Don's sister Karen sent this out just before Christmas. As blogs go that is ancient, but in a battle with cancer it is still current. Thank you for your prayers for Don and his family as they battle the tsunami in their lives.
Hello friends/family:
Don had his PET scan yesterday (Monday) and asked the tech to see the scans afterwards...as Don is an accomplished salesman, he was able to convince the tech to show him his scans. There was still a "hot spot" showing cancer activity in the tumor in his chest. This was an obvious disappointment, although not a surprise nor totally unexpected.
Today (Tuesday) we met with Don's Doctor. The current recommendation is not surgery nor radiation, but a maintenance program which will begin after the first of the year. He will be hospitalized for three days during the week of January 10th receiving one IV immunotherapy drug (Interleukin-II) followed by three weeks of daily injections of the same drug. He'll do 28 day cycles of this approach...most likely two cycles and then more scans to see the effect. The doctor stated that he often has seen this maintenance program work to shrink remaining tumors in patients; especially in patients who had responded so well to the bio-chemotherapy as Don had.
An aside...as we said good bye to Dr. Lewis and his nurse, Susan, today Don told them thank you. He let them know how much he appreciated all they do for him and how thankful he was for their expertise. He hugged both of them and told them to have a wonderful, merry Christmas. You could see the awe (and tears) in there eyes as he stated he wouldn't want to be anywhere else, working with any other team of Doctors. My brother has a way with people. He meant every word from the bottom of his heart. He is hopeful with the current regimen and trusts that it is yet another blessing from God that this "maintenance" door has been opened.
Don is hoping to go back to work at some point during these treatments as they are not supposed to be nearly as difficult. He should even be able to grow his hair back which he is psyched about! His short term leave with full pay is through January 5th. He may take off through the end of January with reduced pay. We are praying for the neuropathy in his feet to heal so that he can be more pain free before he would return to work.
In the meanwhile, we, as a family of 18, will "retreat" to the Snow Mountain Ranch YMCA near Winter Park next week from Dec 29th through Jan 2nd. It is good timing to get away and enjoy the love and blessing of family, as we know all too well not to take such for granted. We will hopefully take a break from the mental and emotional anguish which cancer has wrought in our lives.
We will keep you posted on upcoming prayer needs and as always we thank each of you for your ongoing support, prayers, and concern. May the Lord truly bless your Christmas.
In His Love,
Karen
Romans 12:12 Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful. |
