Any time a cancer patient has a scan that doesn’t see active disease it is a cause for celebration. Because kidney cancer sometimes doesn’t take up the glucose used in the PET CT scan like I had today, it isn’t always the best scan to use alone for kidney cancer patients. In these case of the PET CT scan I had today, it was used in addition to a regular CT scan with contrast, which is the one I had last week. Dr. Pippas hoped it would shed more light on the results of the CT scan from last Wednesday.
The good news is the scan today showed no active disease, which can NOT be a bad thing! We are grateful for this news, but we are also cautious. I still need another spine surgery, I think without doubt. But what about the tumor in my spine? At the very least, we have further confirmation this cancer is lazy. Although it is incurable, it is giving me a chance.
What we will do with this chance is left to be seen. I have a lot of research to do now. We have to get the best possible advice from as many smart people as I can get to weigh in on my difficult case. Then we have to make a decision about next next steps. What I hope for is to be able to have the damage the cancer has done in my spine repaired and to come out of that surgery with a structurally sound back.
I am also hopeful to be able to tolerate the side effects being delivered by the Cabometyx and not develop liver toxicity, which will force me off the drug. Although I’m suffering physically from the effects of the drug, my constitution is strong, and I wanted y’all to know we’ve heard some good news today.
The lesson in this for kidney cancer patients is clear: Just like Winston Churchill says, “never, never, never give up.” Having cancer is a full time job. And the pay sucks.
Jennifer Joyner says
May 30, 2017 at 8:56 pmStill praying for you, Mike! Your strength and courage is always inspiring!
Jed G. Harris, Jr. says
May 30, 2017 at 9:01 pmMike,
You and Jill are inspirations. Continued prayers for y’all and your health.
Jed G. Harris, Jr.
Leah says
May 30, 2017 at 9:03 pmPraying for you and Jill! So proud of the strength you show in your battle! Glad to hear some good news!!
Ann Blondheim says
May 30, 2017 at 9:07 pmI have been hoping you would post today. So thankful for any amount of good news. Thanks be to God.
Margie Ivey says
May 30, 2017 at 9:13 pmLove the good news! Prayers continuing.
Stacie Reddish says
May 30, 2017 at 9:14 pmContinued prayers! Glad to hear good news. Praying for more and more!
Bill Plock says
May 30, 2017 at 9:19 pmKeeping you in my prayers Mike. We are so fortunate to have Dr. Pippas taking care of us. He is an amazing man!
Gayla Ahlquist says
May 30, 2017 at 9:22 pmKaren texted me earlier today asking if I had seen a post from you. I forwarded this welcome news to her. Continued prayers!
Jim says
May 30, 2017 at 9:31 pmYou, Mike Venable, are something else.
Dee August says
May 30, 2017 at 9:37 pmThis is good news and it will only get better. God answers prayers and he is going to heal you. Stay strong and positive and remember you are always on my mind and in my prayers. Mama is watching over you Mike and Jill too. Love and hugs!!!
Laura Storta says
May 30, 2017 at 9:38 pmWonderful News!!! Praying you continue to have the strength and determination that you have had from the start of this long and hard battle!!! You are a Winner in our books!!!
Marianne says
May 30, 2017 at 9:41 pmGood news Mike!
Dee August says
May 30, 2017 at 9:42 pmI am so happy for this news!! God answers prayers and you have so many praying for you. You are so strong and positive and it is awesome. God is healing you and will continue to. Mama is watching over you and Jill. You are on my mind and prayers daily. Love and hugs!!!
Beth Martin says
May 30, 2017 at 9:49 pmPrayers continue and praise God for the good news!!
Pat Daniel says
May 30, 2017 at 9:52 pmThis is answered prayers. I am grateful to God for that and will give prayers of thanks as we continue to pray for your treatments to be successful. We love you both. Thank you for letting us know your news.
Nell Hudson says
May 30, 2017 at 10:00 pmMike, Lloyd and I are so glad to hear this great news–your strength, determination, and courage are uplifting to us–what a model you are when it comes to fighting for good! We continue to think of you and pray for you daily. Love to you and Jill, Nell
Cyndy Cerbin says
May 30, 2017 at 10:05 pmCancer doesn’t know who he’s crossed. Keep showin’ him, Mike!
Cindi says
May 30, 2017 at 10:10 pmSo happy for your good news. I pray good news continues to flow.
Theri Brooks says
May 30, 2017 at 10:22 pmThank you for a good update. Continuing to pray for you and Jill!
Claire Jackson says
May 30, 2017 at 10:28 pmMike, grateful for the good news. Praying that you and your doctors will find the right steps to take next.
Thank you for your update.
Kim Rozycki says
May 30, 2017 at 10:30 pmSo happy for this news and continuing prayers for a complete recovery! Your attitude is inspiring!
Carol Ann Kaplan says
May 30, 2017 at 10:40 pmContinued prayers! Never give up!
Love to you and Jill!
CA
Susan Head says
May 30, 2017 at 10:52 pmPraying for you & Jill. You are definitely one of the most positive people I have ever met. Keep kicking Cancers Butt and continue to keep us updated.
Tom and Liz Kendrickt says
May 30, 2017 at 10:59 pmGreat news ! So happy for you. Love and prayers !
Laura Lea says
May 30, 2017 at 11:08 pmSuch good news! Never, never, never give up! You inspire us all! Hugs to you and Jill!
Frank Brown says
May 31, 2017 at 2:22 amCouldn’t sleep, migrated to the computer, found this good news!
Offering prayer for you now and into the next round of whatever we face.
Love to you and Jill.
Kim Farmer says
May 31, 2017 at 4:04 amSo happy for this good news. Continued prayers.
Tripp and Alice Wade says
May 31, 2017 at 4:26 amMike and Jill, so glad to get this good news. We continue to pray for you both and we know Mike that you can beat this. Team wade is pulling and praying for you !
Dianne Henry says
May 31, 2017 at 8:16 amYou two are an inspiration. Keep up the good fight! Prayers always and love from Jonhhy and me.
Barbara Marks says
May 31, 2017 at 8:27 amEncouraging news for sure! Keep up the good fight sweet guy. We love you. Barbara
Jo McDaniel says
May 31, 2017 at 10:02 amThanks be to God for lazy cancers! This news elated me, what must it have done for you and your family. We will continue in prayer for wisdom and the best answers for you as you make the next decisions. You. Are amazing, as is your wonderful wife. Love to you both!
Susan Morgan says
May 31, 2017 at 11:00 amGood news! Thoughts and prayers from your South Florida fan club.
Jo Ann Beck says
May 31, 2017 at 11:06 amThis is a wonderful small victory and we will continue to pray for you and your family. We are so impressed with your stamina and strength. May God continue to be with you all.
Guy Sims says
May 31, 2017 at 12:36 pmI am so glad you can celebrate some positive news. I celebrate it with you. Praying you will contribute to receive good news.
Craig DuPriest says
May 31, 2017 at 4:50 pmGood things come in small packages, like the report you got from your Tuesday scan. Patience is a difficult character trait but you’re blessed with a lion’s share of it. One day at a time…and prayers still coming.
Wanda Woodward says
July 11, 2017 at 12:47 pmMike and Jill,
I am so glad I found this website today. Your names will be written in my prayer book and I will pray for you regularly. I know that God can do anything. Keep trusting Him…the best is yet to come!!! God loves you both and so do I.
Wanda (Coley) Woodward