Thursday, July 9, 2009

Excellent news: MRI shows no change

We just visited with Dr. M on the phone, who reports that today's MRI shows virtually no change from the last MRI.

This is such glorious news -- news that I honestly wasn't expecting. It's still sinking in.

Dr. M attributes Steve's worsening neurological symptoms to his extreme fatigue and slow recovery from all of his respiratory issues.

Our continued goal is for Steve to get stronger, so that he can resume physical therapy and possibly chemotherapy. His stable scan gives us a great window of time to reach those goals.

Today has been a long day. Steve and I were gone from 9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Steve was so wiped out when we returned home -- he had been sitting up for almost five hours, had been moved from one imaging center to another, we ran out of oxygen on the drive home and it was 100 degrees outside.

As he was trying to stand up with his walker to get out of the minivan, he fell. Not to the ground, but to the floor of the car. Neighbors Ron and Derek were able to help me pick him up and put him in his wheelchair.

Jim and Betty arrived just after to take care of Steve so Cooper, Katie and I could leave to celebrate Coop's birthday with some of his buddies. There were 10 children total, and we watched Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs and then ate dinner together. (Special thanks to Zena and Cathy for helping chaperone.)

As much as we loved the party and being surrounded by so many sweet little people and their families -- all part of our own extended family -- I couldn't stop thinking of Steve at home, missing Cooper's party. I couldn't stop wondering about his MRI results.

I guess I shouldn't have worried at all, but if you know me, you realize that's just not possible.

The four of us should all sleep well tonight, and tomorrow is a new day. A day not promised -- a great gift when it arrives!

Thank you all for continued prayers and support and strength.

6 comments:

Laura from UM said...

Congratulations on the good news! God is indeed good and is holding you all close. And a happy birthday to sweet Cooper from all of us former MMB-mates of Steve's. :)

-Laura(Ambrook)Redmond

Melinda Merschel said...

Oh. My. Gosh. NOT the update I pessimistically expected----thank God for doing something wonderful here. Another day....Another day....such grace in being given another day to live and love and laugh together.

I am sorry for the horrible parts of this day, but I am thanking God for the beauty and the wonder of the good parts of the day.

May you all have good rest and sweet dreams tonight.

Dandy said...

What great news! I am so impressed by the life you lead and the way you do it. You are a fantastic example to so many.

Thank you.

Country Girl said...

Saw your comment at PW's site and have come here as a wife who is battling her husband's cancer.
I am glad to hear of the MRI results. We go every two months. His doctors are at Hopkins in Baltimore. First diagnosis was in May 2004, glioblastoma multiforme, left temporal lobe. The tumor returned last October.
Your husband is on decadron?
My heart goes out to you as I read your posts. God give you strength.
Take care. ~Kate

chapman.d said...

I am a little weepy at the news. Weepy in a good, relieved way. Much love to you all,
Debbie

Paula said...

Steve,
Your MRI results are no surprise to me. I remember your tenacity working on the flow sheets to make the ENT patient flow smooth and effecient. Your tenacity and singular thought to get rid of "the Damm Spot" is so naturally a strength in you. Always have admired you and that admiration grows every day. You are awesome!!
Paula D.