This is an e-mail that John sent out regarding our visit Christmas week to specialists at Simon Cancer Center at IUPUI in Indianapolis.
Met with Dr. Helft the specialist at IU this afternoon. It was a good trip over and back and he spent a lot of time with us discussing the issues and options.
The bottom line is he is not recommending chemo at this time. My oncologist here hinted that he felt that way as well. We will meet with him next week or so to re discus all of this.
The logic is that the cells growing in my lungs were spread there 5 years ago before treatment started. Not something that has been floating around and landed there recently. They may or may not ever grow into these spots (tumors). Chemo now wouldn't necessarily kill off additional cells and if it affected them at all it may just delay their growth a few months. The surgery I had may have in fact left me disease free perhaps indefinitely or perhaps for (who knows). It is best to see what emerges and go after that (surgery is best). Other factors that support this reasoning are that my tumor marker responds well when these things grow (so it is helpful in keeping tabs on things). Also it is a slow growing disease that shouldn't get out of hand provided surgery is an option.
We will process all of this but feel at this point it is all positive information and a logical plan. I'm thrilled to not undergo chemo. Please keep praying that I remain cancer free.
More later, Love, John
John continues to be content and cheerful, although recovery has perhaps slowed a bit. So much has been going on with the holidays that I forget today is just the three week mark.
Sometimes I have great peace and faith - sometimes not - but for sure, God is using this as an opportunity for more growth and for that we are thankful.
Please keep praying that all the cells in John's body will be structured in a healthy way so that he remains cancer free and that he gains strength. We know God has the power to completely restore his body and ultimately, that is what we hope for.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Recovery, Dr. Visits, etc.
John has been doing nicely recovering here at home. This surgery has been easier than the one in Sept. 08 and we are really thankful for that. Still, it is not an easy process but he is a real trooper.
Yesterday, we saw our local oncologist - something I was dreading as it just seems like they never have good news. This visit went pretty well and we were somewhat encouraged. He is sending us to the Simon Cancer Center in Indianapolis for a second opinion. He is not aware of other treatment options but since metastatic colorectal cancer is the IN Dr.'s specialty, he feels we should talk with him.
Dr. Romer (local oncologist) says that he has some patients that have had a recurrence but have remained cancer free after that. He also feels that the cells that grew into the latest tumors were there five years ago, which means it is likely slow growing which is good. With the removal of the tumors, Dr. Romer considers John to be disease free right now and we need to work on fighting a recurrence and that John is still curative. If the IN Dr. does not have a treatment plan, it is likely John will be put on oral Xeloda again.
Your prayers are important, needed and appreciated. Each day brings a new understanding of God, our relationship with Him and a deeper appreciation for one another.
Merry Christmas.
Yesterday, we saw our local oncologist - something I was dreading as it just seems like they never have good news. This visit went pretty well and we were somewhat encouraged. He is sending us to the Simon Cancer Center in Indianapolis for a second opinion. He is not aware of other treatment options but since metastatic colorectal cancer is the IN Dr.'s specialty, he feels we should talk with him.
Dr. Romer (local oncologist) says that he has some patients that have had a recurrence but have remained cancer free after that. He also feels that the cells that grew into the latest tumors were there five years ago, which means it is likely slow growing which is good. With the removal of the tumors, Dr. Romer considers John to be disease free right now and we need to work on fighting a recurrence and that John is still curative. If the IN Dr. does not have a treatment plan, it is likely John will be put on oral Xeloda again.
Your prayers are important, needed and appreciated. Each day brings a new understanding of God, our relationship with Him and a deeper appreciation for one another.
Merry Christmas.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Home
John was discharged from the hospital today, much to our delight.
He is doing extremely well and we're very pleased and thank God for his good progress.
He is doing extremely well and we're very pleased and thank God for his good progress.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Recovering
Via hospital wireless, I'm happy to report that John is recovering nicely and doing well. Much better than the last lung surgery in Sept. '08. We hope to leave the hospital tomorrow (Sunday), Monday at the latest if we stay on track.
The plan is to get his chest drainage tube out today, and then they can remove the epidural also. Only bad thing about this is that it is more difficult to control the pain without the epidural; however, the pain lessens significantly when that nasty chest tube comes out.
