83.33% Done

Statistically speaking, we're almost there: 5/6th complete. Emotionally speaking - we're so thankful we are almost there. Physically speaking - we can't wait until we are there.

Julie had chemo #5 yesterday.  So far, it has gone well, certainly better than last time. Thank you for the prayers, they are making a huge difference!

We spent a lot of time talking with Dr. Kim about what lies ahead, post chemo. There is a fairly long list of things to contemplate and take care of, including:

• Scheduling the removal of the chemo port (Julie is trying to do the same day or the day after her last chemo, which will be on the 22nd of December).
• Talking with a radiation specialist for consultation (while we don't believe we will do radiation, we will probably at least talk to the guy).
• Preparing for 10 years of endocrine therapy, which includes shifting some of her long-term medications in preparation for starting tamoxifen. 
• Making some key decisions on ovary removal, which has impact on the type of endocrine therapy she does.
• Scheduling reconstruction surgery, which ultimately depends on if she will do radiation or not. We have a consultation meeting set up for the 28th of December.
• Growing her hair back :-)

Julie will be going to see Dr. Kim every three months for the first year, then every six months for the next two years, then once a year after that.  She will continually do blood tests, physical exams and likely some ultrasounds for the rest of her life.

Many people have asked me if the chemotherapy treatment is "working". The short answer is, we have no idea. Beyond blood tests (and perhaps ultrasound tests), there are no real test to determine if there are any small pockets of cancer cells (that may grow into tumors).  In order for cancer to show up on a PET (or similar scan), she'd have to have about 1 million aggregated cancer cells. Cancer cells show up "hot" on the scan and small amounts of cells don't generate enough "heat" and therefore don't show up.

Her entire treatment regiment is based on a longitudinal standard of care - determined largely by mathematical formulae based on her age; type, stage and grade of cancer; and family history. Dr. Kim has given Julie an aggressive form of treatment, ostensibly to give her the highest probability of long term survival. But in the end, its all based on statistics - you don't really know if the chemotherapy has destroyed every cancer cell or not. Nor do you really ever know if will come back. 

However, we don't live in fear. We live in victory! It's all based on God's plan.  He know how many days she (and all of us) will be on this earth — Exactly how many breaths we will take. We put our full hope and trust in Him. We trust and believe he has completely healed her - and He gets all the glory. And, we have plans to fully enjoy every day He chooses to give us.

This coming week will be a low one as Julie bounces back from the steroids, chemo and all the meds. Its cold in Colorado now, so its a good time to stay inside and enjoy the Christmas decorations. Please continue to pray against bad side effects!

Blessings to all in this magical season of celebration!