Tomorrow

An obvious subject title but one oddly enough just as elusive to us as to all diviners, fortune tellers, soothsayers, and Mayan calendar makers.

We have had a good week, Judy has been gaining in strength, energy, and even weight. Who could have foretold that we happily announce a gain in weight!?

It's been a remarkable turnaround and one that has been such a blessing and encouragement. Our 'Todays' are filled with laughter, calls from loved ones, and the continuing provision of Manna from heaven.

Looking forward is still hard. This isn't news I know. I did call the oncologist this week, behind Judy's back as she refuses to interrupt his busy week. I decided to brave the fallout as I wanted to better understand the treatment plan for Judy. A number of you also have expressed similar concerns.

Basically chemo finished 8 years ago. For 5 years Judy had a hormonal treatment. It is POSSIBLE that that hormonal treatment has been effectively keeping her cancer at bay, maybe even these 3 years since she stopped taking it. Therefore the treatment is to get her back onto hormonal therapy. If it reduces the growth and spread of Judy’s cancer, then we can stay on that treatment for as long as possible. As soon as it is no longer effective they will then try chemo. So we have a weekly check with the oncologist and he will determine if extra tests/scans are required and whether the treatment needs to be changed.

This is aimed at giving Judy the best quality of life possible. There is no medical avenue of curing the disease, only of slowing it down. Nevertheless, I hope you are joining me in praying that the Lord does cure Judy.

So for the next weeks we are hanging on to the results of these progress checks with the oncologist. He says that it may take up to 2 months before a clear view emerges. Therefore part 1 of 'tomorrow' means staying put in Brookfield. We had hoped to do a drive out to some outlying friends - Ohio, North Carolina etc. But that is on hold for now.

As a consolation prize Laura and Mikey have booked tickets and will be here from the 15th for 2 weeks. Helen Nugteren is also popping in on her whirlwind world tour! We hope also to see some other family members between now and December.

What does 'Tomorrow' look like after December? Judy will be able to fly again so if her treatment is still hormonal and going well then we expect to head south for some time with our family in New Zealand. Looking out further I have set one of Judy's passwords to "Rome2013" so every time she logs in to read your lovely messages of support and encouragement she has a reminder of a 'stretch goal' to continue to aim for.

We know however that every 'tomorrow' is the Lords. Our plans and hopes have a place but the Lord's plan takes precedence. As I quoted in the last post, the Lords plans cannot be thwarted.

So we have been enjoying our 'todays' and God gives us the grace to await His tomorrows with a peace that is beyond understanding.

Thanks for the wonderful gifts, hugs, flowers, cards, messages, hugs, and prayers. Yeah I like getting hugs.