REJOICE

...then the ship which sailed through the earthly sea's, made it's way into the distance, at the same moment we looked and said, I can't see the ship any more, it is gone, there was a huge celebration and joyous singing, they shout there she is! I can see her coming, she has arrived, let us rejoice as one of our own has come Home.
I know the Lord has welcomed one who has welcomed many throughout her life, a friend to all.
I love you sweet Nana.

I seem to be physically drained. On the way to Dallas yesterday Rob called and told me that my Nana had just passed on to be with the Lord. When I had said goodbye to her the night before we left, I couldn't help but kiss her, and kiss her, on the forehead, on the cheek, on the chin, on the lips, on the arm, on the forehead again, I just couldn't take my eyes off of her. I knew that there was a good chance she would be called Home before I made it back to Abilene, and saying goodbye was very hard. She hadn't eaten for several days and was on pain medication to keep her from suffering. Her words had for the most part stopped a couple of days ago, when she was awake she might whisper a small word. I would look into her eyes that were not filled with stubborness or strength like they had been before, but every moment in her eyes the words, I love you, were pouring forth. I would tell her I loved her, and she would say it back, as well as she could, whispering, but with such sincerity, I just wanted to hold on tight and not let go. I rejoice for she has gone on from this world, to a place where there is no suffering and tears, but those of us who must find our way in this world without her, we will miss her greatly.

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We are back in Abilene! Thank the good Lord. Elaine, Rob's mom, took off work and she and the kids and I made the trek to Dallas. The trip only lasted about 28 hours but seemed like a week, it was definately a comedy of errors. For the first time in over a year the Ronald McDonald House was full up when we needed them, so we stayed in a hotel not too far from the hospital. We are glad to be home - safe and with very good news.

Dr. Bowers told us today that there had been no change in the size of the residual tumor inside the brain stem. He also said that what they are seeing could very well be scar tissue, there is no way to find that out unless a surgical biopsy is done, and that is not done, so what we are left with is, no future treatments, but continued MRI's for 3 months for the first year, then after that I am sure they taper them off a bit, through the following 4 years. Jack can have his mediport removed at anytime, he would like it to be taken out sooner than later, but on the doctors recommendation, we will leave it in for 6 months to make sure there is no change during that time. He will have a port flush every month for 6 months, then if all goes well he will be port free.
Physical rehab will stay the same and he will continue to work those areas that were lessened by the tumor and chemo.
The doctor said that there is a less than 50% chance that the tumor will return, and if it does then it would be resected with surgery, and future treatments would be given. I know I wrote that the tumor if allowed to grow back could be resistant, and Dr. Bowers said that is true with several cancers, but not as much with the pilocytic astrocytoma that Jack had (notice the past tense). So we are celebrating the good news.
I praise you Father for Your continued mercy and peace that has been apparent in our lives over the last year. I praise the Mighty King, the Beginning and Ending, Alpha and Omega.