Here’s the latest from the Neuro-Oncologist. First of all, a big sigh of relief. Second of all, never get your diagnosis from a Neurological Surgeon. Although we love him, and he is a great surgeon (if you need one I’ll give you his name.), he did not leave much room for detail.
He was right, the tumor is an Astrocytoma grade 3, and the average life expectancy is 3 to 5 years. But lets remember that average is a mix of 80yr olds, 50yr olds, 30yr olds etc etc… not to mention, smokers or heart patients or whatever. Heather is only 32 and in perfect health. Look at it this way, if I told you that the entire 3rd grade was going to be given a C for a grade no matter what, all the A students would think that is totally crazy, All the F students would think that was great. the tumor that was in Heather’s brain is just barely a stage 3. Therefore you cannot say that she is a C student but much better. Another great thing is that our great surgeon was able to take out 99% of the tumor, that’s almost like starting over. He said that it was there for several years. Which means, if there are any microscopic cells (which there probably are) they would still grow fairly slow.(by the way Heather is correcting all my typos as we speak, and of course laughing at me.)
He cautiously used the cure word. Once Heather’s head wound is all healed up, she will start radiation and chemotherapy treatments at Moffit Cancer Center in Tampa, FL. They will be in close contact with the Mayo Dr.’s. The cool thing about the chemotherapy is that it’s done with pills that have a drug built in to them to minimize the side effects, and that is good. The Hand of God will either Kill the Cancer or He will use the drugs to do it.
Pathology:
Astrocytoma vs. Olioglioma or however you spell it.
If the genetic study of this tumor comes back as an Olioglioma then that is even better news because that type is the least agressive in the tumor family. The only reason they say this, is that it looks like a Olioglioma but has cell division like an Astrocyoma. If it is an Olioglioma it would be a stage 2 tumor but treated the same.
There you Have it.
We are going home tomorrow yippee. See you later Rochester, MN. We love our new friends from there.
Special thanks to our new Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Yes that means you.
“This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
such a simple verse, yet means more to me this day than most others.
We Keep Pressin On.
HD’s Hubby
I can’t express how wonderful this post was to read. Especially the part about Heather correcting typos! The news continues to reflect God’s mercy and His answers to SO MANY prayers.
Though I may never meet you I continually pray for you and your family, Heather. You are in my thoughts constantly and I pray without ceasing for your healing, recovery, and your new lease on life.
God is so good. Thank you, Heather, for continuing to share your journey, your inspiration, your faith, and your family with us!
Hugs
Praising and praying. God is good.
Thank you for making me smile… and painting the picture in my mind of Heather’s beautiful smiling face…
Love you guys…
~L
laughing! incredible. no greater sound at this juncture, i’m sure.
no doubt you are all elated to be going home and start the healing process with the rest of the family. my thoughts are with you all.
Heather – I somehow found your site the day you received your diagnosis and have been watching following you ever since. Blessings to you, sister – your strength, determination and courage are remarkable. I pray for safe travels home, a joyful homecoming with your children, and peace as you continue to tackle this obstacle.
Blessings & hugs,
Beth
They day Heather typed “I’m still standing” I cried! How miraculous! How amazing is our God!!
I know it will be so nice for you both to be home again. Travel safe and know that I am still praying for your entire family. God Bless you all!
rejoicing with you this minute.
thank you
safe trip home
Glad to hear that you are doing so well and that they were able to take care of all but a scant bit of that extra brain stuff. We will keep praying for your continued recovery.
God is good, my friend!
Thank you for the update! And thank you for explaining “life expectancy” the way you did. I will share the explanation with my friend whose husband has an astrocytoma (heading into year 3). Those numbers given by well-meaning doctors can really cause mental havoc.
Safe travels back home!
I ma totally beyond words and excited beyond belief!
TOMORROW TOMORROW TOMORROW!!!
God is so awesome, and Heather is amazing and you, dear Mark has been in the best seat to watch God at work . God has truly wrapped his arms around you guys in huge, huge ways since before day one.
I hope the 5 of you have the biggest party on the way home. At home, in home.
The kids must be thrilled.
We are thrilled.
Hug that wife of yours for me … will ya?!
Thank you so much for the update. I’ve been checking compulsively for days. I will continue praying.
Although I’m sure you’ve heard a whole lot of miraculous cure stories, I figure there’s always room for one more. The daughter of a woman in our Sunday School class was diagnosed with terminal cancer last summer. It grew aggressively (it was in her stomach) and seemingly refused to quit. Our class prayed over her and painted her house and planted flowers in her garden and prayed and prayed and prayed. She started to get a little better, and then had a horrible set back. They ran tests and found that the cancer was growing with a vengeance. About a week later, she was all set to return to treatment, but they first had to do one last test to get an idea of the best way to proceed with treatment, which was scheduled for the following week.
They couldn’t find anything. Not a thing. They were befuddled (I love it when doctors get befuddled!). They ran blood tests (two or three, I can’t recall) and they said her blood was so clean, it was as if she’d never had cancer at all.
That was at least six months ago, and she’s still completely cancer free.
God is able and He can do it … in whatever way He chooses.
My love to you — Mandy
Amen!!
We have and will keep on praying for y’all.
This song keeps going through my head. Here is the chorus.
“I know God makes no mistakes He leads in every path I take, along the way that leading me to home. Though at times my heart would break there’s a purpose in every change he makes, that others would see my life and know that God makes no mistakes.â€
Hang in there guys, HE has something big for y’all!
