Good Old No. 5

Looking through past updates I can see it has been a bit since we last provided a picture of Sam’s cancer journey.  As I think about that, I think that is a wonderful reflection that there haven’t been too many surprises and we have just been working the problem.  Kind of like, no news is good news.  

There was a PET scan done right before his 4th round of chemo which showed promising results with his tumor being shrunk down considerably.  This has been a great encouragement that the cancer cells are reacting to the chemo just like the medical community would like to see.  

Tomorrow Sam starts chemo treatment number 5 of 6.  For some reason the thought of “No.5” conjures up this picture in my head of a mule, “good old No. 5”.  When Val and I celebrated the end of her chemo treatments, we rented a cabin in the mountains of north Georgia and spent a week in quiet solitude.  It was awesome.  One of the things we did on that trip was a horseback ride and me being a little on the larger side actually got to ride a mule, named Rose.  Mules are famous for being sure footed, even if they are a little stubborn.  This is the picture of Sam’s chemo treatments, sure footed even if they have been a little cantankerous.  

Each subsequent round has worn a bit more on Sam and it takes a little longer post chemo week to recover and get back energy.  Even with that, Sam & Grace continue to be active and definitely try to minimize the negative impact they have on their everyday lives.  Sam started back to work two weeks ago and is balancing his professional duties with treatment.  Fortunately he gets paid for his brain, so the actual work part has been manageable.  

It is wonderful and hard to believe we are rounding the “home stretch” of treatments. There will be another PET scan done after the 6th treatment.  Our prayer is that the tumor is completely gone and Sam can enter into a time of monitoring. The continued support of words, prayer and a helping hand are a wonderful encouragement and so much appreciated!

Prayer Requests:

1. That the cancer continues to respond well to the chemo
2. Wisdom & discernment on the professional front and how that works out with finishing his treatment plan.
3. Continued patience and grace between Sam & Grace as they step into this 5th round of treatment.