Maggie, Phil and I were in the Children’s Cancer Clinic first thing this morning to hear results from the PET scan from Friday afternoon. When Dr. Herrington (filling in for a traveling Dr. Collier) said the words, “Your scans are stable,” you could also hear the proverbial pin drop as we were, quite honestly, surprised. Here’s why:
Two weeks ago during Maggie’s last admission for chemo, Dr. Collier shared with us the results of her most recent CEA (tumor marker), and it sounded truly frightening at 12.4. The previous value corresponding to the last CT scan at Batson (in July) was 4.4 which is modestly above normal. The threshold for an indication of tumor activity is 2.5, but we know through experience Maggie’s “normal” value is much lower. She went from a CEA of 13.0 upon diagnosis down to 0.8 at one point post resection surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy. Her CEA has been creeping up as tumor burden increases, but we were unprepared to hear 12.4. Dr. Collier decided to schedule a PET scan two weeks earlier than previously planned to see if the internal situation confirmed this rapid increase. Thus, Friday’s scan. (And a little explanation: CEA is not a perfect predictor of tumor activity. It can be released with new tumor growth OR when tumors are under attack. We’re not sure what caused the jump – it could even possibly be a testing error. We’ll continue to have it monitored. We’ll just take it with a bigger grain of salt and a better chunk of faith next time.)
We are relieved to learn Maggie’s current tumor situation is stable. This means no measurable growth in the size of tumors when compared to the previous scan. We’re holding ground. This indicates a positive response to her present chemotherapy, and the plan is to continue with her next admission scheduled for one week from today. We will be enjoying a long overdue family vacation involving ALL FOUR Hanberrys beginning tomorrow morning. How wonderful to be starting a little lighter in the heart!
Thank you all for praying with us through this difficult journey. We’re learning deeper trust with every step. I’ve claimed the beautiful words of Psalm 145:9-10 for this season (actually the entire chapter). “The LORD is good to all, And His mercies are over all His works. All Your works shall give thanks to You, O LORD, And Your godly ones shall bless You.” I’ve sensed the challenge of God to quit counting tumors (on scan reports), surgeries, treatments, scans, and procedures in my futile effort to try to quantify, understand, grasp, and control what work He is trying to accomplish through Maggie. He quietly said Enough. Stop. to me. Instead, count My Mercies. They are within reach and easily grasped. The mercies of a stable report. A safe drive to Jackson. A loving family and supportive friends. The Comforter. Peace in a storm. Food on the table. Vacation on the calendar. A future in Heaven. And I join all His works in giving thanks to Him.
Thankful for the good report! I hope y’all have a wonderful vacation filled with lots of great memories! Still keeping all of y’all in my prayers ????????????????????????????????
What a wonderful blessing. We have an awesome God. I am so happy for all of you and especially Maggie. Will continue to pray. ????????
Oh, how I needed to hear this Word in the wee hours of the morning as I “count” how many low blood sugars I have treated as Carson sleeps. trying to prevent a seizure. Melissa, your honesty and vulnerability are so refreshing to this fellow sojourner. Yes, we need to count His mercies!! They ARE new EVERY morning. Satan would rather me pull the blanket back over my head in fear and denial, but He created us for so much more… oh, the lessons in the journey!! Keep sharing them!! This sojourner rallys in response! I love you all! Praying continually!
Awesome! God Bless and keep you!
Praise God, we are counting his blessings and his mercies. Have a wonderful vacation.????
Mercy
Will continue to pray, peace and safety on the vacation( escape).
Continued fervent prayers for Maggie and a very enjoyable vacation for you all! God Bless you! ❤????????
PRAYERS FOR ALL WILL CONTINUE!
How hard it is. How amazing you are. May He continue to reward you with peace and with strength for one day at a time. Praying
That is awesome ???? we serve a Mighty God! Enjoy your vacation!❤️????
Thank you for this wonderful report. God is good indeed!
We celebrate every ounce of joy with y’all!! Sending lots of hugs and jumping up and down for a “stable” report! We love y’all!!
I am in awe of the mercies God showers on you, Maggie and your family. He is a awesome God! Thank you for sharing your journey and heart. I will continue to pray for each of you. Have a wonderful, much needed, vacation.
So thankful to hear that the chemo is doing its job…. We continue to pray every day!!
So very thankful to hear this. Enjoy each and every minute of your vacation time together. Continuing to pray for Maggie and all of you.
???????? Have a very special and fun vacation together.????????????????
Love this! Praying your trip is wonderful!!!
Praise the Lord! What good news y’all deserve that 4 day trip! Prayers continue, enjoy each other every minute of every day❤️
So glad for a good report!! Prayers still going up.
So thankful for “stable”. Prayers continue. Enjoy family fun and relaxation.
God is good all the time. We Praise him for his mercy he has given us in so many different situations. Ms Maggie is our Blessing and we’ll continue to pray for all is gone. Relaze and enjoy your vacation I Love y’all!
Thankful for the good report. Always an inspiration and perfect outlook on life. Praying.
Thank you for the update! Thank you for reaching out to A friend of ours Tony Wright while is daughter is at Batson!! That meant so much to him!! You are amazing, your family has encouraged so many in the mist of your own trip!!
Oh praise God!!! He is so worthy to be praised!!! Much love! Hope you have a wonderful vacation!!!
Praises for good report!! ????????????
So much love and so much mercy from our awesome God. We shout His praise and thank Him for hearing the cries of His people. We are deeply moved by all you allow us to share along this journey. Praying you will have a wonderful time together.
Praise God for good news! Y’all have a great vacation!
Thankful for this good report and continuing to pray for Maggie!
Love that ending!!! Happy vacation to all!!!!! ❤️????????????????
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! God has blessed the Hanberrys with peace of mind and family to enjoy. I am so thankful and will continue to pray for Maggie and her family.
Thank God for continued, answered prayers!
Maggie is – a darling of His particular care!
The man of true faith may live in the absolute assurance that his steps are ordered by the Lord. For him, misfortune is outside the bounds of possibility. He cannot be torn from this earth one hour ahead of the time which God has appointed, and he cannot be detained on earth one moment after God is done with him here. He is not a waif of the wide world, a foundling of time and space, but a saint of the Lord and the darling of His particular care.