It will be have been evident to the regular reader that Sue responded very well to the months of chemotherapy and, despite the side effects, has been enjoying a progressively better quality of life as a result. The careful reader will have also understood that the last couple of months since chemo stopped have been a period of increasing wellbeing as the chemotherapy poisons (and most of its effects) have left her body. Recently we have been answering the question “How are you/How is Sue?” with “Unexpectedly well!”

Over the last week Sue has had a follow-up colonoscopy, a fourth scan and an appointment with our surgeon. The outcome of the combination of these is that we now need to report Sue’s condition as “Miraculously well! She is now officially in ‘high end’ partial remission.”

You may ask, “What does that really mean?” In lay terms, partial remission it means the treatment has killed some of the cells, but not all. While the cancer has reduced and doesn't appear to be growing/spreading, evidence can still be seen on scans.

In Sue’s case all evidence of the primary tumour in the bowel has completely disappeared! I wouldn't normally share photos of my wife’s internal works but in this case I can’t help it. Here is the ‘before and after’ comparison of the same spot in Sue’s colon.

undefinedIf that doesn't cause you to fall to your knees in thankfulness and praise, I am not sure what will!

There is still visible evidence of the cancer in the liver and lymphatic system but this too is much reduced and less than the previous scan. We see the oncologist again on Tuesday to sort out the regime of regular ongoing monitoring but for the moment the mooted bowel operation is off the table (pun intended), and further treatment is unlikely until the cancer decides to get active again.

Sue’s prognosis is obviously now much improved. It is not unreasonable to expect a long-ish period of remission, a gradual reactivation when it occurs, and hence a much increased revised life expectancy. 

It was always impossible to predict probable prognosis and time-frames but it is clearly now even more challenging (in a good way) because Sue is clearly a statistical ‘outlier’ at this stage. As a result, in the midst of the joy and celebration, there is the challenge of further readjustment to our thinking and planning.

We are still going to take it ‘a day at a time’ and value and enjoy them all – there will just be more of them. We are now counting UP not DOWN.

In short, Sue is well and re-missioned! Praise God from whom all blessings flow..........