Today, I had my 3-month checkup at MD Anderson.

If you recall from an earlier post, I met with the docs on October 14th and they recommended I begin chemotherapy within a week to 10 days. They wanted to mix a cocktail of gemcitabin and oxalyplatin, two rather common chemo drugs. They mentioned that this would not be a cure, but palliative care designed to give me an extra month or maybe two.

At the time, I had begun holistic therapies that revolved around building up my immune system through nutrients, supplements and various light therapies, including frequency, laser detox and evox light therapies. I’ve been maintaining a rigorous attention to these treatments since then.

My oncologist here in Dallas has been a great partner. He takes the blood tests and the CT scans and has a rather fresh outlook that I heartily endorse. “You look well. You say you are not in any pain. You are showing no symptoms, so let’s put off making you sick with chemo until absolutely necessary.” So, no chemo as of this date.

I checked in with the nurse at MDA and gave her my blood test results and CT scans from my tests on January 3rd.

A few minutes later the doctor came in and asked how the chemo has been going. “I dunno. I haven’t started.”

She just looked at me and her jaw dropped. “Well, I looked at the markers and the scans. It looks like your tumors in the pancreas and liver are stable or shrinking. What are you doing?”

I explained about the holistic treatments and she smiled. “Why are you here? This is great news.”

I mentioned what she already knew: that MDA is a center of excellence and to fight that bastard damien I needed the best team with the best weapons with the best attitudes.

She said she didn’t need to see me unless I had a problem that warranted her attention. “You just keep doing what you’re doing.” With that, Patti and I left MD Anderson.

Do I believe this is all over? No, far from it. This is a momentary skirmish and damien has lost only the first round. Will he win some battles? Perhaps, but with God‘s help, no, he won’t win a one.

So, for a few glorious moments, as other cancer patients briskly walked by to appointments, surrounded by their own worries, thoughts, fears, successes and apprehensions, I did a brief two-step in the lobby of MD Anderson, humming under my breath to George Strait singing “Amarillo by Morning.” I didn’t care who was watching; the music was playing in my head only. I smiled, said a prayer of thanksgiving and walked out for a breath of fresh air in the bright sunshine. It felt just wonderful! God granted me a blessing.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11

I say all or a portion of this verse in my daily prayers. For today, I cling tightly and steadfastly to hope and hold great thoughts for the future. Back to the daily fight. Thank you, Lord.