CT Scan results are in and the answer is....................

NO GROWTH of the tumor!  Every 2 months we have those few days in between the scan and getting the results from Duke that are somewhat nerve wracking.  But for the 3rd straight time, Joe has a great report from Leigh Howard with no growth of the tumor.  The chemo is working to maintain it.  Of course ideally we would like to have the tumor shrink, but we will take no growth any day of the week.

You can tell by the smile on his face that Joe was quite relieved and happy with todays results (you might have to zoom in on the face - but I guarantee you there is a smile).  Anyway, he is currently hooked up to his chemo in the infusion center and should be out of there within the next 30 minutes or so.  All in all, a smooth morning.  Now he can relax a little this afternoon, go for a walk on this glorious day, get some exercise and fresh air and hopefully sleep tonight (with the help of chemicals).   He is also battling the start of a head cold so we have to keep an eye on that to make sure it doesn't get too bad.  I may try to get him to wear surgical gloves and a mask when in public for a few days.  But that will be easier said than done.  However, stranger things have happened.  Sitting at Bible study tonight with a mask on might be interesting!

Thank you for the continued support and prayers.  We love you all for everything you have done for us and every kind word.

T-Minus 1.5 Days and Counting

Yep...just 1 1/2 days until Joe and I leave for a week at the beach!!! I can't begin to tell you how much I am looking forward to a week at Holden Beach. It's been a couple of years since we were last down there and I have missed it. We are renting the house that we rented the very first time we stayed down there. It is an adorable one level just about 75 feet from the beach. It's called Pirates Pride and it is the cutest little blue house. I'm not sure how much online time I will log while down there. I have 5 new books to read and none of them are short ones. Between reading, lying on the beach and sleeping, I hope to rest A LOT!! I also hope that Joe gets even more rest. This will be his first real trip away from Durham since last October and he is due some relaxation.

This trip comes on the heels of a 6 day visit from Joe's brother Bill. We had a great time and it was so wonderful for Joe to get to spend time with his brother. Especially since his last visit was cut short in December by Joe's hospital stay.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and next week too. Thanks to everyone for all your prayers and support. It is so greatly appreciated.

P.S.  Joe's oncologist, Yousef Zafar, is the lead author of a study on "Out of Pocket Costs for Cancer Patients" and there is a recent article in the Wall Street Journal blog about the study.  You can read about it by clicking here .   It's very interesting and somewhat disconcerning to know how the insurance industry and those with limited or no insurance have their care impacted so negatively.  Joe is a part of the study that Dr. Zafar is doing.  Please take the time to read the article. 

It's A Big Day: Race for the Cure & Dianne's Wedding Day

Today is a big day. We've been waiting since the fall for Dianne & Lennie's wedding and the day has arrived. Today at 5:30 pm she will become Dianne Rosenbluth at the Chapel of the Cross. Joe and I get to get all dressed up and join in the festivities. Also today is the Race for the Cure which we have been watching online at WRAL. Tomorrow is the "A Proclomation of Hope - Sing for the Cure" with the Triangle Gay Men's Chorus with the Common Women's Chorus at Meymandi Concert Hall at 7 pm. Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster and at the door. Please come out and enjoy a wonderful night of music while supporting an important cause.

I'm not one to brag but I think the photo below proves that Joe cleans up good!

Before..........and...........After

Here the vanity in me required a photo together just prior to leaving for the wedding.

Joe has had an excellent week. Very little fatigue and the antibiotics seem to have helped some with his stomach issues. There are still occasionally some pains where the hernia is, but all things considered, this week has been better than most in the past couple of months.  This coming week will be his "off" week so that means no chemo!!!!!!!!  Hopefully that will make this coming week even better.

Continued thanks to everyone who has expressed concern for Joe and have included him in their prayers.