BUT...

Don't you hate it when someone says "I have good news and bad news, which do you want to hear first?"

Well, Mom opted for the good news.  Heaven knows we haven't had much in the last couple of days!

And, boy!  Was it good news!  The doctor had gotten the results of her tumor marker test.  One month ago it was sitting at 174.  Today it was...

84

Hello!!!  84!!!  That is the lowest her CA19-9 tumor marker has been since she began this pancreatic cancer journey 9 months ago!!

The doctor indulged our need to high-five all around, smiles and thumbs up.  Then, after a telling pause, he said,

BUT,

I really think I hate that word... BUT ...  Our smiles froze in place as he continued.  This morning's chest x-ray indicated an increase in fluid in both her lungs.  The infection is getting worse.  And we suspected that was the case.  Mom's weakness and grogginess has been increasing steadily.  She is tired, and drained, and feels like someone flattened her with a steam roller.  Her blood pressure and oxygen saturation remain too low. Dr. Davis has ordered a CT scan of her chest/lungs and would like to bring in an infectious disease specialist to consult on her case.

The seriousness in his voice got our attention.  This is no run of the mill bacteria we're dealing with. It is some form of a gram-positive cocci baccillus:

It even stains purple, the pancreatic cancer mascot color. What a coincidence for mom.  Cancer and Cocci Baccilli.  Not too fond of either.

Suddenly the thought occured to me.  We've been so focused on beating this cancer and worried that it would take her too soon, that we never imagined a simple bacteria could be her undoing.  3 days in the hospital, and they still don't know where the nasty bug is hiding, nor exactly what antibiotic will take it out.  So, we welcome the specialist and pray he can nail this infection, and fast.

Cancer still sucks, and today we're adding gram-positive cocci baccillus to the list too.

BUT... okay, now I love that word... We are surrounded by amazing medical professionals.  Mom is in the best hands. 

Here, Susan, nurse extraordinaire, keeps tabs on mom's vitals:

 

And Matthew, sweetest man, bundles mom up for the ride down for her CT scan:

And the Hospitality/Kitchen staff bring the most delicious guest trays for all our meals.  You just can't beat this service:

So today we've had a load of Bad News... BUT (really starting to love that word!)... Her cancer is stabilizing and the low tumor marker results are the Best Good News!

Continuing to pray for returned strength to fight this infection and wisdom for the doctors as they diagnose and treat this persistent "bug."

You are all the safety net that we fall into when our footing gets shaky. So thankful you're there.

Our Love, Jane