I’ve got an itch to share with you.  This post might be a little erratic.  I’ve been a lot of places, done a lot of things this week so – here we go!

First I want to introduce you to my oncologist, Dr. Khan.  God delivered this man into my life miraculously and he’s such an important part of my story. (It’s a little bit like ending up at UT Southwest within 24 hours.  In 2009, Dr. Khan called me personally on my cell phone within 2 hours of my diagnosis and met with Mark and I the next morning. MIRACULOUS! )

I think about him as a “renaissance man.”  What I mean by that is he’s more than a physician.  He’s a poet, a world traveler, an author, a movie producer, a father, a husband, a diagnostician and of course an amazing oncologist and a gift from God to me.  He’s aggressive with cancer, gentle with patients and extremely brilliant.

So we met on Tuesday and I had a great visit.  First of all, all my other scans are clear.  I have no evidence of cancer anywhere else in my body.  This is extremely good news as it means the outbreak is contained and already targeted for destruction.  We had a good long conversation about my six-year healing – and how important that is for my long-term future.  He bragged on my responsiveness to treatment (thank you very much) and I asked the hard cold question, can I be healed again?  He says certainly!  That’s enough for me.

Last night I got a last-minute phone call from his office with more good news.  It seems my blood work from Tuesday reveals that my tumor markers are already declining.  That’s after only about 24 hours after starting radiation.  We did a little happy dance around the table.

I will return to see Dr. Khan on the November 13th and he is recommending chemo.  We didn’t discuss details – because they won’t be fun – and who needs to worry about things like in advance.  In the short-term I only have to finish the radiation, take a Pink Impact Cruise (yes!  I get to cruise!), square up for what comes next and get ready for chemo sometime around Thanksgiving.

I want to share some photos of my radiation experience.  This morning I will complete round 5 of treatment.  I’m half way done.  The photos  are a little weird, so don’t be freaked out.  The CyberKnife is an amazing apparatus and it’s reminds me of the movie Aliens.  It has a head that twirls all around your body (looks like the big Alien in the movie) – stares you in the eye with a camera shutter – and somehow destroys cancer cells with no visible beam, light or feeling.  It almost has a personality.  Yesterday, I was trying to come up with a name for it.  Every time it swings around in the front of my head, I think about how God is using a focused beam of light and sound waves to destroy darkness.  Light always rules over darkness.  Obviously, the hardest part is that mask.  It requires mind over matter.  Lay down – be still – submit.  It’s a spiritual lesson for sure.

Also wanted to say thanks to Marissa and Yuri star for loaning me their all-star juicer.  Marissa told me to feed my brain and my gut every morning before treatment – so I’ve been doing that.  My favorite combo so far?  Kale, Cucumber, Spinach, Celery, Apple.

I also wanted to say thanks for all the rides.  This week Ashley, Mallory and Stephanie took me down town.  It’s a quite a commitment to get there and back.  I’m grateful for the support.

Last night I got to attend the Pink Night at Southlake and hear my friend Lynda Grove give a call to be a part of a family.  I feel like I am walking picture of her message – surrounded by love, grace, hope and peace.  I am so grateful for my immediate husband, children and mom.  I’m double grateful that God has so deeply rooted us in His house and His extended family.  Your prayers continue to lift my high.  I am still steadfast.  I am still at peace.  And I am still well.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

With love,

Jan