We got a call this afternoon from the surgeon who did the procedure on Mike last week. He had just conferred with the oncologist after reading the pathology lab report.
Wonderful news! All of the tissue samples from the original tumor area were NEGATIVE! Combined with the reading of the MRI from last week, the doctors are now saying with a high degree of confidence that Mike is cancer-free in the neck and throat areas.
They are now allowing Mike to heal for another 8 weeks--at which time another PET scan will be taken.
During those weeks, Mike will continue to eat more 'regular' food when he can, in the hopes of having the feeding tube removed well before the PET scan comes around.
While today's news could not be more positive at this time, the possibility is still there that some cancer cells (aka, Prairie Dogs) remain. But, for the first time in about 6 months, we have the mindset that the cancer is gone--you can't imagine how good that feels to us!
Our thanks go out to all of you who follow the blog and send good vibes, positive thoughts, prayers, and weird cards to us--we could not have made it this far without your love, support, and humor.
Mike continues to lose weight, but at a much slower rate than before. And Terry swears that the hair on the back of Mike's neck is coming back--so there are many other signs that Mike's recovery is going better every day. He says he'll really know things are back to normal when he can bite into, taste, and swallow a slice of white pizza at Rosa's.
Signed,
Terry and the Lean, Clean, Prairie Dog-less Machine
Fantastic news - you both deserve a BIG celebration! Yours, Colleen
ReplyDeleteWoo Hoo! Congrats Mike. Sue H.
ReplyDeleteAwesome!
ReplyDeletehey you CANCER-FREE and clean mean prairie dog-less soon to be white sauce Rosa's pizza eating machine -
ReplyDeleteSHEEZAM! You and the dynamite in the small package(that would be your devoted true companion, Terry) did it! When Al and I have gone through tough times, he always says "There isn't anything the three of us and our good friends can't handle!" We are just so happy for you both. (Happy feet)HAPPY! HAPPY! HAPPY! LOVE FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS! CYNTHIA
Way to go Mike! You have been on my mind this past week and I am so glad to hear that there is such marvelous news to celebrate! Congrats and keep up the good work (eating pizza is tough work!). Keep that positive mind set and go -- go -- GO!
ReplyDeleteAll the best, Wendy