Psuedo Growth???

Well after today's appointment, we know 1 thing for sure. God is at work!

Results

Two of his tumors have shrunk some! The third tumor remained stable! And NO new tumors! In the world of cancer and immunotherapy treatment, stability is awesome and shrinkage is even MORE awesome! Medically speaking these results are like the best possible! Alan, the girls, and I are overjoyed at the news. 

Plan Forward

Alan will continue on the single agent immunotherapy, nivolumab every 2 weeks for the next 3 months. After the 6 treatments, he will have another scan to assess the growth, stabilization, or shrinkage! Additionally, Dr. Dude (Morris) will coordinate with an oncologist at MDA The Woodlands for his toxicity checks before treatment, and we will only go to MDA Med Center for scans and results for these next 3 months. 

As all cancer patients and families know, while in treatment, you can plan for the future, but everything is contingent on the next scans. So we are planning for the future and hopeful in the 3 months the scans are as good or even better. 

Recap

Two months ago, the entire colorectal oncology team was unsure if the growth on the last scans was real or pseudo growth. Now they have concluded that it was pseudo. There is no way to confirm that. What we know is that all three tumors showed significant growth after 3 months on the dual agent immunotherapy, ipilimumab and nivolumab and now we show shrinkage and stabilization. Is that because the T-cells invading the tumors made them look bigger than they really were? Is it because they did grow but the treatment just needed longer to work? We don't know. What we know is we serve a mighty God who is in control and for now the treatment appears to be working! 

At the end of the day whether treatment works or not, this time or next time, always and forever or only for a little while, God is good all the time. You see we have faith that He is using our circumstances to draw people to Him, whether that is drawing us closer to Him, our girls gaining a deeper appreciation of trusting God in all situations, our families drawing closer together and closer to God. 

Recently a dear friend of mine's grandson passed away from cancer at the age of 10. Cameron impacted my life as many of my friends had children that went to school with him or played baseball with him, not to mention knowing his grandmother like I do. This young boy impacted more lives than I can count. Their family's faith is strong. 

Yesterday as I prepared to attend Cameron's memorial, I couldn't do it. Satan was attacking hard and my fear of the unknown and of what we would hear today was overwhelming. I've learned to listen to myself more. And to give myself grace where I wouldn't have before in this situation. Cancer is a vile and horrible disease, and I pray for a cure for all cancers some day. But for now, the legacy of Cameron and others that have lost their battle must be how Great Our God still is. Even when we don't understand things, even when the emotions are overwhelming, even when the fear is too great, God is always bigger. He comforts and wraps us up in True Love like only a Heavenly Father can. Doesn't mean things are easy, but it does mean that when we lean into Him, He will carry us through it. 

Prayer Requests

• The Gooch Family and Friends as they grieve the loss of Cameron
• Treatments will continue to work
• Side effects will continue to be mild
• Alan will continue to feel good
• Girls will continue to deal well with all of this
• Transition to Montgomery County Treasurer