Update from latest onco visit :
Dr Charity was very pleased with the results, as we anticipated! Ernie is indeed responding so well.
However she explained something we didn't quite grasp when non-md brains such as ours read the report. She said that even if SUV levels are normal in the tumors, there is still cancer activity in the area because these are not normal tissues in the body but "diseased" to begin with. She continued to explain that cancer treatment will have to continue indefinitely.....UNTIL either tumors have completely disappeared (others have already PRAISE GOD!! but there are 2 more left in his lungs)or the patient becomes too toxic with treatment that it threatens his life. In many cases cancer patients die because of the treatment and not the disease!
We prayed that there will be no more treatment but our prayers have not yet been fully answered, not quite yet. We are weary...but continue to trust.
Treatment continues for another 3 months, Zometa infusion for bone mets and oral chemo Iressa that worked very well with Ernie.
"May GOD, the source of HOPE, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your faith in him, so that your hope will continue to grow by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT" - Romans 15:13
Thank you all for your love and prayers!
Olive
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Friday, July 27, 2012
Winning the Battle Against the Invader!
We prayed so fervently for Ernie's latest PET-CT scan. Daily masses, novena to Sta Rita-saint of the impossible, novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, daily prayers to the Divine Mercy. Our prayers were heard and granted!
Ernie Ryan and I left for HK Tuesday 7am flight. A Pet CT test measures actual biologic cancer activity not just size of a tumor. Very expensive in the Philippines...better to fly to Amed Center. We have been to Amed Cancer Center almost 6 or 7 times in the past 5 years including Ryan's tests when he was undergoing his treatment. But this time, with a new address, it wasn't easy groping and lugging around suitcases in a mall that leads to a pier where the center is now located. At the center we were welcomed by familiar faces..."suki".
Ernie was injected with a glucose dye that ran around his whole body measuring cancer activity. It took over 2 hours.
We checked into our hotel in Wellington St in the center of so much shopping very pleased and surprised to have been upgraded to the biggest room in the hotel! Wow....that was fun! Too bad we only stayed overnight. There was time for a little shopping. But the best part of the day was dinner with a long lost friend Chona Ponce, an executive for a big multi-national jewelry company living in HK for almost 20 years, who treated us out to a sumptuous and healthy chinese dinner! Thanks a lot Chona -you are truly a LOVELY LADY!
Back home the following day - results came in the e-mail.
Excellent! Wonderful results!
Except for a lone lesion in the hip area with a slightly elevated SUV (cancer activity measure- 9.7 last December now down to 3.5-dramatic reduction!!!) all lung tumors have shrunken or have stayed stable (which is GOOD in cancer monitoring) and have NORMAL SUV levels (normal is 2.5 and below)! ALL organs are normal! With Gods loving and healing grace - we are winning the battle against this invader!! ALL Thanksgivings and Praise to our LORD GOD!
Seeing our dear oncologist today at noon for the next step. Please pray with us that there will be no need for the next step of treatment. We continue to trust in HIS Divine Mercy and dedicate more and more of our lives to giving GLORY to HIM- Ernie's healer!
Olive
Ernie Ryan and I left for HK Tuesday 7am flight. A Pet CT test measures actual biologic cancer activity not just size of a tumor. Very expensive in the Philippines...better to fly to Amed Center. We have been to Amed Cancer Center almost 6 or 7 times in the past 5 years including Ryan's tests when he was undergoing his treatment. But this time, with a new address, it wasn't easy groping and lugging around suitcases in a mall that leads to a pier where the center is now located. At the center we were welcomed by familiar faces..."suki".
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| A little vacation for Ernie and I |
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| At our suite in Butterfly hotel at Wellington |
Back home the following day - results came in the e-mail.
Excellent! Wonderful results!
Except for a lone lesion in the hip area with a slightly elevated SUV (cancer activity measure- 9.7 last December now down to 3.5-dramatic reduction!!!) all lung tumors have shrunken or have stayed stable (which is GOOD in cancer monitoring) and have NORMAL SUV levels (normal is 2.5 and below)! ALL organs are normal! With Gods loving and healing grace - we are winning the battle against this invader!! ALL Thanksgivings and Praise to our LORD GOD!
