THE WORD WAS "DORMANT:

Reporting in with the best report we have gotten in two and a half years!  But first, Judy and I have to admit that we both went into this appointment with a little trepidation about what we would find out from the CT Scan that was run last Friday.  Even though the growth in the tumors has been slow (about 20% growth since the original diagnosis), we both feared more substantial growth this time.  When the Dr. sat down in the examining room, he said, "Your bloodwork looks good...the scan didn't show any growth at all since the last scan.  As a matter of fact, the tumors just seem to be dormant."

We feel like our faith had wavered a little and God needed to let us know that He was still in control.  He is way too good to us, but we are so grateful.  We hear from so many of you that you pray for us daily, and we lean heavily on those prayers.  Keep up the good work and we may just lick this thing yet.

Ronnie and Judy

P.S.  From Judy....... Ditto what Ronnie said.  We stand amazed in the present of God and still have no idea why this is happening but, it doesn't matter.  He is trustworthy.

You, our support system, have never allowed us to walk this walk alone.  You have encouraged us when we were running low on "gas". Thank you is not enough but, we really do depend on you.  That is a tough thing to say, when you are a 4H girl, list maker, calender person ( I have THREE!) and born an "over the top organizer".

Today, Ronnie and I played in a  golf tournament with some great  friends that I went to  junior high and high school with. We laughed all day (at least the girls did, the boys were a little more serious). But the point was, we played!  Last fall, before I started my new medicine, I wasn't laughing as much. Others in our group have, to me, much worse  problems than Ronnie and I.  BUT, we laughed like there was no tomorrow. We were just loving the moment.

Thanks to God, you, good doctors and new drugs, I know we will have many more days like this.  And I hope you do too. We can never repay you for what you have done for us!

30 DAYS ON NEW DRUG

Judy has been taking Efinitor for 30 days now.  Its purpose is to reduce the symptoms she has been dealing with on a more frequent basis.  Good news...her nausea and abdominal pain has decreased significantly and she has more energy than before.  Guess what...she has also gained four pounds since her last doctor's visit a month ago.  First time for that turnaround!

Also, please pray that we get approved for financial assistance from a company, reducing the cost of the new drug from about $650. per month to maybe $50.  We are pretty pumped up right now and we certainly give God the credit and praise.  We are so very blessed.

Judy and Ronnie

Medicare Approves

Well, Medicare approved the new drug.  Thank you Lord and all of you who prayed.
They Will pay 65% of the first month's cost and then 95% each month through the ind of the year.  Dr. McCollum feels the drug (Efinitor) will really help curb Judy's symptoms.  The side effects should be minimum.

You just can't keep a good girl down!

ADDENDUM

Thought I would just add that you can be sure that Judy still has a lot of fight left in her.  I don't think cancer has come up against someone like her before.

DOCTOR'S CALL TODAY

Dr. McCollum called today about 5:30.  He said the scan didn't show anything unusual.  There didn't seem to be any blockage or appreciable growth in the tumors or the mass in the lower abdomen.  He feels that our best option would be to start the new drug, everoline; the one that has not been approved by Medicare.  He wants us to take the prescription to the Baylor Hospital pharmacy, hoping they will be able to fill it.  It worked with one of his other patients.

We see the doctor this Friday and our prayer is that Medicare will approve the payment for the drug.  If they do, it could help with the symptoms that have been bothering Judy too often.

We continue to be awed by God's use of Judy's illness to touch many lives that probably would not otherwise be influenced.  We have a wonderful peace that is beyond our understanding.  We are truly blessed.  And may God bless all of you,

Judy and Ronnie

CT SCAN RESULTS

Well, we thought we were going to hear the results of Judy's scan today.  The doctor ordered the results to be sent to him before he left work today, because he was leaving town tonight, to return to the office on Monday.  So, it looks like we won't hear anything before Monday.

We will just practice patience for the next few days.  Guess God thinks we could use the discipline.  Please pray for our good friend, Dean Patterson and his dad, Jack, who is dying.

God is so good.

PRAYER REQUEST

Our next appointment with our Oncologist was scheduled for May 3.  However, Judy's symptoms have been coming more frequently, with more severe pain.  So, Judy called the Dr on Friday and asked if we could move up the CT Scan in hopes of seeing what is going on.  His nurse told us it would be impossible to get in before May 3rd.  Judy said, "Well, if God wants it, it will happen...please try."

The nurse called back in 30 minutes and said an appointment opened up for Wednesday, April 24th.  Whadda ya think about that?  Isn't God so good?

So, here's what we request for all you wonderful prayer warriors.  Pray that these symptoms are something that can be managed with the new med we talked about that Medicare hasn't approved yet for payment.  We should be submitting a proscription next week, praying they will approve.

There is also the possibility that the problem could be another blockage that may have to be addressed with the surgeon.  Sorry to put all this on you. but where else could we turn for the power of prayer.

We love you all,

Judy and Ronnie

NEW MED OPTION

Friday we got our monthly shot, which we always look forward to.  Judy's symptoms usually get worse toward the end of the month.  We are so thankful for the Sandostaten shot.  It is the reason the tumor growth has been kept to a minimum.  However, there has been an increase in the frequency of some flushing and abdominal pain since our last doctor visit two months ago.  Dr. McCollum thinks it is time to add another med to our treatment.  He feels certain the increase is coming from the cluster of cancerous lymph nodes attached to the small intestine.
We previously had told you about a new drug not yet approved by Medicare, except in a trial study.  We opted out of the trial, since we would have to stop the monthly Sandostaten shot, and that could cause some severe symptoms.  We are not going to do anything that will slow down the "Energize Bunny".  But, some of  Dr. McCollum's patients have been able to obtain approval for use of  the new drug from Medicare outside the trial.  He wants us to consider adding the drug, Afinitor and taking the prescription  to Baylor's pharmacy and seeing if Medicare will let it go through.
Your assignment, if you should to accept, will be to pray that Medicare will approve payment for Afinitor.  Otherwise, we will have to ask 30 of you to donate $100. per month to help pay for the monthly cost!  Just kidding.  But seriously now:  we do covet your prayers for this new treatment's approval from Medicare.  We believe that this is where we need to go from here.  Also, please pray that Judy will get the proper nutrition to help her gain some weight (who ever heard of a woman asking for weight gain??).
We know without doubt, that we are not on this journey for any other reason but to glorify God by following Him without question.  It's taken a while to get there, but we have this wonderful assurance that by allowing God to stay in charge, the life He gives us here on earth pales in comparison to what he has promised "to those who are called according to His purposes"
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We love everyone of you,

Judy and Ronnie

UPDATE LONG OVERDUE

I apologize for waiting so long to post.  The last meeting with the doctor was good.  There was no appreciable  increase in the tumors and the Dr was very pleased with Judy's condition.

He surprised us with the news that he has been using a procedure previously used only in typical liver cancer,  to reduce those types tumors.  He has been applying that procedure to neuroendocrine tumors like Judy has, with good results; even in some cases, reducing the tumors.  Since Judy's symptoms are sort of sleight at this point, he wants to hold off with the procedure for now.  If her symptoms increase to two or three times a week, he will recommend the procedure, which is a catheter through the groin, spraying the liver with a resin-like substance which has some chemotherapy in the mix.

We are happy with the doctor's assessment, and will carry on as usual.  Thank you all for your thoughts and your prayers.  To God always be the glory.