A full week

Well, it's Saturday and we have just finished a full week. Every day but Monday saw us at some type of medical appointment. After seeing Dr. Pinover on Tuesday, we drove down to HUP for our appointment with Dr. Stadtmauer. He confirmed that Roger would have to begin a different chemo regimen since the other has stopped working. He also began him on another four-day course of steroids for an immediate shrinking of the tumor (and lessening of pain), but that is a stop-gap until the radiation treatment will begin. The presence of tumors shows that the cancer is not contained; the protein level reading--which should be available early next week--will tell us how much the cancer has advanced from its low point while the chemo was working. If the number is at an "acceptable" level, and everything appears stable for the next six weeks, Dr. Stadtmauer will see us in January to begin the new chemo treatment.
On Thursday night an MRI was taken of Roger's sacrum, which Dr. Pinover will review for tumors before he begins the radiation. On Friday Roger's orthopedist checked out his shoulder (where he has had pain for several months), and declared that the PT regimen he's following seems to be doing some good. Our next doctor's appointment is with Dr. Pinover on Wednesday, when Roger will get a CT scan and be prepped for the two-week course of radiation, which we hope will begin in the next couple of days.
So it has been a full week, a bit tiring for us, but full of reminders from the Lord of His closeness and His loving care. We enjoyed a wonderful pastoral visit on Thursday by Terry Traylor and Marc Davis from New Life Glenside; the messages we have received from you via e-mail, cards and phone calls have truly encouraged us. Thank you so much for your love and prayers.
We do ask for prayer that the radiation would totally eradicate ALL vestiges of the tumor and that it would not injure the spinal cord, which could result in very serious complications, including paralysis. It is an extremely delicate procedure, especially since Roger has been radiated in this area before. We even dare to ask for prayer that the cancer would not progress quickly and Roger could have several months off the chemo (even full remission)! God tells us to pray big prayers. But we know that God's will is perfect even when we do not understand it, so our prayer is always that we will fully receive all that He gives us with trusting hearts.
May the Lord bless you all this week of the Advent season as we meditate on the coming of our Saviour.