Waiting, waiting, and More Waiting

Tisha had a liver MRI done SEVERAL weeks ago and has been waiting on the oncologist at the liver bead facility to review the scans. For weeks she has been going back and forth with the doctor’s nurse and has heard “he will call you tomorrow” or “he will call you today” only to receive no phone call. Frustration is not a strong enough word at this point! So today Metisha called the nurse back and demanded to see the doctor today and the nurse agreed and told her to come in anytime and she would work her in. So she finally got to speak to the doctor today! He said the scan was hard to compare to previous scans before the two liver bead treatments but that the blood flow to the tumors has been reduced and it appears some of the tumors are smaller but there are not significant reductions. So he doesn’t think the beads have been affective enough to warrant a third treatment but he wants to consult with the liver bead surgeon (the one who inserts the beads) before making a final recommendation.

So we are happy and concerned at the same time. The fact that the blood flow has been slowed to the tumors is good because they are not being feed and there has not been any increase in tumors which means Tisha has not lost ground. But of course we are always praying for a treatment to totally remove the cancer. But no cancer growth is ALWAYS good news and we are thankful!

Metisha told the doctor if a third treatment is not an option that she wants to know quickly so she can revisit options at MD Anderson which would likely be trials. The liver bead oncologist said before she pursues that option he has a nationally known breast cancer oncologist in Dallas that he would like for her to see. He said this is the doctor he would take his wife to if she were diagnosed with breast cancer. We are always excited to get a name of another doctor who can look at her with a fresh perspective and Metisha will definitely pursue this option if a third bead treatment is not recommended.

So at this point we are praying for a fast decision and communication from the doctors as to whether a third bead treatment is recommended. But mostly we are praying that God will direct Metisha to the best treatment.

And for a bit of happiness, here is a picture of Metisha with the newest Welsh Warrior, her niece Emmory Tisha. She’s promised this little girl a long list of fun adventures they will go on together and so we pray that God will heal Metisha to give her and Emmory the time to complete every adventure on the list!

Still Waiting and Awkward Movie Moments

Metisha still hasn’t gotten her MRI results back from the liver bead facility. They are really good doctors, but their communication is a bit slow so we aren’t surprised it’s taking a while. But Metisha is not stressed about the wait since the PET scan showed improvements in her liver. Her family on the other hand doesn’t exactly share in her patience :) Once they do call with her results they should also be able to tell her if they want to do a 3rd round of beads.


WARNING: POSSIBLE MOVIE SPOILER AHEAD. STOP READING IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SEEING THE LAST SONG. If you are still reading, I assume no responsibility in spoiling the moving for you. So Metisha has been passing some of her time by going to the movies, in particular with a friend from school. The last movie they watched together included a heart wrenching plot where someone dies from cancer. As you can imagine, this created a bit of awkward movie experience for her friend. Of course Metisha was unfazed and apologized for making her friend uncomfortable. This week they decided to go see The Last Song. This time Tisha had done her homework and knew that once again, the tearful plot included a death from cancer. So she warned her friend and they decided to go anyway. I think her friend did much better this time, but when they were leaving the theater Metisha noticed everyone was crying and wiping away tears (the theater was full of women) expect for her. Metisha was laughing and I feel confident not quietly! And she was still laughing when she called to tell me the story. I’m constantly glad that no matter the situation, she finds constant humor in life!

On some level, yes, she is a bit sick and twisted. BUT this really speaks to how her perspective on life and death has been transformed. While everyone else was crying because someone died to soon of cancer, Metisha focused on how awesome it was that the character was able to tell everyone his goodbyes and appreciate the world before his death. I can definitely see this translating into the real world. There are times when those of around Metisha only focus on her beating cancer because we don’t want to lose her. And while Metisha wants to beat this too, she definitely has an amazing ability to be thankful for everyday, live in the now without worry of the future, and to enjoy every moment. What a great attitude that this worrisome sister needs to absorb!