Final Tests Are Back

We met with Rachel's oncologist last week to review the results of her latest testing. The results were good... her CT Scan to measure mass/tumors was negative and her PET Scan to measure metabolic activity or "glowing" in cells was nearly negative. It was clear in all of her lymph nodes and previously infected areas, but there was a small "glow" in her upper right lung. The tests showed no mass there and the doctors feel it is "residue" from her recent radiation treatments. They expect it to go away in a month or two and we'll test her again in August. So that was a pretty good result!!

Rachel has resumed her longer workouts and working at Girard Hospital and her stamina is increasing daily. The doctors were impressed that she is doing 45 minute workouts already. Also, her hair is coming back... it's kind of a "Sinead O'Connor" style now.. not quite ready to burn the wig... but getting close.

Again... our family cannot express our thanks enough for all the thoughts and prayers for Rachel. We will never be able to repay your kindness....

Final Tests This Week

Rach had her follow up tests  this week.... on Monday she had a "Muga" test which looks at her heart function. This was especially worrisome during the final weeks of her chemo when her heart rate became high during rest and extremely high during activity. We are hoping that was just a side effect and  that her heart function returned to normal.

On Wednesday she had another "PET" scan which is a radio active dye test to look for deformed cells in her body. This is the test that actually "finds" suspect cancer cells. In August it showed her cancer in two areas.... In December following her chemo it showed those cells were gone. We are hoping that will be the results again.

We meet with the oncologist next week to discuss the results....  We are praying that this is over and we'll move on!

Rach continues with school and has increased her hours working in the Emergency Room at the Girard Hospital. You wouldn't know we've been through all of this by watching her....

Again... your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated!

It's OVER!!

Rachel finished her Hodgkins treatments today!!! It's been a long six months, but she did a great job! Her last radiation treatment was this afternoon and now she is free of treatments and appointments for about six weeks. At that time, she'll be tested again... heart, lungs and a body scan... assuming all are okay... she'll be on a 3 month follow-up routine with body scans. Those scans will last about 2 years at that rate... then to to every 6 months for a couple of years....

The next two years are very important.... statistically if she has no recurance there is over a 95% chance it won't return.... once she gets to 5 years.... it's over 99% chance it won't return.

So far so good.... she is working again at Girard Hospital and taking 14 hours at Pittsburg State.... having some problems with swallowing food, but that should subside next week. It is a result of the radiation.

We'll keep you posted over the next few weeks, especially with her next round of tests which are crucial to her progress. Our family want to thank all of your for your concern, support and prayers for Rachel's recovery. There is no way we can ever re-pay you!!

January Update

Can't believe it's been a month since the last posting.... Christmas went great! Rachel was fine physically.... her rapid heart rate has mellowed a bit since ending chemo. We are assuming that was a by-product of the treatments.

We visited a radiation clinic in Joplin at Freeman Hospital since Rachel has chosen radiation treatments, instead of additional chemo, as the final phase of her treatment. Rachel delayed this portion of her treatment thinking she was going on a mini-vacation after Christmas.... but this did not materialize, so we're a bit behind getting this over with! She was "marked" with specific measurements for the exact location of the radiation and will have them in two areas... chest and left neck areas. The treatments began on January 14th... once per day for 15 business days... at this point she has had 6 of 15.... Radiation can make you tired and create some nausea, but this has only happened once to her.

Rach has enrolled in the 2nd semester at Pittsburg State and has started working again in a coffee shop in the mall. She will return to her hospital job in Girard, KS at the end of February or early March. We are on full ahead with life as normal as possible and Rachel refuses to believe this stuff is even happening to her. She's handled this pretty well, except for an occasional flare-up with family members, but that's pretty normal.

Thanks again for all your support and prayers!