Scan Update

I know that many of you have been praying and asking about Erica’s scan results from this past week. Some of you have even shared that you feel the same scanxiety that we do as you wait for my updates. So I apologize for the delay.

The CT of the body was taken Monday 12/9 around noon. Digital results were delivered only 2 hours later. The report simply read: “There is no metastatic disease in the chest, abdomen or pelvis. Signed on 12/9/2025 2:54 PM”. This was not unexpected because these scans have been clear for nearly 4 years now. Even so, as I read the report, I felt a physical tension release and Erica let out a beautiful “whoo-hoo!” We still celebrate every time, giving God praise for miracles and medicine.

The brain MRI was Friday 12/5. As usual, we met with the radiation oncologist immediately after the results. Our doctor is wonderful (I have mentioned her in past posts). She is very personable and always delivers the facts and options simply and gently. This meeting was the same, but a bit odd. Why? Because there was literally nothing to discuss. The result simply showed no change. We sort of just sat there looking at each other like, “So, what are you doing for the holidays?”

I suppose I’ve been slow to write this blog post because I’ve still not fully processed this news. On one hand, the cancer is stable. Prayers have been answered and this is the goal that our medical oncologist has set for Erica since the first day we met him. YAY! This is great news and absolutely worth celebrating.

On the other hand, getting to this point has taken a serious toll on Erica’s brain. The scan that shows no tumor progression also shows the irreversible scars from the internal war that she has endured. Her neurological condition is our new baseline from which we will live moving forward. These scars will not heal, and how far the brain can be retrained is yet to be determined.

So… what do we do with this news? Go shopping of course!
We’ve hit the mall twice this week already — a lot of gift giving to catch up on… and a lot to celebrate!

Also, got to enjoy some holiday live jazz at a local art gallery with our talented friend Rick Gallagher on piano and his wife, Stacy. Great friends and a great “normal” night out.