Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Hope

Psalm 33:20-22 says:
We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

Today I have so much hope. Granted, I'm probably still a little high on Versed and Fentanyl, but still...

I am finished with the colonoscopy/endoscopy and they found (wait for it...) nothing!! Well, there was a small polyp in my stomach, but the doctor was quite sure it was benign. He will test it, but didn't think it was anything to worry about. The great news is that my colon, stomach and pancreas are all normal!

He biopsied an enlarged lymph node near these organs (which we've known about since the start of this insanity) and said the cells in it match those in the liver lesions. He feels this lymph node could be the primary tumor. If that's the case, I don't know what kind of cancer it makes this, but it sure sounds better to my completely medically untrained mind than pancreatic cancer.

I want to also say how grateful I am for the doctors, nurses and staff at Froedtert. They are so kind and compassionate, and knowledgeable! A special shout out to one of my nurses today, Dana. She made me feel at ease when I was almost in tears going into the procedure. I explained it wasn't the procedure that I was scared of, but the results. She was so caring, and promised to pray for a miracle for me. Thank you, Dana.

So while all of this is good news (I think?) we still have a lot of work to do. Tomorrow I have my CT scan and PT scan to make sure there are no other places in my body affected.

Also, there are not enough words to describe how overwhelmed by kindness I have been. But here's a tiny glimpse of what is going through my mind right now:
To my sweet dear husband Matt: You continue to amaze and inspire me with your faith and love. And especially for your help during my colonoscopy prep. NASTY! In sickness and in health, right Babe? :)
To my amazing brother Michael: Thank you for your faith that I will be healed.
To my wonderful mom Gigi: Thank you for your strength and faith and for teaching me to love Jesus. Without Him I would not get through a day. Thank you also for dropping everything to help me.
To my selfless mother-in-law Jeanette: Thank you for your kind heart, your listening ear, and your willingness to do anything for me.
To all of you: Thank you for your prayers!!!

5 comments:

  1. I am so happy to read this entry!!! Prayers, Prayers, Prayers!

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  2. We will continue to pray that you will have the strength to get through each day and the adventures it brings. Thank you for the updates. Sure sounds better than it did a week ago. Praise God! Keep on believing.

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  3. This is such an encouragement! I will continue to keep you in my prayers! :)

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  4. Wow Rachel!!! I'm so happy to read this news. (I check your blog all the time at school, don't tell my principal!) I'm so glad that Froedert is close to you- it sounds like you're in good hands there. I will be praying for you and your CT and PT scan tomorrow. Stay strong!!!

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  5. I will keep praying as you have more tests... I'm glad this has renewed your hope and fighting spirit! I also feel like you really trust this doctor which is SO important. I know you're in good hands.

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