Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The oncologist called today with last week’s MRI results. The tumor has been steadily shrinking, which is such encouraging news. It will also make the surgeon’s job that much easier next week.
- First diagnosis – 12 x 11 x 10 centimeters
- After chemotherapy – 11.8 x 8.9 x 8.5 cm
- After radiation – 9.5 x 7.7 x 6.9 cm
Since it’s shrinking in all 3 directions, the size is significantly smaller – 1320 cubic cm at first, and now under 500! The combination of good medical care and so many prayers is apparently working!
After school we gathered in the Rec Center to say farewell to the seven Child Services staff who will moving on to other adventures in their lives. Some staff serve at St. Joseph’s for a limited time.
Three of the departing houseparents have been here between one and two years, and have contributed a lot in a short time. The other four, two teachers and two houseparents, have been on staff for between 15 and 25 years! We will surely miss each of their gifts. Yet I’m confident that new people will step in and bring new gifts, abilities and talents. They will become the characters, and the rock, that St. Joseph’s is built on.