We just arrived home from Stanford where Ian's Oncology Drs. gave us the results of the scans taken Aug. 23. The news is very good. The CT scan was completely clean and PET CT scan only shows a small highlight that is very likely not related to the cancer. The Drs. feel very good about how Ian is doing and even gave him the go ahead to swim with his swim team in the late afternoons even though the sun is still out. Technically he's supposed to stay out of the sun for 3 months after radiation because that area is very sensitive.
Ian also had a chest x-ray today because he has a bad chest cough from a cold he came down with more than a week ago at the homeschool camp Aug. 24-31. But, the x-ray was clean, so we are also thankful for that! Hopefully, our next check up will be in 2 months (protocol through the first year) unless the radiation Dr. wants to see Ian sooner.
Ian did have a wonderful time at camp and we are so grateful he was able to attend with everything he's been through this year. The week before camp our entire family enjoyed a family reunion in New Mexico, another wonderful respite from our crazy year. (See photos above.)
David is very involved in our local American Cancer Society Relay for Life, which is coming up Sept. 18. One of the ways he raises money is by doing his own swim-a-thon. He did his swim yesterday and swam 7000 yards, which is 4 miles! He has nearly raised $2000! If you would like to put him over the top, please join him.
Ian will also have a significant role in this year's Relay. He is Honorary Chair and will be giving one of the opening speeches! And we will walk the survivor lap together, the thought of which brings tears to my eyes already.
My news is that I will have another MRI and see my surgeon Mon., Sept. 13. It would be wonderful if the MRI showed nothing growing after all, but I expect we will set a surgery date at that time. Meanwhile, I am feeling an almost desperate need to clear the clutter out of my life and have a lots of stuff set aside for a garage sale this Sat. There's so much to do to get ready, I'm not sure how I'll manage. But, whatever happens, I will get rid of a some of the clutter in my life. Yeah!
Please also keep my 22 month old nephew, Teo, in your prayers. (Teo and his Mommy and Daddy are with Ian and I in a photo above.) He is in the hospital with a nasty viral infection that caused such a bad fever he had a seizure. On top of that, my sister-in-law Pinar twisted her ankle badly before he got sick and they are in Turkey while my brother Melborne is back here in the US. It's so hard to be separated when needs and worries are so great!
Thank you all for keeping us in your hearts. You are a blessing to us! Love, Natalie
Wonderful news! Grace abounds! Blessings on clearing the clutter in your life, Natalie, and I trust it will open wider your awareness of God in your journey.
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Sue Fleenor
Wonderful news about Ian Natalie and it's surely a good sign of things to come for you too. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
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