Unless the Lord Builds the House: It's GONE!!!

Here are the results of the CT scans that I have had. If you want to skip through them, just read the last one!

June 17, 2019 MEDIASTINUM: Central airway is unremarkable. There is a 10 mm precarinal node which is upper limits of normal size. There is a 12 mm subcarinal node. There is marked thickening of the wall of the left upper lobe bronchus extending around the left lower lobe bronchus. There is a 18 x 26 mm (1.8 x 2.6 cm) mass in the left infrahilar region. This partially encases the left upper and left lower lobe bronchus. It causes significant narrowing of the left upper lobe bronchus and moderate narrowing of the left lower lobe bronchus. It does partially encase left lower lobe pulmonary arteries.

July 31, 2019 MEDIASTINUM: Central airway is unremarkable. The previously described mediastinal adenopathy and soft tissue changes around the left infrahilar region are unaltered. The left infrahilar nodule has increased from 18 x 26 - 23 x 31 mm. No filling defects seen in the pulmonary arteries. The soft tissue thickening and densities around the infrahilar region on the left partially encase the left lower lobe pulmonary arteries but they are not significantly narrowed. Narrowing of the left upper and lower lobe bronchi again seen with increased stenosis seen in the lower lobe bronchus.

October 3, 2019 MEDIASTINUM: Left hilar lymph node measures 20 x 17 mm (previously 31 x 23 mm). There is a subcarinal lymph node measuring 8 mm (previously 12 mm). No other mediastinal or hilar adenopathy.

October 29, 2019 MEDIASTINUM: Left hilar lymph node is slightly smaller than previous scan currently measuring 15 x 16 mm (17 x 20 mm previously). A subcarinal lymph node currently measures 7.4 mm compared to 8.1 mm previously.

January 6, 2020 MEDIASTINUM: No mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy.

Those are some pretty amazing words to read. This is from the oncologist's notes:

"Her CT scan does not show any evidence of mediastinal or hilar adenopathy. Her cough has dissipated."

I am trying to find the right words, any words, to describe how I feel but they are not coming to me at the moment. Initially, the Doctor was only hoping to be able to slow the growth of the cancer. They were not expecting it to disappear altogether. I might not have the words, but I will admit, it feels good..

There is still some concern, however. According to the most recent CT scan, there has been some new activity in my lungs that, albeit fairly small, will require monitoring.

January 6, 2020 LUNGS AND AIRWAYS: Minor atelectasis in the dependent aspect of the lungs. Subsegmental scarring within the inferior lingula. There is a 2mm subpleural nodule within the medial basal segment right lower lobe. There is a 2mm nodule within the posterior basal segment left lower lobe, unchanged in size. No concerning pulmonary nodules demonstrated.

And some new growth in the lesion in my liver.

January 6, 2020 HEPATOBILIARY: There is a hypoattenuating observation within segment 6 of liver measuring 7mm in size, marginally increased in size. No other hepatic observation demonstrated. Liver contour is smooth.

So there is great progress and there is still work to do but honestly, just being able to breathe normally and to not have an incessant cough is such a gift that I am so thankful for and will not take for granted again. I asked if I would be able to take a break from chemo if things continue to move in a positive direction. The oncologist is not opposed to looking into that over the next few months if all goes well, however, they don't really have a protocol for coming off this particular type of chemo as it is intended to be taken indefinitely.

From his notes:

"She was wondering if she could have some breaks during treatment as her tolerance is moderate. As well, we do not have any data guiding us in this regard. We do recommend to continue with therapy, it is certainly something we can discuss in the future. I will book her another CT in 2 months' time and see her at that point."

So that's the plan. Continue with what we are doing and check back again in 2 months. It would be great if I could stay healthy as well through cold and flu season as my white blood count, red blood count, hemoglobin and hemocrit were all low and I needed to have a dr sign off on the chemo this month. I unfortunately slid on the ice in a parking lot and my knee took the brunt of my fall. Ordinarily, I would have just dusted it off and carried on, the biggest injury being only to my pride but because of the chemo, it meant an x-ray and antibiotics and daily wound care for almost a week now. It's hard to picture these drugs healing some things but making your body unable to heal itself in others.

Overall though, we are thankful. So thankful. Thankful for progress. Thankful for you for praying for us. Thankful for the Lord's goodness in carrying us this far and we remain hopeful for the future. Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow! I am so thankful for the blessed assurance that no matter what happens to me, He will be with me. He will go before me, prepare the path for me and walk with me through it all. And I will be with Him. Filled with His Goodness and lost in His Love.

Thank you Lord Jesus!

~ Blessed Assurance ~

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

O what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood!