10 Down & Zero to Go!

If we were talking about football, dad just got a first down. We've been counting down each day as he would finish a radiation treatment: "that's 2 down and 8 to go", "7 down 3 more", etc.  On Tuesday, Oct 13th, he finally finished up the course of radiation.

I'm thankful to report that he has experienced no side effects from the treatment. Best of all, the original pain that led the doctors to discover the spot on his femur has not made a return visit. We thank all of you for your prayers and especially our heavenly father for the mercy and steadfast love that he's shown through his healing hand.

Dad "Rings the Bell"

The staff at the Abramson Cancer Center in Chester have a ceremony that they go through for each patient as they finish their treatment regime...they call it "ringing the bell" and they have a little bell that the patients actually ring. Dad rang the bell on Tuesday and as small a thing as it might seem to an outsider, it's an acknowledement of all that's gone into completing the 10 day course. All the fear, uncertainty and doubt that goes along with having enough radiation shot into your loved one (or yourself) to kill the living tissue of the cancer is a giant weight on your back that you don't know is there until it's finally lifted when that bell rings. Celebrate this milestone with us.

Dad with the wonderful staff
at the Abramson Cancer Center

We also ask your prayers as we head into next week. Dad will be visiting his primary oncologist, Dr Alley, to resume his chemo. About 2 weeks after his last chemo (right in the middle of the trouble with his leg) he got a severe rash on his torso. While it wasn't itchy or painful  (thank the Lord!), Dr Alley believes it's a rare reaction to the chemo. The short story is that he's going to change the chemo regimen. To what we don't know, but we hope to find out during this visit.

Never let it be said that we live boring lives. God didn't promise that we would, but he did/does promise that those who wait upon him will renew their strength and soar with the wings of eagles. And so we wait.

but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)