what cancer?

According to Dr. Cruz, the chemo worked and the tumor is dead for all intents and purposes! He recommends that we talk to the radiation oncologist to do some targeted radiation just to make sure it is good and nuked. He said the chances of it never coming back are around 90%!

On one hand, this is exactly what I expected to hear, and it's almost as if it's no big deal - I am ready to move on with life. On the other hand, I am having moments where I am kind of relaxing emotionally and letting it sink in that I am very near the end of a crazy journey. We have been so geared up to deal with cancer treatment that I haven't really reckoned emotionally with how hard it has been. So I find myself wanting to laugh and cry at the same time.

Most of all I feel so incredibly thankful to God and have a new sense of adventure in life with Him. I feel ready to live each day saying "wherever, whenever,whatever - I'll follow you"

a taste of freedom

At this moment, I have gone longer without chemo than any time this year. Were I still on the every-three-week schedule, today would have been chemo day. I can't tell you how sweet it was to get a taste of freedom! I am trying not to get my hopes up, though. I'll meet with the doctor next Wednesday May 27th to find out the results of the scan I had on Monday.

good week

Hey everyone, I just wanted you to know that we are having a good week. Adam is doing much better I think because of the shot they gave him to boost his white blood cell production. It has been an encouraging week and we are thrilled to be able to get out of town for a couple of days.
I just wanted you all to know that morale is up and we are grateful. Thanks so much for walking this journey with us. It's not over, but maybe soon.
-Casey

perseverence

I've been trying to get Adam to post a blog, but I think it's difficult for him to post because there's nothing new really. We're in the "really not fun" part of the journey. It's like the stretch between Lubbock and Amarillo that you have to endure on your way to the mountains. You know you're going somewhere good that will be well worth it, but that two hours of scenery leaves little to be desired. Here's another analogy: It's as if we've been running a marathon and just as we think we're approaching the end an official tells us we have 10 more miles to go. Morale is low but we keep going. Adam is still pretty tired these days. His white blood cell counts were 2.5. They should be between 9-14. They gave him a shot that helps him produce more white blood cells which has helped some. They also gave him another medicine for his mouth sores which has helped tremendously. The prednisone he takes can cause depression which it hasn't done for Adam but it does make him more emotionally raw. I don't need any help in that department. :) I cry at the drop of a hat these days simply because I just can't help it.
However, we are looking forward to getting out of town next weekend- just us. This is a huge and welcome blessing. Also, it's a fun time of year full of school celebrations and recognition. We enjoy delighting in our kids and their accomplishments and we welcome the distraction. I am so proud of how resilient they have been. I find myself wishing I had more energy to really love on them.
So, there's what's going on with us. It's not pretty but it's real.