Sorry it's been a while since I've written any updates on Lou and much has transpired during the last couple of months - fortunately ALL good as far as Lou is concerned. I've struggled emotionally since my Mom passed away and just haven't been able to function as fully - but, am so very thankful and grateful to all of you for the notes, love, and support and your understanding about the circumstances.
We have been so very, very blessed! Lou had his latest MRI screenings of the brain and spine last Thursday - August 27 - and we received the really wonderful news today that these latest tests show that both brain tumors have decreased in size, the spine tumors continue to be stable and BEST of all - no new areas of concern have materialized in his brain or spine! Now we're praying and hoping for additional good news concerning the liver tumors! Before we visited with the radiation Dr. this morning concerning the brain and spine MRIs - Lou had a CT scan of his liver. However, we won't have the results of that test until Thursday when he goes for his next chemo treatment. We'll see the chemo Dr. before his chemo treatment and find out about the CT scan at that time! Although we both try to remain positive about these testing periods - we are always apprehensive / praying and hoping for the best / but, also bracing for possible bad news! Neither of us have slept the last couple of nights in anticipation of what we'd hear today! Tonight, even though we don't have the news about the liver tumors yet, I think we'll be "snoring" the night away!!
Also have to mention how many times we heard from various people at the Cancer Center today about the "miracle" that Lou is living at this point! One of the nurses called him a "miracle child", another absolutely marveling at how well he's looking and doing, another being incredulous that he was "still alive" and not just alive - but actually "living"! He really is living a miracle - a miracle from God - a gift - and we know it and are so thankful for it and we both give God the glory! But....to hear some of the comments from the people who work with and see cancer patients every day - it was overwhelming to hear their comments - just made us realize even more what a gift we've been given!
Since the last posting, Lou and I went to Richmond, VA in July for a weekend to attend his Vietnam Veterans Reunion. We had a wonderful weekend - relating stories with his buddies from the days in Vietnam - and doing some sightseeing around Richmond! What a great group of friends that share bonds from a very traumatic time of life, but one that has cemented them together in an extremely special way. And, about 2 weeks ago, Lou went with me on a business trip to the Philadelphia area. After my business was completed, we drove up to Hazleton - a couple of hours north of Philadelphia - to visit his parent's / grandparent's, and great grand parent's graves and to have dinner with one of his cousins still living in the area. It was a great trip - made even better by visiting with some good friends and family - and lots of laughter remembering events from days gone by! These trips were blessings to both of us - life seemed almost normal - we're just so very grateful to have this time together!
The very special Healing Hands Prayer group continues to come to our home every Saturday for prayer time - they're a rock for us with their steadfast prayers and love - lifting Lou and me up - we can never thank them enough for the joy and light through Christ that they bring to us! And, we now are also going to a Christian Reiki practitioner on Sunday afternoons. The Lord has provided for us so abundantly in the prayer warriors, doctors, nurses, friends, family, and others that have helped us find many other ways to fight this insidious and evil cancer! What a loving and mighty God we serve and how magnificent are his ways of bringing such unique and wonderful people together to serve His purposes!
Blessings to all of you! Will write more when we have the CT results on Thursday - praying we'll have additional good news at that time!
Deb
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Mixed Blessings
The trip to Vegas was great - Lou had a good time, was able to visit with many friends and had a scooter and was the "speed demon" of the hotel I think at times! But....was very good to be out of the house and away from everything here for a couple of days!
After my last update - we did go to visit with Lou's radiation Dr. concerning the latest MRI findings. While, of course, we want to hear that they're all gone, etc. - the news was all good - just not quite the complete wish list that we have for Lou!!! :) The larger brain tumor is definitely smaller - and hopefully will continue to shrink in MRIs down the road. The smaller brain tumor is considered to be stable - it is still about the same size it was BEFORE radiation - but...it hasn't grown - so....that's good. The spine tumors are all considered stable too - no larger - but difficult to determine evidently if they're actually dead or just sitting there! But....at least NOT larger! AND...the best news - nothing new is showing up! Overall - definitely a very good report! AND...Lou continues to get a little stronger all the time and is feeling good - so....we're just very thankful and happy for his continued progress! And....we know it's because of all the prayers from all of you - otherwise just wouldn't be possible for the good news we're getting at this point!
