Well...in addition to other good news progress reports that I'll tell you about, Lou has gained another 5 lbs!!! So...he's now up 10 lbs in the last 4 weeks - and continuing to get stronger! We are so very, very thankful!
The 4 hours of MRI testing and a half hour CT scan done on Monday, March 9 revealed that there are NO new areas of concern - however, the Dr. said that it didn't appear that there had been any change in the areas of concern. (Size of all tumors seemed to be about the same as the original scans.) However, we already knew that the brain tumor scans are not clear or truly "readable" to the Dr.s until May - it takes 12 weeks from the radiation surgery until things are "cleared" up enough for them to really tell what's what on at least those two tumors! And...as for the liver - the original scan was done in mid November - no other scans had been done of Lou's liver since then and before starting Chemo on 1/22/09! So....the Dr. said he felt confident that those tumors would have continued growing in the 2 months before chemo started - therefore, even though they appear to be about the same size as the original scan - he thinks they've actually probably shrunk some. And....he said the larger tumors in his liver appear to be "fuzzy" in the centers of the tumors - which according to him - means that the tumors are dying or are at least "suffering" from the effects of the chemo! All in all, we were quite pleased and the Dr. was very pleased! For now, Lou will continue with the chemo treatments as is every other week for at least two more months - then, they'll do more scans to see what everything looks like! By then, we should definitely be able to know more about the 2 brain tumors! AND....the Dr. DID say that regardless of what the scans are showing - Lou looks unbelievably better, is stronger, is gaining weight, and everything seems to be going the right direction. And...blood levels also indicate that the chemo is definitely helping the liver function at this point!
The latest chemo appointment was last Thursday - the 19th - and fortunately, Lou continues to tolerate the chemo drugs as well or better than expected. The neuropathy in his hands and lower legs bothers him - but....it's tolerable and we take precautions to keep his hands and feet warm! We definitely believe the prayers have been being answered in unbelievable ways for him to not be suffering any really negative side effects! He even went out for a visit last Friday - while still wearing his "take home" chemo pack!! Overall, he's just feeling so very much better - it's truly a gift from God and we are thankful beyond words!
As Lou is becoming more mobile - it's giving us some "breathing" room! He is now able to either "shuttle" himself in his wheelchair from room to room and / or to use the wheelchair as a walker and go from room to room! He doesn't need Chris or me to help him here in the house for most things! AND...he's even getting back in the kitchen some to "cook"!!! Watching the cooking shows daily has him wanting to try all kinds of new recipes AND has been a big help in the appetite department - thus the 10 lbs!!!
The Healing Hands prayer group continues to come every Saturday and it's such a huge blessing and help to both of us! We look forward to the time each week and are so very thankful for each of them for their prayers of healing and for spending this time with us! The Lord has so richly blessed us with this group and all of you! The prayers being lifted up in Lou's name continue to sustain us daily - we cannot thank each of you enough. The strength that the prayers give us is truly unbelievable and we are so very humbled!
Blessings to all of you!
Deb
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The "Good" Trend Continues!
Thanks again to everyone for prayers and continued support! The outpouring of prayer / notes / calls / e-mails / visits / etc. has been a blessing for Lou and me! We cannot thank everyone enough!
Sorry again that it's taken me time to update everyone on the latest progress! Seems there are just never enough hours in a day! And, while things have continued to improve significantly with Lou - my parents have had some setbacks and problems. Thankfully though, since Lou is doing better, I've had some time to be with them again. Since they are both 100 % infirmed and unable to help themselves at all - those of you who have been aware of the situation there know that I used to spend a lot of time at my parent's home and was there daily when I was in town. Since Lou has been ill - it's been very difficult for me to get to their house much at all! Anyway, hope that things will calm down there without so many issues - just want my parents to be as happy and healthy as possible - but...things are not going so smoothly without me being there it seems! And...also hope that Lou will continue to be stronger and better so I will be able to be with Mom and Dad more often too! Mom told me today that she sure "misses me"! Breaks my heart!
