Encouraging and hopeful news!

Lori's white blood count was great so she was able to have her chemo.  We were a little worried about this because she only had 10 days between her last chemo where we have been at 14 days in the last months.  Lori is feeling well (better than she has in 9 months and looking great).  The results of Lori's CT and x-rays show no progression or spread which is fantastic news.  Picozzi said that this is great news and he was obviously excited.  He noted that all the predictions for this cancer do not apply to Lori again since she is getting better and past the first three month critical stage (and even into the 5th month).  With this great news Picozzi said that we will continue this regiment (chemo every two weeks) for the next three months.  In December we will rescan and look to start radiation sometime in early January.  Needless to say Lori and I were overwhelmed with this great news and Picozzi gave Lori a big hug and then told her that the kids at his church touched him and prayed over him the day before. Picozzi said the kids prayed for guidance and strength for him. He said he felt this power for Lori and was happy to see the results of the CT's come back the way they did.

Lori also told Picozzi that she had been praying for answers to some of her questions and low and behold Picozzi methodically answered all of them without Lori asking a single question. Pretty powerful stuff! Picozzi also explained the radiation method he is currently working on that will shortly become a standard approach to pancreatic cancer.  Picozzi said that his application is showing a 50% survival rate where conventional treatments are around 2%. We are hopeful and encouraged that Lori is in that 50% group!.

Lori has started going to a bible study group on Wednesdays and is enjoying really understanding the word. Her and I read nightly devotions on God's healing powers and discuss scriptures as we read them.  This has proven to be a great time for Lori and I to share and is part of our routine where we cannot go to bed until we read our passages. Food for the mind and soul.

Last weekend we went to the Spokane Interstate fair. My dad is a SCOPE volunteer so he got us in free.  Ashton purchased a unlimited ride pass and rode everything at the fair.  After riding all the rides she ate a big corn dog.  Needless to say she paid the price the next day where she had a double header softball game.

Ashton played setter for all three of her JV volleyball games last night. They were not too successful but she played her heart out. Tony has made the 8th grade Varsity football team at Centennial.  He is a backup quarterback, a tight end and outside defensive tackle. Tony is the smallest guy on the varsity team but he hits like a train and is the smartest on the field (Like his daddy they say!).  Tony's first game is this Saturday.

Again, we feel fortunate to enjoy life as we live day to day and want to thank all those prayer warriors out there who keep our family in their prayers.  Our family feels this power everyday, God Bless.