Encouraging News...

Yesterday, Trudie and her "entourage" (Jim, Dana, Sheila & Marsha) went to MD Anderson to find out the results of her repeat bloodwork and cat-scans that she had done on Sunday. The news was all so encouraging and positive. Mom's liver is clear! The spots on her lungs show improvement...three of the larger ones have shrunk and the others show "gray" centers which means they contain dead cancer cells. The pancreatic tumor is stable, showing no signs of growth or spreading. The most encouraging news came from the tumor protein marker test, which shows how much protein the tumor is throwing off into the body. At the end of December the marker was 1208. Now it is down to 500!!!! This means that the tumor has diminished in it's ability to grow and spread. The doctors said it could also mean that the pancreatic tumor now contains dead cancer cells. Mom's is maintaining good weight, and hasn't lost any weight in the past two weeks. The doctors are very pleased with how things are going and how "exceptionally well" she is tolerating the chemo. Mom will continue with her chemo treatments as usual and she goes tomorrow for her 5th round.

Mom looks wonderful and beautiful, and her energy level is as amazing as always. How can we do anything but praise God for all of this? Everyone has been so faithful, strong and bold in their prayers for mom, and God is listening....He is answering....He is so good! Please continue to lift her up. She is such a woman of strong spirit and faith, and we are so proud of her!

Fourth Down

It's been a busy week in Sugar Land. Jim had surgery to remove his skin cancer at Mohs Clinic of MD Anderson on Monday. He's clean! Just a little banged up.....but you should see the other guy. :) Where else is a guy with two black eyes going to fit in but a hockey game?? Grandpa, Dana, James, and Brandon are all out tonight watching the Aeros. Grandpa is in heaven.
Grandma had her fourth chemo treatment yesterday and is continuing to do well. With a minor flushed face and puffy cheeks, she's still cuter than ever! She visited her PT this morning. This helps her with chemo and all around good physical health. We spent the rest of the day visiting a friend at the hospital.
Wow! We hear it has snowed just a little bit in the Dallas area. Hope you have power and everybody stays warm. Make a snowman for us! Love to everyone! God has been good to us.

Back in Sugar Land

Mom and Dad sure enjoyed their time at home in Waxahachie. They got to spend time with neighbors, friends, and family. Glenn, Jess and Garna came down, brought a delicious dinner, and pampered Mom and Dad while they were home. Garna even taught Mom a few tricks on Mom's new cell phone....oh the young, they can so easily figure these things out.

Mom and Dad have been back in Sugar Land for a week. Sheila picked them up in Waxahachie for the drive back, and took them on lots of little "field trips" along the way. Mom and Dad both said that "veering off the beaten path" and seeing places they had never seen before was a fun way to make the drive.

Mom went for her third IV chemo treatment last Thursday. Once again, we praise and thank God for helping her continue to receive treatments with no ill side-effects. She gets a little tired afterwards, but she still has more energy than all of us put together.

Dad also made a trip to M.D. Anderson today to have some skin cancers looked at and biopsied. The doctors and nurses at M.D. Anderson are so gifted and talented. The doctor today made Dad feel like he was the only patient she had. She "got" Dad's sense of humor, too...so the two of them were quite a pair, apparently. A stressful and long day was filled with teasing, laughing, and healing. What a blessing!!!

We continue to thank everyone for all the cards, calls, visits and outpourings of love. Your friendship and devotion strengthens and bolsters us all. God's love and blessings to everyone! God is so good. He proves it every day!!!!