But....now to the good news concerning Lou! He had his 5th chemo treatment last Thursday. Was a VERY long day for us as Baylor is JUST NOW converting to a new "linked" computer system!!!! YIKES!!! So....the normal 30 min. wait time and visit with the Dr. before chemo - turned into a 1 1/2 hour wait and visit! (GREAT NEWS!!! While at the Dr.'s office for this appointment - Lou weighed again. Since the last appointment 2 weeks ago - he's gained 5 lbs!!!!! The Dr. was thrilled and so were we - hoping he'll be able to get another 10 - 15 lbs back from the 30 + lbs that he's lost!!!) And...then we were off to the chemo lab which is normally a 1 - 1 1/2 hour wait time before being called back for the chemo treatment itself. But, Thursday was 2 1/2 hour wait time for the chemo!!! Since Lou's chemo bags take 3 - 4 hours to administer - plus additional time for setup and other preps in between the various drugs infused - we didn't get out of the lab until almost 7:00 p.m. - we had arrived at 10:00 that morning! LONG and very tiring day! And...of course, Lou is always tired for the 48 hours after that - and he also has the "take home" bag of chemo that slowly infuses in his chemoport for 48 hours after we leave! We go back on Saturday to get it removed after the Thursday infusion! So...then it's another 48 hours or so after that before he starts to regain some strength!
Our biggest concern right now with the chemo is the one drug (the one considered to be the "premiere" drug for fighting the colon cancers in his body!) - that causes the neuropathy in his hands and feet and makes him extremely sensitive to cold air, food, drinks, etc. This drug has a cumulative affect and therefore, with each chemo treatment - the neuropathy and cold sensitivity stays with him longer each time. We have been praying for Lou's body to receive the good cancer fighting effects of this drug but... for him to have protection against the part of the drug that interferes with his nervous system! It's a great drug for fighting the cancer - but seems to be the one with the greatest adverse side effects - so....prayer for Lou's protection against the adverse effects are greatly appreciated!
The Dr. decided to do the MRIs and CT Scan yesterday - Monday! We arrived at the hospital at 7:00 a.m. for the CT scan and didn't finish with the MRIs until 3:45 p.m.! At least Lou had some drugs to "relax" him for the 4 hours in the MRI machine!!! And...it was nice because they allowed me to remain in one of the patient holding rooms to "rest" while Lou was in the MRI! He did have to ask for a break in between the tests - so...about 2 hours in - he did come back to the holding room for a bathroom break and some juice! Then, back to the machine for another 2 hours! Neither of us slept on Sunday night - apprehensive and very prayerful / hopeful about what these tests will reveal! We should hear something tomorrow or at the latest on Thursday. We both think it's strange - but...the Dr. didn't schedule a visit for us to come in to discuss the results / comparisons from the original scans to these scans - but....since we're still "newbies" to all of this "chemo / cancer" world - we just kind of have to figure it out as we go! The healing hands group from our church were here as usual on Saturday and prayers offered were extremely comforting and powerful to Lou and me!!! And, one of Mom and Dad's caregivers who is also a faith healer came over later on Saturday and prayed again for Lou and for the testing on Monday. Between these prayers and so many others from all of you - we KNOW that the miracle we have right now of Lou being so much better and stronger is definitely a testament to the prayers and a gift from God! We continue to pray for additional miracles to kill more and more of the cancer in Lou's body. We pray what we're seeing with our eyes now - the weight gain, additional strengthening of Lou's right arm and leg, his appetite, etc. - will also be borne out with the new scans that the cancers are shrinking / disappearing!
Lou is also continuing with the OT and PT twice a week and it's really helping him (although he says "whipping" him too!!) to regain his strength! Chris and I "urge" and "make" him work as much at home as possible!! He is able to walk - only a few steps at a time and with one of us as a "spotter" - most of the time "haltingly" - but....as he gains more strength and becomes more confident of his arm and leg not "giving out" - I think this will get better. And...big news is he's now able to get himself in and out of bed during the night into his wheelchair to go to the bathroom! It's HUGE for him - and for me too!!! :) The loss of mobility and independence - well....for those of you who know Lou - it hasn't been easy, pretty, or nice! So...this is just another PTL - but a significant one!!!
We both feel like we have so much to be thankful for right now! Still a very difficult road in front of us - but...the strength we receive from your prayers and support truly lift us up every single day! We cannot thank you enough!
I'll try to be back by the end of the week with updates on the films / scans done yesterday! Am very hopeful I'll have very good news to share!
Blessings to all!
Love,
Deb
Sorry again that it's taken me time to update everyone on the latest progress! Seems there are just never enough hours in a day! And, while things have continued to improve significantly with Lou - my parents have had some setbacks and problems. Thankfully though, since Lou is doing better, I've had some time to be with them again. Since they are both 100 % infirmed and unable to help themselves at all - those of you who have been aware of the situation there know that I used to spend a lot of time at my parent's home and was there daily when I was in town. Since Lou has been ill - it's been very difficult for me to get to their house much at all! Anyway, hope that things will calm down there without so many issues - just want my parents to be as happy and healthy as possible - but...things are not going so smoothly without me being there it seems! And...also hope that Lou will continue to be stronger and better so I will be able to be with Mom and Dad more often too! Mom told me today that she sure "misses me"! Breaks my heart!