Lou had chemo on Tuesday after we returned from Vegas on Monday night! It all went well - but...in order to get back on his regular schedule - he has to have chemo again this Thursday, June 12. So, we'll be heading down again on Thursday for another round!
In the meantime, our very sad news is that my Mom very unexpectedly passed away yesterday - Sunday - morning. Many of you know that she had a debilitating stroke Thanksgiving Day 2007 and has had some very difficult times since then. However, she had a really good week last week - Lou and I visited with her for quite a while on Friday afternoon and I was there with her again on Saturday afternoon. She talked a little with Lou on Friday and of course, talked with me too both days. But, she had some kind of "event" when the caregiver was getting her dressed and out of bed yesterday morning- she became non responsive and never regained consciousness. She passed very quickly and quietly - and fortunately, even though she wasn't awake to know I was there and her heart and respiration were quite low - I was with her when she died. I'm thankful for her peaceful passing - but...will miss her very much and am quite sad that she's no longer here! However, I did picture her yesterday in heaven with Jesus, her beloved sister Opal, her Mom (my sweetest Grandma!), meeting her Dad (he died when she was 2 years old!), and a host of other family and friends that she had loved here on earth. I'm sure they were all there with open and welcoming arms and Mom's infirmed body was no longer infirmed - she was free at last! Praise the Lord for His goodness and mercy on all of us!
Blessings to all of you!
Love,
Deb
After my last update - we did go to visit with Lou's radiation Dr. concerning the latest MRI findings. While, of course, we want to hear that they're all gone, etc. - the news was all good - just not quite the complete wish list that we have for Lou!!! :) The larger brain tumor is definitely smaller - and hopefully will continue to shrink in MRIs down the road. The smaller brain tumor is considered to be stable - it is still about the same size it was BEFORE radiation - but...it hasn't grown - so....that's good. The spine tumors are all considered stable too - no larger - but difficult to determine evidently if they're actually dead or just sitting there! But....at least NOT larger! AND...the best news - nothing new is showing up! Overall - definitely a very good report! AND...Lou continues to get a little stronger all the time and is feeling good - so....we're just very thankful and happy for his continued progress! And....we know it's because of all the prayers from all of you - otherwise just wouldn't be possible for the good news we're getting at this point!
Lou had chemo on Tuesday after we returned from Vegas on Monday night! It all went well - but...in order to get back on his regular schedule - he has to have chemo again this Thursday, June 12. So, we'll be heading down again on Thursday for another round!
In the meantime, our very sad news is that my Mom very unexpectedly passed away yesterday - Sunday - morning. Many of you know that she had a debilitating stroke Thanksgiving Day 2007 and has had some very difficult times since then. However, she had a really good week last week - Lou and I visited with her for quite a while on Friday afternoon and I was there with her again on Saturday afternoon. She talked a little with Lou on Friday and of course, talked with me too both days. But, she had some kind of "event" when the caregiver was getting her dressed and out of bed yesterday morning- she became non responsive and never regained consciousness. She passed very quickly and quietly - and fortunately, even though she wasn't awake to know I was there and her heart and respiration were quite low - I was with her when she died. I'm thankful for her peaceful passing - but...will miss her very much and am quite sad that she's no longer here! However, I did picture her yesterday in heaven with Jesus, her beloved sister Opal, her Mom (my sweetest Grandma!), meeting her Dad (he died when she was 2 years old!), and a host of other family and friends that she had loved here on earth. I'm sure they were all there with open and welcoming arms and Mom's infirmed body was no longer infirmed - she was free at last! Praise the Lord for His goodness and mercy on all of us!
Blessings to all of you!
