[Nfbf-l] wonderful news about Jim Ellsworth

[Judith Hamilton]

Thanks Sherri for posting. Wonderful news for Jim and his family.
Judy


-----Original Message-----
>From: Sherri via Nfbf-l <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
>Sent: Aug 21, 2014 6:55 AM
>To: NFBF-Leaders at yahoogroups.com, nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
>Subject: [Nfbf-l] wonderful news about Jim Ellsworth
>
>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
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