Update from today

Two updates in two days... but I felt we needed to share our update from the doctor today.  As you know, I posted yesterday that we were going in to see Dr Goffin for the results of the ultrasound from Monday.  Let me tell you about this morning - I waited in a ginormous line for bloodwork - it took nearly an hour to get through the line to get bloodwork today - never seen it this crazy and at one point I remarked to the woman who was waiting beside me that I was going to volunteer my services to help with blood draws though I might be a little rusty at this point.  She thought that was a good idea - as we constantly updated each other on the progress of the line.  Wowie... it's humbling to think that this many people all need bloodwork and treatment and to be seen by their doctors and I'm so thankful that we live in Hamilton and have access to this great facility, even if I did have to sit on a table the whole time due to a lack of chairs and my companion and I constantly fended people off who might tromp through the droplets of blood on the floor from a patient who apparently didn't hold their arm long enough!     Soon after bloodwork was done however, it was off to clinic where to my surprise, we were right away whisked into a room and I had only enough time to call Timothy to come and meet me - I was so glad he was able to be with me for this appointment.  We waited not too long before Dr Goffin flew through the door and sat down and right away said that results were good.  He mentioned that because of Ava, it was more difficult to get a direct comparison on the liver lesions but the main lesion on the one side was down from 4 cm to 2.5 cm.  I had been envisioning more bad news, that the lesions had grown, that the chemo had been doing nothing but this was positive news and we were so thankful!  Other lesions were more difficult to image but a few others had shrunk as well.  The critical scan will be the CT scan on the 20th of October to really get a baseline on where everything is since he mentioned that ultrasound is not the best or most accurate tool for assessing such things, especially with a baby in the way.  So we proceed forward in hope, in joy for this news and with thanks to our God who has heard our prayers, our pleadings and our petitions and not just ours, but the prayers of so many of our friends, family and strangers around the world.  I felt I had to share the words of Psalm 118 and especially verses 8 and 9... it is better to trust in the Lord than in men or medicine or tests or treatments.  We believe He uses these means for His purposes but that we must truly trust in Him for our strength - easy to say, not so easy to do at times of crisis but He has carried us through this storm and He will continue to do so because He is faithful! 

Psalm 118

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

2 Let Israel say:
    “His love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say:
    “His love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord say:
    “His love endures forever.”

5 When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
    he brought me into a spacious place.
6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?
7 The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
    I look in triumph on my enemies.

8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in humans.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord    than to trust in princes.
10 All the nations surrounded me,
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
11 They surrounded me on every side,
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
12 They swarmed around me like bees,
    but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;
    in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
13 I was pushed back and about to fall,
    but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and my defense[a];    he has become my salvation.

15 Shouts of joy and victory
    resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
16     The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
    the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
17 I will not die but live,
    and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
18 The Lord has chastened me severely,
    but he has not given me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of the righteous;
    I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord
    through which the righteous may enter.
21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
    you have become my salvation.

22 The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
23 the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 The Lord has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad.

25 Lord, save us!
    Lord, grant us success!

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
    From the house of the Lord we bless you.[b]
27 The Lord is God,
    and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
    up[c] to the horns of the altar.

28 You are my God, and I will praise you;
    you are my God, and I will exalt you.

29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.