Lazy, Hazy Crazy Days of Summer...Not Exactly a Day at the Beach

Dear family and friends,

Don and our son, Adam

     July has been a challenging month in our journey.  Don was released from the hospital after another 96 hour chemo infusion on July 7th.  On the following Monday night he became violently ill, got dehydrated and had to be sent by ambulance back to Seidman Cancer Center.  They kept him for 5 days to control the nausea and get him re-hydrated.  He was released on the 14th of July, which allowed us to enjoy a couple of hours at the Lichi Family Reunion.  Since then he has had at least 2 doctor visits per week as we try to move from in-patient infusion back to an outpatient chemo regimen. 
     Our oncologist has decided not to risk another round of the toxic 96 hour in-patient chemo regimen - it was simply too hard on Don.  She has decided that we will continue chemotherapy with one or two rounds of out-patient infusion utilizing the chemotherapy that he had from January through April.  What this means is infusions and blood work on Mondays and Thursdays plus 14 days of the powerful chemo drug Revlimid (see previous blog posts).  This coming week will be the second week of the regimen and then Don will have a week off.  At the end of August the oncologist will reassess the cancer counts and we will know where we stand.  The doctor has used the term "refractory" in describing Don's cancer, meaning it has been very stubborn in responding to treatment.  The cancer went into remission temporarily in April and May, but then started to increase again which necesitated the 2 rounds of 96 hour in-patient chemo.  Since the Spring,  the cancer numbers had gone from below a 1 back up to 1.9.  After the 2 rounds in June and July of very toxic chemo it has crept back down with agonizing slowness to a 1.4.  You will recall that it has to be below a 1 in order for the stem cell transplant to take place.   
     On a happier note, we were able to spend time with all 5 of our grandchildren in July, which was an incredible lift to our spirits.  Also, some friends loaned us their lake cottage for a weekend at the end of July which allowed for some much needed "down" time.  We continue to receive cards and emails almost daily that remind us that we are part of the wonderful body of Christ.  Your prayers and expressions of loving concern assure us that we are continually lifted before our Heavenly Father.  
     If you are reading this and have not yet placed your total confidence in Christ, there is nothing more important to get settled in your heart.
     I (Don) want to give special thanks for Marcie and her tireless care of me.  I can't even imagine what life would be like without this God-given helpmate.  
     We love you and will give you more details as we have them.
Don and Marcie