November Update

Dear family and friends,

 

Last Wednesday my oncologist stopped my trial drug for 4 days because my neuropathy was getting worse.  There is a nerve in my chest that is paralyzing my right vocal cord  along with the other neuropathy symptoms I am having.  Yesterday I had a Ct of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis earlier than scheduled because I was so weak and short of breath.  The scans did not show any reason for the weakness so the doctors believe this is also a side effect of the trial drug.  Today I am feeling a bit better.  I will start taking steroids for 6 days to help my breathing.  

 

The CT scan showed the cancer in my lungs is stable, but I now have three metastatic lesions in my liver and one on my adrenal gland.  This means cancer growth in the abdomen which was not there before.  I will not continue with this trial drug since the side effects are great and it is not working in all areas of my body.  

 

I have a couple of standard chemotherapy options and I can be put on a wait list for a new trial.  At this time, I hope to have a more detailed phone conversation with my oncologist in Boston about options.   Today I talked with a "fellow".  

 

I will have a brain MRI on Friday to see if the cancer has spread any more to the brain.  Please pray for no metastatic lesions in the brain and that God would stop the progression of this disease.  Please be in prayer over my circumstances and ask the Lord to lead and guide my decisions.  I know that God is in control and His plan is perfect even when it doesn't seem perfect to us.  We need to praise Him in the storm for His love, kindness, grace, and mercy.  Thank you for your continued prayers, words of encouragement, love, and kindness to me.  God bless you.

 

In His hand and with love,

Sue

How October was

Dear family and friends,

Last week in Boston was a bit rough.  I was sick all 5 days we were there, mostly because of the bronchoscopy.   The doctor did a biopsy and found that there are cancer cells inside one of the bronchial branches and it is obstructed 85%.  The cancer cells are irritating nerves in the bronchial branch and causing me to have a bad cough.  I have been taking a steroid for the cough and other medicines and they are helping.

The new genetic treatment gives me fatigue and makes me nauseous for a few hours in the morning, but after eating and resting I feel better in the afternoon and evening.  

Gary and I will fly back to Boston tomorrow, Wednesday, and return home on Friday.  We will have 2 more trips in Nov. to monitor my blood and how my body is reacting to the new drug.

I am grateful for this opportunity that the Lord has provided for me.  He has opened the door for me to be under such specialized care.  Please thank Him with me and pray that this new treatment will reduce the cancer in my body.   Psalm 32:8 says the Lord will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go and He will counsel you with His loving eye upon you.  (My paraphrase)

Thank you for your love, prayers, and support.

In His hand and with love,

Sue