CT Scan and more...

Nikki went for a CT scan of her abdomen last week and met with the Doc on Friday for her results. Before the meeting, as always, she had her bloodwork done and then we had a bit of time to wait before her appointment.

Over coffee, she shared with me how she knew that the news was not going to be good. She had been through a difficult (painful and emotional) week and a number of friends had rallied around to pray with her just the day before the doctor's appointment where she really experienced a breakthrough in this time of prayer and was released from the pain that had been gripping her head for the week. She was in a very positive place and challenged me to laugh with her at whatever results were revealed - just to come in the opposite spirit of this sickness and it's symptoms.

So, when the oncologist said "I am afraid I don't have good news for you", all I could manage as I looked across the room at my beautiful, courageous sister's face was a smile and 2 thumbs up, although my heart was shattered to pieces inside. The CT scan revealed that the disease has now spread into the lungs and there are some more spots on the liver. As the doctor looked at me, I saw there were tears in his eyes and that started mine off... He told Nix that she could stop taking the oral chemotherapy that has been playing such havoc with her feet. She declared, "Oh yay! No more pills!!" to which he responded, "Oh you and your silver lining!" This once again sums up Nikki's incredible attitude.

The doctor always knew that there was a limited time for her to stay on this chemotherapy drug as it eventually becomes resistant to the disease. He is now not certain of where to go with her treatment at this stage. He will be meeting with a panel of oncologists on Wednesday to discuss her case and to make a decision on this. Please pray with us for Godly wisdom for the doctors as they meet together on Wednesday. Nikki will need to go for another CT scan of the chest area as well as a bone scan in the next week or so to get more clarity on the extent of the disease.

Nikki was in a lot of pain over the weekend and today, mainly in her head and in her abdomen. It is very difficult to see her in such pain. I am not sure whether this pain is because she has stopped all the drugs for now. We called the doctor and they have prescribed a pain killer for her for the interim until they have had their meeting. Please pray for peace to prevail in her heart and home and for the pain to go. It is also really difficult to stay positive and faith-filled when you are experiencing symptoms like she is. I feel that this is the time for us to rally around her and to cover her in prayer.

In the last few days, I have been encouraged by this scripture from 2 Chronicles 20:15 - "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours but God's"

God's people were facing annihilation by a vast army (much like Nikki's fight against cancer). As they moved in obedience to him and went out singing "Give thanks to the Lord, our God and king, His love endures forever", the Lord set up ambushes against their enemies and defeated them all.

We praise God and thank Him for His incredible love for us, which overcomes all things!

Psalm 5:12 - "For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous, you surround them with your favour as with a shield"

Thank God, we are highly favoured!

Oh yes - My mom goes in to have x rays on her arm on Wednesday and to meet with the doc regarding her progress in that area (we are praying for a good report) and I am going in to have my wisdom teeth ripped out of my skull (lovely! Nikki is already calling me colourful names like "Hamster Holloway" and guinea pig) so please keep us in your prayers too - So much appreciated :-)