FB Page

Readers' Choice Finalist

o.htm

You're Following Me!

Subscribe Now: Feed Icon

Search This Blog

sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar sidebar

Friday, January 22, 2010

...Essentially Not Visible...

As I mentioned earlier this week ... my dad had an MRI on Mon. The MRI was to look at the pancreas and see if the tumor had shrunk any.

On Wed I found out my dad had been hospitalized due to what was a potentially life-threatening infection. The infection was caused by a blockage in the stent that was placed in his bile duct about 5 months ago. He had been running a fever and it's good he went in when he finally did...his body was on it's way to being sepsis.

Yesterday they went in and flushed the stent so hopefully all his blood work will start looking more normal with the infection clearing. His liver enzymes were extremely high - hoping for lower numbers today.

He also received the report of his MRI yesterday.

These are the words he read to me, "The pancreatic head mass is essentially not visible."

I had to let that sink in.

The mass on his pancreas that was visible several months ago is "essentially not visible." Wow. How is that even possible? Ok, yes I know, God...prayers...miracles. But it's hard for me to wrap my head around that phrase...not visible. It's hard for me to make sense of it not being visible.

I guess that means the tumor is either completely gone, or shrunk so much that it can't be seen on the MRI. Either way this is definitely great news!

I'm amazed that several months ago it was 'a mass on the pancreas' 'biopsy confirms cancer' 'hasn't spread to blood vessels or organs' 'possible stage 2' and then about a week after that 'confirmed tumors on the liver ... stage 4 pancreatic cancer' to this 'pancreatic head mass is essentially not visible." I just can't get that phrase out of my head.

The report also read, "no adenopathy present" - of course I took to the internet to find out what that meant. Adenopathy is "enlarged lymph nodes caused by local or generalized infection, inflammatory conditions, malignancy..."

There are still questions about the tumors that were on his liver (and why they didn't do an MRI of his liver to check that at the same time is beyond me.) I would think he would get another MRI or Pet scan to check his liver since there were tumors there as well.

He's still hospitalized; hopefully he'll be going home tomorrow. He still needs to talk to his oncologist...I'm sure there are a lot of questions about what comes next.

He's still having a problem with his foot falling flat when he walks instead of heel-to-toe. He needs an MRI to see if they can find out what is causing that.

But for now we are rejoicing and praising God for the phrase "the pancreatic head mass is essentially not visible."

Thank you for your continued prayers.

And thank You, God, for answered prayers...this was the news we wanted to receive from this MRI. Amen.

post signature

22 comments:

Jessie said...

that is absolutely amazing Michelle... I am so happy for all of you and giving God the glory!

Mommy Bee said...

Yay!!

Nancy M. said...

That is so awesome! Praise the Lord!

*~(boom)~* said...

That is wonderful news!!! Go dad!

*dancing your dad around the room*

Just when you think things are at their worst, huh?

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Mom24 said...

Wonderful news. I'll keep praying.

Tina said...

Awesome news, Michelle!!!

Christina said...

That is wonderful!!!!

Sasha@ Blyssfulhealth said...

That is such great news about the results. Sorry that he is in the hospital. My mom just got out today. She was supposed to have the stent put in but she had too much bile and they had to do a different procedure. She maybe able to get the stent later but right now it's not looking so good. Great news for you and your family though. Your dad must be doing chemo then?

Tami said...

Awesome news, Michelle!

Bonita said...

Wow! That's definitely cause for rejoicing!

nicole from much more than a mom said...

Oh my goodness - that's so amazing! How awesome!

Mom/MIL said...

God has definitely answered all our prayers. Thank you dear Lord for this wonderful news.

Kelly said...

Oh Michelle, that is wonderful news! Prayers and positive energy still coming your way!

Anne said...

Hugs to you and your family. My Dad died from metastatic pancreatic cancer 18 years ago. Pancreatic cancer is so insidious because it's rarely diagnosed before it has spread. In my Dad's case, the tumor in the pancreas responded well to chemo and radiation and he had some relief from symptoms. It was tumors in his lung that eventually killed him.

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

YESSSS!!!!!

Noel said...

Amazing!! I will keep those prayers coming!!

Sari said...

Thank you God! for answered prayers and miracles. Oh Michelle, I am so very happy to read this news. So very happy. Faith in Him brings us blessings..

Now I am going back to read more but I just had to comment before going on.

Hugs to Dad for a speedy recovery and a very short hospital stay.

Hope the kiddos are healthy and well.

Unknown said...

Yeah!!! Hoping he is home from the hospital soon.

Laura said...

Praise the Lord!!! A miracle!!! We'll still continue to pray for him, and all the testing ahead.

Beverly said...

so happy for you all. will continue to keep him in our prayers

Chris said...

Hooray!!! What incredible news!

Prayers continuing to come your way.