MRI Results

Good news! We have received the MRI results from Monday. Jeremy's tumor has shrunk 60%. We are pleased with the results. It should keep shrinking, but the Sarcoma tumors do not completely go away with radiation and chemo. The plan is to leave what they call a "dead" tumor. At this point surgery is not an option, considering the location of the tumor. They will reevaluate at week 30, when Jeremy has another MRI, but surgery does not look promising. It is a little frustrating that there will be remains of the tumor left, even if Jeremy is cancer free. We are focusing on the positive, we feel hopeful that he will be cancer free!!!

This is Jeremy's 16th week of therapy. He is about one-third of the way done. Mike was in Tampa, FL for work during this last chemo hospital stay. We talked about having Grandma Stapley come and stay with the kids, but Megan volunteered to come home from BYU for the night and get the kids off to school. Her Tuesday class ended at 3:00 pm and her Wednesday class did not start until 1:00 pm. It was so nice for her to be able to do this for us! Jeremy's nausea has been harder to manage since we have been home from the hospital and he has been very tired. We are hanging in there. Chemotherapy, hospital stays, Dr. appointments, G-tube feedings, Neupogen shots, blood draws, it has all become apart of our daily routine and our "new" normal.

I look forward to my walks with Mike outside in the fresh air. I love it when the sun is shinning but also enjoy getting out even if it is overcast or snowing. I need these little breaks. I only go when I feel that Jeremy is doing well (or sleeping) and we take our cell phone, so that Jake can reach us if there is a problem. Jeremy is usually pretty good about letting me go, but last week he was having a hard time when I would get ready for a walk. Last Friday, I tried reasoning with him, that it helps me be more patient and keeps me healthy so I can take better care of him. I could not persuade him. I said, "You are not happy if I go walking, and I am not happy if I don't go walking. We need to compromise so that both of us will be happy." I suggested that he could watch me from the front window, while I walk around our circle. He finally agreed to this arrangement. He watched me like a hawk, waving to me each time I walked by the window. I have to admit that I was frustrated. That night at bedtime Jeremy reminded us of scripture study (the boys were at scouts and Ireland was at Grandpa and Grandma Aldrich's) so, we read the Book of Mormon together in his room. Jeremy is starting to read and we helped him with his verses. Listening to him read  the little words "the", "shall", "and", softened my heart. It was Jeremy's turn to pray. In his prayer he said, "Help me to read better and help me to let my Dad and Mom go walking together". He was so sweet and so sincere, I felt very humbled. It is no wonder why the Savior said "become as little children". I believe in a spiritual power that comes from reading the scriptures and from prayer. The next day when Mike and I got ready to go walking, Jeremy said "Huggy, wavy" (his little goodbye, he likes to give a hug and wave to us until we are pass the mailbox).