Plasmacytomas shrinking

We are home for the weekend. The everyday things we take for granted seem like luxuries - like sleeping in our own beds and having the dogs curl up beside us for naps. I am reminded that we need to be thankful for little things as well as the big ones.

Our drive home yesterday was slow; roads were snow-packed. The weather reports said I-70 was icy in spots; we decided to come home on Hwy 24 which is a mountain road with hairpin turns but often better than I-70 which is so busy and frequently shut down because of wrecks. Visibility was immediately better on 24; the short bit we went on I-70 was so slushy and heavily traveled that we had to run the window washer almost constantly. All was well until we came up behind a semi truck that was going 15 mph. Unusual to see big trucks on Hwy 24. At least he was able to keep going uphill. For a long while there was no opportunity to pass because of all the curves. Finally I got a chance to pass. Our Subaru handled the snow pack very well. I had to use my winter driving skills and go slow but that's ok. I didn't feel scared - I knew God was protecting us.

Our good friends brought the dogs home yesterday, and they also brought us supper! Hamburgers fresh off the grill; what a treat! Friends like this are part of God's abundant provision, and we are so thankful.

Today we got the road grime washed off the car and can see what color it is. I'm doing a lot of laundry (ability to do laundry at home is another little thing to appreciate). We are also kicking back and just relaxing.

Three more radiation treatments next week. The radiation oncologist can see the plasmacytomas (you can just call them lumps) are beginning to shrink. Very good news!

Love to all.

Verse for the day:
"Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each day."  Lamentations 3:23

Doug's vision worse

Last Wednesday January 2, we were on our way back to Edwards. I drove the first leg as usual and Doug took over just before we got onto I-70. Doug had been driving about ten minutes when he said he couldn't see well enough to keep driving safely. So he pulled over onto the shoulder and I drove the rest of the way. Doug's glaucoma must be getting worse. He will get his pressures checked as soon as possible.
We got home yesterday - Doug had a treatment Saturday due to the New Years holiday. We are going back to Edwards in the morning. I am doing all the driving, at least for now. God is answering prayers; I feel like angels are watching over us as I drive. I still don't like all those roundabouts in Avon and Edwards!
We will be able to come home next Friday after Doug's treatment, and will have a full weekend at home.

Doug is doing well; he is tired just as much from the stress as from the radiation. We both have been taking naps at Jack's Place.

We didn't go to church today, as Doug doesn't want to be exposed to germs.
I went over to our good friends to visit the dogs for a while. We are blessed to have such good friends care for them; we even have other dear friends who go to play with the dogs! Nikko and Pippa are happy and healthy, but I sure miss them.

Love to all.

Verse for the day:
"Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."   Joshua 1:9

PET Scan results; radiation treatments begin

We got the results of the PET/CT scan that was done 12-19-18. It is a lot of medical lingo but I'll try to simplify it.

• There is a lesion in the left mastoid sinus that is suspicious for a malignant bone lesion or could be an inflammatory mass. This is the first time for this finding. This is not being treated by radiation but hopefully the chemo will take care of it. 
• Enlarging soft tissue nodule in the right upper arm. This is being treated now with radiation. 
• Increasing hypermetabolic  adenopathy (cancer) in the area around the right collar bone extending into the right axilla (armpit). This is also being treated now.
• Multiple old bone lesions that are unchanged. 

Looking on the bright side, there is no evidence of malignancy (cancer) in the liver, spleen, pancreas, adrenal glands or kidneys. 

I got to watch Doug's treatment today. I'm a retired radiation therapist so the techs gave me the royal treatment and let me see everything.  The machines have advanced quite a bit since I retired in 2005 but the basics are the same. It is amazing what the combination of computerization, medical expertise and dedicated highly trained radiation therapists can do. In many cases cures are achieved. In Doug's case, the aim is palliation (control of symptoms), not cure. Thus he will get a lower dose than some. And far fewer side effects.

Because of the New Year holiday, we don't go back for treatment until Wednesday January 2. We will enjoy a few days at home. 

We had a safe trip home today, praise God. And a hot meal was delivered by the dear friends who are taking care of our dogs. We have so much to be thankful for!

