Well, Jim went with Emily for chemo # 11. Everything went well. Her blood count numbers were all good. Dr. L discussed with them that there is only one chemo to go.... BUT...! The But... is never good. Dr. L said she knew she told us radiation would not be needed, But she reviews each patients results carefully at the end of a chemo round to make sure they are on the right path, especially towards the last. Apparently there is a standard that determines if radiation is needed, and for Emily's Hodgkins, it is the size of the original tumors. Emily's tumors were not quite large enough to need radiation, but they were very close. SO, Dr. L said after the last chemo, we would wait 2 weeks, and then do all new testing: PET scan, CT scan, pulmonology test, cardio test, and then relook to see if radiation is needed. She would staff Emily's case with other oncologists, and if there was any indecision at all, Emily would be sent to an oncology/radiation expert and he would make the final decision. She did say there was a good chance she would not need it, but wanted to make us aware that it is still a possibility.
Emily was disappointed. She was really hoping she would be done after the next chemo. But the reason radiation is done is to keep the chances of recurrence, (the cancer coming back) low. The radiation would be five days a week for 6 weeks. That would be tough to do in Tulsa, and finish the semester in school. It might be able to be done in Stillwater, but that is not for sure. We will deal with that when we know for sure. I told Emily, from the very beginning I prayed for the right Dr.s and then have prayed daily for them to have wisdom and for God to guide them in the way they treat her. He has been SO faithful in that. Time and time again, the doctors made decisions that turned out to be exactly the right thing. And that if having radiation means it does not come back, and she won't have to deal with this again later, it will be worth it to take care of it now, all at once. I know this is easy for me to say, but she seems to be OK with it all for the moment. I know I am redundant, but we are so PROUD of her. She really has been an inspiration to me! Thank you for all of your prayers! When we get overwhelmed, someone always sends us an encouraging word, or something pops into our minds, and I know that is all of your prayers lifting us up!
PS: Emily is the "cancer survivor" on a relay for life team. Jim and I are also on her team along with 8 of her friends. We will be participating in the Stillwater Relay for Life on 4-16-10. If anyone is interested in donating a few bucks, please feel free to give me a call. Or you are welcome to go the the following website: www.relayforlife.org/okstateok
push "donate", and then search for Emily Sellers. You can pay with a credit card and get a tax receipt. It really is pretty easy.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Great, Great News!!!
Emily completed chemo #10 yesterday, and got her shot today. I don't know if it is because they took one chemo away or what, but chemo is not making her feel as bad as usual. That is a good thing! Everything looked great yesterday, her blood counts were good, and no problems of any kind. Just 2 more chemos and shots to go!
We had a pulmonologist appointment today, and got more great news. They did 2 chest xrays and as the Dr. said, "they are perfect". He was very impressed, and I got the feeling he was not easily impressed. He said there was absolutely no indications of any damage at all. He said there was some minor scarring, but probably not even from chemo, just from life that we all have. He said repeatedly that he was very impressed that with all she has been through, there is no evidence of any negatives. Once again, thank you all for your prayers, God is an awesome God and is bigger than cancer!
We had a pulmonologist appointment today, and got more great news. They did 2 chest xrays and as the Dr. said, "they are perfect". He was very impressed, and I got the feeling he was not easily impressed. He said there was absolutely no indications of any damage at all. He said there was some minor scarring, but probably not even from chemo, just from life that we all have. He said repeatedly that he was very impressed that with all she has been through, there is no evidence of any negatives. Once again, thank you all for your prayers, God is an awesome God and is bigger than cancer!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Praises, Praises, Praises!!!
Thanks for all your prayers!! Today Emily completed chemo #9, only 3 more to go. But more exciting even than the count down, is that the pulmonary test came back close to normal, and when I say normal, I mean very close to being as good as before chemo began. This shows there is no serious permanent damage to her lungs! PRAISE GOD! Also, the PET scan shows if there is any activity or blood flow to any of the tumors, and there was NONE, absolutely none! They said all the tumors, masses, and lymph nodes are completely "resolved" which means no longer living tissue! They are considered "healed". The smaller masses are gone completely, and the 2 larger masses are less than an inch big. When Emily was diagnosed they were the size of a man's fist. The Dr. said with the larger masses, they may never completely disappear, but stay as scar tissue, but that is OK. Dr. L was VERY excited, and even the written reports said "excellent" progress repeatedly. They do not think she will need radiation. PRAISE GOD!!!
There is still one issue that is a concern, and that is a very small spot on her lung. They know it is not a tumor, because it did not show up in the PET scan, but it is showing on the CT scan. Because they do not know what it is, they are sending her to a pulmonologist for further diagnosis. That appointment is on Feb. 19th.
