A New Day and a New Opportunity

Today consisted of a consultation with the Gastroenterology Associates to determine how they would check out something seen on my CT scan a few weeks ago.  So, on May 17 I will have a flex-sigmoidoscopy at VA Baptist Hospital.  Hopefully nothing serious will show up.
When we got home, I received a call from Johns Hopkins from Dr. Ralph Hruban.   He is professor of oncology and pathology at Johns Hopkins University.  He is director of the Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center!
Believe it or not, I wrote him an email 2 days ago and he actually called me, personally!!!  He asked me lots of questions and was pleased that I was doing so well.   He advised that he would put me in touch with the schedulers to set up a multidisciplinary meeting which they do every Tuesday to advise me of my options.  He also said that he was very impressed with how my tumor has shrunk in such a short time  with the FOLFIRINOX.
I was soon called by the coordinator for this meeting and I am scheduled to be there on Tuesday, May 2, at 7 AM to have another CT scan with the latest equipment which will also check my liver, etc.  After the results are read, they will be discussed by this team of doctors which include oncology, surgery, radiation, immunotherapy, trials, etc.   This meeting will last all the rest of that day.
I could have had the meeting earlier, but I want to make sure I am having no side effects after the 8th treatment which will be on April 17!
I am in awe of this latest development in my cancer treatment and help from this considerate doctor who called me.  I am eager to share this with my oncologist since she is the first one who wanted me to "branch out" for a possible trial of immunotherapy:)

So here are a few verses which inspire me but I am guilty of being distracted so easily sometimes.

Philippians 4:4-9
"Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again:  Rejoice!   Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition,  with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
"Finally, brothers and sisters,, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you."