Love to all.

But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For You have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. 

Psalm 59: 16

Radiation Oncology consult

We just got home today from the Shaw Cancer Center in Edwards CO. Great place. I have found out that I cannot post to this blog from my iPad while we are gone. So I will have to wait until we get home on the weekends to update on our desktop computer.

Tuesday 12-18-18 Doug had the radiation oncology consult with Dr. Patti Hardenbergh. When we last saw Dr. Matous in Denver on 11-28-18, he found that  the mass on Doug's upper right arm is a plasmacytoma (myeloma cancer cells). At that time he noted there was a small palpable node on Doug's supraclavicular area (above the collar bone). Dr. Matous said the arm mass would need to have radiation because of its size, but the SC node would be taken care of by the new chemo (which hasn't started yet). But by the time Dr. Hardenbergh saw Doug, the SC node had grown quite a lot! So she is going to treat both the arm and SC area. That's what I was hoping.
Later the same day, Doug had part of the treatment planning done - one of the radiation therapists made a 'mold' to hold Doug in position during treatment. It is made of special plastic mesh that is heated and stretched over the patient. When it cools, it becomes solid.  At this time, a planning CT was done, which is not for diagnostic purposes; it's just part of the preparation for treatment so accurate measurements can be done.

The next day, Wednesday 12-19-18, Doug had the PET/CT done. It almost didn't happen - the truck that delivers the radioactive isotope for the PET was stuck on the other side of Vail pass which was closed due to weather! We got a phone call letting us know there was a delay, and the tech said that if the isotope didn't get through, the scan would be delayed until Friday. We prayed it would get through and a couple of hours later, it did.
This scan will show the extent of any new lesions that are not visible. We won't know the results until we go back the day after Christmas.

I'm feeling much better now that things are in motion instead of waiting to get appointments.

Verse for the day:
"Bless the Lord, who is my rock. He gives me strength for war and skill for battle. He is my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my deliverer. He stands before me as a shield, and I take refuge in him."   Psalm 144:1-2

Still waiting

Our appointment for the radiation oncology consult got pushed back a week. The doc had to lighten her schedule because she is recovering from some orthopedic surgery.
So now we have an appointment for next Tuesday December 18 to see her. We will stay overnight at the outpatient residence Jack's Place and Doug will have a PET/CT scan the following day. Then we go home and wait for a phone call telling us when to come back. I hope treatment is not delayed too much because of Christmas week holiday.

Doug now has to wear a compression stocking on his left leg. It seems to be helping the swelling. There is an art to putting those things on!

Last week I had become quite anxious because of all the delays. I had to "Let go, and let God." Now I can say that we both have "the Peace that surpasses all understanding".

Verse for today: 
"May the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all."  2 Thessalonians 3:16

Appointment for Radiation

We have been waiting to get an appointment for radiation oncology. It seems to take forever when I want things to happen soon! Doug has been very calm; I have been very impatient. Waiting is hard!

We are to see the radiation oncology Dr. December 11. The next day Doug is scheduled for a planning CT for radiation and a PET/CT for restaging the cancer in preparation for the chemo. It is a huge relief to know we have a plan of action. Now I am calm too. The radiation treatments will be at the Shaw Cancer Center in Edwards - we will have to travel over Vail pass several times, which can be difficult and dangerous in winter weather. We have a lot of people praying for safe travel.

I am concerned that Doug's left leg/foot is more swollen. We bought him a pair of larger shoes today.

Today's verse:

Show me the right path, O Lord,
Point out the road for me to follow. 
Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me. 
All day long I put my hope in You. 
Psalm 25:4-5

Love to all.

Yes it IS Plasmacytoma

We got the biopsy report yesterday - it is definitely a plasmacytoma.
Dr. Matous, in Denver, has approved the local oncologist Dr. O to give the infusions. In fact, he knows her, so that helps a lot. Dr O will be contacting the radiation oncologist at Shaw Cancer Center in Edwards CO. We would really like to get the radiation treatments started as soon as possible since Dr. M says radiation needs to come before the chemo infusions. Hoping to hear Monday about an appointment.

Love to all.