Mixed news from the Doctor

Dennis’ doctor called today and we will be meeting with him on Thursday but here is what we know at this point:

 The Good News

They are seeing a good bit of pseudo-progression.  This is good news.  Also, the area of the tumor that is by the part of his brain that controls his leg is a bit better – that would explain why he is walking better. 

 The Bad News

There is an area that is active tumor and they need to go after that.  The plan is to do radiation of that area.  We will meet with the oncologist and radiologist on Thursday and will have a better idea of what is ahead after that meeting.  

Prayer Requests

• Pray for wisdom for us and the doctors as we discuss how to proceed.
• Pray for the radiation that it will kill these active parts of the tumor and not any healthy brain cells.
• Pray for peace as Dennis as he goes through radiation again.
• Pray that in all of this we will give God the glory.

This song was on the radio this morning and it really spoke to my heart again today.  

Praise You in this Storm

"Praise You In This Storm"

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus:]
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus]

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Dennis' Doctor's are Puzzled

Today we met with Dennis' doctor and saw his most recent MRI.  Based upon this MRI, you would expect that Dennis would have increased symptoms but instead he is walking and talking better and has more stamina.  This has his doctor, his team and the doctors he has been consulting with puzzled.

MRIs are good at showing when brain tissue is not "normal".  They are not good at identifying what is causing the abnormality.

What we know

1. There is a larger area of his brain that appears abnormal on the MRI.
2. A small portion of this area is very vascular.  This means there is a lot of blood supply in that area which is a sign of it being a tumor.
3. The rest of this area is not as vascular.

What we don't know

1. Is this area that is not vascular dead brain tissue from the radiation he had 1.5 years ago?
2. Is this area old blood from the bleeding he had from the tumor awhile ago?
3. Is this the pseudo progression phenomenon that happens with some treatments for brain cancer?

What is happening to sort it out

Dennis is going to be part of a trial program that will do a new type of PET scan.  This scan will help the doctors figure out what is happening.  PET scans do a much better job of identifying what is being seen than an MRI.  In order to do this, he will be going into the hospital four times next week for various tests and scans.

After the scans

If the scans show that this is anything but actual tumor growth, we will continue with the NovaCure that Dennis is currently using.  

If the scans indicate this is tumor growth, the doctor is exploring a couple of options:

1. Re-irradiation - in the last several years the possibility of doing a second round of radiation has been developed.  Since Dennis is well past  one year since his last radiation, this is possible.
2. Surgery followed by re-irradiation - in this case they would remove the tumor, allow some healing time and then do radiation again.  

Keep praying please

Please continue to pray for us in the days ahead.

1. Pray for Dennis as he goes through these tests and scans.
2. Pray for the results to show that this is not tumor growth.
3. Pray for wisdom for our doctor, Ian Robins, and for us as we make decisions if the scans show this is tumor growth.

News from Dennis' Doctor

More testing for Dennis

Dennis' doctor called on Saturday. Because Dennis is doing so well he wants to do a new PET scan they are trialing to help determine if what they are seeing is actual progression or is pseudo progression. He has been working on getting Dennis into this trial  so he can get everything in place for Wednesday. He will go into the hospital several times for about a weeks time and then we will have a much better idea of if Dennis keeps going with what he is doing now or goes onto something else.  We will post when we know more about what is happening.

Some thoughts from Ellen

We sang this song in church on Sunday and these words really were a blessing and encouragement to my heart.  This part especially spoke to my heart:

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

As we walk through Dennis' battle with brain cancer, this song so well sums up my prayers for this time.  I want to keep my eyes on Christ, not on the waters that threaten to overtake me.  I want my faith to have no borders - in other words, nothing that keeps me from fully trusting in God and what he is doing in our lives.

"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

[6x]
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

I will call upon Your name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine

Dennis' MRI Report

We heard from the doctor this afternoon and Dennis' MRI shows growth. We don't know the extent of the changes just that there are changes on this MRI. We will see the doctor on Wednesday to discuss what happens at this point. He did tell Dennis that he has plans for moving forward. Dennis is feeling so good lately that this came as a bit of a surprise. We continue to pray and trust God for the outcome of this journey knowing he holds us in His loving arms.

MRI Friday

Just a short note to let you know that Dennis has an MRI on Friday.  We aren't sure when we will get the results but his doctor has called us on the weekend before with results.  We would expect to hear no later than Monday.  We have a follow-up appointment on Wednesday.

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we head into this MRI.  We both have been rather calm about this one.  Dennis said he is feeling good overall.  He did have some symptoms earlier and started a new medication and that is working well.

We will post here as soon as we have results.