We do not lose heart as we look into the things that are unseen

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 

So Mom had her CT scan this past Tuesday (coincidentally on my bday). The results of this CT scan will reveal whether or not the chemo is working (chemo working = no new cancer cell growth, chemo not working = new cancer cell growth). At this appointment, Mom had asked the Dr. not to give her the results yet so that she could have a worry free vacation (yes, we leave TODAY for the vaca!). He agreed not to give her the results and off she went on her merry way.

Fast forward a few days, and Mom starts packing. Then she starts wondering... am I allowed to even swim after having been on chemo? Is it ok to be in chlorine and/or the ocean?? So she decides to email her doctor to get his perspective.

His response:

Ms. Neal, Swimming in ocean or pool are both no problem. You can swim anywhere you want. Use an SPF above 50 all the time. Your scans look good--there has been no growth of the tumors! So the chemo appears to be working. Hope that gives you a little lift before departing on your vacation. If you need to talk, let me know.

WHAAAAT!?!? The chemo is working???? His email was brief ... leaving us with so many questions, but ultimately we were just relieved that it is having a positive affect on mom's cancer! What GREAT news to get before we leave for our last family vacation!

So you might be asking - ok so what does this mean exactly?? When the doctor first gave us the diagnosis he said that the average person with this cancer upon diagnosis has 3-6 months left to live if they don't do chemo or if the chemo doesnt work for them. If the patient decides to move forward with chemo and the chemo works, on average they have 11-12 months to live after diagnosis. And 20-30% of those people live up to 2 years. Our prayer is that she does live 2 years longer, and given that the chemo is working - this is an actual possibility!

Answer to prayers!

I also wanted to quickly share with you some photos from a boating trip that Mom went on with her brothers and sister-in-laws!

Chemo Cycle is Done!

a note from Kristen

Mom had her last chemo yesterday before our family Florida vacation arrives! This also marks her last chemo for her 9 week treatment cycle. Within the last 9 weeks she has had a total of 6 chemo treatments to try to reduce the cancer cells in her liver. Out of those 6 chemo treatments she was rushed to the ER only once for a high fever, felt sick with fever two other times, and the other three times had no fever and only experienced weakness and fatigue. She has lost almost no hair and maintained her weight. Her blood work results have continued to be exceptional after the first scare of high calcium. She has started noticing small changes in her body from the affects of her cancer, but nothing even close to serious yet. We're praying very hard that God allows her to stay with us for TWO years (only 15-20% of patients with her type of cancer live that long) instead of just 6-12 months. Please pray with us that she does! She is having a CT scan taken on July 16 to identify whether or not the chemo is having any affect. Please pray HARD that it is!!! We've made the decision that we do not want to know the results until after we get back from Florida. We want to take this trip with a clear minds free from worry.

Speaking of Florida, we have just over a week before our much anticipated vacation! As I mentioned once before, this will be our first family vacation in over 10 years! This is only possible because of all of YOU - the amazing friends and family who have supported us during this time. Not only is this an amazing Make a Wish for mom, but also a fantastic Birthday gift to her! Our last day in Florida will be on her birthday. :) If you need any extra gift ideas for Mom ;) ... she LOVES pasta salads right now. Her taste buds have changed drastically from cancer and chemo and her biggest craving is pasta salad - so crazy! In fact, she looks forward to chemo visits because the hospital cafeteria has pasta salad. Weird, right? Facebook message me if you want to help out with providing Pasta Salads. :)

We will definitely share photos of our trip with you guys so you can partake in the experience with us! Not only has our flights been taken care of, and a house on the water provided to us, but one of my co-workers donated a two night stay at the Saratoga Springs resort at Disney Parks! Her father had been a Disney fan and she felt that he was telling her to share Disney with us. Mom's grandchildren (my nieces) are going to flip out! We haven't given them many details of this upcoming vacation. They think our vacation consists of just staying at a hotel ... which to them means they get to swim every day. They have no idea there is a beach or Disney involved! <3

Thank you, Bickel/Flannery and Newport family for the special gifts!

(Saratoga Springs Resort)