Judy got her Big Shot two weeks ago today. Can you believe (sure you can), she hasn't felt sick for even a minute. We will go back to M D Anderson on Sept. 13th. They will do another octreotide scan and compare it to the first one to see if the tumors are growing or spreading. If not, we will continue the monthly shot for another four months. If the tumors are progressing, they will add another treatment, but still no chemotherapy.
Now the OOPS! Judy and I were at Fair park for the performance of "Wicked" yesterday when I got a call from Casey's boss, saying that Casey had collapsed at her desk with an apparent stroke. We hurried off to Parkland Hospital and met the ambulance bringing Casey to the ER. She was totally incoherent and had paralysis on her right side. So, from 4:30 PM to 5:30 AM this morning was spent getting stablized and running tests and CT scan and MRI. She gradually improved through the night and incredibly walked out of the ER at 6 AM this morning.
After sleeping a couple of hours at our house, she woke up with a headache and some fever. Judy called her Internist, who amazingly got her in to a Neurologist, who gave up his lunch hour to see her...thank you Lord. After consultation, he was certain that she had not had a stroke, but a spontaneous seizure. She is at this moment getting hooked up for a 48 hour EEG. If this test indicates a cause for the seizure, we will deal with it. If not, she will go on about her business for the next four months, when she will have another MRI to compare with the other one.
Well I guess we just can't be satisfied with status quo in the Rawls family. God has given us supernatural strength through all this and we see no reason why He won't continue to do so. We love you all and thank God often for you. May God bless each of you real good!
Friday, May 28, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
From Judy:
When I look back over the last 7 weeks, I am shocked that it has only been that long. It seems like years. So much has happened. How can your life be changed so greatly in such a short amount of time? Ronnie and I are well aware of the seriousness this rare cancer. We are still looking at Stage 4. Not a pretty sight.
However...... there have been many more pluses than negatives. What a strange thing to say unless, you have seen what we have seen....miracles.
1st The fact that my cancer was discovered when it was, almost by "chance".
2nd I am STILL not sick. There is not pain and there is no nausea. That is
almost impossible!
3rd The doctors here and at MD Anderson,as well as Ronnie and me,saw
the lesions slides taken of the pancreas. But, after a very advanced scan
was done in Houston, THEY ARE GONE!!!!
Why? We don't know. Where these miracles came from....yes. From the Father, and we thank Him and promise never to forget to tell His story.
Judy
However...... there have been many more pluses than negatives. What a strange thing to say unless, you have seen what we have seen....miracles.
1st The fact that my cancer was discovered when it was, almost by "chance".
2nd I am STILL not sick. There is not pain and there is no nausea. That is
almost impossible!
3rd The doctors here and at MD Anderson,as well as Ronnie and me,saw
the lesions slides taken of the pancreas. But, after a very advanced scan
was done in Houston, THEY ARE GONE!!!!
Why? We don't know. Where these miracles came from....yes. From the Father, and we thank Him and promise never to forget to tell His story.
Judy
Trail Ride
Well. Judy got her once-a-month shot of Sandostatin Friday morning, sending us off on a wild weekend. We went straight way to College Station for niece Stephanie Watts' graduation from A&M. After the graduation party, we headed for Goldthwaite, Tx for the annual Cowpokes For Kids trail ride, benefiting New Horizons Ranch. NHR is a residential treatment center for abused children that Judy and I have been involved with for 40 years. Son, Bob came down for the event and donated two horses to the ranch's horse program. We really enjoyed our time with Bob and Casey and our hosts, Del and Joy Barnett.
You know, it seems strange in a way, but Judy and I are happier today that we have ever been before. The prayers and support of our family and friends have brought us to a level of peace and joy that we have not known. I know we keep saying "thank you", but you will just have to get used to it...we don't know what else to say.
You know, it seems strange in a way, but Judy and I are happier today that we have ever been before. The prayers and support of our family and friends have brought us to a level of peace and joy that we have not known. I know we keep saying "thank you", but you will just have to get used to it...we don't know what else to say.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
"The Big Shot"
We faxed the records from MDA to our Oncologist, Dr. Orr today. His nurse called back and said he wanted her to come in tomorrow morning to start the Big
Shot. We will continue that for the next four months, at which time we will return to MDA for another Octreotide scan, to measure it against the first one. If everything is the same, we will just continue the treatment for another four months.
We continue to rejoice and praise God for His goodness and mercy.
Shot. We will continue that for the next four months, at which time we will return to MDA for another Octreotide scan, to measure it against the first one. If everything is the same, we will just continue the treatment for another four months.