She will have 3 more chemo treatments. They plan on doing all 12 treatments because there are studies that show this amount decreases the chances of recurrence. We are all for that! We feel God has been with Emily and our family every step of this journey and will continue to take care of us. But I do not think we could have done it without our friends of faith praying for us so diligently. God Bless each one of you!
There is still one issue that is a concern, and that is a very small spot on her lung. They know it is not a tumor, because it did not show up in the PET scan, but it is showing on the CT scan. Because they do not know what it is, they are sending her to a pulmonologist for further diagnosis. That appointment is on Feb. 19th.
She will have 3 more chemo treatments. They plan on doing all 12 treatments because there are studies that show this amount decreases the chances of recurrence. We are all for that! We feel God has been with Emily and our family every step of this journey and will continue to take care of us. But I do not think we could have done it without our friends of faith praying for us so diligently. God Bless each one of you!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Extra Huge Praises!!!
Emily, Jim and I went to the oncologist today to get the results of the CT scan and complete chemo #9. Well, Emily had her blood work done, and her numbers were great, but then we had to wait to see the oncologist. Dr. L had been called to the hospital for an emergency, so we waited over an hour. We got the results of the CT, and they were great! Several small tumors in the lymph nodes were completely "resolved" meaning GONE! Yeah!!! All other tumors were significantly reduced. Reduced to the point where Dr. L said we were way ahead of the plan at this time. Praise God!!! There was a new "ground glass" tiny nodule on the lung. This just means there was a spot they could not identify. The Dr. said it could be nothing or some scarring, so they want an additional CT scan to try to identify what it is, a PET scan which gives more in depth info for all masses, and another pulmonary test.
Last chemo they took her off one medicine that causes lung damage. They would like the tests I mentioned above to determine if she should continue this drug or be taken off of it completely. So Emily did NOT have chemo today. The Dr. wants the results of these tests before they continue. However, she said it was very positive. The fact that the CT scan showed such great results made her comfortable in waiting a week for her next chemo. Emily was OK with this. She was relieved in some ways because she has 3 big tests next week, and will not feel crummy, so she will do better on her tests. We left the oncologist's office and went directly to the Heart hospital where she had the pulmonary test done. The pulmonology tech said her results were much better than her last one. So that is great!
We have prayed for complete healing and have faith that will be the outcome. But we see God's hand every day taking care of Emily and our family in ways that we could not even know to pray for. He knows so much better how to take care of us than we do! We thank all of you from our very souls for your prayers and support.
Last chemo they took her off one medicine that causes lung damage. They would like the tests I mentioned above to determine if she should continue this drug or be taken off of it completely. So Emily did NOT have chemo today. The Dr. wants the results of these tests before they continue. However, she said it was very positive. The fact that the CT scan showed such great results made her comfortable in waiting a week for her next chemo. Emily was OK with this. She was relieved in some ways because she has 3 big tests next week, and will not feel crummy, so she will do better on her tests. We left the oncologist's office and went directly to the Heart hospital where she had the pulmonary test done. The pulmonology tech said her results were much better than her last one. So that is great!
We have prayed for complete healing and have faith that will be the outcome. But we see God's hand every day taking care of Emily and our family in ways that we could not even know to pray for. He knows so much better how to take care of us than we do! We thank all of you from our very souls for your prayers and support.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Chemo # 8 Finished - YEAH!
Emily completed chemo #8 today. It had been postponed until she had pulmonary testing done. We got the results today, and her lung diffusion capabilities were mildly diminished. So they took her off the chemo drug that causes lung damage. She has been getting a cocktail of 4 different drugs, now it will just be three. Her overall lung volume, and capacity were good, but they are being conservative, and we totally agree. We are hoping her lungs improve now that she is off this chemo drug.
The last 2 chemo's made her feel pretty bad, but this one did not. So we are thankful for that. I think she was worn out from finals and school, so Christmas break allowed her to rest and recoup some energy. I also think the added week between chemo's helped. I know I keep saying this, but it is true; God has been faithful to take care of Emily every step of this journey. So when they told us to postpone chemo for a week, I told her I knew there was a reason, and God knew why even if we did not. We are grateful they found the lung issues now, and have taken measures so they don't worsen. She will receive her shot to boost white blood count tomorrow, and then will have a CT scan on this Mon. We hope the tumors are shrinking!
