Sam got a call from Dr. Celin late this evening regarding the PET/CT scan... he said that there was no evidence of cancer. We are rejoicing and thank God that he has shown mercy to us in this situation!
There really aren't words to express how grateful we are for the prayers of family and friends and for the love that has been expressed to us. Thank you all for all the cards you have sent over the past two years... yes, that's right, it's been two years since Sam was diagnosed! We have been given the gift of realizing how precious life is!
All the best,
Maddy and Sam
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Waiting for Test Results Can Be......
Hi All - Sam had a PET/CT Scan on July 15th and we are awaiting the results. We don't expect to hear any news until at least a week after the test. The funny thing is that waiting for the test results this time is nothing like waiting for the first few test results.
It's not because we take it for granted that the tests will be negative for disease, it's just that we have learned not to live for test results. Going through a cancer treatment program and realizing that your life is not your own gives you a different perspective on life and death. We are much more appreciative of the life we have and recognize that God is in control and we don't have to sweat the small stuff.
We are blessed to recently have become grandparents and thought we'd share a photo of our new grandbaby, Sammy:
God has been so good to us! We are blessed beyond measure! We will post again when we know the results of the test... we are hopeful that we will have good news of no evidence of disease.
Maddy and Sam
It's not because we take it for granted that the tests will be negative for disease, it's just that we have learned not to live for test results. Going through a cancer treatment program and realizing that your life is not your own gives you a different perspective on life and death. We are much more appreciative of the life we have and recognize that God is in control and we don't have to sweat the small stuff.
We are blessed to recently have become grandparents and thought we'd share a photo of our new grandbaby, Sammy:
God has been so good to us! We are blessed beyond measure! We will post again when we know the results of the test... we are hopeful that we will have good news of no evidence of disease.
Maddy and Sam
Saturday, May 8, 2010
In case you were wondering...
Just a bit of an update of sorts...
Maddy has been preoccupied with a broken ankle since April 11th 2010. Don't ask unless you want the details... but, she's hoping to be back to normal, in another few weeks - oh wait... what is normal? Don't ask.
Let's talk about SAM. Better yet, let's do a comparison photo shot. This first one is from November 8, 2008. Sam was still getting most of his nourishment from a feeding tube, but in this picture he was eating cream of wheat (I think). He wasn't sure he would ever be able to swallow anything solid at that point.
Fast forward to April 11 2010 - Happiness is Pizza!
This was a real milestone for Sam. Being able to eat pizza again after thinking at one point that he would never be able to eat it again. Of course he still has to drink mass quantities of liquid to push the food down his throat, but that is a small price to pay for pizza - or any solid food.
He as been back to the ENT once since our last post and has another appointment in June. We are keeping our fingers crossed that he will be NED (no evidenc of disease). Better yet, we will be praying that God hears our prayer for that outcome. After all, He has brought us this far.
God Bless you, too.
Looking foward to summer!
Maddy and Sam
Maddy has been preoccupied with a broken ankle since April 11th 2010. Don't ask unless you want the details... but, she's hoping to be back to normal, in another few weeks - oh wait... what is normal? Don't ask.
Let's talk about SAM. Better yet, let's do a comparison photo shot. This first one is from November 8, 2008. Sam was still getting most of his nourishment from a feeding tube, but in this picture he was eating cream of wheat (I think). He wasn't sure he would ever be able to swallow anything solid at that point.
Fast forward to April 11 2010 - Happiness is Pizza!
This was a real milestone for Sam. Being able to eat pizza again after thinking at one point that he would never be able to eat it again. Of course he still has to drink mass quantities of liquid to push the food down his throat, but that is a small price to pay for pizza - or any solid food.
He as been back to the ENT once since our last post and has another appointment in June. We are keeping our fingers crossed that he will be NED (no evidenc of disease). Better yet, we will be praying that God hears our prayer for that outcome. After all, He has brought us this far.
God Bless you, too.
Looking foward to summer!
Maddy and Sam
Sunday, February 14, 2010
"Uncle!"
Saturday, February 6th, 2010 - The Big Dig
Like everyone else in the mid-Atlantic states, we are still digging out from the wallop we got from the fourth largest snow fall since they started keeping records. The snow was as deep as 3 feet in some areas where it drifted... officially the International Airport put the total at 21 inches. In the next photo, you can see it is up to their knees. It took a day and a half to dig out our driveway so our cars could make it to the private road. The plow service that clears our private roadway gave up on the task because of the volume of snow and finally on Sunday 2/7 some neighbors cleared the private roadway with their snow blowers.
