In terms of cancer, "no new growth" is a very positive phrase to hear. I am happy to report that those targeted prayers that so many of you have been praying on my behalf seem to be working! The mass was measured at 4.2 X 7cm this time around, which is actually an overall mass SMALLER than the measurement from my August scan! The PET scan showed very little activity in and around the mass (less than my liver, in fact, whatever that means). My oncologist believes that this is almost certainly a well-differentiated, slow growing liposarcoma (that's a clickable link for those of you are new to this journey). This is what was removed from my abdomen back in January 2022 along with a faster growing, "dedifferentiated" portion that was encapsulated in the slower growing stuff. Given my history - a biopsy doesn't seem necessary. We are also opting for observing this tumor rather than surgery at this time. Often times these types of tumors just grow back and unless it is growing quickly or there are other health-risks or severe symptoms that are otherwise untreatable, the risk of surgery outweighs the benefits. Currently my only real symptom is some pain in my side which is fairly well managed. With a twinkle in my eye I asked the doctor if she had ever seen a tumor like this shrink on its own (knowing that I have a pretty powerful prayer force in play). She said that she has seen these tumors stay the same size for up to 10 years. So, I'm excited to see if this mobilized prayer force can shrink this tumor even more! This continued "targeted prayer therapy" is especially coveted knowing that even if it begins to grow, the current drugs available only have a 10-15% success rate with this type of cancer. At this point my doctor does not recommend any drug therapies.
They did find some activity in my thyroid which they will follow-up with an ultrasound, but the doctor isn't too worried as thyroid nodules are fairly common. Given my family history with thyroid cancer, however, I would appreciate prayers on this front as well and will keep folks posted here, but I'm not really worried about this for now.
Other than the ultra-sound for my thyroid, we will follow-up with a CT scan in January. I hope to post some reflections that have been brewing soon, but for now I wanted to get the good news out and to THANK YOU for all of your prayers, giving glory to God, my maker and my healer.
Also, to let you know that fall has set in here in Rail Road Flat.
