Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Well, if You're Gonna Get Cancer, This One's a Good One To Get

Apparently, the oncologist told my grandmother, "This is a good cancer" because it is apparently readily treatable to maintain status quo- not really curabel. I'm still confused about the "good cancer" "bad cancer" thing. Is it like, "good cop, bad cop"? Hmmm...

Gram has a less aggressive from of the mesothelioma and will undergo physical therapy to gain strength, and in 2 weeks have a CAT scan to compare lung tissue from the end of July. Based on PT and CAT scan, she will be a candidate for chemo, the kind that doesn't make you sick or lose your hair. She's very excited about not losing her hair.

I think prayers have worked for her. Everyone's concern and love, the prayer cards in churches, everyone keeping her in their thoughts. A few weeks ago I was told she had 2 months to live, now, this seems doable. My stance on organized religion remains unchanged, my stance on the power of good people does not. I thank everyone who has read this and well wished. She will be okay for a while. Long enough to tell her great grandkids a million times over how much she loves them.

I'm sad she'll probably miss Maddie's birthday party on Friday, but she can't intentionally expose herself to sick people, and John and I have been fighting colds all week. This I understand, it's not worth the risk for her, but we'll be thikning of her for sure.

By the by, how does one find out the ribbon color for mesothelioma? I recently found out the ribbon for brain cancer was grey (an odd choice, no?), but can't find any info on this one. Let me know if you are able to find out!

For now, continued prayers for her strength and perserverance for what lies ahead.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Jen-
Glad to hear your Grandma is doing good. She will continue to be in my prayers.
Looking around I found this website that lists all meanings of ribbons-

http://www.trinitylondon.com/awareness-ribbon-meanings.asp.

appears the color you are looking for is PEARL.

Jennie

sauerkrautpolka said...

Brain = grey matter, maybe?

M & M's Mom said...

Hey Jen -

I probably should know your grandma's name, but you know, it's been a while. Let me know what it is and I'll put her on our prayer list at church. You can never have too many prayers.....kinda like shoes. :-)

Glad to hear she is doing well, and that she has "good" cancer. As you say, if you gotta have cancer, at least its the "good" kind.