I know some of you may have heard, but I wanted to make sure you all knew about Scott's PET scan. We found out last week that his scan did come back clean (meaning no active cancer)... so we are celebrating an early Christmas present... yes, Christmas, not holiday :)! He does have some scarring where the tumor was in his chest, but the radiation oncologist said that it was scar tissue and not active.
Scott is still dealing with some effects of the radiation and chemo, however. He has been having increasing shortness of breath along with some numbness and tingling and chest pain. He has had a lung function test done and they determined that he is only functioning at about 67% of his lung capacity. We met with his oncologist last Friday, but he is unsure as to why this is happening. So, Scott has an appointment with the pulmonologist on this Friday to hopefully get some answers. We were also hoping he could discontinue the Fragmin (daily blood thinner injections) that he has been taking since June when he was hospitalized with blood clots in his lungs. However, his oncologist is referring him to a specialist to determine if those clots were directly related to his chemo, or if Scott will need to be on the medication for life. I hope not because they are very painful for him, as well as having the potential to be costly. Right now we get the meds discounted through the hospital, but if we didn't have that, they would cost around $2,000 per month.
Who knows, though, if the new health care plan goes into effect, there will probably be a cap on treatment, and then Scott will be forced off the medication :)... haha. Anyway, I wanted to thank you all for praying! It has been a tough season for us, but we are beginning to see the end.
We are so thankful to the Lord for this good news... not that our faith depends on good news of being cancer free, but it is a gift and a blessing that we know comes from Him. Of course, we have been a little more contemplative this season of the good news for all mankind... Jesus Christ's coming to earth to pay for our sins! So, we feel especially blessed to be celebrating our Saviour's birth, Scott's cancer free report, and... Aspen's first birthday.
Just a side note... Aspen said her first words on the day that Scott found out his scan was clean... she said "dada". It was an especially memorable day for Scott :).
So, that's where things are at right now. We are awaiting the word (which will hopefully come after these next two appointments) so that Scott can have his port removed. It has been painful for him during the course of his treatment, and we are anxious to get it OUT! Of course, after that comes the big NO CANCER party... so be looking for the announcement, because you are all invited!
Enjoy and treasure your family and your time with them this Christmas. While I still wonder at times why Scott had to go through all of this, I am reminded of the verse that the kids have memorized... Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose". Someday, maybe not until heaven, we will see the good that the Lord has worked in us through this trial. We have already seen many "good" things, and we hope that we can use this suffering to encourage others in years to come.
So, may you find your peace and comfort in Him... the one who created the universe, yet knows every intimate detail about you; the one who left his throne in the heavens, came to earth to suffer in our frail humanity... in order to die on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, yet now is ALIVE and sits at the right hand of God! Now, that's a Christmas present! Merry Christmas... we love you all!
Cinnamon for all of us
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