Journal entry by Susan Keirn Kester —
Dear Friends and Family, I am very happy to report that Ed's appointment with his oncologist, Dr. Toole, today went very well. His pet scan on Tuesday revealed NO problems to be addressed. Dr. Tool stated that he is 99% sure that Ed is cancer free. His blood work revealed that his sixth and final chemotherapy was very hard on his body. His blood work is OK with the white blood cells still down...something that is not unusual after the final dose. Dr. Toole will do more blood work in two weeks to be sure the blood cells are coming back as expected. After that blood draw they will remove the port in Ed's chest. If all is well, he can then get his third Covid19 shot and his 2021-22 flu shot.
Ed remains very fatigued, not unusual after chemotherapy, but is gaining strength each day. We hope that the blood tests in two weeks will show normal ranges and that by then he is feeling definite increases in his strength and his ability to do everyday tasks. As the days shorten and the air cools, the bedroom (his quiet refuge) is beginning to seem less appealing. He is anxious to be able to do more each day. While Pandemic continues to keep us from so many things, we are very cautious and always wear masks wherever we go. We note that the number of people we encounter are doing the same. But....we are so ready for some FUNNNNN!
In six months they will do another scan of his body and Dr. Toole does not expect any changes. After that, there will be checks and blood work every six months for two years. In August of 2023, if there are no further occurrences of the cancer, Ed will be declared cancer free because 90% of reoccurring Large B Cell Lymphomas occur with in the first two years after chemotherapy is completed.
We are so grateful to have come this far on this difficult journey. We give thanks to God, who is always present and always loving and always helps us find our way. We give thanks to you our prayer supporters. You have been so faithful in your prayers and support that you provided us joy along the way...a much treasured gift. We again want to clearly express our gratitude to you for everything. We hope we can all be together soon and able to hug and kiss our dear ones.
We will not post again, unless there are new developments. Those of you who have traveled this journey before us know exactly where we are emotionally and we thank you for the wisdom you have shared with us and the encouragement. You have truly made a difference.
May your fall and holiday season be filled with beauty, peace and grace.
Susan
Ed remains very fatigued, not unusual after chemotherapy, but is gaining strength each day. We hope that the blood tests in two weeks will show normal ranges and that by then he is feeling definite increases in his strength and his ability to do everyday tasks. As the days shorten and the air cools, the bedroom (his quiet refuge) is beginning to seem less appealing. He is anxious to be able to do more each day. While Pandemic continues to keep us from so many things, we are very cautious and always wear masks wherever we go. We note that the number of people we encounter are doing the same. But....we are so ready for some FUNNNNN!
In six months they will do another scan of his body and Dr. Toole does not expect any changes. After that, there will be checks and blood work every six months for two years. In August of 2023, if there are no further occurrences of the cancer, Ed will be declared cancer free because 90% of reoccurring Large B Cell Lymphomas occur with in the first two years after chemotherapy is completed.
We are so grateful to have come this far on this difficult journey. We give thanks to God, who is always present and always loving and always helps us find our way. We give thanks to you our prayer supporters. You have been so faithful in your prayers and support that you provided us joy along the way...a much treasured gift. We again want to clearly express our gratitude to you for everything. We hope we can all be together soon and able to hug and kiss our dear ones.
We will not post again, unless there are new developments. Those of you who have traveled this journey before us know exactly where we are emotionally and we thank you for the wisdom you have shared with us and the encouragement. You have truly made a difference.
May your fall and holiday season be filled with beauty, peace and grace.
Susan
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