What a year it has been! We have been so humbled by your love and support as we have gone on this journey to fight cancer.
As you know, Arami opted out of chemo after having surgery to remove the tumor last November, and did a hard core cancer-fighting nutrition program that did amazing things for him. His cancer marker number went down, colonoscopy came back completely clear of cancer, and everything was looking great.
About a month ago, Arami did some routine blood work, and we learned that the cancer marker number had gone up. This was a complete shock, as things had been going so well. He was then sent for a CT scan, which showed an area of concern, followed by a PET scan to confirm that he indeed had a cancer recurrence. It grew fast.
It's been a rollercoaster of a month, but here's where we are at:
The cancer is back, and it's about an inch in diameter, right on Arami's main artery in his lower left abdomen. The oncologist believes it is doubling in size every 30 days, has mutated substantially, and is aggressive. Thankfully, the PET scan doesn't show any tumors elsewhere, but they do believe the mature cancer cells will continue to grow into tumors in other organs, etc. if they are not stopped.
We were given three options:
Option 1 - Do nothing. And if we chose this, he gave Arami two years. That's not an option.
Option 2 - Do surgery to remove the tumor. This is not the most preferred option, as doctors would like to use the tumor as a way to measure the effectiveness of chemo. But it is an option because they know Arami doesn't want the tumor in his body. Then, after surgery, begin chemo.
Option 3 - No surgery. Start chemo immediately, and use the tumor as a way to measure the effectiveness of the chemo. They are recommending six months of chemo - heavy doses. More info on all that to come.
After much prayer, and some hard, but meaningful conversations with people we trust, we have decided to go with Option 3 - aggressive chemo with no surgery.
On Friday, 9/27, Arami had surgery to have his port installed. We have a chemo consultation this Wednesday, and will know more then. We believe he will start chemo next week, or early the next.
We're overwhelmed. We're tired. We feel like we were just able to come above water for a breath, and now it's time to swim again. I don't think anyone is ever really ready for this. But at the same time, we know that God is so much bigger than all of this. We know that we are victorious. We know that Arami wins! And we are clinging to those truths. We are ready to fight!
As we gear up for the hardest journey we've yet to face, will you join us in prayer? Here are some specific prayer requests:
Arami
- For physical healing over his body
- For a sound mind
- For strength and endurance as his body becomes very weak
- For peace that surpasses understanding, as he does something he really doesn't want to do
- For vision. I know God is going to continue to use Arami's journey for His glory
For me (Tamara)
- Strength and endurance to care for Arami and the boys
- Peace that surpasses understanding
-Discipline
- Joy
The boys
- Peace that surpasses understanding
- Joy
- That fear will not have a stronghold over them
It's a strange, humbling, vulnerable place to be in, especially the second time around. But we know that our community is incredible, that we are loved, that we are not alone, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
We'll keep you posted, friends. Thank you again for being the most amazing family and friends in the world!!! #ARAMIWINS
Love,
Tamara
Romans 11:36 - For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.
Psalm 118:17 - I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