We continue to rejoice and praise God for His goodness and mercy.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
She's not dying with cancer...she's living with it
On Monday, Dr. Phan told us that it seemed certain that the primary source of the cancer was the pancreas. But, it was very important to be certain about the source of the cancer. Thus, all the tests and procedures. Judy held up very well for all the stuff she had to endure for three days.
We were very aprehensive going into today's consultation. When the doctor told us the pancreas was clear (no tumors), we were initially shocked. But, very quickly, we knew exactly what had happened...God had performed a miracle. The source of the tumors turned out to be the small bowel. We now know for sure that the diagnosis is, get this, Mid-gut, intermediate differentiated, small bowel, neuroendocrine carcinoma.
The other good news is that we can do the treatment here in Dallas, And, we will still do the once-a-month shot of Sandostatin. We will return to MDA in four months for another scan to see if the growth of the tumors have been abated. If so, the same treatment will continue. If there is progression of the tumors, another treatment will be added. The good news here is that it will not be chemotherapy.
As I mentioned earlier today, we so appreciate your commitment to prayer for us and for our caretakers. Do you ever wonder how some people without praying friends and a living and miracle-working God can stand up to adversity such as this? Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
We were very aprehensive going into today's consultation. When the doctor told us the pancreas was clear (no tumors), we were initially shocked. But, very quickly, we knew exactly what had happened...God had performed a miracle. The source of the tumors turned out to be the small bowel. We now know for sure that the diagnosis is, get this, Mid-gut, intermediate differentiated, small bowel, neuroendocrine carcinoma.
The other good news is that we can do the treatment here in Dallas, And, we will still do the once-a-month shot of Sandostatin. We will return to MDA in four months for another scan to see if the growth of the tumors have been abated. If so, the same treatment will continue. If there is progression of the tumors, another treatment will be added. The good news here is that it will not be chemotherapy.
As I mentioned earlier today, we so appreciate your commitment to prayer for us and for our caretakers. Do you ever wonder how some people without praying friends and a living and miracle-working God can stand up to adversity such as this? Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
God is good...but we already knew that. It's just so exciting to watch Him in action. We met with Dr. Phan at about 3:30PM today. We got great news...the spots they saw on the pancreas were not cancer! I asked, "what were they?" The Dr. Said, "
I have no idea".
I'll go into more detail tonight, but we wanted to alert everyone as soon as possible. We are on the road to Mesquite, sending this from my I Phone. Thank you is so inadequate for all of you who have prayed so diligently...see you tonight.
I have no idea".
I'll go into more detail tonight, but we wanted to alert everyone as soon as possible. We are on the road to Mesquite, sending this from my I Phone. Thank you is so inadequate for all of you who have prayed so diligently...see you tonight.
Monday, May 10, 2010
MDA Today
Well, we arrived at MD Anderson at 9AM this morning and are still here at 8:30 PM. Judy is at this moment getting her CT Scan. She had to drink some kind of goop for an hour before the scan. It's been a pretty long day, but we still feel good and are encouraged by what we have seen and done today. We saw the lead Doctor this morning, had chest x-rays, did bloodwork, and now the scan. Tomorrow, we will have the octreotide scan after an infusion at 8 AM. We should be done by noon tomorrow. Then we will see the doctor on Wednesday for further consultation and to see if they need any more tests or procedures.
One thing different that we did learn today is that Judy's tumors are of the intermediate type, meaning that the cancer is not slow-growing nor fast-growing, but somewhere in between. Also, it is important to know the origin of the cancer cells, which is something we were told was not important with this type of neuroendocrine tumor. Thus, these procedures and tests are for the purpose of determining from whence the metastises originated. It's important because it will determine the type of treatment we will need.
Before I forget, I want to thank Casey for staying at the house and John Hobbs for taking care of our newly planted roses and ferns, and especially for watering my garden!
I must tell you that we truly feel your prayers and thoughts for us during these hours and days of tests and procedures and more tests and procedures. As we continue to pray for complete healing, we also are praying for utter dependence on God to take us where He wants us to go. We would rather go with Him down a rocky path than to take any other path without Him.
Until we know something more...thank all of you and know that we love you more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow (sounds like good lyrics for a song).
One thing different that we did learn today is that Judy's tumors are of the intermediate type, meaning that the cancer is not slow-growing nor fast-growing, but somewhere in between. Also, it is important to know the origin of the cancer cells, which is something we were told was not important with this type of neuroendocrine tumor. Thus, these procedures and tests are for the purpose of determining from whence the metastises originated. It's important because it will determine the type of treatment we will need.
