Lou continues to do well - getting stronger and moving around better and better all the time! Last week, Lou's brother Ron and his wife Jane and son Ronald came to visit us from Florida. What a wonderful time we had together. It had been several years since our last meeting - so, a visit was long overdue! We're hoping for a repeat visit in the near future! It was really great being together - looking at old family pictures - reminiscing about the "good old days" and laughing while telling stories!
On Thursday evening, Lou and I attended a Service of Healing at our church hosted by the group that comes to our home every Saturday - Healing Hands. It was a beautiful service and as always was a very emotional event for us. We are so thankful for this group and for their prayers! It's a huge blessing for both of us.
Saturday morning, we attended a meeting at Gilda's Club (named after Gilda Radner) where they were discussing Complementary / Alternative Medicine (CAM) and/or Integrative Medicine for cancer patients. I have been very interested in this additional resource for helping to treat cancer but, in the Dallas area, there doesn't seem to be too much available! (Other than at Whole Foods and Genevieve who has helped me immensely with Mom and Dad and now with Lou!) We found the discussion and information to be quite informative and helpful - unfortunately, this group was from Tulsa and they all work at Cancer Treatment Centers of America! But....in the 3 hours we were there, they discussed many ideas / complementary nutrition and supplements that we both think will be beneficial for moving forward.
This Thursday will hopefully be the last "heavy" dose chemo for Lou for a while! From our understanding, he'll continue to get 3 of the chemo drugs he's been receiving every other week - but...the really heavy duty one with the worst side effects (neuropathy in his hands and feet as well as jaw!) - might be taken away for a while! During the time he isn't on this drug, the neuropathy will hopefully improve, his hair will grow back!, and he'll have more stamina! All good things! But, as I mentioned previously, this is also considered the first line choice drug for the liver tumors! So.....he'll have to be monitored closely!
We both appreciate your continued prayers, love, and support! We would be very thankful if you would continue to pray for the drugs to zap / kill the cancer in all areas of his body - while the healthy parts are being protected! And, we pray and hope you will too - for the next scans on May 6 and May 7 to show dying / dead tumors in his brain, his spine, his liver, and on the one adrenal gland. It's also a huge prayer that no new tumors or areas for concern will have appeared since the last scans. The other cancer that he has in the spinal cord fluid and lining of the brain have thus far not caused any problems and we hope that they won't! If there's still nothing there - this will be another huge blessing and miracle!
Saying "thank you" to all of you for your prayers seems so insignificant for what they have meant to us! We can never say "thank you" enough to all of you for the unwavering support and love that we feel each and every day! Our prayers for all of you and our gratitude to you are abundant!
Blessings to each of you!
Love,
Deb
Monday, April 27, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
More Good News!
Things continue to improve! Since the last posting - Lou has gained almost 20 lbs - he's getting stronger and his mobility is getting better! We went for chemo again today - the Dr. seems to be quite pleased with the progress he's seeing and the blood counts all continue to point to good things happening! Lou will have his next chemo on April 30 and then he'll go the following week for the next set of scans to see what's happening with all of the tumors. Of course, we pray that they will be dying and getting smaller and that nothing new will have developed!
In the meantime, Lou is still going to OT and PT twice a week and it's really helping him regain his mobility! He still "limps" with his right leg - he says that his right foot from the arch of the foot to the toes feels numb. But....hopefully, with continued therapy and exercise, this will continue to improve! He walks as much as possible without aid but, as he tires, he does need some assistance. Last weekend, we went to an early dinner with friends on Saturday afternoon and Lou walked into and out of the restaurant by himself! And, on Easter Sunday morning, he walked into church unaided! We didn't even take the wheelchair into the church with us! It was an emotional time to be back in church together - especially on Easter Sunday - and so very full of gratitude for the gift he's been given.
The Dr. also told us today that if the scans come back in May as he hopes they will - we might be able to reduce some of the chemo drugs. The protocol of chemo drugs that he's having now is quite aggressive, but, thankfully, Lou seems to be tolerating them well! (This is answered prayer! The Healing Hands prayer group in particular has been praying for the drugs to kill / attack the cancer but not damage or harm Lou - and those prayers have been answered.) However, the Dr. said it would be good if we can try to cut back on some of the more debilitating drugs that Lou is on now and "save" them to use again later in the protocol. He will still be on a regular chemo protocol - but.. a less aggressive amount and type of chemo drugs would be being used in the interim. Overall, we're both very happy and thankful for all of the news today and how things have been progressing now for a few weeks! Everyone in the Dr.'s office were commenting today about how good Lou looks and how much he has progressed! The nutritionist wasn't in the Dr.'s office when we were there, but, she came up to the chemo lab to see Lou - telling us that everyone in the Dr.'s office were all talking about how well he was doing! So, she came to see herself! Our chemo nurse Teddie also continues to be a huge blessing to us! She takes very good care of Lou and is very patient and kind with me to answer my incessant questions about anything and everything! We feel blessed to have her!!
