Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to Penn we go!

It's Week Two, so we were off to Penn for the single-drug treatment.  Not only did Dad get his treatment, but we got our first Philly Food Truck experience at the same time!  I had it on good authority that the "food truck around the corner and down the hill" was infinitely better than the hospital cafeteria, and I have to say I agree with them. The scoop is that their tuna salad is amazing...we'll see if all of the glowing recommendations are enough to get fish to cross Dad's lips.   :)

It's been a few days and - praise the Lord - Dad seems to be doing pretty good.  He's definitely tolerating this therapy regimen better than the original treatment plan.  A few more days and we'll know for sure, but it's looking positive.  Next week will be his "rest" week, then we'll start it all over again. 

Mom and Dad would like each of you to know how much they appreciate your prayers, cards, notes of encouragement, phone calls, meals, and everything else you've done to support them.  Words can't express what it means to them and to the rest of the family to see and feel your Christian love in action.  Thank you for your faithfulness. 

And moving on...

Now that the radiations treatments are over, it's time to move on!  Or rather, move back to the original plan of chemotherapy.  Well, not quite the original - Dad had a skin reaction to the first treatment so we met with the doctor this week to discuss alternative options. 

The new therapy will still involve two drugs, swapping out the one that caused the issue.  It comes with a slightly different three week schedule: 

• Week 1:  Both drugs
• Week 2:  A single drug 
• Week 3:  Rest  

No prep medications/vitamins for this version and the expected side effect remain mostly the same and - hopefully - relatively mild, peaking 7-10 days after treatment.

We started Week 1 earlier this week.  Please continue to keep Dad in your prayers as we prepare to move into Week 2 next week.  Thanks to all of you who offer support through your prayers, kind words, and actions.  You are truly loved and appreciated.

10 Down & Zero to Go!

If we were talking about football, dad just got a first down. We've been counting down each day as he would finish a radiation treatment: "that's 2 down and 8 to go", "7 down 3 more", etc.  On Tuesday, Oct 13th, he finally finished up the course of radiation.

I'm thankful to report that he has experienced no side effects from the treatment. Best of all, the original pain that led the doctors to discover the spot on his femur has not made a return visit. We thank all of you for your prayers and especially our heavenly father for the mercy and steadfast love that he's shown through his healing hand.

Dad "Rings the Bell"

The staff at the Abramson Cancer Center in Chester have a ceremony that they go through for each patient as they finish their treatment regime...they call it "ringing the bell" and they have a little bell that the patients actually ring. Dad rang the bell on Tuesday and as small a thing as it might seem to an outsider, it's an acknowledement of all that's gone into completing the 10 day course. All the fear, uncertainty and doubt that goes along with having enough radiation shot into your loved one (or yourself) to kill the living tissue of the cancer is a giant weight on your back that you don't know is there until it's finally lifted when that bell rings. Celebrate this milestone with us.

Dad with the wonderful staff
at the Abramson Cancer Center

We also ask your prayers as we head into next week. Dad will be visiting his primary oncologist, Dr Alley, to resume his chemo. About 2 weeks after his last chemo (right in the middle of the trouble with his leg) he got a severe rash on his torso. While it wasn't itchy or painful  (thank the Lord!), Dr Alley believes it's a rare reaction to the chemo. The short story is that he's going to change the chemo regimen. To what we don't know, but we hope to find out during this visit.

Never let it be said that we live boring lives. God didn't promise that we would, but he did/does promise that those who wait upon him will renew their strength and soar with the wings of eagles. And so we wait.

but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)

Two down, eight to go!

Dad started radiation treatments on his leg yesterday, with the second treatment today.  So far, so good!  He'll have a total of ten treatments, every weekday through the 13th.  On the 19th, he'll resume his chemo treatments, possibly trying a new regimen with a different schedule.  He's steadily recovering from his "adventure" two weeks ago - thank you for your continued prayers!

Looks like we'll be holding the course for the next two weeks; if anything changes, we'll be sure to let you know.