Anybody want some chemo?!!

Yippee!! We're done here for a couple of months! We had Ben's final appt. here at MD Anderson to discuss the treatment plan. The complete results for the bone marrow biopsy are not back yet. So, we still don't know for sure that it's not in his marrow. If it is then the treatment would be extended. They said that they don't think that it is b/c he would have much larger masses.

Here's what we know:

1. Ben has tumors on both sides of his neck, both sides of his chest above his clavicles, & one beneath his sternum. The largest is 2 cm (this is good)! Go God!!

2. None are below his diaphragm which make his cancer Stage 2!!

3. It is for sure Hodgkins Lymphoma.

4. His chemo will be four rounds (4 months) rather than six!! Praise Jesus! Since he has so few nodes, they have shortened the course. However, since there are some nodes that are right at 2cm, they will do radiation on every single active tumor. Yucky!! That will come at the end of the chemo.

5. His chemo is called ABVD (this is an acronym for each of the meds involved) & is a worldwide standard. So, he will be able to receive treatment in Dallas. Let's Praise Jesus one more time!!!

6. They will possibly give Ben a product called Neulasta. They want to watch his white count to see how it responds. They don't think it will be affected too much, but this is an option to protect Ben from becoming Neutropenic (look up that fun word). Basically, this med will help Ben to continue to produce healthy white blood cells throughout the process. The cool part is that one of his friends from T Bar M sells this product and so Ben already knew a little about it.

7. Ben can no longer be a donor, no marrow or blood donations. Interesting.

8. Our appointment is already scheduled with the doctor in Dallas that will do the chemo. We will go to see him on the 26th. So, that is next Tuesday. We're getting the ball rolling. Hopefully, Ben can start treatments next week or early the following week.

9. They said at least no babies for a year after the treatment is over. The chemo can cause a bit of a mutation that takes a while to work it's way out of the system! So, it may be a while before there is a pitter patter in our house.

10. Last, but definitely not least, we have some of the greatest prayer warriors on our team! Thank you all for carrying us through this craziness. We have seen God's hand in this in so many ways! Wow!! You have each blessed our lives through this more than you'll ever know...I know that sounds so trite. I hope that you can hear our hearts. We love each of you so much and are amazed! Thank you!!

This was the scripture in my quiet time today. God is making everything so relevant!! Wow!!

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. I cried out to the Lord in my suffering, and he heard me. He set me free from all my fears. For the angel of the Lord guards all who fear him, and he rescues them. Psalm 34:4-7 NLT

Prayers:

*Please pray for our sweet friends, Sarah & Nick, that opened their home to us this week! It was great to be in a home going through all of this. Sarah is due in early November, but sweet Baby Claire is dropping a bit. Please pray that Claire would hang out in her Mommy's warm belly for as long as possible, for her to be super healthy, & for blessings to flow abundantly upon Nick & Sarah for their precious hearts and love.
*Safety for our trip home. We will be leaving in a few minutes to get on the road.
*Continued healing for Ben's back. He is just sore now, not much pain anymore. He says it feels like he fell on his toosh.
*Blessings upon our friends, Kim & David that are having the prayer time for us tonight. Such precious friends. If you are anywhere nearby and would like to come, let us know and we'll give you directions!
*Pray for Ben right now as he is talking to a young guy here in the lobby that also has lymphoma & they have found it in his bone. He was diagnosed in '03 & is still fighting it...trying to find a bone marrow donor. Pray that Ben can be an encouragement to him.