cblevins Posted October 13, 2012 Report Share Posted October 13, 2012 When Elmer was diagnosed in May the main tumor on his adrenal gland was huge....the size of a soccer ball. The cancer had spread to his lymph nodes, his liver, his kidney, he had over 100 small nodules in each lung and a tumor had infiltrated the artery that carries blood from the legs to the heart. The doctors didn't want to do any surgery because they felt like it would be wrong to put him through such major surgery since he wouldn't live long anyway. Very few doctors will ever see a case during their entire career. Only 30% of adrenal cortical carcinoma patients respond to treatment. This cancer is so rare that only around 400 people a year even get it. That meant only about 120 a year will respond. The chance of responding to treatment goes down with each stage. Elmer was considered to be in stage 4...the final stage. Most patients are much younger than him. It strikes more women than men and seldom anyone over 50. Elmer is 61. Most patients that do have it can only tolerate the agressive treatments for about 3 months and then have to take 3 months off to get back on their feet. His new scans show the original tumor is about 50% smaller......ALL of the nodules are gone in his lungs (looks like teeny pin points} and he has started his 5th round of chemo. They are considering surgery in a few months to remove the kidney, lymph nodes, adrenal gland, part of his liver and the super tricky tumor in the vena cava. It could give us 2 or 3 good years instead of the months we had been looking at. The reason I am going into such detail is so you understand the unbelievable odds that this could be going in this direction. When Dr Hahn came in the room yesterday he was grinning from ear to ear. He is one of the VERY few doctors to work with this type of cancer and he was shocked at the scans. I honestly feel we owe it to prayer. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for praying when I couldn't. Thank you for having your churches pray for him. APQS involves people from around the world and he had prayers from people everywhere. I have asked for only 1 thing from the start of this......just give us a little more time. It is starting to look as though that may be within reach. Some of you may remember when I hit rock bottom not long ago. All of you were there for me and let me unload my burdens. Something very unusual happened during that time though. There just aren't any machine quilters in my area and since I am not from here I really don't know many people. I haven't really had anyone outside of family to make friends with here. During that very rough patch I was having a newbie got on the forum to read and learn. Her husband had died less than a year before and she had bought a new APQS machine to help keep her busy. While reading she noticed that I lived in Scottsburg IN. She lives less than 10 miles from me!!!!!!! She contacted me and we have become great friends. She makes us cinnamon rolls and I loan her boards. We have coffee and talk. Elmer craves her cinnamon rolls and is so happy that I have made a new friend!!! Her name is Barb but she is Fastquilts on here. Does God work in mysterious ways to see to our needs or what? This forum has been somewhat of a lifeline for me. Even when I was too depressed to post I could still read it. Thank you........God has answered the prayers that you sent up for Elmer and I in more ways than you can ever know. We are blessed to have your support. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnCavanaugh Posted October 13, 2012 Report Share Posted October 13, 2012 Cheri, You have endured so much this past year...God has indeed been keeping you and Elmer in the palm of his hand. Continued blessings to you both! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PattyJo Posted October 13, 2012 Report Share Posted October 13, 2012 Cheri - What good news for you and when my hubby was going through all of his health issues, this APQS forum was my sanity many times. This truely a very special group of people and I also believe that the prayer warriors that are on here are amazing men & women. I'm so glad that you are going to have more time.....Enjoy every min and live life to the fullest that you can. In His hand Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda G. Craig Posted October 13, 2012 Report Share Posted October 13, 2012 Love and prayers continue for you and Elmer. :D :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witha'K'quilting Posted October 13, 2012 Report Share Posted October 13, 2012 Cheri...i too understand the power of prayer..and the support of this fabulous group of friends. Having 2 of my children get so sick...and needing prayers, this was the place to come. I am so thankful that elmer and you are looking at more time together. Truly a blessing from our Lord! Prayers continue for both of you my sweet friend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoseCity Quilter Posted October 13, 2012 Report Share Posted October 13, 2012 Well that brought tears to my eyes! So glad you are finding comfort and hope! Hugs and continued prayers..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudithWashburnQuiltStudo Posted October 13, 2012 Report Share Posted October 13, 2012 Cheri, I was just praying for you both yesterday as I quilted and was wondering what was happening with Elmer. I am so glad that Elmer is betting the odds. You both deserve more years together. I will continue to pray that God will give you peace and more time together. Keep us posted. Our God is an AWSOME GOD!