The rest of the story

We got to have a great day digesting the incredible PET Scan news and then it was back to the medical grind stone.

We were able to meet with Dr. Khan yesterday and for the first time we got a time frame and a future plan. We are going to continue Chemo for 3-4 more months. Mike needs to work on eating and gaining weight/muscle. (which will be hard with Chemo) Then surgery will be the most likely step. It was like a switch was turned on. The road ahead is still long but the light is growing brighter every day. It was actually a little entertaining watching Mike and Dr. Khan yesterday. He kept saying that Mike should be eating more and Mike was explaining that he is having phlegm issues again when he eats food. He says that it shouldn't be with the results of the PET Scan. Khan was telling him it was mental. Mike was telling him it wasn't mental. So he ordered a barium swallow test today. Guess who was right? Mike. I don't think that is a good thing. There is clearing a narrowing at the EG junction at the end of his esophagus. We just did that test today so I don't know what that means for treatment. Another stent? Dilation? I would really like to stay on top of the cancer and just go cut it out. But I know it is not that simple. I also know this surgery is extremely risky and many people don't make it. Bascially, they cut out the damaged esophagus and upper stomach. Then they stretch the stomach and make a new esophagus. It somewhat like a gastric bypass. Another prayer need..

As a side note - We got to the hospital this morning and both Mike and I were greeted by the registrar like family members. I dropped Mike off and went and parked the car. Tara (the registrar) saw Mike and said, "Hi Mr. Phillips. I will start on your paperwork". I came in and Tara said, "Good Morning Mrs. Phillips, I am almost done with the paperwork." We are now adding the registration staff to our list of friends at the hospital (Day Surgery and Lab Techs and Floor Nurses). Honestly, it is so comforting to know that they remember us and try to make it as painless as possible when we are there.

Anyway, after the appointment we then went and saw the Infectious Disease doctor. The culture was in on Mike's port that they pulled out on Monday. It was Staph Epi. This is the staph on your skin that somehow got inside the port. Wouldn't it be just like God to use the staph infection to heal Mike? We have gotten a lot of comments about Tom's posting yesterday. (thanks Tom and Marsha. We both read the site). It makes sense is all that we have learned in both the homeopathic world and medical world this past 7 months. So we are on antibiotics for another 7 days and the good news was that it postponed the Chemo until Monday.

I will tell you this. I am still digesting the news of the PET Scan. I am scared to be too relaxed. I know this is only half-time. With Chemo, we will still probably have hospital stays for blood. As long as Mike is on TPN we risk the staph infections. (which might be good???) Mike still has issues with his esophagus and eating. But we are still so hopeful. Jesus is literally carrying us some days. But what a blessing.... What a testament to God's Hand.

I do have one thing left to ask of everyone. As I mentioned earlier, we still have a road in front of us. I feel like we have won the "Battle of Midway" or stormed the beaches of Normandy. Both significant turning points in the war, but not the final victory. We would be honored if everyone would sick with us as we continue to fight. We know, as we have said from the beginning, that this is a win no matter the outcome. But the battle is so much easier, knowing that you are fighting with us and praying with us.

Prayer needs:
House to sell - the last people interested put a bid on another house.
Mike to drink and eat more
God to reveal treatment paths
Healing of Mike's stricture in his esophagus
God to continue to have the cancer bow to His authority
Financial prudence

Praise:
PET Scan results
Elizabeth and her Christ like attitude and heart
Wonderful friends and family near and far that are in this with us
Prayers
The Cross