Lou's brother and sister in law and one of his nephews are coming to see us next week. We're both very excited about their visit and look forward to having a "mini" family reunion! And, as Lou is feeling better, he is trying to venture out a little more each day. We still have to be careful about him getting around too many people - Lou's immune system is quite compromised with the chemo - BUT.....for those of you who know me well - he's always got wipes and antibacterial lotion with him!!!! And...he DOES use it! Just have to be careful though! Don't want to lose any ground with his health by getting sick!
Thanks again to all of you for your continued prayers, notes, calls, etc. We wouldn't be where we are in this process without the strength we get from all of you! I hope that you'll call, come by, send a note, etc. whenever possible. Lou really enjoys getting to visit - he has become quite the "chatter" - a new side!!! The Lord has blessed us in so very many ways!
Blessings and love to all!
Deb
P.S. On a personal note from me - my Aunt Letha passed away unexpectedly yesterday - my father's only surviving sibling. We are saddened at her sudden death and send our love, sympathy and prayers to my Uncle Leroy and my cousin John. My Aunt and Uncle have been married for 71 years! Lou and I are very sorry that we cannot make the trip to Oklahoma on Friday morning for her funeral service - but, we will be there in heart, mind, and spirit! And, we would appreciate your prayers for my Uncle and John!
In the meantime, Lou is still going to OT and PT twice a week and it's really helping him regain his mobility! He still "limps" with his right leg - he says that his right foot from the arch of the foot to the toes feels numb. But....hopefully, with continued therapy and exercise, this will continue to improve! He walks as much as possible without aid but, as he tires, he does need some assistance. Last weekend, we went to an early dinner with friends on Saturday afternoon and Lou walked into and out of the restaurant by himself! And, on Easter Sunday morning, he walked into church unaided! We didn't even take the wheelchair into the church with us! It was an emotional time to be back in church together - especially on Easter Sunday - and so very full of gratitude for the gift he's been given.
The Dr. also told us today that if the scans come back in May as he hopes they will - we might be able to reduce some of the chemo drugs. The protocol of chemo drugs that he's having now is quite aggressive, but, thankfully, Lou seems to be tolerating them well! (This is answered prayer! The Healing Hands prayer group in particular has been praying for the drugs to kill / attack the cancer but not damage or harm Lou - and those prayers have been answered.) However, the Dr. said it would be good if we can try to cut back on some of the more debilitating drugs that Lou is on now and "save" them to use again later in the protocol. He will still be on a regular chemo protocol - but.. a less aggressive amount and type of chemo drugs would be being used in the interim. Overall, we're both very happy and thankful for all of the news today and how things have been progressing now for a few weeks! Everyone in the Dr.'s office were commenting today about how good Lou looks and how much he has progressed! The nutritionist wasn't in the Dr.'s office when we were there, but, she came up to the chemo lab to see Lou - telling us that everyone in the Dr.'s office were all talking about how well he was doing! So, she came to see herself! Our chemo nurse Teddie also continues to be a huge blessing to us! She takes very good care of Lou and is very patient and kind with me to answer my incessant questions about anything and everything! We feel blessed to have her!!
Lou's brother and sister in law and one of his nephews are coming to see us next week. We're both very excited about their visit and look forward to having a "mini" family reunion! And, as Lou is feeling better, he is trying to venture out a little more each day. We still have to be careful about him getting around too many people - Lou's immune system is quite compromised with the chemo - BUT.....for those of you who know me well - he's always got wipes and antibacterial lotion with him!!!! And...he DOES use it! Just have to be careful though! Don't want to lose any ground with his health by getting sick!
Thanks again to all of you for your continued prayers, notes, calls, etc. We wouldn't be where we are in this process without the strength we get from all of you! I hope that you'll call, come by, send a note, etc. whenever possible. Lou really enjoys getting to visit - he has become quite the "chatter" - a new side!!! The Lord has blessed us in so very many ways!
Blessings and love to all!
Deb
P.S. On a personal note from me - my Aunt Letha passed away unexpectedly yesterday - my father's only surviving sibling. We are saddened at her sudden death and send our love, sympathy and prayers to my Uncle Leroy and my cousin John. My Aunt and Uncle have been married for 71 years! Lou and I are very sorry that we cannot make the trip to Oklahoma on Friday morning for her funeral service - but, we will be there in heart, mind, and spirit! And, we would appreciate your prayers for my Uncle and John!
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