[Nfbf-l] wonderful news about Jim Ellsworth

[Carlos Montas]

Prays God.  I am so glad that you are now cancer free.  May God bless you and your family today and always. 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 21, 2014, at 6:55 AM, Sherri via Nfbf-l <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Sorry to be late in posting this most wonderful news. Hurray!!!!!!
> 
> Sherri
> 
> News
> 
> By
> Jennifer Engman
> - Aug 19, 2014 12:12pm
> 
> Good afternoon everyone,
> 
> It has been quite a while since I've posted. There has not really been 
> anything to report until now.
> 
> Yesterday, Jim went in for a PET scan, lab work and a visit with his doctor. 
> Jim has been taking the oral chemotherapy called IMBRUVICA® (Ibrutinib) 
> since
> January of this year. It is four capsules taken daily. It seems that the 
> medicine has been hard at work. The results from the scan revealed that. 
> Everyone
> get ready for this. Drum roll please.
> 
> Jim is in remission! Hallelujah and thank God! The test results indicate 
> that there is absolutely no hyper metabolic activity in the chest, abdomen, 
> etc.
> our family is truly blessed, overjoyed, relieved and thankful for this 
> wonderfully positive turn of events.
> 
> Jim is a real fighter. After what seemed to him to be endless days of being 
> hospitalized, four different types of chemotherapy, unexpected surgeries, 
> side
> effects from all the chemo drugs that he continues to be plagued with, not 
> to mention the emotional roller coaster ride him and our family has 
> experienced
> during the past two and a half years. , he is finally cancer free. This is 
> truly something to celebrate about and I told Jim and Jennifer yesterday 
> that
> those are some magical little pills. They were approved by the FDA just in 
> time to really help Jim. He has tolerated it better than many other patients
> who are also taking the drug; and it was able to achieve what the prior 
> chemotherapy drugs did not.
> 
> This next statement is by no means meant to dampen the joyous occasion; 
> however, it is important to be aware of all the information, in my opinion. 
> We
> have been told that the drug is likely to stop working at some point. There 
> is no estimation on when; however, I for one am not going to dwell upon 
> this.
> It is the present that matters right now. The future is unknown. And, I have 
> every confidence that the Moffitt team will be ready for when or for that
> matter, "if". that happens. Jim and I are deeply grateful for all of our 
> family and friends. For all the prayers, positive energy and thoughts sent 
> our
> way, for all the encouraging words, for the support, outpouring of love and 
> understanding. Endless gratitude to those who gave of their time, came to 
> the
> house to assist us in our time of need, racked up mileage on their vehicles 
> in order to ensure that Jim made it to his medical appointments, emergency
> trips to the ER, and for transporting me to the hospital to visit him during 
> all those stays. You know who you are and love and hugs to all of you.
> 
> This journey up to this point has definitely not been easy; we still have to 
> be vigilant and Jim will still have to have labs and regular visits with the
> doctors. However, we can take some time to let our hearts be lighter, 
> breathe easier, have some laughs and most of all, live without a dark shadow 
> looming
> over our lives. Have a great day everyone; and don't forget to laugh and 
> smile.
> 
> Yours Truly,
> 
> Kim Ellsworth
> _______________________________________________
> Nfbf-l mailing list
> Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Nfbf-l:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/carlos.montas%40gmail.com