The pictures from our drive to Pasadena this past Monday are a bit dark and foreboding, I know. But the news we received at the end of our trip is so great: My husband's cancer is in remission; his hepatitis C is gone; and best of all, to judge by the doctor's facial expression, his liver is coming back!!!
My husband is not out of any kind of permanent woods, but we both will have time to relax now. Relax over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays and see in a New Year. Every day is a gift for both of us, but this news was like one large present wrapped in red, with a huge silver bow on top.
As so often is the case with medicines that work to cure serious illness, the HepC medicines, although wonderful drugs for which I am very grateful, are very debilitating. My husband has to take vitamins to maintain his red blood cell count, but he still suffers from extreme fatigue and other side effects. He began taking the the HepC drugs in the beginning of June and will finally be done with them on November 19.
The doctor said he's most anxious to find out if the treatment worked, so more blood tests are scheduled and another MRI needs to be done at the end of January. We go back to Pasadena to see the liver specialist in the first week of February and that's when we will have a better knowledge of how well both the the cancer treatment and the HepC drugs worked.
I brought my camera along, hoping to take some pictures of the gorgeous San Gabriel mountains that border the 210 freeway to Pasadena. As we came out of the high desert, driving toward the huge interchange of freeways heading toward Los Angeles and Pasadena, we saw this:
and into those gray clouds we drove and, since I had the camera, I decided to try for some more "industrial" looking pictures. What can I say, they certainly are a nice break from the blue skies and constant sunshine I'm faced with here at home.
Thank you for your prayers and healing thoughts, you are the best.
absolutely uplifting news all the way around! as you said, you can relax and enjoy the rest of 2014 and the holidays and celebrations that go with it!
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful! Continued good thoughts and blessing for your husbands continued healing!
ReplyDeleteHi Inger .. that's amazing news - I'm so pleased and so happy for you reading this news.
ReplyDeleteAs you say it gives you both time, and time together and with those lovely four legged pals ..
Talk about gloom and then sunshine - the weather is amazing .. always surprises us ..
Cheers and lots of hugs Hilary
That must have been one very happy ride home!
ReplyDeleteThis is so wonderful: this news was like one large present wrapped in red, with a huge silver bow on top.
this is fantastic news, i am so happy for both of you and for Faith and Samson... your health is their health to... the views are beautiful even the smog at the end. and just in time to do a happy dance through all the holidays.
ReplyDeleteWow, Inger, thanks for sharing this awesome good news with us. I bet the ride home went much faster than the ride to the Liver centre.
ReplyDeleteWith uplifting news like that, you have a lot to be thankful for at Thanksgiving.
I'm so happy for all of you. I hope that you're feeling lighter in the heart after getting that good news.
Hugs and continued prayers for total healing.
JB
So glad to hear good news!
ReplyDeleteInger, tears of joy for you, lovely photos, grey can still show nature's beauty in sky and cloud, safe travels each time you visit there. Hugs to you both, Jean.
ReplyDeleteInger, that is the best news I have heard in a long, long time! God certainly does hear our prayers.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing left to say except MAZEL TOV!!
ReplyDeleteOur prayers have worked....I am so thankful today!
ReplyDeletewow wow I'm so glad for you and him and I pray that you find out even more good news when you go back for more lab tests. This really made me smile.
ReplyDeleteAnd your photos are so pretty - the skies so dark and moody - I've been loving the skies up here - so changeable every day.
again, I'm thrilled for you both.
I've been keeping him in my prayers. I'm so happy to hear the update and the encouraging news. I pray for you too my friend. I know it's not easy! Sweet hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteMan the two of you are so blessed - it has been a hard road - and painful - but it looks like right now - you have some more time to love life and each other! God is good.
ReplyDeleteSo happy things are looking up for the holidays, hopefully January and February updates will bring more good news.
ReplyDeleteOh Inger! That's wonderful news! My heart sings for you.
ReplyDeleteSuch great news, just with the Holidays around the corner too. May God bless the both of you.
ReplyDeleteThat is great news, Inger! Praise God! I'm so happy you can enjoy the holidays more after such good results. Take care!
ReplyDeleteSuper news! Now maybe he can start getting over the side effects of the meds.
ReplyDeleteYippee!
Oh Inger, this is the best news ever. I just know he will continue to improve and especially when those meds are finished.
ReplyDeleteThe liver is the one organ that can regenerate. You can exhale now. Will keep you both in my prayers.
Inger, those blue skies and sunshine at home need to be celebrated with your news!! The dogs will be elated...:)JP
ReplyDeleteI'm happy for both of you. I'll say a prayer of gratitude and also pray for continued healing.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Delighted to hear of the improvements! For your husband's sake, and for yours. Medications, as you have noted, can be wonderful and disabling at the same time. I hope your husband is soon stronger. I also hope that the dogs aid in the process.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Hot dog!! This is wonderful news!!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for both of you. I hope that the future brings continued good news!
ReplyDeleteYAYAYAYAYAYAYAAAAAAY!
ReplyDeleteHappy Dance for all of you!
xoxox
Glad to hear your husband is doing better. Best wishes and prayers for his continued recovery!
ReplyDeleteThat's really nice to hear. I think you get very high marks for being a loving wife in an extremely trying time. Your husband is a lucky man to have you.
ReplyDeleteoh Inger I am smiling ear to ear knowing you both get to relax through the holidays that is just wonderful. I think the road has been long and you are heading over that peak now. Oh I am so happy for you both. Love your "industrial shots" HUGS HUGS B
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for your good news.
ReplyDeleteso many new therapies for Hep and for liver cancers are bringing great results like this. I am so pleased to hear the great news
ReplyDeleteThis is just the best news to hear, Inger. Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI am so so pleased for you both. This has made my day. Keep on staying positive and I hope the upcoming holidays can be joyful for you both now that you have had this good news!
ReplyDeleteHayley-Eszti
Great news! So glad for you. Keep up the good habits, though!
ReplyDeleteReally great news about your husband. What relief you must feel.
ReplyDeleteThat's fantastic Inger! I know you and your husband was worried.Don't it feel great to finally take a breath?Your pictures are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThat's fantastic Inger! I know you and your husband was worried.Don't it feel great to finally take a breath?Your pictures are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteMy dear Inger,
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you and your husband with this wonderful and good news!!
That is really fantastic!!
Lots of Hugs and much Love for both of you!!
That is Awesome, Inger!!! Will keep praying! Love the pictures.
ReplyDeleteTime to catch your breath and smile ! What good news, Inger. Those drugs are a double-edged sword, eh. Need them to do their thing but the effects can be so debilitating.
ReplyDeleteI wish you both all the best and will keep sending good positive energy your way.
great photos by the way, missy!