Some discoveries have been made as the result of a PET/CT scan performed on DJ on October 2, but before I tell you about that, I must tell you the good news!
But before I tell you the good news, I need to remind you of the REALLY, REALLY good news: That the Designer and Creator and Sustainer of the universe is also the lover of our souls! That the LORD will never leave us or forsake us! That there is no place we can go where God isn't already. That in Jesus Christ we are un-condemned, completely accepted, and free! That God is working all things for His glorious purposes according to Christ Jesus! That one day we will receive health, energetic, strong, immortal bodies with which to run and jump and climb and swim and hike and twirl and dance and worship the LORD forever and ever - no wonder I feel so peaceful and grateful and hopeful :-).
Regarding DJ's bodily health, the good news is that he continues to regain strength and to recover from the affects of chemotherapy now that 12 rounds of FOLFIRI are increasingly in the past; and the good news is that modern medicine and advancements in technology allow us to look into his body to see where cancer may be residing before it causes him great harm; and the good news is that his body is not overtaken by cancer, and that there are no indications of tumors in the liver or other organs or places.
The other news is that a little tumor has been detected, and it seems to be in the lung, and it has tested positive to cancer in a lung biopsy performed October 12, 2012. Since its discovery, there has been much discussion among the team of doctors that care for DJ. We talked about surgery, we talked about radiation, we talked about this and that and other options. What has transpired for now is that the oncologist, the surgeon, and the radiation oncologist direct that DJ's treatment at first will be radiation to the spot(s) on the lung, simultaneous to him taking chemotherapy in a pill form named Xeloda. The radiation will occur approximately 35 times, Mondays through Fridays for 7 weeks. That, together with Xeloda, may cause DJ to experience symptoms of nausea, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue and peeling of the hands and feet, among other thing - although I hope and pray and intend that the affects of these treatments will be manageable and not so horribly difficult for him to endure as was FOLFOX and FOLFIRI chemotherapy infused directly into his blood stream. But we don't know how his body will react. "We shall see." And I shall pray!!
The emotional climate in our home has changed very little; for one thing, DJ "The Rock" Bigelow just continues to put one foot in front of the other, to steadily move forward, to live in the moment, and to accept what comes his way. I admire him deeply. He is courageous and strong and practically un-rattled. Another reason that we are not living under a cloud of gloom and doom is that not too much is changing for us, except that we expected him to return to patrol work with his department. "We shall see." His body looks and behaves with health and strength, he is not wasting away in sickness and disability, and to the naked eye "It's all good." But I guess that the main reason I feel peaceful and grateful and hopeful is that the LORD will never leave us or forsake us and the Presence of Jesus is always with us. Aaaaa-men!
How about some family photos? After temperatures in the 90's last week, a rain storm came upon us yesterday, and Caedmon was very happy for it! Immediately upon arriving home from school, he changed into pajamas, requested hot chocolate, and settled down for some rainy day activity, pictured here. How adorable!
Brooke Bigelow has been playing a casual season of FallBall softball, but we spent last weekend at a Breast Cancer Awareness fundraising tournament in Clovis, California, where her team earned first place. Here she is, happily displaying her team's trophy.
Alexandra Bigelow is enjoying playing volleyball for Paso Robles High School's freshman team, and she really loves her drama class at school. Here she is with her "nerdy" friend Bella (who had dressed up for "Nerd Day" at school.)
And here is a photograph of myself, Holly Bigelow, after I'd been painted up at Caedmon's school for a celebration of Dia de Los Muertos. I'm not sure if it enhances my features or detracts from them.
So there's what's happening for now in the Bigelow home. It's the new normal! We are blessed and sustained. We are loved. We love and appreciate you for loving us! :-)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
