August 18, 2016 🔹 CT Scan & News

We were scheduled for a CT scan today which we didn't anticipate having for another week or two, but with the goal of working toward discharge our doctor ordered it for today. She said she would come see us Friday with the results...but of course, in the same fashion she's operated in so far, she went straight down to see the results herself and talk to the radiologist today. She knew we'd be waiting on pins and needles so she came with the results for us today.

And we got great news! The tumors have not grown or spread, and there are still not any tumors below the diaphragm. Hallelujah! AND..the tumors have shrunk!! The small, newer tumors on the left lung look smaller than before. But even better, the mack daddy HUGE one on the right lung is significantly smaller. She estimated maybe 25% smaller so far. So we had pretty significant results in just a month!! We're in such disbelief to see such immediate results but we are beyond excited! Especially since each cancer has its own recipe and ours is a broad cancer since it doesn't match anything exact, and we knew we were taking a chance with this treatment plan praying it would work. 

With the improvements we've seen so far regarding oxygen, fevers, and a few other things, we truly believed in our hearts and had faith in our Lord that it meant things were working on the inside. And it was true!

Next week once certain counts are better, Cole will have his PICC line removed from his arm and will have a port placed in his chest. For those not familiar, a port is is an IV catheter that is placed under the skin in a patient who requires frequent administration of chemotherapy, blood transfusions, antibiotics, intravenous feeding, or blood draws. It is a central IV line, meaning that the catheter is threaded into one of the large central veins in the chest, which empties into the heart. Because this will be under the skin he will be able to shower freely and we won't have to worry near as much as we do with the PICC line, plus his arm will be completely free.

Another goal is to work toward moving away from the IV medications to oral meds so that we progress toward discharge and going home. We may even be able to go home the end of August/early September if counts are good and his response to chemo next week goes well. When we do get to go home, it will likely always be just a few days at a time and then back to the hospital for a few days. That's just how it's going to be with the treatment plan he needs. But, we will work through it and will make the frequent drive because it means we get to be at home! We'll definitely be racking up the miles and fuel costs, but it is 100% worth the investment.

Next week is another round of the 5-day mega chemo which last time completely crushed his immune system, caused the throat sores, and various other things. But with the new nausea medications on board we are hopeful that there will be less nausea/vomiting. And we'll do all the mega treatments we need to in order to keep fighting this thing.

To no one's surprise, Cole has remained a CHAMPION throughout all of this. His mental toughness and fight within has continued to impress everyone here. This is the Cole WE know, but he truly is such an inspiration to everyone. We are so incredibly proud of him. We will continue fighting and continue our faith and belief that things will keep moving in the right direction and we will BEAT this thing! We absolutely cannot wait to get home though and to think it could happen within the next few weeks is beyond exciting. We're ready to take our baby home!

While there could be additional information to post I think this is good for now...because we got GREAT NEWS TODAY to celebrate! Cole looks SO much better these days and has starting becoming more himself..warms our hearts to see! ❤️

Our dear prayer warriors, it is your continued thoughts, prayers, support and faith that has carried Cole, all while He has held Cole in His hand and protected him. Praise Him! ✨

Bless you all, and bless this sweet, sweet angel of ours.

#TeamCole