An Easter Prayer Answered

On this 1st day of April, traditionally known as Aprils Fool's Day, I want to truly and with all my heart,"thank God" for answering to our Easter prayers. 

Lori got her MRI results back this morning and for the first time since October 2012 there was absolutely no progression (no growth) in her brain lesions. There are no new lesions and the cancer has not appeared anywhere else in her body. 

They are still there, both of them, but they have stopped growing for a period of time at least. 

While this is not remission, it does show that the very aggressive cancer that has plagued her since February 2011, can be stopped, albeit we do not know how long this reprieve will last. Regardless, it bodes well for the vaccine trial in which we are working to get her admitted, hopefully in late May.

If progression can be halted via chemo it stands to reason that the MUC1 vaccine has a high probability of being effective against her disease and that could buy her a longer time period of actual "remission" which is the miracle we are praying and fighting for, for her. 

So, again, "Thank you Lord", you answered a lot of Easter prayers.

On a much more lighthearted note, I just finished Carl Hiaasen's book, "CHOMP". 

If you have not read previous Hiaasen books, like, "Skin Tight", "Skinny Dip", "Star Island", "Native Tongue", "Double Whammy", Basket Case" and StripTease, just to name a few you really are missing on on one of the most hilarious and entertaining writers of fiction in our age.  

The only other writer today that can even come close to the craziness in a Hiaasen story, in his own peculiar way is Christopher Moore, (Practical Demon Keeping, Lamb, Coyote Blue, Blood Sucking Fiends', etc.) 

Hiaasen, (like Moore), writes fantastical stories with even more crazy and bumbling characters whose screw ups and idiosyncrasies keep you in stitches as each story unfolds.

Reading "Chomp" I laughed out loud so many times passengers on the airplane started to look at me with some irritation. I was so lost in the story and enjoying the humorous escape I barely noticed until when I finally finished the book and the stewardess came over with a small smile on her face and said" Good book, yes?" 

So, do yourself a favor. If you want a respite from the sometimes overbearing burden that comes during stages of one's daily existence, buy a Carl Hiaasen book immediately. 

It is a "fun balm" that soothes the mood and brings back tears of pure unadulterated laughter. 

I even learned while reading "Chomp" that the Latin name for Scales, our on site alligator is "Alligator mississippiensi." 

Who knew ???