Thursday, December 29, 2011

2nd checkup, echocardiogram, round 9

There is an app called Blogfire, if you would like to receive these posts faster than the computer email delivery then download the app. (thanks mike and libby)

Aly had ultrasound at 8:15 this morning, then bloodwork, then met with doctor to review ultrasound results, then had echo cardiogram, now having round 9 of chemo.

Ultrasound revealed that the lymph nodes that were larger are now more normal. We went in expecting a good report to be that the nodes had shrunk again. The result was that the nodes were found to be similar to the other nodes which is actually good. Not knowing exactly how much the nodes had swollen compared to normal, once we found out they shrunk 25% after 4 weeks we now realize that if they had shrunk 25% more then they would actually be smaller than normal. So short story, we want all the lymph nodes to look the same, and today we found out that they do look more similar than before.

Aly's blood work came back good again today. 2.87!!

Dr. Morrow was not here today but we met with another doctor who just approved the remaining 4 treatments of taxol and we were done with him.

Aly's echocardiogram went good, it is simply a test that looks just like ultrasound and they are measuring the performance of the heart so they have a baseline to look at when we get to the next chemo cocktail beginning Jan 26.

Aly is getting round 9 of chemo right now.

On a fun note a doctor today said to Aly, your hat looks great and that wig looks great too. Only problem was it was not a wig, we had a good laugh.

Let me say that as we have gone further in this process we have realized that Cancer is truly war. I described it as a fight at first but a fight is short, aggressive and the outcome is predictable early.

War is planning, studying, working and then daily walking that plan out. Aly and I have truly felt at war. We have had conversations that no one plans on having, especially with their 24 year old wife. This is the most tangible spiritual war that we have ever faced. This has a face, a name and inspires true hate from Aly and I toward the devil.

As the spouse for Someone going through this process the devil becomes relentless in his pursuit of attacking us. For Aly cancer has become a living breathing foe.

I am stating that we are fighting the devil in Aly's body, our marriage and our relationships.

Matthew 10:38-39
38 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me you are not worthy of being mine. 39 if you cling to your life you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

5 comments:

LovingLSU said...

We continue to pray foy you both. Your trust in God's powerful healing hands is how wars are won! Love to you both.
Bill and Jo Alice Olin

Robin said...

Josh, I feel the weight of your words as I read this.....yes, yours & Aly's lives will 4-ever be changed, and yes, such a fierce battle can take its toll...... I pray that this post fan the flame of God's army , us, the Body of Christ to be even more fervent in our prayers for you both..... May God's love, His mercy, and His strength surround you both today ........ much love & prayer.... Ms. Robin

CeCe Mouton said...

Ephesians 6:11-13
New International Version (NIV)

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Yall both are two amazing people! Me my Husband and my Baby girl who is three pray for yall and a complete healing! Love yall!

Anonymous said...

You would make an outstanding military officer! You understand without a doubt the first principle of war, YOU ARE FIGHTING A WAR!! The second principle, nothing in war goes as planned. I know you totally understand principle 2, because you are living it at times with your/our sweet Aly! Your strategy applied to fighting this WAR is right on. Just keep pouring it on the bad guy CANCER!!! I wish I could be directly on the battlefield with you, but trust me when I say I'm with you and Aly in overwhelming spirit, as we all are!!!! I have to go now before people reading this blog entry think I'm crazy. They'd be right, because I'm crazy about being in this fight with ya'll the best way I can!!

From one Outlaw to Another

Anonymous said...

Standing wirh you guys and soooo thankful for your willingness to boldly expose and resist the enemy. The face is cancer, but the destructive force behind it is satan himself. You are wise to recognize this truth. Our God is greater stronger ... HIGHER!!!! ms janis