Fantastic, Magical Things

"I'll bet a lot of you folks don’t believe that, about a wish coming true, do ya? We'll I didn’t either.
Course, I’m just a cricket, but lemme tell you what made me change my mind.
You see, the most fantastic, magical things can happen, and it all starts with a wish!"

 

Yes, Family and Friends, fantastic magical things have happened today.  We went to see Dr. Murphy this morning to get the results of Denny's MRI done Monday, September 16th.  I think we have both come to dread meetings with her.  It seems that after every meeting, we find ourselves in a new battle to fight the war. 

 

Today was different.  She came in and said, "We are going to continue the current chemo treatment.  It is working.  At the tumor board meeting this morning when Dennis' films were shown, several doctors thought they were looking at an MRI after surgery.  The tumor isn't even showing up!" 

 

We sat there in stunned disbelief.  What did she say?  The tumor wasn't showing on the MRI?  What?  The answer is: the tumor has shrunk so significantly that it isn't visible on the MRI.  It is, however, still there and he is not in remission.  I asked, "Does this mean he has been taken off of the "you-only-have-months-to-live-list?"  Dr. Murphy said, "Yes!"

 

This chemo regimen has given him more time.  He had his 4th round today and he will have 2 more of this same cocktail.  After the 6th round, he will have another MRI.  Then, he and Dr. Murphy will decide if they should give it a rest or start with something else immediately.  There is a reason for that which I will tell you in a minute.

 

 In addition to that good news, the Foundation One biopsy report was in.  It identified 3 genetic abnormalities within the tumor.  Genetic does not mean inherited to clarify this for family members.  The first marker has 2 medicines to target.  The second has a medicine that is currently in clinical trial.  Denny may qualify for this one if he is off treatments for 4 weeks.  The 3rd has no known medicine or therapy available.  This is all being set aside for later when all other options are exhausted.  We feel immeasurably comforted in knowing there are "options."

 

After we left Dr. Murphy, Denny went into chemo and I called Dana and Dan.  It was a celebration of unimaginable proportions!  The tears of joy from TheWoodruff4 have filled our glass full.  We wished with all of hearts for this day to happen.  However, contrary to my little cricket friend, it doesn't start with a wish.  It starts with a prayer.  God has shown us his greatness.  All of our prayers have been heard and answered.  We will continue to pray for healing but feel so blessed this day to have more time.

 

Many, many thanks to all of you for all the love, encouragement, support and prayers for Denny.  This day would not be here without the power of those prayers.  I speak for TheWoodruff4 when I say, "Thank you."  Now, let's all enjoy this wonderful day; full of fantastic, wonderful things! 

 

Star light, star bright,
first star I see tonight.
I wish I may, I wish I might,
have the wish, I wish tonight.
We'll make a wish, as dreamers do,
and all our wishes,
will come true.



Peaks and Valleys

Denny saw Dr. Murphy yesterday and started his 3rd round of chemo.  She has been out of the country for a week and has not had time to go through her mail so we still have no news from Boston. She is very pleased with Denny's condition.  His labs are normal and his energy level is great.

The good news is this chemo cocktail seems to be working and she is going to proceed with a 4th round.  In between this 3rd round and the 4th one, she is going to schedule a CT scan or MRI.  We don't know which one it will be. So it seems Superman is riding a Peak right now.

It is hard to describe what it is like living with this disease; as the patient as well as a family member.  The Peaks are always very high and the Valleys are always very low.  There never seems to be a middle ground.  When I say, "TheWoodruff4 fight to be normal", it has to do with this very subject.  We try to find the balance between the two.  We stay optimistic that the treatment is working but always hope that there will be a way around any bad news we might receive.  It is our way of keeping our balance. 

Does this mean we have stopped being optimistic about Denny's future? Does this mean we have given up?  NO!  It just means we have to keep things in perspective and try not to let the emotional rollercoaster wear us down.  This is very difficult to do.  However, for now, Denny is physically stable and the cancer appears to be in check.  We are going to take things day-by-day and just enjoy it. Life is good.  YOLO  :)