November 14, 2010

I apologize, I should have posted this a week ago but this has been a crazy week.

This isn't exactly the news we wanted to share but it isn't all bad news either. Mom has started chemo again last Friday. The last CT scan showed that one of the tumors in the right lung has grown just a little, basically enough to register and get some attention. Everything else looks good. So as Dr. B said, "since this one has decided to wake up and grow, its time for us to start fighting again." Last Friday they gave mom a B-12 shot and some meds to prep her for the chemo that started Friday. Alimita, Paraplatin (Carbonplatin), and Avastin are the drugs that she will be taking every 3 weeks. This regimen should not have the side effects that the first round had so we expect that mom will do as well if not better this time around. Since there was growth she is officially off the clinical trial drug of Erbitux. She will miss her group of nurses "upstairs" at the clinic but they have told her they would love to see her anytime she is in the clinic. We are excited about the potential to be aggressive and have the opportunity to shrink ALL the tumors once more. Thankfully the scan showed that they caught things very early and there are no other areas of concern at this time. Dr. B has assured mom this should not interfere with any holiday plans so they can continue with treatments and travel to meet Mr. Max (Erica's son). Mom is dealing with the seasonal "junk" which will make anyone feel yucky but hopefully she will get plenty of rest and get beyond this. We are very optimistic and are trusting firmly in the hand that is leading the doctor's decisions and nurse's treatments on the new path of our journey.
Mom has felt a little weak yesterday and today. She has only enjoyed baked potatoes since her treatment but I can certainly empathize. Being in my 3rd month of pregnancy again she knew she could call me for suggestions of bland food that is easy to keep down when nothing seems to taste good and there isn't much confidence it will stay down. In case you missed that discreet announcement, Haidyn will be a big sister in May 2011. We were a bit surprised once again but the shock has worn off and the excitement has sank in. God continues to bless Mom with 2 fresh doses of love only grandchildren can supply.
As always, thank you again for all the cards, prayers, encouragement and love. We serve an awesome God.