So happy to report that Lou is doing VERY WELL!! The chemo treatment last Wednesday was long and tiring - but....again, Lou came through it and the 96 hours since with very limited bad side effects! The worst problem for him is the neuropathy in his hands and feet and sensitivity to cold "things" - touching or eating anything cold and/or being in the cold. One of the chemo drugs causes this sensation - and up to now, it's been bothersome only for a couple of days after chemo, but it is a "cumulative" problem and usually tends to get worse as the treatments continue. And, it seems this will also be a problem for Lou, but we're adapting as needed to keep him comfortable and to make sure he has limited "exposure"!
We are so very thankful because Lou's appetite is remaining strong most of the time and that is also helping him to get stronger! He is able to stand up from his chair easily by himself and he and Chris are working with the walker as of this weekend to see if he can get his stamina up to start trying to take some steps! It's looking quite promising! And, this week, he'll begin going to therapy OT and PT twice a week! So, hopefully, he'll be progressing even more quickly with some additional professional help!
Dr. McCollum (the chemo Dr!) was very pleased with all of the progress! So, for now, he's keeping the same chemo regiment for Lou in the hopes that it will continue helping him! He'll schedule tests - MRI and CT scans - in about 5 - 6 weeks to see if the outward progress we're seeing is also being reflected on all of the various tumors / cancer in Lou's body. Of course, we are very hopeful for that to be the case and of course, it is our prayer that the Lord will rebuke the cancers and restore health to Lou.
Thank all of you for your prayers, cares, notes, calls, etc. Now that Lou is stronger, he really enjoys chatting with friends! So, if you have some time and can call - please do! His cell # is 972/839-8271! And, of course, he still enjoys notes too! I print all notes sent via e-mail and he has those and cards / notes via USPS by his chair in the den. He rereads them often and is so humbled by the outpouring of love! Slowly, he is also "warming up" to more people coming to visit. He was so very sick just a couple of weeks ago and he had lost so much weight that he wasn't up to company and/or embarrassed because of his weight loss. But...slowly, it seems that he's going to be able to gain some weight back and he's definitely feeling a lot better right now!
Will update later in the week! Thanks again for your continued prayers and support! We couldn't make it daily without the love and support we're feeling every day!
Love,
Deb
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