Love,
Deb
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Vegas Trip
Sorry for the very late notice - but, I just finally booked the hotel this afternoon for the JCK show in Vegas! We'll be staying at The Venetian instead of TI! I think Lou is excited - he's packed and ready to go! :) So, hope we'll see many of you there! Safe travels to all!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
MRI Updates 5/27/09
Lou finally was able to stay in the machine for the 4 hour testing on Monday, May 18 - but...only after having 2 Valium capsules! And...right before the test, he found out about some relatively new "glasses" (at least at this facility!) that he was able to use while he was in the machine allowing him to see "outside" of the machine! The glasses along with the Valium definitely helped he said!
We did hear back on Thursday last week from the chemo Dr.'s office - but....details were kind of "slim" - the news was basically that things looked "good and stable and no new areas of concern". Of course, that was good news - BUT...we really wanted more details. So, we made an appointment with the radiation Dr. since the MRI is dealing more with the brain tumors and the spinal tumors - and those are the areas that he radiated! We saw him yesterday - almost evening - appointment was at 3:30 but...we didn't get in to see him until 5:30! But...he did review all of the films - compared them to the originals, etc. and overall - the news is quite good. The larger brain tumor has shrunk and appears to be stable the smaller brain tumor hasn't really changed in size - didn't get any larger - but isn't any smaller either - so....the "assumption" is that it's not alive any more - but...of course, all of these areas will continue to be watched every three months! The spinal tumors of concern are smaller also and / or the same - again meaning "stable" - and hopefully dead - but...again - just have to watch to make sure they continue to remain same size or get smaller over time! AND....confirmed again that there are NO new areas of concern showing up anywhere else! We both thanked God and took deep breaths - sighs of relief for the good news!
The trip to Vegas is still on! Hope we will be able to see many of you there! I still haven't booked a room yet! So....not sure if we'll be at Venetian or Treasure Island! Will try to post which one before Friday! Please get in touch with Lou - he'll have his cell phone on and with him and I think he'll be hanging at the pool much of the time!! 972/839-8271
A huge thanks again to all of you for your continued prayers and support! Lou IS a walking miracle right now!
Blessings!
Deb
We did hear back on Thursday last week from the chemo Dr.'s office - but....details were kind of "slim" - the news was basically that things looked "good and stable and no new areas of concern". Of course, that was good news - BUT...we really wanted more details. So, we made an appointment with the radiation Dr. since the MRI is dealing more with the brain tumors and the spinal tumors - and those are the areas that he radiated! We saw him yesterday - almost evening - appointment was at 3:30 but...we didn't get in to see him until 5:30! But...he did review all of the films - compared them to the originals, etc. and overall - the news is quite good. The larger brain tumor has shrunk and appears to be stable the smaller brain tumor hasn't really changed in size - didn't get any larger - but isn't any smaller either - so....the "assumption" is that it's not alive any more - but...of course, all of these areas will continue to be watched every three months! The spinal tumors of concern are smaller also and / or the same - again meaning "stable" - and hopefully dead - but...again - just have to watch to make sure they continue to remain same size or get smaller over time! AND....confirmed again that there are NO new areas of concern showing up anywhere else! We both thanked God and took deep breaths - sighs of relief for the good news!
The trip to Vegas is still on! Hope we will be able to see many of you there! I still haven't booked a room yet! So....not sure if we'll be at Venetian or Treasure Island! Will try to post which one before Friday! Please get in touch with Lou - he'll have his cell phone on and with him and I think he'll be hanging at the pool much of the time!! 972/839-8271
A huge thanks again to all of you for your continued prayers and support! Lou IS a walking miracle right now!
Blessings!
Deb
Thursday, May 14, 2009
The BEST News Thus Far!!!
Since the last posting, Lou went for a CT scan and we "tried" to do his 4 hour MRI but.....he just couldn't go in and stay in the MRI!!! I gave him some medicine to try to help for anxiety - however....it just didn't work and he had to come out of the machine - he literally crawled out at one point!!! Unfortunately, for the tests they need on his brain and spine - the Dr. wants / needs the MRI scans to be in the "closed" not "open" MRI! Even though Lou has had several of these to date - with same medication for anxiety - it just didn't work! So....next Monday, we'll attempt to have those scans done again - this time with Valium ahead of time to try to help him relax and be able to tolerate the 4 hours in the machine!
