Dear Family and Friends - Thank you for your continual support and love for me and my family. We feel the power of your prayers and faith in our behalf. We feel of your love through all the warm greetings and acts of kindness. Thank you, thank you!
I will get right to it. Between the PET scan in May and the PET scan in September, I had a couple of bowel obstructions. These are not first that I have had, but will hopefully be the last 😐. I was in and out of the hospital in less than 48 hours each time - I am getting a little too good at this. I got the impression from an ER doctor that he was not sure of my motives, as it is happening more often than one would expect. Not sure what to tell him - the NG tube is sooooooo fun - NOT!😩
I have had bowel obstructions before, when I was on this same chemotherapy regiment. So, the doctor recommended that we only do 2 of the 3 chemo drugs and see if it is still effective. So, for the next 4 cycles, I will be taking the two oral chemo-therapies, but not the IV chemotherapy. The doctor felt good about recommending this because the most recent scans showed continued stability. The tumors are about the same size and in the same places.
My recent PET Scan also showed a fluid collection in the left gutter by the colon. (You didn't know we had gutters, did you.😉). We decided to have the fluid removed. It was a quick procedure with little side effects. A good friend drove me up and back. They ran tests on the fluid and said it was 'old blood'. Thankfully it did not have any weird bacteria or viruses in it or signs of cancer. We will keep monitoring the area. Most likely it was a one-off and it won't happen again. Here's hoping.
So, things are looking pretty good. I am able to go to work each day. They are really good about working with my doctor visits and last minute procedures. I couldn't ask to work for a better company.
I am so grateful for Angela. She is doing so much for our family. She is working her tail off to bless our family. When I have an issue, she re-arranges schedules, takes care of the kids, and puts herself on the line to take care of me. I don't know what I would do without her. She is my Angel. I do not deserve her. I am so grateful that she puts up with me and sticks around amid all this chaos. I love her dearly.
Thanks again to everyone who prays for, pleads for, and hopes for our family. We do feel the power of your faith and hope in our behalf.
Love - Doug-