What wonderful news!!! I have been feeling down all day – but now this is SO great! PRaise the Lord! What a miracle you truly are – going home less than one week after your surgery!!!! Have to say it again!! Praise the Lord!!! Love, Lisa in Texas =-)
Sending you love, peace and prayers. Your faithfulness (and Mark’s) through all this has been an incredible inspiration to me and many others. You are truly special and I’m so glad you are part of Laura’s life….and ours.
Love,
Laura’s Mom
Great to hear that Heather is laughing. You guys have a safe trip home!
Well, I have gone from crying for you to praising with you all in one day. DH makes the prognosis look WAY better than the surgeon! lol I just love you guys and your outlook on this situation. I just know God is going to use it for your good; He’s already used it for mine
Continuing on in prayer for your family. Have a safe journey home. {{{hugs}}}
I am so happy for you that you are going home, That is just awesome!!! Nothing heals the heart and soul like home. Praise God.
Praising God right along with you. So glad that you are going home. Safe journeys and continued prayers from our family to yours. I’ve been sharing your story with my husband and kids – and we’re all praying. God is good!
It is so good to read this post Mark. We’re with you in this – praying and believing God for the best. Safe trip home!!
Oh, this sounds so much better!
Stay strong…day by day.
And have you heard yet that you are a great testimony for strength and faith?
Without a doubt, you are.
Wow!! That’s a whole bunch of huge words to sound out and remember!! I agree with you.. the Dr.’s are great people, but sometimes they don’t give you the whole story… we found that our when my Papa was in the hosprital after he broke his back.
God bless you and your family!! I bet the kids can’t wait for you to get home.
Prayers,
Courtney
Sounds SO much better. We are excited about her recovery…back HOME!
Wow. What a roller coaster…inoperable to 99% cleaned out. Stage 3, 3-5 years to this news.
1 Chronicles 5:20
He answered their prayers because they trusted in Him.
Mark 9:24
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Man, I LOVE our God!
On my knees still, but praising God with you. This post sounded so much more encouraging. I am rejoicing that Heather is laughing, and correcting typos!
Enjoy family and HOME!
I can’t believe you are going home already! PRAISE GOD! Florida here ya’ come! WA-HOO!
Mark and Heather –
God is with you and always will be! God bless you as you remain such a strong witness for Christ and faith in Him!
Sallie
This sounds very hopeful!! And I am so glad the chemo has built in a drug to minimize the side effects. I m just amazed someone can go home so soon after brain surgery! God is good!
Wow! Yay God! Heather and Hubs, Your strength in the midst is a continued testimony!
I’m so happy…even with tears in my eyes! Thank you for the update.
I just wrote a long comment then erased it…suffice to say I agree with and am praying along the same lines as you guys!
God loves you!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!
We’ll miss you, but know we’ll see you again someday.
Blessed Be Your NAME!
I don’t even have words at the moment. Just…wow…
Thank you Lord!
This IS the day!
Praise God – that’s all I can say!
Oh, this sounds better! Praise God!
You’re going home?
You’re going HOME?
I AM SO EXCITED!
And re: the prognosis – I just exhaled really, really big. I’ll call y’all in a couple of days – once you have time to settle in at home.
HOME!
Yee haw!!! Praise God!! God is so good and I am so thankful for answered prayers.
God inhabits the prayers of His people.
God is good!!
Love,
Jennelle
Amen, amen, AMEN!! ((hugs))
Hey Heather wow talk about strange, I am from Tampa Fla and I was there last year with my dad who was at Moffit Cancer center for his lung cancer. I flew back to Tampa to take him to all his treatments there. I know the center well and they were so good to my dad. You will be very comfortable there. My dad lost his battle with lung cancer 6 months later but I was glad to be a part of his recovery. My prayers are forever with you and your family.
Love you
Rejoicing! Praying! Trusting Him! We will not let a day go without prayer for you…you are such a special family! Enjoy being home…praying for safety in travel and good weather as you go!
We’ll be in Destin the first week in July and wish we could come on over and hug your neck, Heather!
Love in Him,
Holly
I love your report and your perspective. It really makes sense!
Steph
Praising the Lord for the Miracles He has placed at your feet. I mean, you had brain surgery on my birthday and that was only four days ago, and you get to go home to your sweet babies already! Speechless!
As to doctors who think they can do what God does not, hmmm. God doesn’t promise us tomorrow, but has numbered our days. God knows the moment a sparrow falls to the earth yet holds us in the palm of his hand.God knows the day and teh hour Jesus will return yet keeps even that to himself because He wants us to celebrate Today.
Today we rejoice in today. It truly is the day the Lord has made. Today Jesus is Lord, tomorrow Jesus will still be Lord and we will still be rejoicing.
By the way, so glad you have never settled for average!
Because of Jesus, Bobbie
So excited to hear y’all are getting to go home! We will be praying for your safe travel, some rest once you get home, and that your precious kids will help momma heal as they enjoy having her back!
God is GOOD ALL the time!
You sound like a super strong woman! Your family should be so thankful and proud to call you their mom, wife, daughter, friend, and I am proud to call you sister in Christ!
\o/ Amazing!!! Still praying for you.
What encouraging words. Bless you as you travel home.
My verse for today is Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee.”
So happy to hear there is so much hope. I have been praying for you and I find myself so saddened by your story, but so inspired to expand my faith in god.
Thank you
I praise our God for the great things he has done! Praise him, just flat out PRAISE to you God almighty!!!
Thanks for the update info.! We believe in God’s miracles. We’ll keep praying for you, Heather and your family. Only God knows your years on earth.
OH I am so glad to read this!! I have been thinking about ya’ll all day! I am so glad to hear that you are going home tomorrow and you will all be togehter (with all your babies). Blessings as you fight and trust and grow and all the things you are doing right now in front of all of us. Thanks for the good news!