You Are Not Going to Believe This!

Rory, Liz (who got out of the hospital yesterday), and I headed to the hospital bright and early this morning. My scar tissue was very, very painful yesterday and he wanted to see me to try to head off infection. Instead of coming home with antibiotics, I came home with the news that he and Dr. T (the surgeon from last week) feel that my cancer is stable enough to take a break from chemo! 

I told you that you wouldn't believe it!

Last week when we saw Dr. T he mentioned that he felt like my CT scan showed that all the tumor pieces were calcified and dead. I was encouraged but tried not to read too much into it because he isn't my oncologist. But after talking with Dr. T, looking at my scans again, and the knowledge that my CA125 has been stable for the last several months, they both agreed that it was time to take a little break. I don't even have to go back for bloodwork until February 2!

There are a couple of downsides. Like, for instance, part of this break gives my gallbladder a chance to flare up again and have surgery with fewer complications. It's also a way of checking to see if those calcifications are really all dead tumors or if there might be some living pieces inside the tumors. But for now, I am going to do as Dr. T recommended last week when he told me that my CA125 was 16. I'm going to take a minute, take a deep breath, and soak in the best news I've received in a very. long. time.

If I had all your phone numbers, I would call and tell you myself. I am that happy.

And, yes, I totally bought myself flowers to celebrate when I saw them in Whole Foods.
010511

