Winding it Down!

Well we made it!!! Troy received his final chemo treatment on monday! It has been such a rollercoaster ride these past 5-1/2 months, almost as if it has been one very long day. It was very surreal walking out of the hospital knowing that his treatments have finally come to an end. What we did not expect were the mixed feelings. We are so incredibly happy about his cancer going into remission and not having to endure anymore treatments but we are really going to miss the many people we have met along the way. Needless to say, phone numbers and email addresses were exchanged before we left the hospital.

Our days have been filled with so many new and interesting experiences which have touched our lives in such a way that we will never be the same. As difficult as this experience has been for all of us, God has blessed us and brought us so much closer together as a family. I am constantly amazed at how He manifests Himself in all of the experiences of our lives and draws us closer and closer to Him. Dealing with cancer has been such a humbling experience and we have been (and continue to be) brought to our knees time and time again. With each passing day, God strips more and more of the unnecessary elements away from our souls and continues to fill us with a greater desire to follow His will. What a gift it truly is!

Troy is doing fairly well. He is achy and tired and has not yet returned to work but I'm sure this is to be expected from anyone who has endured eight chemo treatments. His white blood count was a bit low as well, so we are taking precautions until his count returns to normal. He is such an amazing man though and I am constantly inspired by his endurance and strength. Many, MANY thanks to all who have been taking this journey with us and have offered their prayers and support. May God bless you!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Well, all we can say is "Praise God"!!!! We went in for Troy's seventh treatment today and we received some amazing news... the results of his PET CT scan came in and Troy is officially in remission!!!! There is no trace of cancer, the scan was squeeky clean!!! What an incredible gift to start off the new year! And, since his scan came back clean, he didn't have to have the "red devil" today (you may recall by reading his older posts that this is the toughest cancer killer and the main one that causes fast growing cells of any kind to die) and will not need to receive it at his last treatment either. We are both in awe right now at the amazing power of God (as well we should be at all times). What a gift he has given us and what a blessing to live during a time when this treatment is available to us. We also met another amazing couple today at treatment. Rod and Tammy Adams. Tammy, who is only in her thirties as well, was diagnosed with colon cancer but is doing extremely well. We all sat around chatting and Troy, Rod and I played three hands of Skip Bo which made the day a lot more enjoyable for all of us. There are so many amazing people in this world of ours. Thank you to everyone for your prayers and help during this time now we just need to switch those prayers so the cancer does not return. God bless!!! It is time to celebrate!!!

Scan Day

Well tomorrow is "scan" day! Troy is scheduled for his PET CT scan tomorrow (no not a CT scan for the dog). He had to eat a high protein, low to no carbs today and was not allowed to exert himself at all which is not easy for him. In addition, he isn't allowed to eat after midnight (poor guy, he is going to be hungry since he won't be able to eat until tomorrow after his scan which is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.) He has been a bit nervous, as have I, but I feel that it is going to come out clean. I am guessing that we won't know the results of it until Monday when we go in for Troy's seventh chemo treatment so I'll have to post an update early next week. Please keep your prayers coming!

Christmas, New Years and Junk Food!

Happy New Year! We are praying for a healthier 2009 for the Turner family! We are all impatiently awaiting Troy's PET CT scan which is scheduled for Thursday, January 8th @ 12:3o pm. Troy is feeling extremely nervous about this scan (I am a little as well but am really optimistic, God has brought us this far and I just feel deep down that it is going to be a clean scan). Troy is coming to the end of his second week which is always the worst out of the three by far. Again with the mouth sores and the boils that pop up on him. Another set of antibiotics to keep his infection at bay. And so this is how it goes for Troy!! Only two more treatments though. I can hardly believe it myself, TWO?! He is sooooo looking forward to ending his treatments as am I! Hang in there baby!!!

I had some great news just before Christmas as well. As many of you may (or may not) know, I was diagnosed with a rare form of cervical cancer back in 00 and had a cone biopsy to remove a portion of my cervix. I was so very lucky and did not have to undergo any sort of additional treatment. I had been doing great ever since until a couple of months ago when I started to experience a bit of bleeding. Well, I went in right away and a biopsy was done which came back benign! We were all very relieved at this news! We were pretty worried but are now feeling much better. Thank God!

We are all feeling the effects of the plethora of food made available to us over the Christmas break. We have way too much junk food around here for sure! I do really well myself most of the time until the stinking peanut butter M&M's enter my house! Extremely tasty little buggers. I'm telling them to keep out from now on though!!!! We are working towards getting in a bit better shape (it may be slow coming but we'll keep at it). Exercise does every body good!

We have had the most wonderful Christmas and New Years celebrations! We were so very blessed this year as God continues to work through those around us! Tears fill my eyes each time I think about the generosity of so many people, family, friends and strangers who bless us each day! Thank you for a wonderful and memorable Christmas season! Here's to a blessed and healthy 09 for all!!!!!