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Louise
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| Posted: May 19 2006 at 6:27am | IP Logged
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Dear friends,
Clark (oldest dd' boy friend) had a scan done yesterday to see if any cancer was left. Sara's words speaks more clearly then I could, so here is her account.
We went in to get a CT scan and blood tests today, and to see Dr.
Godley. The CT scan showed that the lymph nodes had been partially shrunk by the chemo, but not altogether, so surgery is probably going to be necessary. Dr. Godley will get together with Dr. Wallen, the surgeon, and they'll take a look at things together. Dr. Godley was pretty sure surgery will be called for, though. It's a more risky surgery than last time, because for some reason these lymph nodes are right around the aorta. So it's not the best place for sharp instruments. It'll probably be robotic surgery (!!), since it's less invasive, but Dr. Wallen will be contacting us and telling us more if he decides the surgery needs to be done. As for what the enlargements are, there are three possibilites: 1) it's dead tissue, so they'll be snipped out and that's the end of it, 2) they're a slow-moving, less malignant tumour that just grows locally; they need to be removed before they creep locally into somewhere surgery can't be done, or turn into something nastier - but once they're removed, that should also be the end of it, or 3), not very likely according to Dr. Godley, they're live malignant tumours - he said he's only found those in people with really enormous lymph nodes - football sized, which is a far cry from Clark's. If that was the case, after they're removed, more chemo would be necessary. But he didn't think that would be the case.
We haven't gotten blood tests results back, but Dr. Godley seemed pretty calmly confident that the tumour markers will still be normal.
And assuming the lymph nodes are either cases 1 or 2, after the surgery, Clark should be entirely cured. But the surgery is a fairly scary one. Dr. Godley said he wouldn't lie, it's got risks.
Everything's floating around in there, and the aorta is not something to accidentally snip into... but he said Dr. Wallen and the robot (Clark and I both burst out laughing at that - it sounds like the title to some really absurd movie) were the best options, and Dr. Wallen is very good. (It's such an odd notion, though. He wouldn't even be in the same room as Clark; he'd be controlling the robot in an adjoining room and watching everything on cameras - rather like a video game, it seems to me. But Dr. Godley says he has better control that way, and there's less bleeding and trauma.) Dr. Wallen needs to get in touch with us, but if he decides surgery is necessary, which he probably will, it'll probably be in the next few weeks.
Anyway, that's where we stand at the moment. Prayers would be highly appreciated. If Clark makes it through the surgery, then his outlook, as Dr. Godley said, is 'absolutely superior'. But of course Clark is very frightened at the thought of another surgery, and such a high-risk area... so please pray.
The good news, of course, is that Clark responded to the chemo, and that there are no other signs of cancer returning or growing; the lymph nodes are no bigger, and his chest is still clear. So that's good!
Please good friends, keep him in your prayers. I should add that Clark was raised without religion (his parents were of Jewish heritage, but non-practicing). He has been asking for our prayers sensing there is something there. I daily pray to St Therese asking her intersection for his complete healing and conversion.
Thank you,
Louise
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Louise, mom of 11
http://timetokeep.blogspot.com/
http://ecolebuissonniere.blogspirit.com/
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Diane
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| Posted: May 19 2006 at 6:46am | IP Logged
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Louise, I will keep Clark in my prayers and offer my daily struggles for his physical and spiritual healing. I will pray for your dd as well---this must be so difficult for her.
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Peace,
Diane
Mom to five fair lasses and one bonny prince
The Journey of a Mother's Heart
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Elizabeth
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| Posted: May 19 2006 at 6:49am | IP Logged
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Dear Louise,
I'm going with the scar tissue theory. It worked for me  . What a trial these two have withstood. Together. Many, many prayers for Clark and for Sara.
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Donna
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| Posted: May 19 2006 at 6:52am | IP Logged
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Oh my, Louise.
My day is offered for Clark and Sara....and you.
Warmly,
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Donna
DH, Keven
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Dawn
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| Posted: May 19 2006 at 7:02am | IP Logged
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Louise, we will be praying for Clark, and all he must go through.
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Dawn, mum to 3 boys
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Mary G
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| Posted: May 19 2006 at 7:31am | IP Logged
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Been there with my first husband -- I'll keep Clark in my prayers, but especially Sara to be a source of strength and health for him.....
Blessings...
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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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Cay Gibson
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Praying for these dear ones. Let us know what day the surgery will be. The children and I will plan a special rosary at that time.
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
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Donna Marie
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| Posted: May 19 2006 at 11:44am | IP Logged
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We are praying here Louise...all our love to Sara and Clark!! 
May God Bless Clark!
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Donna Marie from NJ
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Finding Elegant Simplicity
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cathhomeschool
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| Posted: May 19 2006 at 2:55pm | IP Logged
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Praying here, too, for strength, healing and conversion.
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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Willa
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Praying for Clark, Louise. They sound like a neat couple.
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Willa
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esperanza
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Praying here for Clark and for Sara.
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In His Peace,
Tammy Gonzalez in VA
dh-Johnny
mom to Tara-'85, Noelle-'88, Jeremy-'91, Elizabeth-'93, Emma-'96, Dominic-'99, Gabriel-'01, Elijah-03
and Jacinta-06
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MichelleW
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| Posted: May 19 2006 at 7:51pm | IP Logged
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Thank you so much for updating us. I was wondering about this situation. Will be praying.
Michelle
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Rebecca
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Praying here Louise!
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Jen L.
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| Posted: May 21 2006 at 11:35pm | IP Logged
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Praying for Clark's health and conversion, and Sara.
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Leonie
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| Posted: May 22 2006 at 6:54pm | IP Logged
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Many prayers, Louise.
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JennGM
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| Posted: May 23 2006 at 7:44am | IP Logged
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I'm praying for Clark and your daughter, Louise.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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4Real Forums : We Pray to the Lord
Topic: Another update on Clark [:(]
