Rejoice!

I praise and thank the Lord tonight.  We had a very good check up with the Dr. Ahmed today.  The MRI results from last week were in and the tumors have shrunk by half.  This is in the "better than expected" category.  Part of the discussion today was to check and alter the course of treatment if necessary.  Based on the success of the treatment and how well I have been tolerating medication we're going to go with a third round of chemotherapy before moving on to radiation.  The clear statement from Ahmed today was that we were looking to cure this, not control it.  The chemo gives the best attack on the system overall to kill any potentially undetectable cells elsewhere in the body.  It also continues to knock back the existing tumors which makes the field requiring radiation smaller.

God has been very good to me throughout this treatment.  He has protected me from any but the mildest side effects and has begun the healing process through the doctors to whom He has led us.  He has brought my friends and family, and many others whom I don't even know, close to me for prayer and support.  I cannot be more blessed and thankful for those who have lifted me up.

I love you, O Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.  He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.  The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.  The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me.  In my distress I called to the Lord; my cry came before him, into his ears...He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.

-Psalm 18:1-6, 16