Our progress

I haven't written in the blog for a while because last week the site was down which prevented me from posting anything  -- kind of upsetting!! 

Arnie completed the last week of radiation treatments at CTCA last Friday, May 13th.   We saw the Radiation Oncologist Thursday, May 12th, and he was very positive about the success of the treatments.  We will do scans in 6 weeks, but in the meantime the Medical Oncologist, Dr. Neelam, wants to do some additional chemo treatments beginning in 3 weeks -- sort of a "clean up" following the radiation treatments.  We have been told that cancer cells can be present in the body even if there are no active tumors, so she wants to clean up whatever may be floating around. Those treatments will be on a 3 week schedule, which will make the traveling a bit easier. 

It will depend on scan results to determine how long we will be on these chemo treatments. 

I saw my Neurosurgeon today for my post-op visit.  It has been 8 weeks since my L4 - L5 fusion has been done.  I got x-rays yesterday and took them with me to the doctor's appointment.  He showed us the films and explained what we were looking at.  Everything looks good.  The fusion is healing and the nerves are no longer being pinched causing pain and tingling.  I am still having some intermittent pain in my left leg but nothing like how it was before surgery.  Damaged nerves can take quite a while to heal.  Dr. McCormick seems happy with my progress, which I think is a good thing!  I am scheduled for some aquatic therapy which will begin the middle of June.

Please keep us in your prayers.  God is good and prayers have been answered!   We have much to be thankful for as we continue on this journey.  We thank God for His blessings to us!  Please keep in touch!

Home Stretch!!

It's late and I am tired but I did want to update you on Arnie's progress.  After tomorrow's treatment, we will be 3/4 of the way through!!!  We saw Dr. Patel this morning after the 14th treatment and again, he was encouraging and upbeat.  He told us that the treatments are going as expected and the plan is working as designed.

Arnie is experiencing some tiredness, which the doctor said is normal at this point in the treatment.  This seems to be the most significant side effect.  What little pain he has had is much reduced, which the doctor says indicates the radiation is doing it's job.  Dr. Patel used the phrase "home stretch" to describe our position.  We will certainly be glad when we are finally home to stay!

Please keep us in your prayers as we finish this week of treatments and anticipate the 4th and final week of radiation.  God has been so good to us - He has met our needs and has answered prayer for us.   We are especially thankful for the friendship and support of Joe and Karen, who have been there for us, who without Joe, we would not be at CTCA for cancer treatments.  We thank God for providing us with these wonderful friends.

Please send me your emails and comments!