As you may recall, just before I started radiation I had a CT scan of my abdomen to make sure that there wasn’t cancer that had spread outside my brain and spine. The only thing that turned up that the doctor commented on was a tiny spec on my lung. This is common and was unconcerning, but just to be careful we did another CT scan today to take a look and make sure that nothing had changed. It turned out that the experience was very uneventful. The injections of “contrast” into my blood stream did cause a hive to break out on my eyelid which was weird but also not uncommon. It went away after a few minutes and the rest of the experience doesn’t deserve much comment.

A radiologist compared today’s scan to the one done in November, and the comparison shows no concerns about the little spots on my lungs. Our nuero radiologist called them “scars” and said that they could have been caused by pneumonia, bronchitis, or an allergic reaction sometime in my past. Either way it is nothing related to my cancer and not a concern at all. I also found out that I have a freckle on my kidney, which it turns out is not abnormal in women.

As usual, we are so thankful for the support from you all, and primarily, we continually praise the Lord for His goodness and all that is teaching us through this time.

Other than these now infrequent scans and office visits, things are about the same around here. Just working at getting my energy back, hoping to have some hair before Spring arrives and it’s too warm to wear all these Winter hats anymore, =) and anxious for my 6 month date (March 14) so my driving and scheduling can get more back to normal. We'll have another MRI toward the end of Apil and will be sure to keep you updated between now and then.

Continuously appreciate your love and prayers.....kp

Would have loved to have an update for you, but someone accidentally cancelled my CT Scan appt., which we discovered when we arrived there in Walnut Creek. Grrr.... We'll have to drive out there again next Thursday morning. =P

All three kids got a bad cough this week, and today Hannah has a fever too. I'm praying I can avoid this one--that last cough I had was just miserable, and I'd love to steer clear of it!

I found a good scripture and short devotion this morning that was a great reminder to me:

For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain ... having a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far better.
PHILIPPIANS 1:21,23

IF I were annihilated this moment, I should bless God for having been allowed to live. Far more, if I were to have to toil and suffer in this sorrowful but glorious earth-life through unnumbered ages, and the sorrow and suffering continued to bring the living life with it that it has brought, I would gladly accept sorrow and suffering here on earth. How much more, then, when I expect, and am sure, that a very few years more will place me with these precious life-powers in a world fitted for highest life, with life intensified, and all the pure great life of ages gathered there, besides those whom I have dearly loved. EDWARD THRING