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestieMom Posted October 13, 2012 Report Share Posted October 13, 2012 Cheri, so happy that you and Elmer received such great news! Continued prayers for you both. God bless you. ...I need to go find a tissue now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisquilter Posted October 13, 2012 Report Share Posted October 13, 2012 Cheri, I was brought to tears with your post. I too believe in miracles brought from prayer. Please know that if we could, we would all come and give hugs filled with joy and happiness for your good news. Love and peace to you and Elmer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustee Posted October 13, 2012 Report Share Posted October 13, 2012 Cheri, I am so happy to hear the great news about Elmer and that he is doing so well. We all have so much to be thankful for. You make such a cute couple and your love just shines. I pray the treatments continue to work. They are making so much progress in treatments for cancer and given more time may allow for advanced treatment and you two will have many happy years together. I will continue to pray for you and Elmer. I am so glad you found a new friend. What a blessing. It is wonderful to have a dear friend close by to help you through troubled times. Keep those cinnomon rolls coming for Elmer. Thanks for sharing with us. We are all here for the both of you. Lots of love and hope coming your way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gail O Posted October 13, 2012 Report Share Posted October 13, 2012 Good things do happen to good people. Hugs and continued happiness to both of you Gail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted October 13, 2012 Report Share Posted October 13, 2012 Cheri, We are all so blessed to have this Forum. I know many a time it has helped me through some tough times! I'm hoping we both have much better next years in our future but no matter what I know I have friends to help me through! I'm so glad that you connected with somebody so close by! God does work in mysterious ways that is for sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heritage Keepsakes Posted October 13, 2012 Report Share Posted October 13, 2012 Cheri, so glad to hear Elmer is going from strength to strength. This forum is an amazing place for support, and we all appreciate the network of like minded friends that it provides, when times get tough. My thoughts are continually with you as Elmer continues to improve and it's wonderful you have a friend (forum family as well!) so close to you now to offer additional support. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gypsyquilter Posted October 13, 2012 Report Share Posted October 13, 2012 what an incredible story, so happy to here Elmer is responding to treatment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustSewSimple Posted October 13, 2012 Report Share Posted October 13, 2012 Cheri, God saw your love and your faith and rewarded it! God bless you and Elmer in his recovery! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastquilts Posted October 13, 2012 Report Share Posted October 13, 2012 I feel God did bring us together and I am so thankful for your friendship and Elmer's too. You two are awsome people and I am so thankful for you. As for the cinnamon rolls, that is a very small thing that I can do for you. I sure do enjoy our talks over coffee. Will be bringing some rolls soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerriVB Posted October 13, 2012 Report Share Posted October 13, 2012 Life is fragile--handle it with prayer!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meg Posted October 13, 2012 Report Share Posted October 13, 2012 this warms my heart cheri. i will continue praying for you, elmer and continued improvement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Della Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 What a wonderful testimony!!! I believe in prayer and the power of God. He has a plan...we jsut have to be aware of it. I am so thankful for Elmer's progress and your new friendship! I can only say "Praise God"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie in Ok Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 what a blessing , God is Great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheri Butler Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Cheri girl, I was so happy to get up this a.m. and read your post! Yes, we are all blessings to each other on this fantastic forum! We are BLESSED beyond belief to have each other! Continued prayers for you both! GOD works in mysterious ways, sometimes we dont know why or how...and just "sometimes" we get to find out just what his miraculous gifts he gives us, are! Quilted Hugs to you and Elmer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Yes, He does indeed work in mysterious ways. Blessings to you both. The prayers will continue, and they will be that Elmer continues to beat the odds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anette D. Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 And, the prayers will continue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmwife Darlene Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Cheri - thank you for sharing your story. I have tears in my eyes and my heart rejoices at your good news. I agree this forum is wonderful and the emotional support that we get here is like no other. My family always marvel when I talk about y'all and share your stories and prayer requests. I am often very quiet here on the forum but I am trying to come out of my shell. The support here is phenomenal. Please know you and Elmer will continue to be in my heart and prayer requests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Wow! This is amazing wonderful news! I am so happy! (((hugs))) Shana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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