The VERY EXCITING / BEST news we've had since this whole odyssey began though was from the CT Scan last week! The Dr. informed us today that the tumors in Lou's liver have shrunk by 50% since the scan done in March! The Dr. was very excited and of course, we're elated with the news!! With this good news, the course of action with his chemo treatments will shift for now and he'll be off the Oxaliplatin for at least a while!!! This is the chemo drug that really is aggressive in fighting the metastatic colon cancer to the liver and elsewhere - but....it is also the one drug that creates several negative side effects that accumulate over time. Lou's main side effects have been the neuropathy to his hands and feet, ultra sensitivity to cold (no ice in drinks, nothing directly out of refrigerator, etc.), hair thinning, and a tightening in his jaw that bothers him for chewing, etc. Hopefully, these will all improve while he's off this one particular drug!
We Praise and Thank God and give HIM the glory and honor for this miracle!!! And we thank all of you for your love, support, and prayers - we couldn't and wouldn't have made it this far without you! And, a very special thanks to the Healing Hands Group from our church who continue to faithfully come to our home every Saturday to pray and lift Lou and his health up to the Lord. It truly is a highlight of the week for us each and every week as they come and pray with us!
Lou will continue to go for chemo every other week - we're not through and may never be through - but.....for now, everything seems really good! With continued prayer, we hope to have additional good news next week after the MRI tests that the brain tumors are dead and shriveling and that the spots on his spine are either gone or shrinking! And...of course, we pray for NO new tumors to be found anywhere!
If nothing changes in the next two weeks and if swine flu is not still on the rampage - Lou is going to leave home for the first time to go with me to the Las Vegas Jewelry show the weekend of May 29th. For those of you who may also be going to Vegas, I hope you'll get in touch with me or Lou - we would love to see you! He has really enjoyed hearing from so many of you - having the opportunity for a face to face visit would be great!
In the meantime, we again cannot thank all of you enough for your prayers and support during this extremely difficult time! We hope you will continue to lift Lou up in prayer - we're looking for more miracles to come!!
Blessings to all!
Deb
The VERY EXCITING / BEST news we've had since this whole odyssey began though was from the CT Scan last week! The Dr. informed us today that the tumors in Lou's liver have shrunk by 50% since the scan done in March! The Dr. was very excited and of course, we're elated with the news!! With this good news, the course of action with his chemo treatments will shift for now and he'll be off the Oxaliplatin for at least a while!!! This is the chemo drug that really is aggressive in fighting the metastatic colon cancer to the liver and elsewhere - but....it is also the one drug that creates several negative side effects that accumulate over time. Lou's main side effects have been the neuropathy to his hands and feet, ultra sensitivity to cold (no ice in drinks, nothing directly out of refrigerator, etc.), hair thinning, and a tightening in his jaw that bothers him for chewing, etc. Hopefully, these will all improve while he's off this one particular drug!
We Praise and Thank God and give HIM the glory and honor for this miracle!!! And we thank all of you for your love, support, and prayers - we couldn't and wouldn't have made it this far without you! And, a very special thanks to the Healing Hands Group from our church who continue to faithfully come to our home every Saturday to pray and lift Lou and his health up to the Lord. It truly is a highlight of the week for us each and every week as they come and pray with us!
Lou will continue to go for chemo every other week - we're not through and may never be through - but.....for now, everything seems really good! With continued prayer, we hope to have additional good news next week after the MRI tests that the brain tumors are dead and shriveling and that the spots on his spine are either gone or shrinking! And...of course, we pray for NO new tumors to be found anywhere!
If nothing changes in the next two weeks and if swine flu is not still on the rampage - Lou is going to leave home for the first time to go with me to the Las Vegas Jewelry show the weekend of May 29th. For those of you who may also be going to Vegas, I hope you'll get in touch with me or Lou - we would love to see you! He has really enjoyed hearing from so many of you - having the opportunity for a face to face visit would be great!
In the meantime, we again cannot thank all of you enough for your prayers and support during this extremely difficult time! We hope you will continue to lift Lou up in prayer - we're looking for more miracles to come!!
Blessings to all!
Deb
Monday, April 27, 2009
Latest News
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
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
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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