[Nfbf-l] wonderful news about Jim Ellsworth

[Sherrill O'Brien]

Sherri and all,

Thanks for passing this along, Sherri! This is indeed amazingly good news.
Jim and Kim have been through so much for so long. They are very fortunate
to have been able to choose Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa for Jim's
treatment. Lots of prayers of thanks and joy going out to this strong and
inspiring family!

Peace
Sherrill

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbf-l [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sherri via
Nfbf-l
Sent: August 21, 2014 6:55 AM
To: NFBF-Leaders at yahoogroups.com; nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Nfbf-l] wonderful news about Jim Ellsworth
Importance: High

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 IMBRUVICAR (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
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