November 28, 2009
2nd opinion leads to possible 3rd in Boston.
There’s nothing doing at UPMC, but Dr. Appleman knows another doctor at the Dana Farber who’s interested in neuroendocrine cancer. He says you go to people who are interested in the type of cancer you have. If we go to him maybe he’s seen someone similar; maybe he does less fishing. Who knows?
We have to call the nurse organizing the Phase I clinical trial Monday and see what we can set up. It’s using Arenotican which is the next possibility that Dr. Kauh suggested but with an experimental drug.
Who knows? But we’ll keep praying. So we enjoy the next two days in the Burgh – make a Sarris run and come home to Atlanta to work on the next step in the plans.
Jeff is feeling more hopeful and that’s a blessing.
November 23, 2009
We are so uncommonly blessed! We are to see a doctor at UPMC Hilllman Cancer Center THIS Friday!
Our oncologist here scouted and made the introductions. The urologist who MIL works for part time and our friend and nurse at UPMC helped us with wise counsel.
When I called the receptionist at the number from the website, they were so kind. She said the best she could see was Dec 15, but “let me put you on hold for the doctor’s nurse and we’ll see if she can get us something better”… I was on hold so long when they finally asked me to leave a message for her. We resigned ourselves to three weeks out .
And prayed.
A little while later, the doctors nurse, called and said “I just spoke with the doctor, can you come this Friday”? I immediately said YES, thank you, but let me ask the patient! Jeff agreed.
So we’re readily making preparations to go home for Thanksgiving. Pray we get the medical records and everything all right to go up Chloe sorted etc. And for insight, wisdom on the part of this new doctor – Appleman.
Jeff’s big concerns were and in this order…The turkey I have thawing in the freezer, and his Chloe. Me, everything else. : ) God is so good. We don’t know what it all will look like, but we know that He is with us. He is with us every step of the way. You are all phenomenal prayer warriors!
November 21, 2009
I really did put up a bevy of lovely Fall Picts for you guys, but they’re not showing in the Photo Journal spot. Give it a click and it’ll take you to my Flickr to see them.
Peace,
the Wife, Son’s Little woman
November 20, 2009
Thank you guys for all the beautiful comments here and on Facebook. We are so blessed! And wonderful people like you deserve new pictures to look at. I shall go home and upload some of my artsy fall scenes after I deliver dinner to Jeff. He’s at the office – Command Center – on this playoff football Friday.
November 19, 2009
Jeff said “This is not a time for tears Baby, there will be a time for those later. Today we enjoy life.”
Jeff and I are doing much better today.
Last night he called me when he got home and shared that that afternoon he took a little time and decided that he was going to live and enjoy each day. No different than what he was doing before – the news of Tuesday doesn’t change that.
And this morning, I realized that I have a choice, of the same kind. I can be joyful that we are together today or I can mourn that we might not be tomorrow.
Jeff and I want to embrace the joy. We know that heaven is being stormed with intentions for us, and although we don’t know how that works in relation to physical healing, we do know how it relates to emotional strength and healing. We are feeling the Peace that this world cannot give amidst all the chaos, that is allowing us to walk this journey in joy. That is the work of your prayers that we know, strengthening us to opening our hearts to hear God’s word. Who knows what God will do. Thank you all very much for your continued prayers and support.
Peace,
“the Wife”, Jeff’s little woman
November 17, 2009
My previous post was late in the day and short.
Jeff had decided no matter what the news today we would go to Borders and use one of my generous birthday gifts. And we would follow it up with dinner and enjoy our time together. We drove through old stomping grounds too.
Dr. Kauh communicated that getting into the Sutent trial will take too long and he is concerned about time. He has set-up a chemo date at Emory as a back up, but because Jeff is still “healthy”, able to travel etc. now is the best possible scenario to seek a second opinion in Pittsburgh or Cleveland. Find out what new drugs and trials are going on.
He described the cancer Jeff has as more like small cell lung cancer that originated in the colon. Things are serious. And today was hard, Jeff was upset because he had to tell his mother. But she knows what we’re dealing with and he was better after they spoke. He said to me at dinner “Baby, it’s like I said before, we will live. We’re together right now, just take my hand. No more tears.”
November 17, 2009
the scan showed no new spots however it showed increased growth in the nodes and especially in the liver. Prsyers please.
November 16, 2009
That’s what we’re doing, waiting for the results. Jeff is pretty calm although our track record with these things hasn’t been stellar. He looks me in the eyes says “it is what it is”. He has activities planned for “the big day”. Either we’ll want to celebrate or be in need of a distraction.
But for now were watching alot of football!
November 12, 2009
Not much new – thank goodness! His sleep cycle was interrupted a few timed this wee k by just the normal things of life and Emory.
His reaction to the scan ingestibles wasn’t as pronounced this time.
Although Chloe did make Jeff a bit uncomfortable when she was outside for too long during the Steeler game. He wanted to see how relaxed she was with the game. It is uncanny. She is like a 4-legged, fluffy, security blanket! Life is funny : )
Peace,
the Wife, Son’s little woman
November 10, 2009
For the scan day today thought I’d use some picts. check them out >
Peace,
the Wife, Son’s little woman
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