Another 5 lbs!!!!

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