Emily started classes on Mon. of this week. She emailed her professors to let them know of her situation. They were incredibly supportive, and once again, we thank OSU for all their help and support. As she is back in school, we also are more aware of the beginning of cold/flu season. She has to be hyper aware of all those germs out there and try to keep them away. We thank you all for your continued prayers and support as well. Only 4 more chemo's to go! YEAH!
We ask for your prayers:
that her lung damage will reverse now that the chemo is out of her system
that the CT scan will show great improvement
for physical and mental strength for school
and Emily asked me to add to pray that no radiation is needed after chemo
May the Lord bless you and your loved ones!
The last 2 chemo's made her feel pretty bad, but this one did not. So we are thankful for that. I think she was worn out from finals and school, so Christmas break allowed her to rest and recoup some energy. I also think the added week between chemo's helped. I know I keep saying this, but it is true; God has been faithful to take care of Emily every step of this journey. So when they told us to postpone chemo for a week, I told her I knew there was a reason, and God knew why even if we did not. We are grateful they found the lung issues now, and have taken measures so they don't worsen. She will receive her shot to boost white blood count tomorrow, and then will have a CT scan on this Mon. We hope the tumors are shrinking!
Emily started classes on Mon. of this week. She emailed her professors to let them know of her situation. They were incredibly supportive, and once again, we thank OSU for all their help and support. As she is back in school, we also are more aware of the beginning of cold/flu season. She has to be hyper aware of all those germs out there and try to keep them away. We thank you all for your continued prayers and support as well. Only 4 more chemo's to go! YEAH!
We ask for your prayers:
that her lung damage will reverse now that the chemo is out of her system
that the CT scan will show great improvement
for physical and mental strength for school
and Emily asked me to add to pray that no radiation is needed after chemo
May the Lord bless you and your loved ones!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Waiting game!
Emily was supposed to have chemo #8 today, but it was postponed until next Thurs. (1-14-10).
Her oncologist had ordered a pulmonary test that was supposed to be completed before today's chemo, but due to a lack of communication, we were not notified, and chemo was rescheduled for next week. They want to make sure her lungs are not being adversely affected by the chemo, so until the pulmonary test is completed, we have to wait on chemo. The pulmonary test is scheduled for this Friday, 1-8-10. Emily was very disappointed because this pushes her date when she is finished with chemo back even later. School starts back on Jan. 11th, and then she'll come home on the 13th to have chemo on the 14th. But in the big picture, I guess one more week isn't the end of the world. They have also ordered a full body scan to determine if the tumors are shrinking, and that will be done on Mon. Jan. 18th. So we appreciate prayers that the tumors are disappearing! She is enrolled in 12 hours for next semester, and we take one day at a time. Thank you to all of you who continue to keep us in your prayers and send encouraging words and thoughts.
A great verse someone sent us: "May the God of Hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in him, that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
Her oncologist had ordered a pulmonary test that was supposed to be completed before today's chemo, but due to a lack of communication, we were not notified, and chemo was rescheduled for next week. They want to make sure her lungs are not being adversely affected by the chemo, so until the pulmonary test is completed, we have to wait on chemo. The pulmonary test is scheduled for this Friday, 1-8-10. Emily was very disappointed because this pushes her date when she is finished with chemo back even later. School starts back on Jan. 11th, and then she'll come home on the 13th to have chemo on the 14th. But in the big picture, I guess one more week isn't the end of the world. They have also ordered a full body scan to determine if the tumors are shrinking, and that will be done on Mon. Jan. 18th. So we appreciate prayers that the tumors are disappearing! She is enrolled in 12 hours for next semester, and we take one day at a time. Thank you to all of you who continue to keep us in your prayers and send encouraging words and thoughts.
A great verse someone sent us: "May the God of Hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in him, that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Chemo # 7- Merry Christmas!
Emily completed chemo #7 today, and is feeling well. Blake, her boyfriend, went and sat through chemo with her. All her blood counts were good. She will get a shot to boost her white blood count tomorrow morning. My sister and her family are visiting from Houston, and we are enjoying spending time with them! I just have to brag a little, Emily received her grades and completed 12 hours and made a 3.75 (all A's and one B)! We are SO proud of her!
Our family is really loving Christmas break, we are enjoying the busy times as well as the quiet moments spent with family and friends. We thank all of you who continue to pray for her healing. As we celebrate our Saviour's Birth, we wish you a wonderful, peaceful, and Merry Christmas!
Our family is really loving Christmas break, we are enjoying the busy times as well as the quiet moments spent with family and friends. We thank all of you who continue to pray for her healing. As we celebrate our Saviour's Birth, we wish you a wonderful, peaceful, and Merry Christmas!
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