Get ready for Monday

Teresa is feeling well today. Perhaps coming down with a cold but other than that, feeling good. She had a blood test today to check her calcium and it came back that it was at 9.5 which is the lowest that it has been since she found out about the cancer.

Okay, I can't tell you how much your prayers for T. have uplifted T. and family. You have all been wonderful in showing your support over the past few weeks. Starting this Monday, Teresa will be having the chemo that her doctor is calling the "big guns". In other words, this is the last resort as far as chemo goes. SO NOW MORE THAN EVER, SHE NEEDS YOUR PRAYERS! Pray that this chemo is effective in treating this cancer; Pray for a miracle in healing. Pray that the side effects are minimal. Teresa is feeling good. Her doctor is amazed at how well she is doing. She says it has to be your prayers. Please, please, please pray for her!

Yesterday's Appointment with Dr. Gupta from Rob

We left the doctor's office with mixed emotions on Wednesday afternoon. The good news was that Dr. Gupta is optimistic in regards to how Teresa's body will respond to the "big guns". He told me not to get too wrapped up in the CA 27-29 tumor marker. The goal is to get it to go down and remain stable. He mentioned that he has a patient whose marker is in the 200 range and has remained stable. So, I felt better after hearing this news. I was thinking that it had to get in the normal range of 35 or less. The next blood test to check the marker will be in 6 weeks. This will be after two rounds of treatment. He also believes that the removal of the ovaries will be beneficial in the fight. The depressing news is that this chemo is the last defense in fighting the cancer. In other words, the chemo will not be as effective with future recurrence if we are able to get through the 1st battle. We can only hope and pray that the chemo does it's job and the cancer does not flare back up in the liver or other area of her body. The goal is to buy her time. Please continue to keep all of us in your thoughts and prayers. Especially, keep Teresa in your prayers as she begins the new chemo on Monday afternoon. I have heard the following words used to describe the way in which she is battling this ugly disease: grace, courage, and strength. Her attitude and disposition are amazing. Thank you to all of you! Your cards, gifts, prayers, etc. have been a big reason for her attitude. It is not fair and it is not right. However, we are not going to dwell on the negative! Rob

Prayer Meeting Today

Reminder:  Weekly Prayer Meeting today at the Women's Ministry Center at 10 am.

Chemo on Monday

Teresa was feeling much better today. She was able to get outside to watch the kids play on this warm and sunny St. Patrick's Day. Although she wasn't wearing green so we pinched her:) She's still a little sore but she was in pain from laughing so that was nice to hear.

She will meet with Dr. Gupta tomorrow afternoon and discuss her future treatments and questions that she and Rob have come up with.

Also, she got her chemo schedule. She will begin the "big guns" on Monday at 2pm. She will have this for about 2 1/2 hours and it will only be once a week every three weeks. Strong stuff that is likely to knock her on her behind and this type will cause her to lose her hair. She's anxious to get started though especially now with the ovaries out. Dr. Gupta is hopeful that her body will respond well to this chemo. Let's pray it does!

All in all, she's having a good week. Sister in law Michele arrived and brought Florida weather with her:) Happy Birthday today to Michele. She is providing excellent care for the family.

Relay for Life

This year we will have a Team T. in Montgomery County's Relay for Life. We will be walking in honor of Teresa and raising money for the American Cancer Society. Please consider joining us as we walk or giving to the team in honor of T.

Click here for the Team T. Page

Monday Morning Report

Typically at this time on Monday morning, we are praying for T. as she is having chemo but she is taking this Monday off because of her surgery last Friday.

She is recovering slowly but surely. Her pain is subsiding and she is getting up by herself now. She is really just resting and healing. She said she is having mild effects of menopause but nothing major. She said it is tolerable so hopefully that's all it will be; a few mild hot flashes.

Her mom is with her now and her sister in law, Michelle is coming in today to spend the week with her.

She meets with Dr. Gupta on Wednesday around 2 to discuss the next plan of action which is the more intense chemo.

Please continue to pray for her healing from the surgery, pray for a miracle in that the cancer is cured and for rest and peace in this situation.

T. Post Surgery Report

Teresa made it home yesterday afternoon. All went well with the surgery. She did not sleep well in the hospital and yesterday she didn't feel well at all. She was tired and in a lot of pain. Her pain meds were taking the edge off of the pain but causing her to be wired and not able to rest well. Pray for her pain to subside and for her to rest comfortably.