Before I forget, I want to thank Casey for staying at the house and John Hobbs for taking care of our newly planted roses and ferns, and especially for watering my garden!
I must tell you that we truly feel your prayers and thoughts for us during these hours and days of tests and procedures and more tests and procedures. As we continue to pray for complete healing, we also are praying for utter dependence on God to take us where He wants us to go. We would rather go with Him down a rocky path than to take any other path without Him.
Until we know something more...thank all of you and know that we love you more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow (sounds like good lyrics for a song).
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Progress...Yea!!
We started Judy's shots yesterday. I'm giving them to her morn. and nite and she is doing the noon one. Many thanks to David Guidrey, who came over after work and showed us how to administer the injection. He also drew the ninety vials to complete the thirty day initial treatment. Judy will then go once a month to the doctor's office for the shot.
The other great news...just as I was leaving for Rotary lunch, MD Anderson called and started rattling off the schedule for Judy's appointments, starting tomorrow, Wednesday, at 10 AM. I had to stop the guy and tell him how I appreciated their promptness, but that we had friends from Georgia here and other friends from South Carolina coming in tomorrow. I asked if we could possibly start the program next week. The nice young lady scheduler was very accomodating and said she would work on it and get back to me. Boy, we almost got caught in a whirlwind before we knew it.
We will do what we have to, even if it means to go on this week. If the schedule cannot be changed, we will just assume that God knows something we don't and we will just follow Him. I want everyone to know that Judy and I are together 100% on whatever happens. We don't think anything is happening without God's hand on the process. Our faith looks up to Him for guidance.
We will be talking to you again whenever we know about MDA. We love every one of you more than you can know, because of your faithfulness in prayer and your many cards and letters and phone calls, E-Mail, Facebook, etc. We are truly humbled by it all.
The other great news...just as I was leaving for Rotary lunch, MD Anderson called and started rattling off the schedule for Judy's appointments, starting tomorrow, Wednesday, at 10 AM. I had to stop the guy and tell him how I appreciated their promptness, but that we had friends from Georgia here and other friends from South Carolina coming in tomorrow. I asked if we could possibly start the program next week. The nice young lady scheduler was very accomodating and said she would work on it and get back to me. Boy, we almost got caught in a whirlwind before we knew it.
We will do what we have to, even if it means to go on this week. If the schedule cannot be changed, we will just assume that God knows something we don't and we will just follow Him. I want everyone to know that Judy and I are together 100% on whatever happens. We don't think anything is happening without God's hand on the process. Our faith looks up to Him for guidance.
We will be talking to you again whenever we know about MDA. We love every one of you more than you can know, because of your faithfulness in prayer and your many cards and letters and phone calls, E-Mail, Facebook, etc. We are truly humbled by it all.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
MDA vs Treatment
We have been awaiting word from MD Anderson as to whether we could start the Sandostaten shot and still be accepted as a patient. Well, yesterday, we got the good news that we could do both.
We have sent all the records and slides to MDA and once they review the file (Monday or Tuesday), they should let us know in a couple of days if they will see Judy. WE will pick up the prescription on Monday and self-administer the shots for ten days to be sure Judy can tolerate the medication. Then the shot will be given monthly at the doctor's office.
We are very pleased about the progress we are making to get verification of the diagnosis and treatment. Then we can settle down to concentrate wholly on either a miraculous healing or on the battle to defeat the cancer. We are ready for either one, because if God is in it (and He is), we can't lose. Please pray that Judy will continue to feel healthy and strong.
Judy got a text from her sister Betsy that said, "Don't tell God how big the storm is...tell the storm how big God is". The message came at just the right time, when Judy was feeling a little blue.
We have sent all the records and slides to MDA and once they review the file (Monday or Tuesday), they should let us know in a couple of days if they will see Judy. WE will pick up the prescription on Monday and self-administer the shots for ten days to be sure Judy can tolerate the medication. Then the shot will be given monthly at the doctor's office.
We are very pleased about the progress we are making to get verification of the diagnosis and treatment. Then we can settle down to concentrate wholly on either a miraculous healing or on the battle to defeat the cancer. We are ready for either one, because if God is in it (and He is), we can't lose. Please pray that Judy will continue to feel healthy and strong.
Judy got a text from her sister Betsy that said, "Don't tell God how big the storm is...tell the storm how big God is". The message came at just the right time, when Judy was feeling a little blue.
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