We lost power from Friday night around 11:15 pm until about 4:30 am on Sunday morning. The temperature was around 20 degrees.... but we managed.
We feel blessed to have a warm home, food and many things that people long for in other parts of the world. All things considered,it could have been worse - just think Philadelphia and DC.
Sam's next doctor appointment is in a month. Nothing new to report along those lines. However, his back related pain levels are elevated from activity over the past week, so if you think of him, say a prayer that he will be able to recover and sleep well at night.
Wherever you are, may God be with you.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
A Christmas Surprise
As some of you know, our son Max, his wife Leslie and her mother Jo, came to visit for the Christmas holiday... that was a gift in itself. They arrived on the 23rd after an 8 hour drive and amazingly Max and Leslie were able to keep a very big surprise to themselves - not even slipping and telling Jo.
The surprise - we are going to be Grandparents this summer!!!!!
After the initial jolt, I looked at Sam and smiled... somehow I knew it. A few months ago, Sam brought up the subject with Max and at that time he said they had nothing to announce. But, I became curious. Curious about his choice of words. And, the detective-mom in me began to chew on those words. A few weeks before the holiday, I told Sam that I thought we were going to get T-Shirts for Christmas that said, "I'm going to be a Grandparent" or something of that nature. He told me I was crazy. Well, he's kind of right... I am a little crazy... but, I'm also happy that I was right about my hunch!
In addition to this wonderful news, Sam had another visit with his E/N/T, Dr. Celin, who said that he doesn't see any evidence of disease. Also, Sam gained another pound from his last visit. With all the holiday goodies, I probably gained three since his last visit, but who's counting.
We are looking forward to the coming year and the promise of a new life. God is good, indeed!
We hope that your year will be full of blessed surprises.
Happy New Year,
Maddy and Sam
The surprise - we are going to be Grandparents this summer!!!!!
After the initial jolt, I looked at Sam and smiled... somehow I knew it. A few months ago, Sam brought up the subject with Max and at that time he said they had nothing to announce. But, I became curious. Curious about his choice of words. And, the detective-mom in me began to chew on those words. A few weeks before the holiday, I told Sam that I thought we were going to get T-Shirts for Christmas that said, "I'm going to be a Grandparent" or something of that nature. He told me I was crazy. Well, he's kind of right... I am a little crazy... but, I'm also happy that I was right about my hunch!
In addition to this wonderful news, Sam had another visit with his E/N/T, Dr. Celin, who said that he doesn't see any evidence of disease. Also, Sam gained another pound from his last visit. With all the holiday goodies, I probably gained three since his last visit, but who's counting.
We are looking forward to the coming year and the promise of a new life. God is good, indeed!
We hope that your year will be full of blessed surprises.
Happy New Year,
Maddy and Sam
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Thankful Hearts
Hi Everyone - No new medical developments to report, but just wanted to touch base and say that we hope everyone had a peaceful Thanksgiving Holiday.
It's surreal to look back a year ago to see the difference in Sam's condition today compared to last year at this time. If you have time to go back and view the posts for November 23rd and November 17, 2008 - you will see the incredible progress Sam has made. It's funny how we so quickly forget past pain and suffering - but we suppose it's normal. But it is important to remember how things were, so that we can remain grateful for Sam's progress to this point.
It's ironic that Sam will sometimes gripe now that it takes so long to chew his food and that he has to drink a lot of liquid to help with swallowing. He is usually reminded (it won't be reported, by whom) of a time when he was dragging around a feeding tube for seven months which then helps to keep his current situation in perspective.
We are so looking forward to the Christmas holiday when our home will be filled with the hustle bustle of the season; family guests staying with us for the holidays; memories of Christmas past and hope for Christmas future. We will feast on favorite foods and Sam will do his best to try everything on the table.
A few weeks ago as we were reading from "Streams in the Desert", and were moved by a poetic verse included in that day's devotion.
If all my days were sunny could I say "In His fair land He wipes all tears away"?
If I were never weary could I keep this blessed truth, "He gives His loved ones sleep"?
