Friday, February 1, 2008

"Excellent"

"It looks excellent!" Tara said to me as she was talking to the oncologist on our trip home from Baltimore for Henry's MRI. The relief was palpable. The day itself was not so stressful, in fact Henry was a trooper - hardly complaining about not being able to eat all morning - but the weeks and months leading up to this moment, knowing it was coming, afraid for the results, yet hopeful, but wary...We'd prepared for lukewarm news. The first read of the scan reports that all of the cancer that previously surrounded the lining of Henry's brain is gone. In addition, there is no recurrence at the original tumor site. The areas on his spine that were noted on his original MRI remain, but look smaller and less significant. It is unclear if they represent cancer cells or something less ominous like scarring or inflammation.

This quickly crystallized in my head to mean that the chemotherapy is working brilliantly. We will continue with the high-dose treatment as planned after some follow up testing next week. Other conclusions washed over me as we continued the drive home. The odds for Henry's survival go up. The chance of needing radiation therapy go down, sparing him the threat of brain damage or other dysfunctions. As difficult as the next phase of chemotherapy will be, we'll have the comfort of knowing, not just guessing, that its working. Sheaves of worry lifted from my shoulders as I considered it all. Tears in my eyes, but why? Just happy I guess. We were braced for harsh reality and got handed another chance.

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

FANTASTIC!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!

matt

Anonymous said...

Wow - tears in my eyes, too. I have been waiting all day for good news and it was worth the wait - we send blessings from Arlington
Linda G.

Anonymous said...

Wow,what wonderful news! 2008 is going to be a good year!
Lots of Love,
Susan P. Vallotton

Anonymous said...

Yipppeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I KNEW IT! I'm sooooooo happy for ALL of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU for the best news of the year so far!!!!!!!!!

xo Gwen & the gang

Anonymous said...

Prayers are answered! This will make the next step easier to endure. We love you all. Bob and Debbie

Anonymous said...

I too have those tears. I've thought about you guys all day. Way to fight Henry!!!!

Love,
Shanda

Anonymous said...

THANK YOU GOD for such great news!
I was so hoping this would be what I would read as I opened the blog.

Thanks for sharing with us as quickly as you did!

Cousin Susan H.

Anonymous said...

YEAH!!!!!!!!! That is FANTASTIC news! This calls for Champagne! POP!

Lori and Fred

Anonymous said...

What wonderful news you shared with us.
Way to go Henry....and his family too
nk

rlbates said...

Excellent, indeed!

Anonymous said...

Awesome!!! Thanks for sharing the great news.

Anonymous said...

Wow.I too shed tears of joy! You and Tara and your wonderful family so deserve to hear this good news. I say, cry all you want, sleep well, and realize that tomorrow...a new day begins!

Way to go little Henry. I am so proud of you.

ms.t

Anonymous said...

Way to go Henry! That is such wonderful news - you guys deserve it. Thanks for sharing so quickly. Here's to continued great news in 2008!

Julie, Brad, Patrick, Andrew & Samantha

shadowfax said...

Delighted to hear it! One huge step in the right direction.

Dave Silvester said...

What fantastic news! We're so happy for you!

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear such good news!!!! Steve and I are so happy for you. One step in the right direction. Thank you for sharing!!! Continued prayers from Houston, TX. Love, Uncle Steve and Aunt Susan

Anonymous said...

Such answered prayers!!!! We have been thinking of you all and sending up prayers from Wichita! We'll continue to do so!!
Hugs and enjoy the weekend!!

Anonymous said...

Thank God!

Anonymous said...

Our Prayers are working!! We will keep them coming! Congratulations and God Bless!

Anonymous said...

Oh the power of the prayer. This is what we all look for in our life. Thank you God for hearing us.

Wendy said...

I have been thinking about Henry all of the time and am thrilled to hear this news.
Thanks for the updates.
Wendy Peacock (Kurz)

Deborah Newell said...

Just stopping by after reading Dr. Shadowfax's post at Movin' Meat.

I have three boys myself, and though I don't know you, my heart bursts with joy for you--how strange is that? Well, perhaps not so strange. Like everyone here, I send cheers and good thoughts your way.

Hang in, and remember there are good people all over the world--caring, reading, filled with hope.

Bravo to your tough little Henry, of whom you must be so proud.

Peace,
Deborah

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to all of you. You all certainly deserve this much needed good news. Cling to it on the tough days.... We will continue praying for you.

Madalyn Remsburg and family

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to all of you. You all certainly deserve this much needed good news. Cling to it on the tough days.... We will continue praying for you.

Madalyn Remsburg and family

Anonymous said...

An answer to all our prayers ! Congratulations !!!!!!

Anonymous said...

What wonderful, awesome, amazing news. Prayers are answered! You must all still be walking on clouds. Here is to continued wonderful news from here on out!!

Anonymous said...

Behold the power of prayer and God's love!

Margie said...

So glad you got that wonderfull news!!!! Even on this cold and dismal day in CT, I feel like the sun is shining since you got the great news that everything is going so well. Our prayers will continue for the path to keep on going! Take care!!!!

Margie