The Power of Prayer [CT Scan Results]

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Hi Family & Friends!

Our last update was about three weeks ago and I have a handful of things to share with you all…but this post will just be about Dad’s latest CT Scan. First and foremost, THANK YOU, to each of you for lifting my Dad and all of us up in prayer. We are ever grateful for that. We completely trust in our Lord — The Great Physician — and send our Praises to Him! 🙂

On Wednesday, August 28, 2013 (8/28) at 12:30PM my Dad went in for his first CT Scan since April 19th, 2013 (when he was in the ER prior to his ERCP procedure). We had no idea what to expect given the extreme changes he had been experiencing and we were praying an unspoken prayer — pleading and begging the Lord that the cancer had not spread. We gave everything to Jesus and knew we would get through whatever the results with our focus on Him.

Because Dad has been bedridden, even more so since the bacteria made it to his colon, he opted to get home ASAP after the CT Scan opposed to waiting several hours for the report and going over it with his oncologist in the later part of the afternoon.

We got the report two days later, which felt like a week of course and were surprised with the results — to say the least. We kept the information under wraps because we weren’t sure if we were interpreting the radiologist’s report correctly and waited to consult with Dad’s oncologist first.

After a quick phone conversation, it was determined the radiologist report was interpreted from the standpoint that Dad was on treatment — and therefore needed to be revised —  we still have not received that revised version, however, I asked about seven different ways if the numbers in the report would change and the answer was “no”.

So with out further adieu, I’ll note the following findings:

Lower Neck: Normal
Lungs: There is mild right basilar atelectasis.
Pleura: Nonspecific moderate right pleura effusion and trace left pleura effusion are new.
Heart & Vessels: Normal
Lymph Nodes: Normal
Chest Wall: Normal

Abdomen:

Peritoneal Cavity: New moderate ascites in the abdomen and pelvis. No pneumoperitoneum. No loculated fluid collection.
Bowel: Interval placement of metallic stent and the duodenojejunal junction. No evidence of bowel obstruction.
Pancreas: Mass at head of the pancreas with upstream pancreatic ductal dilation is consistent with known neuroendocrine neoplasm. The mass is decreased measuring 4.9 x 5.1 cm, previously 6.4 x 6.8 cm. The mass is locally invasive with surrounding vascular involvement.
Vasculature: There is tumor encasement of the SMA and conclusion of the SMV as before. There is abundant of the splenic vein and portal vein.
Lymph nodes: Peripancreatic adenopathy probably not significant changed. For example left paraaortic node posterior to the pancreatic tumor measures 1.4 x 1.6 cm.
Biliary Tree:  Interval placement of CBD stent with resolution of intra and extra hepatic biliary ductal dilation. No calcified stones in the gallbladder.
Liver: Marked progression of number of extensive metastases now seen throughout all segments of the liver. Dominant metastasis is mildly decreased measuring 8.1 x 9.2 cm, previously 9.8 x 11.4 cm. Stable scattered cysts.
Spleen: Normal
Adrenal: Normal
Kidneys: Normal
Body Wall: No Mass
Pelvis: As mentioned above, there is moderate free fluid which is new.
Bones: No osseous metastases.

I won’t quote the Impression from the radiologist report since per Doctors orders that specifically will be the revised version of this Report since “response to treatment” was referenced — and Dad isn’t on any “treatment” …per se (more on that in another post).

Dad’s oncologist (who is very optimistic) translated above as: “there are no drastic changes one way or the other. There is improvement in some areas, and not in others.” Allow me to simplify this even more: Relatively speaking, the cancer has NOT spread. Yes, there are additional spots on the liver (which could possibly be explained — in another post). Further, if my math is correct the dominant spot on his liver decreased in size by a whopping 1.7 x 2.2 cm. Further, the mass at the head of his pancreas decreased in size by 1.5 x 1.7 cm. To us, this is definitely worth celebrating (Praise Jesus!) and moreover, the encouragement Dad (all of us!) needed!

We questioned the newly noted fluid and it was agreed that because Dad has been bedridden, he could greatly improve by simply walking around the house and implementing deep breathing exercises, which he’s already started doing. Most of Dad’s discomfort is in his pelvis area, so we’re not sure if the ascites will need to be addressed in the future. Right now, we’re hoping minor improved activity will work itself out.

There is a laundry list of other matters that need to be addressed and prayed over, so please continue to lift my Dad up in prayer. I’ll address all of that in a separate, future post. I just really wanted you to absorb the information above and marvel as we were able to at the true Power of Prayer.  

We humbly request if you are financially able, to send my Dad donations — Cash, Cashier Checks, Visa/Amex etc. Gift Cards, and via Paypal are currently the best methods of donation.

Mom & Dad’s insurance officially dropped them and they are currently working out other alternatives. I am also moving forward with the 501(c)3, and hope to have more news to share regarding that soon. 

Also, if you would like to (or continue to) receive updates on my Dad and follow along in his journey in fighting for his life against Pancreatic Cancer, make sure you SUBSCRIBE (found at the top right of the sidebar of this page). Simply enter your email address and click submit. You will instantly receive an email for this request — Don’t forget to click “confirm”. I typically follow up these blog posts with an email via Mail Chimp; however this is the last time I will be doing that, so definitely make sure you’re signed up here directly. 🙂

Thank you & God Bless,

♥ jenn & family

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