Prayers have
been answered for the Mike and Nancy Rankin family of Raritan, and for the
many who have been praying for their youngest daughter, 3-year-old Angela.
The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner
Prayers have
been answered for the Mike and Nancy Rankin family of Raritan, and for the
many who have been praying for their youngest daughter, 3-year-old Angela.
Friday, reports from Angie's first baseline MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) were given them via the telephone by a Physician's Assistant and later that evening, followed-up by their Oncologist, Dr. Sue O'Dorisio in Iowa City, Iowa.
After a radio active injection last Tuesday, Angie underwent an Otreoscan and an MRI on Wednesday. She was put to sleep and her body went through a horizontal tube that runs through a magnet field. The MRI was able to pick out a very small point inside Angie's body and "essentially ask it, "What type of tissue are you?"
The point might be a cube that is half a millimeter on each side. The MRI system went through her body point by point, building up a map of tissue types and then integrating it together to create 2-D images or 3-D models. It provides a level of detail that is extraordinary.
The exciting results delivered by Angie's doctors said there were no cancer cells on Angie's spine or her head. Dr. O'Dorisio said there were some bright spots in the bone but not to be concerned because the type of cancer Angie has only grows in tissue and does not grow in bone. Because the sensitivity was up so high in the scanner, it tends to create spots in the bone yet at the same time, take accurate tumor mass scans, the Rankins were told.
"God has answered a lot of prayers. We are just so thankful for the results, we just want to share the good news with others and let them know their prayers have been answered," Mike said.
It has been eleven months since the Rankins first found out that Angie had a cancerous brain tumor. After only part of the tumor could be removed, they found the cancer had metastasized into her spine. Angie went through a stem cell transplant, lethal chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
Nancy learned to give her daughter shots, not an easy step but one she wanted to do. Angie has gone from ten medications, shots and mouth care to five medicines and one mouth care. Two weeks ago, she was able to give up her nasal feeding tube and now she continues drinking her nutrients (3 cans daily of Nestle's Nutren Junior with fiber). It's a complete liquid nutrition for children and at times, all Angie survived on.
Angie will return every two months for an MRI. After her 3rd (around May) if clear, Angie will be able to have the port valve taken out. Through this valve, chemo, transfusions and blood work, even feeding was done. Prayers would be appreciated by the family, including prayers of thanksgiving for Angie's latest victories.