ginnyde Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 For those that have been following our story, our onc. told us last Wed. that the Temodar was not working and, 1. he told me there were no options left, just hospice but 2. he told Earl that some more whole brain radiation was an option. We met with the radiation onc. this morning because Earl wants to take whatever treatments are available. Well here is the rad. onc. story. The tumors from the April MRI appear to either have remained the same or maybe even have shrunk and the new tumors are just specks. Our daughter looked at the films and it looks like there are about 6 lesions and he neurological function does not seem impacted. His suggestion: continue on the Temodar, get a new MRI in 7 weeks and see me in 8 weeks. A lot more positive than the onc. Of course, if we see anything change, get to them immediately. If the next MRI shows increases, then we consider stereotatic?? or whole brain radiation. This is so much better than we expected. What an emotional relief. Now, we get back home and Earl almost collapses going up the 3 steps from the garage to the house. It took me and our daughter to hold him up and get him into the house. He is so tired and so weak. The doctor gave us an Rx for a hospital bed because of the trouble we have getting him upstairs to bed, but Earl is resistent to this right now. Thank you for all of your prayers, you guys definitely have a direct line to God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bean_si (Not Active) Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Thank you for all of your prayers, you guys definitely have a direct line to God. And we're on it all the time. Thank gosh we have unlimited usage. I'm so happy to hear that things are looking better. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheresaKB Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Hello, Happy to see thing are looking better than the last time. More prayers coming your way. Theresa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remembering Dave Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 OK, Ginny, now THIS is the kind of thing we want to hear! Sounds like the oncologist is a half empty glass kinda guy and the radiation onc. is a half full glass kinda guy! Hang in there, you guys are terrific! Karen C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Ginny, I like this post much better than the previous one Keep them coming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niececola Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Andrea is so right, I like this week's news much better than last week's one! Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Great news--even better than last week's news! Also Ginny: There is a recent post in new treatments about an antibiotic --biaxin that has been through trials in Japan, ( I think) that is supposed to be an anti-Cachectic for late stage lc patients. It doesnt really treat the tumor but does help the fatigue etc associated with cachetia (sp). You might want to ask your onc for a precription for it. Geoff's mom is taking it. There are links on his post that explain it much better than I have just done. But the bottom line is that the med extends life and quality of life. elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haylee_38 Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 I agree with all the other posters in saying this is much better post than the last one. Hope Earl can get some of his strength back. Haylee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Sounds like an upturn to me. Glad to hear it. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C. Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 All for the best, after all we have a direct line up there and no charge ever, may as well use it. Hugs, J.C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Ginny, I have to agree it sounds alot better then last weeks news. I'm confident that God hears our prayers when we are not asking for selfish, or destructive things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Glad to hear that Ginny. So glad for the both of you. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teresag Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Glad to hear your good news, Ginny. "Remained the same or maybe even shrunk" sounds like success to me! Hoping your beloved Earl perks up again soon. Best wishes, Teresa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Ginny, This is a much better post than last week's. It does sound like the Temador is working, especially if the lesions look like they have shrunk. Prayers for Earl to continue getting better and to gain his strength back. What about Procrit shots and maybe iron vitamins for the strength. Please keep us posted. You and Earl are always in my prayers, God Bless and hugs, Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhutch1366 Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Ginny, I'm glad the news is good about the radiation. I'm sorry Earl is so wobbly. The man needs to eat! I'll pray he finds an appetite. If I find one without a home I'll send it to you. XOXOXOXOXOXOX Prayers, MaryAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Cheryl- Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Ginny, May God watch over you and Earl. WE are praying hard for you two! Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa O Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Wow... the concept of shrinkage sounds wonderful! I hope the news gets better and better and the Duke regains his strength and spirit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Ginny, Sounds like much better news, as for the weakness...I'll get on the "line" with the "Big Guy" upstairs and see what we can do. You are in my prayers daily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addie Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Oh happy day...I'm so glad to read this Ginny...as you sound SO much better! And with that hopeful news....well you should! Now...if there was just some way to find a little strength for the Duke. Can you ask about options on that count? You said his appetite was pretty good...so there must be something he can take or eat that might help his strength some...hmmm? Now you have a new plan in place...with hope as a part of that plan....and I'm so glad for both of you that there are options. Next...some strength for Earl and getting that twinkle back in his eye, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Go Duke! All together now....Duke Duke Duke Duke of Earl.... Glad things are looking up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 I was happy to hear the better news. I hope Earl gets some strength back soon. Prayers, Margaret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elnodel Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 I'm so glad to hear that things are looking up...proves that you just have to hang in there, just as you're doing. I know, psychologically, that the hospital bed must seem like a tremendous step BACKWARD to Earl but, perhaps, somehow you can persuade him that it's not. If the onc. doesn't have suggestions for medications to help with strength, do you think the radiologist might? Or perhaps you can talk again to the oncologist and get him to rethink things through a bit.... Thinking of the two of you and hoping everything keeps improving! Ellen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Ginny,I am so glad to hear that there are still options available along w/a dr. willing to exercise them.Glad to hear the good news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espy Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 I agree, the hospital bed sounds like a great idea if you can get Earl to go along with it. My father was getting to the point of not being able to get to point A to point B without tons of help and chose to stay in his recliner for a night instead of going to his bed. We got a hospital bed the next day (had it set up in my parents living room) after we discovered a large hematoma on his backside from sitting too long in one position. Seeing the sore was just devastating to me, and I know if we'd had a hospital bed sooner along with instruction on how to turn him from side to side every few hours, it would have been prevented. It was also much easier to take care of him and sit close to him with the bed. I could tell just by looking at him after we got him all settled in bed w/ clean, soft sheets, and a clean soft hospital gown that he felt much more comfortable. I'm glad things are looking up a bit for you both. My thoughts are with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Very glad to hear your new plan. Best of everything to you and the Duke. Margaret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.