YAY FOR ERICA! EW! CT SCANS FOR KIM

I am sorry that it has been more than a month since last time I had updated this site.  I am so very grateful that despite my wrestling with God and his plan for me concerning my health issues and my life, on March 19, 2023, Erica Danielle Allen committed her life totally to God, making Jesus her Lord and Savior, and got baptized in the name of the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit.  She is now filled with the Holy Spirit, who will continually guide and direct her in strengthening her relationship with God.

I write now because I am desperately asking for prayers.  I will be having my CT scan tomorrow morning and Tuesday morning, I will be seeing Dr. DeRidder, my local oncologist.  We will be discussing how the Tagrisso is currently working.  If it is doing its job, then the cancer sites should be shrinking and not spreading.  

A CT scan on both my chest and abdomen was done before I left Baltimore in January.  If you may remember, the only treatment that I was getting at that time was radiation therapy for the large tumor in my left lung.  This tumor had grown from the middle of December to the beginning of January.  It grew so much that it had collapsed the top part of my left lung so that the radiation treatment had to be delayed for a day since a new plan needed to be developed to consider this change.  When this CT scan was done and compared to the PET scan, it demonstrated that the large tumor in my left lung had grown since December 16, 2022 to January 24, 2023 from 7.5 cm to 11 cm and there was also a suspicious spot on one of my adrenal glands.

On January 23rd, I had my last radiation treatment on my large tumor and the effects of shrinking this tumor would last 6-8 weeks after the last treatment.  I have also been taking Tagrisso for the past 2 months.  The Tagrisso is a targeted therapy drug which inhibits the growth of these cancer cells that are a result of my genetic mutation.  The usual recommendation is to do this first CT scan 2 months after taking medication to see if the cancer sites have stopped growing and spreading.  This is why the prayer request.

I am so grateful that the side effects of the medication have subsided a lot.  The only big issue, that I continue to struggle with other than the occasional chest pain from that large tumor, is my exhaustion.  Of course, it is difficult to determine if it is a side effect of the medication or because of my cancer.  I am also desperately asking for prayers about this.  

My plan is to go back to work starting April 3rd, so this is why the wrestling and why the additional prayer request.  I realize more and more each day that none of my plans will ever succeed if they are not totally given over to God and that I need others to petition God for me as well.  

Proverbs 16:1-3 (NLT)

1 We can make our own plans,

    but the Lord gives the right answer.

2 People may be pure in their own eyes,

    but the Lord examines their motives.

3 Commit your actions to the Lord,

    and your plans will succeed.

James 5:16 (AMP)

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers.😘   To God be the glory. 🙌  Amen. 🙏 🙏 

COMMENTS WHEN BLOG WAS FIRST POSTED ON CARING BRIDGE SITE:

Buena Wheless: Very happy to hear about Erica's baptism. I will try to find a way to reach out to her on FB. I don't visit FB often, but will check. Thanks for sharing that good news. We love and miss Delia.

Terri Nida: Love you, Kim. Thinking of you always and will pray for you.

Vicki Sandiford: Hi, Kim, Just saw the entry. Praying hard for you this morning! I love you!

Karen Williamson: Dear Kim, Praying for positive test results and increased energy. Your faith in God is inspiring and He will guide you through these circumstances.

Aleyah Pankey: Thanks for the update Kim. Praise God for Erica’s decision to get baptized!! I’ll be praying for encouraging test results and renewed strength as you return to work. Sending you lots of love!💕

Pam Franz: Kim, our family keeps you in our continual prayers. Our request to God is that this CT Scan will show the meds are working and the Lord will ease your worry.

Tina Nicholson: Kim, thanks for this update. Don't worry about how long it's been since the last one! You've had a lot to contend with. I pray that you'll get an encouraging result from the CTs, and that the Lord will give you renewed energy as you transition back to work. Stay close to Him! Love you.💞

GREG FAWCETT: Praying for you Kim! Keep the faith. God is good and sovereign no matter what our circumstances are.

Cindy Fisher: Lots of prayers for a positive result on the CT scan and success with the Tagrisso! Also prayers for strength and healing as you return to work and continue in your fight against cancer. Sending tons of love and looking forward to seeing you in a few months!

Adrienne Small: Kim I’m so saddened to hear that the cancer is spreading. I admire your courage and simple acceptance of Gods will. I know it is a difficult journey. I pray for you every time I think of you. Thank you for keeping us updated on this blog.

Mary Sjogren: Tell Erica: YAY!!!!!!!!!