If no grave were mine, I might come to deem the life eternal but a baseless dream. My winter, and my tears, and weariness, even my grave, may be his way to bless.
I call them ills, yet that can surely be nothing but love that shows my Lord to me.
From our own recent experience we could add to this a verse that says: "If we were never hungry, thirsty, or unable to swallow, could we really appreciate the bounty that has been provided for our enjoyment by our Creator"?
We thank you for your continued prayers for a total healing for Sam.
It's surreal to look back a year ago to see the difference in Sam's condition today compared to last year at this time. If you have time to go back and view the posts for November 23rd and November 17, 2008 - you will see the incredible progress Sam has made. It's funny how we so quickly forget past pain and suffering - but we suppose it's normal. But it is important to remember how things were, so that we can remain grateful for Sam's progress to this point.
It's ironic that Sam will sometimes gripe now that it takes so long to chew his food and that he has to drink a lot of liquid to help with swallowing. He is usually reminded (it won't be reported, by whom) of a time when he was dragging around a feeding tube for seven months which then helps to keep his current situation in perspective.
We are so looking forward to the Christmas holiday when our home will be filled with the hustle bustle of the season; family guests staying with us for the holidays; memories of Christmas past and hope for Christmas future. We will feast on favorite foods and Sam will do his best to try everything on the table.
A few weeks ago as we were reading from "Streams in the Desert", and were moved by a poetic verse included in that day's devotion.
If all my days were sunny could I say "In His fair land He wipes all tears away"?
If I were never weary could I keep this blessed truth, "He gives His loved ones sleep"?
If no grave were mine, I might come to deem the life eternal but a baseless dream. My winter, and my tears, and weariness, even my grave, may be his way to bless.
I call them ills, yet that can surely be nothing but love that shows my Lord to me.
From our own recent experience we could add to this a verse that says: "If we were never hungry, thirsty, or unable to swallow, could we really appreciate the bounty that has been provided for our enjoyment by our Creator"?
We thank you for your continued prayers for a total healing for Sam.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Test Results
Sam's PET/CT revealed No Evidence Of Disease!!!!
We thank God for this answer to prayer and want to express our appreciation to everyone who has prayed with us for this result. While we don't live for results, it is a comfort to hear those words.
This does not mean that our prayers stop. No, we will always have something to pray about - if not for Sam, then for others... there are always so many who need prayers.
The book of James, Chapter 5: 13-16 reads:
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let him say prayers. Is anyone glad? Let him make a song of praise. Is anyone among you ill? Let him send for the rulers of the church; and let them say prayers over him, putting oil on him in the name of the Lord. And by the prayer of faith the man who is ill will be made well, and he will be lifted up by the Lord, and for any sin which he has done he will have forgiveness. So then, make a statement of your sins to one another, and say prayers for one another so that you may be made well. The prayer of a good man is full of power in its working.
Remission from cancer is a huge comfort. If your heart is still moved to pray for Sam, here are his needs:
Love,
Sam and Maddy
We thank God for this answer to prayer and want to express our appreciation to everyone who has prayed with us for this result. While we don't live for results, it is a comfort to hear those words.
This does not mean that our prayers stop. No, we will always have something to pray about - if not for Sam, then for others... there are always so many who need prayers.
The book of James, Chapter 5: 13-16 reads:
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let him say prayers. Is anyone glad? Let him make a song of praise. Is anyone among you ill? Let him send for the rulers of the church; and let them say prayers over him, putting oil on him in the name of the Lord. And by the prayer of faith the man who is ill will be made well, and he will be lifted up by the Lord, and for any sin which he has done he will have forgiveness. So then, make a statement of your sins to one another, and say prayers for one another so that you may be made well. The prayer of a good man is full of power in its working.
Remission from cancer is a huge comfort. If your heart is still moved to pray for Sam, here are his needs:
- That Sam's ability to swallow will improve and that his saliva glands will be restored and produce more saliva. (He must consume a lot of liquid (about 40 ounces per meal) to aid his swallowing and makes it challenging to acquire the calories he needs to keep his weight up.) He would love to be able to eat pizza or a hoagie - just once.
- His old back injury causes chronic leg and foot pain prevents him from getting the restful sleep that is so important in the healing process.
Love,
Sam and Maddy
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