Saturday, August 9, 2008

The Final Report (Part II)

We finally received a call late yesterday from Dr Grosh with details of the imaging studies and labs done on Monday -- and it is great news!

The MRI of the brain was reviewed in detail with the neurosurgeon, Dr Sheehan. It shows no new metastases and all previous tumors are either gone or in the process of disintegration from the second gamma knife procedure.

The bone scan, for the first time, shows significant improvement and maturation of the healing process from the previous extensive multiple metastases. No new lesions or signs of active destruction are evident.

The CT/PET scan, which detects any rapidly growing activity of tumor cells throughout the body, was essentially negative. There was one faint and ill-defined area of increased tracer activity in the left hip region, but no corresponding anatomic abnormality there on either the CT scan or bone scan -- so it is thought to be an artifact. There are still radiographic abnormalities in the liver which likely represent residual architectural changes caused by the previous tumor growths there. All labs were normal, including liver enzymes and non-specific markers for tumor activity.

Compared to the devastating images six months ago, this is nothing short of miraculous!

We will return to Charlottesville in late September to repeat these same studies and monitor the progress of healing. Meanwhile no active treatment is planned. We are enormously grateful to you for your prayers, to the physicians who have cared for me, and most of all to our God for His faithfulness, mercy and love.

Basking in His grace,
Dan

16 comments:

  1. Dan

    Thanks for the update and sharing the good news!

    Gary

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  2. Dr. C,

    Praise the Lord!!! What a wonderful report.....please be aware that I check your site at least b.i.d. even though I haven't commented. And you have been in my prayers. Your new grandbaby is beautiful, what a blessing you have in your family. Again, thank you for taking the time to keep us all in the loop, as we care for you and Linda.

    Donna

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  3. By faith, I believe you expected a good report, because God honors faith, and without faith it is impossible to please God. You have trusted in Him with your whole heart and leaned on Him heavily, and less on your own understanding. He has great and wondrous things for you to do, probably sending you to every tribe, tongue, people and nation. As a two-time survivor of two Stage Four inoperable cancers within six years, I rejoice with you and your family. As my former doctor, we have disagreed a little over whether as Christians we have a right to claim healing, because of what Jesus accomplished on the Cross, and upon his resurrection, but we agree that God can do anything except but lie or fail! CBN is doing His Story about my healings this coming Friday on the 700 Club.

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  4. A miracle! A miracle! I'm praising God, and I will continue to pray. HALLELUJAH!

    Kristen Stapp

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  5. Dr Dan

    Nat and I are grateful for your blog. It helps us feel as if we are still in contact with you. We miss you and are thrilled with your news.
    Lot of Love
    Nat and Jackie Harlow

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  6. Dr. Dan,

    You have no idea the host of friends that love you and are praying for you. You continue to reflect the God that you love, and the God that loves you. Thanks for sharing the good news.

    Helena

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  7. Brother Dan! The song, "How Great Thou Art," a childhood and enduring favorite of our family, came to mind so often throughout your journey and incredible witness along the way. Last night was different....I sang that beautful song of praise!!! What a miracle for my precious Brother Dan; for his guardian angel Linda and all their family....for all of us! Love and continued prayers, Your Dad, the new Buddy and me. Don

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  8. WOW!!!!!! That is wonderful news! Praise the Lord. Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Dan, and sharing your faith. Some days your blog is exactly what I need to hear.
    Lisa C

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  9. AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    And congratulations Grandpa & Grandma on the birth of yet another beautiful little granddaughter!!

    Priase the Lord that you are here to celebrate this joyous time too!

    Love you all, Debbie (Great-aunt Debbie)

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  10. Dr. C,

    Such wonderful news for you and your family. What a blessed and stressful year you have been though. You will always be in our hearts and prayers. As a physician you were excellent, as a person, you are exceptional and as a witness to HIS grace and glory, you are spectacular!! Thank you for sharing your saddest and happiest moments.

    Joe, Stacy, Kirsti, Kelsi, Gregory, Kati & Justin

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  11. Rejoicing with you and Linda :)

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  12. We rejoice with you all with exceeding gladness at your great report and the Lord's continued grace in your life.
    Indeed: "Bright eyes gladden the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones." - Prov.16:30 !
    Bill and Wendy Hunter

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  13. Dear Dr. Crabtree,

    I am overcome with joy! I'm typing this note with tears of joy streaming down my face for you and your family. How absolutely wonderful to hear of your healing. Praise the Lord!

    All our love,
    Sam, Jenny, Samuel, Kathleen, and William

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  14. Dan,
    Halleluah!Praise the Lord for answered prayers and awesome time of modern medicine. I am so extatic and happy hearing of the good outcome Dan. Congratulations, too, on becoming granpdad once again and haven been given to blessing of being here to see the little bundle of joy coming into this world.

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  15. Dr. C,
    I am so joyful with your news. I check in on you periodically and continue to pray for your recovery. I miss you. Warmest regards Jean Roberts

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