April 22nd, 2015

     We've had nearly a week of silence as Christy has awaited her final step in the diagnosis process.  Today she goes in for a PET scan, MRI, and biopsy.  Today is her last day of testing.   Let me explain the significance of each of these.
     The PET scan is going to tell us where exactly the cancer is and isn't.  Although we've been able to successfully rule out Stage 4 as an option (Praise God!), her last MRI revealed some swelling in the lymph nodes in her neck.  The PET scan will determine whether or not this swelling is cancerous or just reactive to the sickness in her body.  If it is indeed cancer in those lymph nodes, then it will be considered to be Stage 3 cancer.  If not, and the cancer is localized to her arm and breast, then it is considered to be Stage 2.  We are praying for the latter!
     Christy went into the dr. on Monday for a biopsy on a third tumor that was discovered in the MRI. Doctor's were unable to locate the tumor on Monday via ultrasound, so today she is having a second MRI with an immediate biopsy to determine if this tumor is cancerous or not.  The difficult thing with this is that for Christy's entire life, she hasn't responded to local anesthesia and feels the pain of all procedures done on her if she's not put under.  For this MRI and biopsy, they cannot put her to sleep and will have to make the incisions while she's awake and feeling all the pain.  The two requests here are that the biopsy will reveal that this third tumor is benign, and that her pain would be minimalized.
      The Curries, as well as myself and all of us immediate family of Jason and Christy, would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers and generosity during this time.  You have carried them and us through this, and we know the road ahead will be difficult, but we have renewed hope as Christ has ministered to us all.  Thank you!
      We will be posting in the next day or so about the ways you can help out the Curries, through meals, fundraising, and services.  Thank you as well to all of you who have offered so much help and encouragement!

Karen Berkenkemper (Christy's sister)