Dear Church Family & Friends;
Sorry for the delayed "Donna Update" but we didn't have anything to report till today.
We finally got into Emory for our follow up appointment this afternoon. Part of the protocol that is followed at Emory is the re-grading of the tumor from the time of Donna's operation. You may recall that the slides mailed from Gwinnett Medical got 'lost in the mail' a couple of weeks ago. (That's par for the course!) Anyway, I drove them down to Emory last Thursday, they got the pathology completed on Friday and we met with Dr. Lawson this afternoon.
The pathologist at Emory agreed with Gwinnett Medical in that Donna had a Gliblastoma Multiforme, aka, Astrocytoma Grade IV. Based on this information, Dr. Lawson felt comfortable in prescribing the Temodar chemotherapy that I spoke about before. (www.temodar.com) Donna will be starting this on either November 13 or 20.
I need to speak with Andrea at Cigna to work out some details and I need to speak to our pharmacist about ordering this medication. It was a good appointment with Dr. Lawson. We told him that it was refreshing to see a Doc with a positive attitude regarding Donna's therapy. As Dr. Lawson stated today, "Donna, your recovery has been dramatic!" We are a very blessed family! Thank-you Jesus!
Donna spoke with Claudia Gage's Sunday School class this past Sunday. Her group consists of about 50 women at Shadowbrook. While I was not there, I understand that it was a very moving time as Donna shared not only how the Lord has healed her, but also how her illness has grown her & I closer than either of us ever thought possible! The Lord does work in mysterious ways at times!
Donna has completed her radiation therapy as of a week ago Monday. The fatigue has been really tough, but Don has handled it probably as well as we could have expected. I for one am glad that this part of the story is over.
Our prayer requests remain: 1.) For the Lord's will to be done through Donna's situation; 2.) That any side effects from any treatment be minimal, 3.) That Donna's November 21st MRI is CLEAR, 4.) That this tumor NEVER EVER reappear within Donna's body.
Thank-you once again for your prayers and concern. We love you all!
In His Name, Service and Love,
Frank
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