Still a bit "fuzzy"!!

This afternoon we had an appointment with Bob's oncologist. She had just seen his CT scan from yesterday. The swelling around his left ureter (the one that is still functioning) has gone down considerably, but the tumourous mass hasn't diminished in size--if anything she says that it has gotten a bit larger. Dr. Le is still a bit mystified by Bob's cancer, as are other specialists. She says that usually she sees a rather well-defined mass that can be measured. But Bob's is like a mass of "fuzz".

Dr. Le will get a more detailed report from the radiologist next week who has more expertise at reading these scans, and hopefully will be able to bring greater clarity to this "fuzzy" situation.

She's also going to have some more labwork done that will look at something called a "tumour marker". Since his diagnosis, the tumour marker has continued to decrease even though the CT scan would indicate otherwise. Determining how these two tests interface with one another would be helpful.

In the meantime Bob will resume chemo. Since he almost completely stopped chemo over two months ago, it's hard to determine whether the chemo helped or not. Bob felt that it had, especially since his back pain disappeared. However, in the past couple of weeks his back has been sore at times.

We were a little disappointed that the scan didn't reveal that the tumour had shrunk, but we aren't disheartened. This will keep us dependent--especially on the Lord, and also on the medical help Bob has been receiving, and the love and prayers of our faithful family and friends!!

After the doctor's appointment, Bob and I went to Tim Horton's for an early supper before he went back to the hospital for dialysis. Everyone is amazed how well Bob is feeling and looking and we are so thankful. He even let me take a picture of him while he was hooked up to the dialysis machine so that you can see for yourselves!!

We recognize more than ever that we are living in a very "sacred season" that is full of purpose, joy, strength, hope, and peace. We daily experience all of those gifts from God and want to in turn share them with others--medical staff, friends, neighbours, fellow-sufferers, and of course our family. God is good!!