Wed. August 20, 2014 ~Heather update~

Yesterday Heather had her second MRI to check the progression of her tumor. Today we met with her oncologist, Dr. Esbenshade, to discuss the results. He gave us bad news. He said that her tumor is presenting itself to be very aggressive. These are pictures taken from her first scan and yesterday's scan, You can see a "spot" about the size of a dime in the lower right area in the first picture and how in the second it has grown significantly. The third picture is just a big picture of them both pulled up side by side together, however the order is reversed with yesterdays scan on the left. I will have to figure out how to get a video on here of the whole thing.

                                              

We have an appointment with her Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Tenenholz, tomorrow to discuss the preparations for radiation therapy. We did not want to go this route, but with the aggressiveness of her tumor we are just giving it time to grow bigger and lowering her chances of long term survival. With that said, the plan is for her to receive 6 weeks of radiation (hopefully in Clarksville) and have a weekly appointment at Vanderbilt for a check-up. Then there will be a period of 6 weeks where the radiation has a residual effect and she receives no active treatment. In that time we plan to return to Oregon and allow Troy Morris (her biochemist) to attempt to find a good profile to match her biochemistry. So once we get definitive dates nailed down as far as when she will be done with her radiation, we will then start planning our stay up there. It could be 4 or more weeks. 

Heather is feeling good right now and has no symptoms. A definite praise. Please continue to keep her and our family in your prayers. Prayers for complete healing doing whatever is needed to be done to accomplish that. Pray for Eric and I as we make hard uncertain decisions. Pray for peace in our hearts. Also, through the Lord's providential planning I have been connected with a family that has a 15 month old daughter. She has had seizures since birth and is currently on life support at Vanderbilt. Please pray that their little girl finds the help she needs!! Her name is Alia. Thank you all!!!