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| Good results for Ernie! |
Olive
Monday, July 16, 2012
Baguio
Strolling around and enjoying the coool weather in Camp John Hay, Baguio. How we wish Manila looks and feels like this!!. Ryan, as uasual isn't in the scene because he is the photographer.
A Year has Passed
One Year Has Passed
One year has passed since Ernie's first intravenous chemo session. I recall getting the shocking diagnosis in July 2011 and quickly having treatment thereafter. He had excruciating pain from the pubic bone area because of cancer spread and it was equally excruciating for me to see him in that condition. What a miracle that almost a year now the pain has not come back! I can't explain it but I know God's hand is upon him. Miracles are not meant to be explained...we just believe that it happens.
His 6 month daily oral chemo is now over. He is feeling and looking upbeat and fit as ever...without the slightest symptom of a dreadful disease - another miracle.
Ernie chaired a big Binggo Social Fund raising event here for Knights of Columbus. He is also currently very active with the Lectors/Commentators Ministry - now the interviewer for new applicant members. He has also been able to attend some of our business events and conferences.
It's a full busy busy life for him-he doesn't seem exhausted at all!. It seems he has forgotten that he has cancer. Miracle again!
Next week Tuesday July 24 - Ernie, Ryan and I are Hongkong bound for another PET Scan at the Ahmed Cancer Center. We are staying overnight and connecting with some friends while there. The scan will show effectiveness of Iressa - (very expensive oral pill) in synergy with the natural therapies I am giving him, in shrinking his lung tumors and putting it to sleep or killing it altogether. This scan is so costly because it doesn't just measure size but biologic activity (how cells react to a glucose dye).
It feels good that our very small family of 3 can bond together like in this trip, a very difficult time in our life . We seek comfort from being together, specially for me who I believe is the weakest and most vulnerable - emotionally.
Verse for the day "When I lie down, I go to sleep in peace.YOU alone. O LORD, keep me perfectly safe" Psalms 4:8
Also "I am weak and poor, o LORD, but YOU have not forgotten me. You are my Saviour and my GOD - hurry to my aid!" Psalm 40:17
Please STORM the heavens with prayers for Ernie's COMPLETE and PERMANENT healing! Our GOD is a GOD of miracles, He just has to will it and our prayers will be granted.
After Hongkong - I will quickly share results in this blog in my next entry. GOD bless us all!
Olive
One year has passed since Ernie's first intravenous chemo session. I recall getting the shocking diagnosis in July 2011 and quickly having treatment thereafter. He had excruciating pain from the pubic bone area because of cancer spread and it was equally excruciating for me to see him in that condition. What a miracle that almost a year now the pain has not come back! I can't explain it but I know God's hand is upon him. Miracles are not meant to be explained...we just believe that it happens.
His 6 month daily oral chemo is now over. He is feeling and looking upbeat and fit as ever...without the slightest symptom of a dreadful disease - another miracle.
Ernie chaired a big Binggo Social Fund raising event here for Knights of Columbus. He is also currently very active with the Lectors/Commentators Ministry - now the interviewer for new applicant members. He has also been able to attend some of our business events and conferences.
It's a full busy busy life for him-he doesn't seem exhausted at all!. It seems he has forgotten that he has cancer. Miracle again!
Next week Tuesday July 24 - Ernie, Ryan and I are Hongkong bound for another PET Scan at the Ahmed Cancer Center. We are staying overnight and connecting with some friends while there. The scan will show effectiveness of Iressa - (very expensive oral pill) in synergy with the natural therapies I am giving him, in shrinking his lung tumors and putting it to sleep or killing it altogether. This scan is so costly because it doesn't just measure size but biologic activity (how cells react to a glucose dye).
It feels good that our very small family of 3 can bond together like in this trip, a very difficult time in our life . We seek comfort from being together, specially for me who I believe is the weakest and most vulnerable - emotionally.
Verse for the day "When I lie down, I go to sleep in peace.YOU alone. O LORD, keep me perfectly safe" Psalms 4:8
Also "I am weak and poor, o LORD, but YOU have not forgotten me. You are my Saviour and my GOD - hurry to my aid!" Psalm 40:17
Please STORM the heavens with prayers for Ernie's COMPLETE and PERMANENT healing! Our GOD is a GOD of miracles, He just has to will it and our prayers will be granted.
After Hongkong - I will quickly share results in this blog in my next entry. GOD bless us all!
Olive
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