The Man with the Plan

Yea!  We have a plan!

Today we saw Dr. Alley to discuss the PET scan and biopsy results.  First, the biopsy.  As suspected, Dad has lung cancer - adenocarcinoma, to be exact.  This is the most common type of lung cancer and because of that has the most treatment options available.  Next, the PET scan.  The cancer is also present in his bones, though surprisingly that isn't the cause of the shoulder pain that kicked off this journey.  The good news is that the treatment for the lung cancer is effective on all areas where the cancer is present.

So, what's the plan?  This specific type of cancer is prone to gene mutations that allow targeted therapies that are simpler and more effective.  The genomic testing takes about three weeks...but a lot can happen in three weeks, so we're starting off with one of the traditional chemotherapy medicines until the results are in.  There are few things to do this week to minimize potential side effects, then he'll have his first treatment next week.  The initial treatment schedule is every three weeks and coincides nicely with when genomic testing is back and we can reevaluate the go-forward plan at that time.

In the meantime, the doctor has ordered an MRI to ensure that he doesn't have any spots on his brain.  Dr. Alley doesn't anticipate any...but if there are, there's a plan for that, too!  He mentioned something called a gamma knife.  Does anybody else remember when the word "gamma" was only used in science fiction?  Cancer treatments have come a long way!  But Lord willing, "gamma" will not need to become part of our vocabulary.

Lots of information today, here's the short version of the plan:

• Chemotherapy starting next week, few side effects anticipated
• Genomic testing underway, results in three weeks
• MRI in the next week to evaluate the brain
• Back in three weeks for next treatment - either targeted treatment based on gene mutation or traditional chemotherapy, adding a second chemotherapeutic agent.

This is the plan...but we know that ultimately God is in control and directs both the doctors and how Dad responds to the treatments.

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.  Proverbs 16:9 

Thankfully, we know that the Lord is in control and we can place all of our trust in him.  Please continue to pray for Dad and the family as we enter into this next phase. 

Oh, and if you'd like to leave Dad a message, please feel free to use the "Comment" feature below.  Thanks in advance for your ongoing prayers!