Here we are in Zion Illinois. This time I am writing this from our hotel room because the chemo treatment today was a short one - 26 minutes for Zometa, which is the drug they administer for bone growth so I didn't have enough time to get this done.
The results of the PET scan were not exactly what we wanted to hear --the cancer has spread some and there are now 2 ribs involved. Dr. Neelam was very encouraging, however, because she assured us that there is no cancer anywhere else. It has been contained in these 2 ribs but is showing resistance to the current chemo drugs. The next step is radiation treatments. We have an appointment next week to see a Radiation Oncologist who will evaluate our situation and lay out a plan of attack. We will probably be doing 5 treatments per week for a period or 3 to 5 weeks. Dr. Neelam was confident that the radiation would be able to finish this bout with cancer. She also felt that the radiation treatments would give Arnie a much needed break from the side effects of the chemo. The radiation would be confined to the 7th and 8th ribs on the right side which should produce a minimum of side effects other than fatigue.
This is not exactly what I expected us to be facing but it does tell us where we are at this time and what we will be doing as we go forward. We still feel that God is in control and there must be a reason for us to be facing these upcoming treatments.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers and let me hear your comments and emails. Many of you were encouraging prior to this visit and we appreciate that support.
Well, even though we pray and send out prayer requests sometimes the way they are answered is not the way we want them to be answered. God obviously has a plan though. I know that He continues to heal Dad and this is just His way of doing that. Just keep the faith and know that you are never alone in this battle. Stay strong!! You are both very loved and admired as you walk this path. I love you both very much!
ReplyDeletePrayers coming your way...Hugs...Kris
ReplyDeleteWell, you will keep fighting and we will keep praying! Our thoughts are with you both.
ReplyDeleteDear Arnie and Sharon,
ReplyDeleteAnother success! The chemo drugs have done their job. Just like war, the enemy has been pushed into a corner and the focused radiation will kill it once and for all. Prayer is working just as we knew it would. GOD is GREAT! Keep the faith and we'll be praying for you both along with an elimination of the cancer. You have many friends that love and continue praying for you.
Love,
Brother Pete