He does his respiratory therapy religiously and begs the therapists to walk more, but they limit him. Once he is unhooked from oxygen and has tubes removed, he should be able to move around more. He is eager to be cleaned up each morning and shave but is pretty tuckered out after that.
Our sweet daughter, Audrey, has been in an out amidst all her final exams and papers. Our son and his wife will be up from Kentucky again today.
Please keep praying.
The plan is to get his chest drainage tube out today, and then they can remove the epidural also. Only bad thing about this is that it is more difficult to control the pain without the epidural; however, the pain lessens significantly when that nasty chest tube comes out.
He does his respiratory therapy religiously and begs the therapists to walk more, but they limit him. Once he is unhooked from oxygen and has tubes removed, he should be able to move around more. He is eager to be cleaned up each morning and shave but is pretty tuckered out after that.
Our sweet daughter, Audrey, has been in an out amidst all her final exams and papers. Our son and his wife will be up from Kentucky again today.
Please keep praying.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Difficult Day
John came through surgery very well. He was resting in the ICU when we left him at 9:40 pm and he felt that it was a good day. He was happy to put the day behind him and was pleased that he had better mobility in his arms than his surgery last year and the surgeon did feel that his recovery would be a bit faster this go around.
Unfortunately, the prayers we have prayed have not been answered in the ways we have asked...first, that the Holy Spirit would manifest in a way that gave us assurance of healing, and more recently, that the surgeon would find nothing when he operated today and would be mystified.
In actuality, three places were found, one of which did not show up on the last CT scan. It could have been too small or new. All were confirmed cancerous. A portion of rib also had to be removed, so he is somewhat swiss cheese like on both sides.
The reality is that we don't really have anymore surgical options. We will have to see if the folks at Indiana University have treatment options for us and we're praying they do and that John responds well.
John is in good spirits. He is a real champion. I can't say enough about this gentle man and I am honored that he chose me to be his wife 27 years ago. We still feel like kids in love.
I was really grateful to have the kids with me today and other family and friends. They held me up. The kids are real pillars. They must have a really great dad who trained them well!
As son JR said today, Emanuel, God with us.
Unfortunately, the prayers we have prayed have not been answered in the ways we have asked...first, that the Holy Spirit would manifest in a way that gave us assurance of healing, and more recently, that the surgeon would find nothing when he operated today and would be mystified.
In actuality, three places were found, one of which did not show up on the last CT scan. It could have been too small or new. All were confirmed cancerous. A portion of rib also had to be removed, so he is somewhat swiss cheese like on both sides.
The reality is that we don't really have anymore surgical options. We will have to see if the folks at Indiana University have treatment options for us and we're praying they do and that John responds well.
John is in good spirits. He is a real champion. I can't say enough about this gentle man and I am honored that he chose me to be his wife 27 years ago. We still feel like kids in love.
I was really grateful to have the kids with me today and other family and friends. They held me up. The kids are real pillars. They must have a really great dad who trained them well!
As son JR said today, Emanuel, God with us.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Surgery Tomorrow
Tomorrow John heads to surgery to have the two places removed in his left lung. Saw the surgeon today for a pre-surgical consult. Although John had been claiming that he expected this surgery to be easier than the last, the Dr. said it would be equally painful. We know we'll be ok though, and I'll be with him every step of the way.
Surgeon also says that he will have to see about the ribs when he gets in there as one place is close to the ribs. We are of course praying that there will not be a need to disturb the ribs.
We were fortunate to receive prayer from a church in Redding, CA that has been having many wonderful healings. Many, many other churches and people have been praying as well, and I can't tell you what this means to us.
We have been doing very well. I have settled down a bit, been doing lots of praying and have had some good counsel. John is wonderful, just because he is John. Actually, John is more than wonderful. He is a quiet giant.
Pam
Surgeon also says that he will have to see about the ribs when he gets in there as one place is close to the ribs. We are of course praying that there will not be a need to disturb the ribs.
We were fortunate to receive prayer from a church in Redding, CA that has been having many wonderful healings. Many, many other churches and people have been praying as well, and I can't tell you what this means to us.
We have been doing very well. I have settled down a bit, been doing lots of praying and have had some good counsel. John is wonderful, just because he is John. Actually, John is more than wonderful. He is a quiet giant.
Pam
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