Bad News first:
We are very sad to report Bryan had a 2-1/2 pound weight loss this week. With all the nausea, he had very little appetite. Also, his hematocrit dropped to 28; the lowest since leaving the hospital. He was given IV iron today to help jump start some red cell production. The doctors weren't that concerned and decided to go ahead with his regular chemo for the week.
Now for the Good News:
Last week, Bryan had a CEA tumor marker drawn. According to WEBMD, "The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test measures the amount of this protein that may appear in the blood of some people who have certain kinds of cancers, especially colon cancer...
The CEA test is used to:
*Find how widespread is the cancer
*Check the success of treatment for colon cancer.
*CEA levels may be measured both before and after surgery to evaluate both the success of the surgery and the person's chances of recovery.
*CEA levels may be measured during chemotherapy. This provides information about how well the treatment is working.
*Check to see if cancer has returned after treatment.
All week, I have been praying that we would receive good news. Last night, I specifically asked God to give us a reading of 9.0, this would be a significant drop from 17.1 four weeks ago. At the same time, I was bracing myself for the worst. "...oh ye of little faith..." We were brought to tears over God's answer beyond my request--Bryan's CEA was 8.2. The chemotherapy is doing what it is supposed to be doing and Bryan says it's all worth it!
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us... Ephesians 3:20
This test will be measured every 4 weeks. Praise God we are heading in the right direction!
Prayer for this week: limited nausea (we have another new med), increased appetite to produce a weight gain, and restful sleep at night. For those who weren't in church on Sunday--he's still preaching through it all--may God continue to give him strength and power.
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6 comments:
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below,
Praise Him above ye heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!!
AMEN. AMEN. AMEN.
God continually amazes me when I see Bryan preach the blessed Word of God. The strength he receives from God is evident in his voice. It is a joy to see. We will continue to pray for weight gain and NO nausea.
Blessings,
~Evelyn Mae (for the Raymond family)
God is good! The mercy of God is truly amazing. Walk by faith not by sight! We are praising the Lord with you and for you.
Much Love,
The small but mighty Bryan Clan (he, he)
God be praised! Oh give thanks unto the Lord for He is good, and His mercies endure forever.
Carolyn, for the Youngs
So often am I floored by our Lords goodness!
His loving mercies towards us are far more then we are ever aware of.
All this time those #’s have been coming down - without your knowledge of it.
Through the weeks of highs and lows - through out it all - the #’s were going down.
We so greatly rejoice in your news.
We are again deeply encouraged… with renewed faith and zeal in our prayers.
God is our healer; both in spirit and in body, he refreshes & restores.
When we are aware of it and when we are not.
Let us believe with out wavering!!!
& Let Him receive the glory due his name!!
Let us find strength - with this new news.
You are such an encouragement - just as Pastor has been
an ongoing encouragement in his mannerisms and steadfast faith through out the years.
Thank you yet again for showing us how it’s done.
In His name,
The Frees Family
Praise God! We'll continue to pray. And how is Miss Grace doing?
Praise the Lord!
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