But....now to the good news concerning Lou! He had his 5th chemo treatment last Thursday. Was a VERY long day for us as Baylor is JUST NOW converting to a new "linked" computer system!!!! YIKES!!! So....the normal 30 min. wait time and visit with the Dr. before chemo - turned into a 1 1/2 hour wait and visit! (GREAT NEWS!!! While at the Dr.'s office for this appointment - Lou weighed again. Since the last appointment 2 weeks ago - he's gained 5 lbs!!!!! The Dr. was thrilled and so were we - hoping he'll be able to get another 10 - 15 lbs back from the 30 + lbs that he's lost!!!) And...then we were off to the chemo lab which is normally a 1 - 1 1/2 hour wait time before being called back for the chemo treatment itself. But, Thursday was 2 1/2 hour wait time for the chemo!!! Since Lou's chemo bags take 3 - 4 hours to administer - plus additional time for setup and other preps in between the various drugs infused - we didn't get out of the lab until almost 7:00 p.m. - we had arrived at 10:00 that morning! LONG and very tiring day! And...of course, Lou is always tired for the 48 hours after that - and he also has the "take home" bag of chemo that slowly infuses in his chemoport for 48 hours after we leave! We go back on Saturday to get it removed after the Thursday infusion! So...then it's another 48 hours or so after that before he starts to regain some strength!
Our biggest concern right now with the chemo is the one drug (the one considered to be the "premiere" drug for fighting the colon cancers in his body!) - that causes the neuropathy in his hands and feet and makes him extremely sensitive to cold air, food, drinks, etc. This drug has a cumulative affect and therefore, with each chemo treatment - the neuropathy and cold sensitivity stays with him longer each time. We have been praying for Lou's body to receive the good cancer fighting effects of this drug but... for him to have protection against the part of the drug that interferes with his nervous system! It's a great drug for fighting the cancer - but seems to be the one with the greatest adverse side effects - so....prayer for Lou's protection against the adverse effects are greatly appreciated!
The Dr. decided to do the MRIs and CT Scan yesterday - Monday! We arrived at the hospital at 7:00 a.m. for the CT scan and didn't finish with the MRIs until 3:45 p.m.! At least Lou had some drugs to "relax" him for the 4 hours in the MRI machine!!! And...it was nice because they allowed me to remain in one of the patient holding rooms to "rest" while Lou was in the MRI! He did have to ask for a break in between the tests - so...about 2 hours in - he did come back to the holding room for a bathroom break and some juice! Then, back to the machine for another 2 hours! Neither of us slept on Sunday night - apprehensive and very prayerful / hopeful about what these tests will reveal! We should hear something tomorrow or at the latest on Thursday. We both think it's strange - but...the Dr. didn't schedule a visit for us to come in to discuss the results / comparisons from the original scans to these scans - but....since we're still "newbies" to all of this "chemo / cancer" world - we just kind of have to figure it out as we go! The healing hands group from our church were here as usual on Saturday and prayers offered were extremely comforting and powerful to Lou and me!!! And, one of Mom and Dad's caregivers who is also a faith healer came over later on Saturday and prayed again for Lou and for the testing on Monday. Between these prayers and so many others from all of you - we KNOW that the miracle we have right now of Lou being so much better and stronger is definitely a testament to the prayers and a gift from God! We continue to pray for additional miracles to kill more and more of the cancer in Lou's body. We pray what we're seeing with our eyes now - the weight gain, additional strengthening of Lou's right arm and leg, his appetite, etc. - will also be borne out with the new scans that the cancers are shrinking / disappearing!
Lou is also continuing with the OT and PT twice a week and it's really helping him (although he says "whipping" him too!!) to regain his strength! Chris and I "urge" and "make" him work as much at home as possible!! He is able to walk - only a few steps at a time and with one of us as a "spotter" - most of the time "haltingly" - but....as he gains more strength and becomes more confident of his arm and leg not "giving out" - I think this will get better. And...big news is he's now able to get himself in and out of bed during the night into his wheelchair to go to the bathroom! It's HUGE for him - and for me too!!! :) The loss of mobility and independence - well....for those of you who know Lou - it hasn't been easy, pretty, or nice! So...this is just another PTL - but a significant one!!!
We both feel like we have so much to be thankful for right now! Still a very difficult road in front of us - but...the strength we receive from your prayers and support truly lift us up every single day! We cannot thank you enough!
I'll try to be back by the end of the week with updates on the films / scans done yesterday! Am very hopeful I'll have very good news to share!
Blessings to all!
Love,
Deb
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