Chicago to see if she has any insight to offer. Ruby most likely will be taking the chemo pill for 6 months (2 weeks on, 2 weeks off). These active cells could be ready to max out and not do anything anymore, but the only way to find that out would be to get a biopsy of them. Dr. Alzein would like to avoid doing that. We feel confident that God is granting Dr. Alzein wisdom with Ruby's situation. What's more important than statistics and protocols is that Trent and I stay fixed on Christ. Prayer is an interesting thing. The Bible tells us in Philippians to not worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Obviously, we have been praying that the Lord would heal Ruby completely and quickly. We have also prayed that God would give us peace, use this situation for His glory, and that we would grow to trust Him more. He is answering our prayers!! Our piddly, little human minds have no idea how magnificent and glorious God is!! I keep waiting for God to zap Ruby's cancer in a crazy, miraculous way. I was so anxious to get a clean bill of health for Ruby and crack open a bottle of sparkling apple cider tonight in celebration of a cancer free daughter. Actually, you know what my dear praying friends, I AM going to get some sparkling apple cider tonight and celebrate God's grace and goodness!! The faithful love of the Lord never, ever ends! My family and I have reason to celebrate because God has allowed a humongous trial into our lives that has drawn us super close to Him! God's mercies are new every single morning. Having to endure a trial like this has been wearing on me emotionally, mentally, and physically, but PRAISE GOD THAT HE LOVED ME ENOUGH TO SEND HIS SON TO DIE FOR MY ANXIETIES, WORRY, DISTRUST, ANGER, IMPATIENCE, AND FRUSTRATION!! No matter what happens to us in this life, we can rejoice because all that it's going to do is draw us closer to God and His precious Word. I am deeply aware of God's sustaining love today. He will not give any of us more than we can bear...and how great is it going to be when we can all hang out in heaven together with our Savior and not worry about health issues, money, the economy, or our new president. We really shouldn't be "worried" about any of that stuff now anyway…but, I realize the frailty of our humanity and our compelling desire to sin sucks us in from time to time. My desire is that God continues to be glorified and that all of the people who are reading this will be changed because of the love Jesus has for each of them. Please keep praying for our little Ruby, but also be looking for ways you can grow in Him daily.
An update from Lydia: (11/19/08)
I just had a very interesting conversation with one of Ruby's oncologists. She said that Dr. Alzein had personally spoken with Dr. Cohen in Chicago. She had much insight to offer on Ruby's current situation. She advised that Ruby just be observed for the next few months. She will have scans at the end of the year and she will have her blood and urine levels checked in 4 weeks. Ruby's primary tumor was considered a differentiated ganglio neuroblastoma, which means that it has the tendency to mature and just sit there and do nothing. The tumor that was removed from her adrenal gland in May was dissected into several parts and the biopsies on all parts showed a more non- aggressive type nature. The likelihood of the liver tumors being similar in genetic makeup is high. NOTHING is 100% in the cancer world and we are thankful for the time people spend researching all of the different paths cancer can take. The chemo. pill or more chemotherapy treatments will just be putting more toxins into her body that might not be necessary. The oncologist are wanting to take a more conservative approach and just have Ruby be observed for the next few years. If any of her liver spots begin to grow or spread, chemotherapy will immediately resume. The likelihood of this happening is slim. Some children who have neuroblastoma with intermediate risk, like Ruby, do just end up having small residual tumor left for the rest of their lives. These small tumors left on her liver are not affecting the function of her liver at all. This is all good news. It is a little unsettling not having all of the cancer zapped, but it is wonderful that the prognosis is looking very, very good. I am not naive in thinking that we are all done by any means, but God is allowing this all to take place for a SPECIFIC reason. All along our hope has been in Him and His plan. My ultimate comfort is knowing that God has our entire family specifically placed in this specific circumstance for a specific purpose. As humans, we crave total closure of trials that aren't the most pleasant. The road map of Ruby's health keeps unfolding and keeps changing, but God is our sustainer and the creator of everything on the face of this earth....I think He's got it all figured out. I am determined to not second guess what is happening and become a paranoid, crazy mamma. God has done such amazing things already, I sincerely am looking forward to seeing the rest that He will reveal to us. Love you all! Please, keep praying and keeping God at the forefront of what you do!
Whew, the last few days have been a whirlwind!! There was a mix up with the scheduling of Ruby's CT scan and her M-IBG scan. We were able to work most of the kinks out and Ruby had her CT scan yesterday. Dr. Alzein called me today and informed me of the results. The tumor site still remains clean. The longer that the tumor sight stays clean the better! Her liver is completely clean except for 3 and a half small spots. These "spots" could be just dead tissue or they could still be active cancer cells. She has a M-IBG scan scheduled for November 13. The M-IBG scan will be able to see if these "spots" are active or inactive. If they are inactive, Ruby will be done except for routine check ups. If the "spots" are active she will be taking a chemo. pill. The pill would hopefully mature and calcify what is left of the cancer cells. This was good news but not perfect news. I am being reminded that I need to let God be my God, not anxiety. Philippians 4: 6-7 says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." I am reminded daily to keep a heavenly and eternal perspective on life. Some days are good and some days are downright cruddy. But I don't know His total and complete plan for all of this...I might never know. How comforting that I can count it all joy. Without trials, I wouldn't experience growing periods like this in my spiritual life. We need to thank God ALL of the time, not just when life is great. I am so thankful for a Godly and caring husband. I cannot tell you how much Trent has taught me and comforted me these past few months. God and His Word are my ultimate comfort, but having a Godly husband around that is also growing in God's truth is indescribable. I know this update might seem a little less perky than my usual ones, but I guess I don't feel like my perky self. I really, really was expecting this scan to show us that the cancer was done. I have to remember that the scan in 12 days could show that it is done, but if it's not, that's okay. Thank goodness God knows what is best...if I had to make all the decisions and be in charge of everybody's "perfect plans," I would definitely be in the loony bin by now!! God is sovereign and I have to keep trusting in Him.
eighth and final chemotherapy was today!! Dr. Alzein examined her before her treatment began and said that he could barely even feel her liver. That is a very, very good thing. He said that she looked the best he had ever seen her. He informed us that in 3 weeks she will be scanned again and that if her cells looked liked "happy" cells, she would end treatment and be closely observed for the next few years. If her cells looked a little "angry" she would have to take oral chemotherapy pills for 6 months (2 weeks on, 2 weeks off). He said he was very optimistic and that his gut feeling was that she will be done after the scans. I feel blessed that we can just rest in God's hands during this waiting period. There are still so many more things that could happen to us that could be "worse." For example: her cancer could have a high risk of returning, she could have reacted horribly to the treatments, she could have been in an unloving home, her tumor could have been overlooked by our pediatrician, she could have had years of treatments, or her tumor could've been too risky to operate on. The worst thing possible, however, would be if we didn't have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. There would be no point or purpose for this trial. There would be no growth or peace or protection. God is good. He makes no mistakes and He only does things that will help us grow in our walk with Him. We are continually singing His praises as He works in us and our daughter. All of your prayers have been answered as far as I am concerned. The Lord is getting all the glory and His faithfulness is prevailing every day of Ruby's life. Please keep praying and growing in your own spiritual walk, friends!! God wants to be included in every aspect of your life!!
|
|
|
|
<< Home