Here's The Latest!

Hey, Everyone, sorry it's been so long since I've updated you on what's going on in our lives. Each day I'm getting a little stronger, eating a little better, realizing I still need to rest and let others help.

Matt and I saw the urologist, Dr. Garbeff, last Friday for the last time. He was very pleased with my progress after surgery, and with the appearance of my incision (then promptly started to rip the tape off that was covering it, telling me I had to move my hand or he couldn't do it! It stung!) He again shared that it appeared that all of the cancer had been removed with the kidney/tumor, and that there was no evidence of any cancer in the lymph nodes that had been taken. He did say that because of the size of the tumor, there would always be a need for regular scans in the future to assure that it does not recur. When we asked him about this further, he shared some things that we are thankful we did not know before the surgery, as it would have been hard to trust and to go into the surgery with a positive attitude. As Matt said during the appointment, God spared us from knowing something that is more than we could have handled. Apparently just recently there was a gentleman patient of Dr. Garbeff's that presented with the same symptoms as I had that did not make it through the hospital stay after the surgery. Based on that, and my findings as well as how much my health had deteriorated, the doctors' prognosis was 9-12 months. Now...well, God took over and spared my life, there is no evidence of cancer, and based on our appointment with the oncologist, Dr. Dighe, I will not need any additional therapy as there is no cancer still to fight. He will do a scan in a month to check on the smaller mass on the right side to see if it is receding or is gone, and we will see someone at UCSF just as a precaution for the future, but I would say that I am living a miracle. I am a little overwhelmed by all of this, but if ever you wondered at the power of the Living God, just look at my life. He not only saved me through the cross, but now has spared me again. I am thankful.
Danene Edalgo 10/15/08