Please forgive the delay - we just got home at 8:20. Our days are full. Here is the report:
Good News - In Fact, Very Good News
The tumor is smaller than it was when the first MRI was taken on February 3rd or 4th. This is QUITE unusual. The most the doctor hopes for with treatment on this kind of tumor is for the tumor not to grow during radiation. In addition, the swelling around the tumor is down, which is largely responsible for the significantly increased movement on her left side. Six weeks ago, she could do almost nothing with her left arm, hand, leg, or foot. Now, she can raise her arm over her head, touch all her fingers with her thumb, pick her foot up and put it in front of her. In fact, last night she walked quite a long way in the house with a hemi walker - a small walker that requires the use of only one hand.
We have repeatedly prayed (as have many of you!) that the radiation and chemotherapy Linda is taking will attack the bad cells and leave the good cells alone. Usually, in the best case scenario, this type of tumor will begin to shrink three to six months AFTER radiation. Of course, many people never make it that long. It appears, though, that Linda is responding to treatment. There are many factors that are considered when rendering a prognosis, including age, health, movement (such as Linda's left side - increasing or decreasing), size of the tumor after treatment, etc. Almost all of the factors are positive for Linda right now. We are greatly encouraged.
Not So Good News
Linda has a Glioblastoma Multiforme. That has not changed - well, it is the tiniest bit smaller, but it still exists. As anyone who has ever had cancer knows, cancer is an unpredictable animal that can change course at any time. GBM still is the worst kind of brain cancer you can have, and Linda has it.
The tumor is bleeding a little. While this does not concern the doctors who are currently treating Linda, we have read that one of the side effects of Avastan, which is one of the experimental drugs that are a possibility for Linda, is that it causes bleeding. I cannot imagine that the doctors at Duke would recommend that she take Avastan if brain hemmoraging is a possibility.
Great news! In Fact, Incredible News!
God is still in charge of the universe, and that includes Linda's health! Our hope, in a biblical sense, is not in extending our lives on this earth, but in eternal life, made possible through Jesus' death. Every time you see hope in the New Testament, think "eternal life." Since all in our family have trusted Jesus as our Savior, our future is secure. That's incredible news! But, we pray to God because we know He cares and we know He can do something about that ugly mass in Linda's head (we made the mistake of looking at the MRI yeseterday before a doctor called to interpret it). Make no mistake, while we will glorify God no matter what, we want Linda to continue her ministry here on earth and for those of us who love her to be spared sorrow upon sorrow (Philippians 2:25-30)! Please continue to pray for that - and while you are praying, here are a few more requests:
Prayer Requests
We have seen God move quickly and directly in response to your prayers! We have a few new requests:
> Pray that the tumor will stop bleeding
> Pray that the opportunity at Duke will work out - if God wills
> Pray that the second phase of radiation (which begins on Monday) will not damage Linda's brain stem or field of vision
> Pray that God will open many doors for evangelism through this trial
God bless every one who is still reading! Thank you for your love and support. We cannot express our amazement at how many of you who do not know us care so much - we hear about it from our friends! Please give all glory to God for all He does in our lives, and for all He does in your life. Some of the best news of all is found in Hebrews 13:8: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
'Your love is better than life...'
3 comments:
Brad, this is so encouraging to hear how God is hearing and considering our prayers. After all, "what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?" (Ps 8:4)
Now, back to prayer and rejoicing in His goodness and mercy toward Linda!
Father God, we thank you that you are an awesome God and that you control this world, even when we sometimes feel that it is out of control. We thank you for the family and for the testimony of their faithfulness.
Father, your Word says in Psalm 103:1-5 that you not only save us, but you heal ALL our diseases and that you restore health like an EAGLE. We claim this promise and stand firm believing that this verse is a verse for Linda at this time. We pray that you protect every part of her as she walks out all that you have for her through the guidance of these doctors. We pray for your guidance and wisdom for the doctors and that you will not allow anything outside of what is for Linda's best.
Father, we ask that you stop the bleeding, that you protect her eyesight, that you cause the cancer to die at the root so that it will not spread to any other area of her body. We pray that the tumor and all related conditions be gone, in the name of Jesus.
We ask that you give this family an abundance of your peace, grace and love. We thank you that you are our God and there is nothing too big for you.
Lord, I've not met this family. I only hear about them through e-mail from a friend of the family. Father, I thank you for the prividege to pray and lift up this family and thank you that you are working in their lives so that you receive all the praise and glory during this process.
We thank you for touching our lives through this family and their willingness to share their pain and their joy with us. We know that you will receive all the glory that they can muster. We ask that in this healing that many lives will be touched that would not have been touched without this process.
Father, we know that one day, we will understand it ALL. Today, we look to you and rely on your guidance with sincere trust. We know that ALL things work together for the good of Linda and her family (Romans 8:28). We know that before Linda was born that you had a plan for her and that her days were numbered in your book before the first day began (Psalm 139: 15-16). We know that in Isaiah 43:1b -3a, your Word says: Linda Talley, I have called you by name, you are MINE. When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you;your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt you. For I am the Lord you God, the holy God of Israel, who saves you.
We rest in the loving arms of our Heavenly Father...trusting, believing, rejoicing and singing His praises.
In Jesus' name
Amen
Brad,
I got this update on my birthday and it's the BEST gift I could have received! GOD BLESS YOU BOTH!
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