Well...both those statements are pretty sweet to say and to have sunk in over the past day. Praising our good Lord and thanking Him for each and every thing we have been through, knowing there is still one more major decision that needs to be made regarding follow-up treatment.
So we got the official news from our thoracic surgeon on Wednesday night (1/25) that all margins were negative in surgery (which means that no cancer was found around the boundaries of what was removed) and even though there was residual cancer that was identified in the pathology test, from a surgical standpoint, we are cancer free. Almost the best news that we could have heard and what a blessing from GOD and a huge answered prayer request! On the residual cancer found....there were still cancer cells identified in lymph nodes and a very small layer in the esophagus at the tumor location. This does reassure us as to why God was so clear with us that we needed to take the next step and have surgery. So knowing that there were active cancers cells in my body at the time of surgery, shows that I didn't have a complete pathological response to the chemo and radiation. But all in all, this is what Megs and I expected based on comments from our surgeon about what he saw in surgery. And to hear the surgeon speak in confidence about what he was able to do during the surgery, we stand confident that I am cancer free.
The decision that now remains on the table is whether to undergo "mop-up" chemo. The surgeon and onocologist are both in agreement that my next step in treatment, to ensure they are doing the most they can at the time, is to conduct a round of chemo (to include 3 doses, once every three weeks for a total of 9 weeks). The idea being that a new type of chemo will attack "any remaining" free floating cancer cells to stop them from adhering and starting a new tumor elsewhere in my body. So let's just say after going through one cancer, being beat down from a second cancer and now on a long physical road to recovery, we have a lot to pray about and discuss with the multiple Dr's, including our Natropath, over the next few weeks. Since they would want to start chemo around 4-weeks after I am out of the hospital, decisions will need to come fairly quickly. No doubt we have another big decision that we will need to make, but can instantly feel the Holy Spirit providing a calm over us as we trust that God will provide us the answers to our prayers in the same clear, concise and timely manner we have asked for in the past.
So on a more immediate joy, I am getting released (we hope everything goes as planned, as I am writing this pre-release) today and I am really looking forward to all of the luxuries of home. After 19 days in the hospital, my body and my brain are now aligned and telling me its time to go. We pray there will be no 11th hour postponements.
So we'll look to settle back into the house, our own routine (one that is not dictated by the nurses) and get familiar with the limitations that I will have and how that effects what we can and can't do. Which in regards to limitations, other than diet (only soft foods for the next 3 months) and not laying down for three hours after I eat....I am physically limited by my nocturnal feedings that I will have nightly tied to a machine for 10hrs as I am fed through my feeding tube a liquid food supply. Additionally, I am limited to lifting 10lbs, so play with Taylor and household chores could be interesting. Other than that, I am pretty much a free man again to push myself and heal as quickly as I can.
So overall, I sit here in the Glory of God feeling so blessed and hopeful about tomorrow. Though there still remains tough decisions and a long road ahead, I am joyful for TODAY.
We'll let you know how the transition home goes and continue to ask for your prayers on clarity as to whether we should undergo chemo now or keep that in our tool kit should the cancer decide to return someday. However, Meg and I trust that God has used this situation to it's fullest and he has bigger things in store for each of us, as a couple and as a family. We also know that this journey over the last 9 months has changed us and shaped us into what we could have never imagined. Now cancer doesn't define me, but it will always be part of me and does support my testimony to how our never-changing, never-failing, ever-loving GOD can use "ugly" undesirable situations to provide opportunities for all to see there is good that will come from everything. No matter how the next chapter in this book goes, all the Glory, Power and Strength through these trials of cancer came from HIM and in that HE is seeking a personal ever-lasting relationship with each and every one of you! It's there...will today be that day you accept it for yourself?
Love and God Bless!
Jason
