Remission -- Word for the Day -- Monday, June 30, 2008

Remission
Definition: noun

a temporary or permanent decrease or subsidence of manifestations of a disease.
b. a period during which such a decrease or subsidence occurs.

Praise God! I heard this word today. We got the results back today from the tests made last week and we were told Chemo Sabe has no cancer. We are in a state of shock. The same shock we had when we heard he was ill. He had 70% of the cancer in the beginning and now it is at 10%. All humans are at 10%, so he is normal. Remission

We also heard from a test we have been waiting on since the last week of May (Gene Ray), that the disease is not in his genes. His PET scan originally showed one lesion and today there is none. We still have to do the MRI next week which will tell of the result of the 27 lesions he had on his shoulders, spine, hip and neck.

The journey is not over. We still start another round of chemo July 8. The stem cell transplant will be about 2-3 weeks after that. Then another around of chemo around September or October with another transplant. We CAN DO this!! No step for a Stepper!

Tears of joy streamed down our face. We looked at each other and really couldn't express ourselves. Stunned!

We did have a fabulous weekend also. Got off to a very late start on Saturday after waiting for the storms to subside. Didn't get to go North. Cancelled the cabin reservations we had. We heard of a Purple Hull Pea festival in the lower part of the state we away we went. Lathered up with SPF 50 on the chrome dome.

We got down as far as Fordyce (two hours away) and took a break. I told Chemo Sabe of my knowledge about the weather in those parts for Sunday morning. Storms. So we headed west and north and ended up in Hot Springs (20 miles) from home. What the heck! Decided to spend the night. No rooms anywhere so we stayed at a resort. Parked the cycles and unpacked.

Took a three block walk up a spiral driveway to an Italian restaurant and was there for about two hours. We were grateful for the time it took to prepare our food because it stormed the whole time we were there. The restaurant overlooked the lake. We walked back in sprinkling rain, turned the heat up to 80, took a hot shower and crashed. Dinner was well worth it.

We are on NO meds this week. Nothing until the chemo starts back. Go ahead -- ask me why they are not starting chemo until July 8. Chemo Sabe told them how important his work was and that the holidays are rough --- so Big Doc agreed to wait a week.

Came home yesterday and the son and his friend had manicured the yard and our back woods. Well needed. It looks like a different yard. They take extremely good care of us. We don't know how to repay them so we will be planning a fish fry when the smoke settles.

Remission --- Doesn't to sound wonderful? Remission, Remission, Remission.

I found out late this afternoon my mom had eye surgery today. She didn't tell me because she felt like I had enough to deal us. Please pray for her speedy recovering. She is 82.

We are riding tonight. Going out to eat. Can't get enough of those bikes. I got new risers last week that bring my handlebars back closer to me. It is difficult for a 5 ft 4 in. person to sit up close to the tank to ride. Chemo Sabe has instructed me not to buy anything else for it. Probably because he wants to buy it himself! ha.

We are loved.. You love us. You have prayed for us continually. We heard through others that they have heard through others that Chemo Sabe is on so many prayer lists. I'm telling you -- he is around the whole --- and probably in the seven days.

WE ARE READY, GOD, to take what is before us. You have been so loving to us. You truly have not given us more than we can handle.

Thank you all again for what you do....

Love -- Pepper