Comments

Joanna B said…
YAY!! Soooo happy for you! I'm glad you got flowers, you should also have your favorite dinner!
Angie said…
Praise the Lord!!! I am so happy to read that you have received some good news, especially after everything that happened over Christmas!! My kids ask just about every day how you are doing so I can't wait to go home tonight and give them some good news. Enjoy the flowers, they are beautiful!!
Wendy said…
OH MY GOODNESS MELISSA!!!! THIS IS GREAT NEWS!! HIP HIP HOOOOORAY!!! :) :) :)
Renee T. said…
Such fantastic, wonderful, joyous news!
:) Renee
Cheryl said…
That is the greatest news Melissa! I am so happy that you get a break! Enjoy it and take time for yourself!
Cheryl
Such wonderful news! So happy to hear it for you!
this is an amazing and beautiful answer to prayer. I am so happy for you!
Oh, Melissa! My eyes have happy tears for you after this update. Praise God for such hopeful and happy news today! Thank you for sharing this. You made my day. :)
Anonymous said…
That is fabulous new Melissa!!! Congrats! :)
April said…
I'm totally crying right now! Praise the Lord for this amazing news!!! I pray that it's the first of MANY good news update!
KrisJ said…
Hand over my mouth, stopped breath, and tears in my eyes! SO FREAKING HAPPY!!! Girl you are kicking that Cancers butt!!! So so happy for the happy news!
robin forman said…
Such great news, Melissa!
Joy said…
HAPPY DANCE...HAPPY DANCE...HAPPY DANCE!!!!! What awesome news!!! Hope that happy news keeps rolling in for you!! : ) WHOO HOO!!!!!
Brenda Shearon said…
wonderful news, I am so HAPPY for you! Receiving the answers we wanted from our prayers! Will pray everything goes well with gallbladder and those cancer cells will stay dead. Make sure to celebrate!
Terra said…
Woohoo! So happy for you. Finally some wonderful news. You definitely deserve to celebrate and those are gorgeous flowers.
Amy said…
Oh Melissa!!!! That is wonderful!! I'm so happy for you! What an answer to so many prayers!!
Joyce said…
Smiling and adding a really big thanksgiving to my "one thousand gifts" list!!!
Monica said…
AWESOME news! Praise the Lord!
Anonymous said…
I am also rejoicing with you! SOOOOO wonderful!
Krista said…
This is the best news I've heard in sooooo long!! Yeah!!
listgirl said…
Yaaaay! Awesome news! Such an awesome gift from above!
Kelly said…
oh my goodness...so wonderful!! Happy Day for you:)
I love this news!! So, so happy for you!!
Kathie said…
I have been following your blog for a long time, but have never left a comment. I have been praying for you and your beautiful family. Praising God for this AWESOME news. I have known the Elledges for many years and even though I have never met you, I feel like I know you:) Enjoy this beautiful day!
dana said…
woohoo! that is such great news melissa :) i'm so happy for you!!
Kresta said…
What wonderful wonderful news! I''m so very happy for you!
X said…
YAY!!!!!!! this is the most wonderful, joyous news! I am so thrilled to hear this i have tears of joy! continue to pray for you and doing a happy dance right now :) !!!! yay!!!!!
Kathy Reger said…
Incredible news, Melissa! What a way to ring in 2012!!!
Cristina said…
Wooot!! Totally just made a little happy dance for you! :-) Big hugs to you Melissa!
Karen said…
I am seriously in tears I am so happy for you, Melissa!! This is the best. news. in. ages. indeed!! Praise God! I will not stop praying... Woohoo!
Cathy D. said…
Oh Melissa, I couldn't stop the tears of joy when I read this!
Jessica said…
Wonderful news!!
Jill said…
Yea! Yea! Yea!!!!!! So, so happy for you. Thanking God with you.
Claire said…
I am so thrilled for you I have tears running down my face. You must be ectastic...and I know all who love you are just as ecstatic for you. I pray for you every single day many times a day. I just knew that they would be answered. Your flowers are beautiful. My heart is busting with joy.
Love, Claire Borrero
sandy atwood said…
I am SOOOO happy for this good news - hope this is just the beginning of more.
Louise S. Lewis said…
If I had your address I would send you a hugh arrangment. You deserve the beauty. All I can do is Praise God that answers prayers. A devoted mother,wife and Christian beautiful person that your he rejoyces with you.
Anonymous said…
Melissa, I am so elated for you!!!! This is such wonderful, joyful news. This is the very best way to start 2012 and I am going to share in your happiness. I continue to keep you in my prayers.
xo,
Davita
Mayme said…
WOW! What an amazing answer to so many prayers. You go girl and enjoy those flowers and anything else. You deserve it!
Sarah said…
Glory be to God! That is the best news I have heard all day. I am so incredibly ecstatic for you, Brian, Rory and Camden. May this be the beginning of many many many more GOOD NEWS days!
Unknown said…
This has made my day!!!
Kim said…
Tears of happiness and shouts of joy ringing in the air for you! Prais the Lord!! I am so very happy for you!
Diane said…
That is the best news!!!!!!! I am so thrilled for you and your family.
The Urbans said…
Crying at work...just gave a "Who-Hoo!" and my office-mate thought I had lost it! So excited for you! Enjoy your day today, and every single day of this hard earned, and much deserved break! Yeah God!
Annie B. said…
I just read this to dh and I am crying again! Off to break the news to two of my favorite prayer warriors! I promise to have Logan video tape it! I know two little kids that will be super duper excited!!!!!!!
We are... said…
That is WONDERFUL news!! So happy for you all.
Tia said…
YEAH! So HAPPY with you! :)
amy said…
soak it up. Yeah God. praise Him during ups *YIPPIE* and downs. so happy to hear this great news. enjoy your Jan.
Jen said…
Excellent news!!! So happy for you. Baby those flowers so they'll last a nice long time, then buy yourself some more. :) Praise God for small miracles. :) HUGS from Oregon! :)
Mary said…
So excited for you, Melissa! I can't wait to tell my Life Group friends who've been praying for you!
Our God is an AWESOME God! This is the best news. What a way to start the new year!!!!
Kelly said…
I had to come back and read this post again, I love it so much! Crying again...just SO happy for you and your whole family!
Praise God!!!
Shelly said…
WONDERFUL news, Melissa!!! So thankful for a wonderful day! I think a night out of celebrating is in store!
Elizabeth Frick said…
Jumping up and down for you over here. Wish I could give you a big hug and celebrate with some cupcakes! Hopefully you're doing that anyway :)
Enjoy the well-deserved break, mama!!!!!
joelsgirl said…
How happy!
Anonymous said…
WooHoo, that is awesome news! So happy for you. You deserve a break and your flowers are beautiful.
Marvetta said…
That anonymous was me!
Tiki said…
That is such great news Melissa! Congrats! Enjoy "normal" for awhile :)
Lili said…
I'm so SO happy for you, Melissa!! YAY! <3
Amanda said…
What wonderful news, Melissa!! Rejoicing with you!! It's a wonder our paths didn't cross today in Whole Foods. I was there also and every time I go I am tempted right away to buy some of the beautiful flowers they have on display.
Susan said…
Melissa - This is so exciting. I'm so happy that you have gotten some good news. We will continue to cover you in prayer.
Anonymous said…
I'm Mike Lemons' cousin and have been praying for you for some time. I can hardly type through my tears. I am so excited for you. My dad was given weeks to live in 1975(lymphoma). He turned 77 in September. We serve an awesome God and I truly believe in prayer. I will continue to pray for you all.
Laura said…
WOOOHOOOOOO!!!!! God is SO good!!! I just watched the video and made the whole house get quiet (tv muted and all) so I could take in every word! So happy for you!!!!
koopdedoo said…
WOW! Awesome news!
Denise Steverson said…
This is great news! We serve a mighty God.
I have not stopped thinking of this! I'm part "I don't believe it!" and part "Of course!" but regardless of how I feel... I'm OVER THE MOON for you! I jumped for joy, cried happy tears, and grinned like a fool... Hugs friend, of the happiest kind...
Danyelle said…
Woot! Woot! So thrilled beyond words for you!
Anonymous said…
Absolutely the best news EVER!!!! I'm so happy for you!!!!
Brenna said…
So thankful for this wonderful news! Praise the Lord! Enjoy those beautiful flowers ~ you deserve them!
Sarah Taylor said…
that is so awesome!!!!
Vicky said…
I missed out, but oh my goodness!!! Yipppeeee! I am so beyond thrilled for you... bask and revel in it I say :)
Susan said…
FANTASTIC NEWS!! I am getting a teared up for you. Teary in the best way xoxo

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