Update on Rachel!

["bobbi smisko" <bobbismisko@erols.com>]

Prayer Partners:
Here's the update from Sherry Pinson.  Thank you for your prayers.  Keep
them coming.  You will notice a little private correspondence between Sherry
and me at the end of this email.  i decided to leave it attached.  Perhaps
some of you will remember my husband in prayer as he is tested on Friday.
Thanks,
Bobbi
-----Original Message-----
From: Sherry Pinson <spinson@fuse.net>
To: bobbi smisko <bobbismisko@erols.com>
Date: Tuesday, July 17, 2001 1:04 PM
Subject: RE:


>I was waiting to get the final pathology report, but it looks like that
will
>be delayed another day or so.  It was supposed to be back yesterday.  That
>will tell us which variety of this particular type of cancer she has.
>
>But mostly it's been good news since the first heart-stopping bad news.
The
>chest/lung CAT scan was clear, the marrow biopsy was clear, and the bone
>scan was clear, so they are saying it hasn't spread.  Included with the
>delayed pathology report is a final smear test of the marrow, but
apparently
>the doctors aren't too concerned about that.  The "all-clear" moves her up
>even higher in recovery percentages to a 60-75% chance.
>
>She begins chemotheraphy on Wednesday (tomorrow) and will be in the
hospital
>for another week for that.  After this first treatment, she will be back
and
>forth for blood tests and other observation about once a week, and then
>every 3-5 weeks she will be admitted for 2-3 days for chemotherapy.  The
>whole process is expected to take 42 weeks.  If they see the shrinkage they
>are hoping for, they can operate at any time within that span to hopefully
>remove the rest.
>
>We have been praying in pieces, one day at a time--first the surgery, then
>the tests for spreading, and now for her response to chemotherapy.  So
>that's the next hurdle.  Her brother, Andy, also can use prayer as he
>figures out how his life and time with his parents will be affected.  It is
>a long process that involves a lot of waiting around, and that's hard on a
>kid.
>
>Rachel's spirits are good.  I just spoke to Fred--she had sent him out for
>Wendy's.  I guess she's tired of hospital food already!
>
>Did I tell you the surgery was successful in removing the tumor from around
>her spine?  No infiltration there.
>
>It has been a great and humbling blessing to know so many are praying.
>Please pass along our immense gratitude to the prayer warriors.
>
>If anything changes on the path report, I'll let you know.  Otherwise,
>assume we're just trudging through the process!
>
>I am sorry to hear about your husband.  No, indeed, it never stops.  Let me
>know how he's doing.  Bless you for being such a good friend.
>
>Sherry
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: bobbi smisko [mailto:bobbismisko@erols.com]
>Sent: Monday, July 16, 2001 10:29 PM
>To: Sherry Pinson
>Subject:
>
>
>Sherry,
>I have not reported back to the prayer warriors as I am waiting to hear
from
>you.  Any news?
>
>My husband found a lump on his throat and has to go for a cat scan Friday.
>He has had a sore throat for several weeks.  It never ends, does it?
>Blessings,
>Bobbi
>
>
>
>