We always get so nervous when we go to Kolby's doctor appointments. The doctors are pretty confident that the chemotherapy is working, but with the scans spaced 3 months apart, you can't help but wonder what has been going on in her body with the cancer during that 3 month span. It only makes you more anxious and worried as you get news that someone else that you know of...has lost the battle with cancer...and now is "in a better place". That is not the news you want to hear. What you really what to hear is that they are in complete remission and they beat the battle with this deadly disease. Unfortunately...and sadly...that isn't always the case. Your heart sinks and you just feel so bad for those who have lost someone that they loved so much.
On Thursday we went to Kolby's doctors appointment and had her next chemotherapy treatment. (There are only 5 more 21 day cycle treatments after this cycle.) We sat and talked with Dr Rashid about Kolby's body scans and her blood LDH numbers. Her doctor said that Kolby was in a "better place now"...but... she meant it in a good way!! Dr Rashid said that the scans show that there doesn't appear to be any visible cancer or tumors remaining in her body. Her blood counts were in the normal range and her LDH numbers were not elevated. She also has returned in body weight to what she was before she was diagnosed with cancer. She indicated that Kolby for all intent and purposes, is in a technical remission. The chemotherapy that Kolby is undergoing now is the maintenance cycle that targets the slow moving cancer cells that the previous chemotherapy drugs may have not been able to destroy. But as near as we can tell, there doesn't seem to be any visible cancer to detect.
For us that was a big ...whew!!! We know that everyday that we have her...it is truly a miracle and a blessing. We know that the prayers and thoughtfulness offered in her behalf, coupled with the truly amazing and caring doctors and staff at the Comprehensive Cancer Center have been the key to getting our daughter through this so far. She is really in a "much better place" now compared to the advanced stage 4 condition she was in just last May. While we are rejoicing and are excited in her condition, we are also mindful of all those who's loved ones haven't experienced this kind of success in their treatment. We are constantly reminded of others who have....or are still struggling with this deadly disease. Kolby is not "out of the woods" yet either and we still have some more treatments and scans over the next 5 months that she still has to endure to try and remain in remission.
But if it is okay...we just want to celebrate a little...because today our daughter is in a "MUCH BETTER PLACE!!!
On Thursday we went to Kolby's doctors appointment and had her next chemotherapy treatment. (There are only 5 more 21 day cycle treatments after this cycle.) We sat and talked with Dr Rashid about Kolby's body scans and her blood LDH numbers. Her doctor said that Kolby was in a "better place now"...but... she meant it in a good way!! Dr Rashid said that the scans show that there doesn't appear to be any visible cancer or tumors remaining in her body. Her blood counts were in the normal range and her LDH numbers were not elevated. She also has returned in body weight to what she was before she was diagnosed with cancer. She indicated that Kolby for all intent and purposes, is in a technical remission. The chemotherapy that Kolby is undergoing now is the maintenance cycle that targets the slow moving cancer cells that the previous chemotherapy drugs may have not been able to destroy. But as near as we can tell, there doesn't seem to be any visible cancer to detect.
For us that was a big ...whew!!! We know that everyday that we have her...it is truly a miracle and a blessing. We know that the prayers and thoughtfulness offered in her behalf, coupled with the truly amazing and caring doctors and staff at the Comprehensive Cancer Center have been the key to getting our daughter through this so far. She is really in a "much better place" now compared to the advanced stage 4 condition she was in just last May. While we are rejoicing and are excited in her condition, we are also mindful of all those who's loved ones haven't experienced this kind of success in their treatment. We are constantly reminded of others who have....or are still struggling with this deadly disease. Kolby is not "out of the woods" yet either and we still have some more treatments and scans over the next 5 months that she still has to endure to try and remain in remission.
But if it is okay...we just want to celebrate a little...because today our daughter is in a "MUCH BETTER PLACE!!!
Congratulations! I am so relieved! Not getting the answer to a prayer is OK because we know it can't always work out that way but when we get these results as have been shown with Kolby, it deepens everyone's faith more and more. I love your family and am happy that you get more days to spend with each other! :o) I hope things continue to go well for your sweet mom's recovery too.
ReplyDeletePRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!This news is so beautiful. I love you guys!!!! I say celebrate alot. I will be praying for continued health for Kolby. I am also praying for your awesome Mom to be completely healed. It absolutely warms my heart that Kolby is doing so well. ♥
ReplyDeleteYay! Congrats! That's AMAZING news!! :)
ReplyDeleteSuch great and relieving news that is certainly worthy of celebration! Hope you and your family have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteThe Ferguson Family is overjoyed with this FANTASTIC news! Our prayers are for your continued good health!
ReplyDeleteI am also overjoyed! I am so, so grateful for this wonderful news!!
ReplyDeleteWHEW!!! I think we have all been holding our breath. Feels good to breath again. Celebrate like there is no tomorrow! And in 5 months we'll celebrate again!!! :)
ReplyDelete5, 4, 3, 2, 1! It's going to be a great summer!
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