Feb. 7th, it seems....

It needs to be confirmed for sure, but it looks like Harvey will have surgery next Friday, Feb. 7th...

Thank you for praying...

Quick little summary

(By the way, I'm typing this during the State of the Union Address and it might not come out exactly right.  :-)  )

Today's appointment:

Dr. Park showed us the tumor on the CT scan and said that he can take the tumor out, but that it's so close to one of the important veins that he won't be able to have much of a margin when he removes it.

He showed us a couple of lymph nodes that also need to be removed.

There is risk that Harv will lose more blood during this surgery because of the tumor's close proximity to this vein...

However, if we choose not to do surgery and go the route of radio embolism first, surgery will then be off the table. That is because, I believe, the radiation will damage the liver and it won't be strong enough for surgery later.

Harv and I have talked (and we consulted with Dr. Lin) and we believe, that with the information we have now, that surgery is the best next step. As soon as we're able to schedule it, we will do it.

Your prayers now for a safe and successful surgery are appreciated.

Tuesday

Dr. Park's assistant called Harvey this afternoon... Long story, short -- Dr. Park wants to meet with us on Tuesday to discuss possible surgery and the risks associated with that. 

So... that's what we will do.

Please pray for clarity -- for Dr. Park and for us as we weigh whatever options may be presented. We want to make the best long-term decision.  And, please pray for Harvey (some more :-) ) that his body would be receptive to whatever the next steps may be. 

Thank you for the love.

Today... 

CEA has decreased.

CA 19-9 has deceased

Lymph nodes in normal range...

The mass appears larger, but Dr. Lin thinks that the actual cancerous part of that tumor is less than it was. There's no way to really know with a CT scan, but based on the numbers it seems likely that some of that mass is healthy tissue.

Next steps:

Dr. Lin will consult with Dr. Park. Maybe surgery. We'll see.

If not surgery, the most likely next step will be radio embolism (which is radiation directed specifically at the tumor -- internally).

If not that, then he'll have more chemo.

He'll continue with the GMCSF and add a supplement to add some punch to the immune booster situation.

We should know more by early next week.

We are feeling thankful...and continue to be hopeful.

Go Seahawks!

Harv had blood work done yesterday. CEA is 8.8 -- which is lower, which is very good!  Which indicates to this relatively inexperienced follower of cancer numbers that this current treatment is making a positive difference. (By the way, a "normal" CEA count is 0-5!)
CT scan on Thursday... Weeeeeeeeeeee -hawwwww! :-)

It's a new year with fresh, new goals...

Okay... I'm gonna 'fess up... These are my hopes and dreams for the new year.... the 'fessin' part is that I'm not confident in my abilities to actually follow through with all of my dreams...but I guess that's one reason why they're called "dreams."

I dream of helping some minor girls who are involved in really awful situations. I don't know what that really looks like. It might be that I give money to an organization who rescues these girls and protects them. It might be that I get a little bit more familiar with that life than I am comfortable with. But my hope -- my prayer -- is that somehow, this year, something I do will help at least one girl who's in a situation that seems hopeless.  (I know that there are women 18 and older who are involved in "awful situations" but my heart is steering me toward little girls who are younger than that...)

I dream of NOT being on Facebook all the time. THAT one is a tough one, too, but in a TOTALLY different way obviously. I LOVE connecting with people. I love being able to spontaneously post whatever the hell is on my mind. I love asking for prayer and sharing photos of my walks. I love seeing YOUR photos and hearing about YOUR life. I love learning from you. I could do it ALL. DAY. LONG. (and you may think I do, but I swear, it's not 24 hours a day!).

I dream of writing a REAL letter at least once a week all year long.  I did my first one last week and that means one down, 51 to go.

I dream of running. Running without stopping to walk. Running fast enough to run with Molly Hayes and her friends on a Sunday morning on Galbraith.  :-)

I dream of writing -- finally writing and having published -- my picture book about my parents' front porch. I can NOT figure out how to do it, but it is in my heart...and I think it's a story that needs to be told.

I dream of changing the way I eat so I stop eating so much sugar and stupid stuff at the end of the day and start my day with a good breakfast and lunch so that dinner and after aren't such a big deal.

I dream of painting a real painting that I can hang in my house.

I dream of taking a trip to Europe and eating good food and widening my world a bit.

I dream of being a kinder, more gentle and loving wife and mother. I want to be sweet all the time and I want to be able to give selflessly and enthusiastically. 

It's hard to share dreams... 'cause I don't really want people to notice that I'm not making progress. And, I don't want people to fuss at me if I'm not stayin' on track.  I guess it boils down to "I wanna do what I wanna do."

I wish you all a wonderful new year full of dream fulfillment for you... Thank you for loving me -- and my family.