The Second Time Around
Randy began taking 50mg of Tarceva on Thursday. Side effects have begun to surface, but not as severely as the first time. He has a slight rash, some fatigue and loss of appetite. Those are all to be expected. Hopefully, they will not worsen as the days go on. Dr. Ahmed's plan is to take 50mg daily for two weeks, then depending on the side effects, increase to 75mg daily for two weeks. The goal is to work up to 100mg daily. Randy will have another CAT scan in a month or six weeks to see if the drug is effective.
Thank you for all of the cards, emails, phone calls and expressions of concern. I'm not sure what people do with out the support of family and friends. I'm just thankful that we have so many people who care about us.
Continue to pray for us. May His will be done in our lives.
Randy & Sue
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
One More Time
The doctor has decided to try Tarceva one more time in a lower dose. Since this is the best chance for some kind of improvement, he doesn't want to give up quite yet. Now we know what to do if the side effects are severe. The combination of steroids, a multitude of creams and pain medication will be ready if we need them. Dr. Ahmed reviewed the results of the CAT Scan from Monday. While there were no new spots, the lymph nodes were more enlarged than from the PET Scan of July 1. Since Randy was not able to begin the Tarceva until July 24, it is not possible to know if the lymph nodes were more enlarged before the drug therapy began or if the Tarceva did not have the desired effect. That is the reason that he wants to try again. Randy also is not ready to give up on this therapy.
Once again, we step out in faith knowing that the Lord has a plan for our lives. We are learning patience as we wait for answers. We are taking it one day at a time. That really is all any of us have -- one day at a time.
Thank you to all who have continued to keep us in your prayers. That is so important to us. We can feel the power of your love and kindness.
Continue to pray that God's will will be fulfilled.
Randy & Sue
The doctor has decided to try Tarceva one more time in a lower dose. Since this is the best chance for some kind of improvement, he doesn't want to give up quite yet. Now we know what to do if the side effects are severe. The combination of steroids, a multitude of creams and pain medication will be ready if we need them. Dr. Ahmed reviewed the results of the CAT Scan from Monday. While there were no new spots, the lymph nodes were more enlarged than from the PET Scan of July 1. Since Randy was not able to begin the Tarceva until July 24, it is not possible to know if the lymph nodes were more enlarged before the drug therapy began or if the Tarceva did not have the desired effect. That is the reason that he wants to try again. Randy also is not ready to give up on this therapy.
Once again, we step out in faith knowing that the Lord has a plan for our lives. We are learning patience as we wait for answers. We are taking it one day at a time. That really is all any of us have -- one day at a time.
Thank you to all who have continued to keep us in your prayers. That is so important to us. We can feel the power of your love and kindness.
Continue to pray that God's will will be fulfilled.
Randy & Sue
Friday, August 8, 2008
Seeing Improvement
It has been a week since Randy took the last dose of Tarceva and we are finally beginning to see signs of improvement in the side effects. He has a ways to go but his skin is beginning to heal. He needed only one dose of pain medication yesterday and he is talking about going into the office for a while today. It is still difficult to shower and not yet possible to shave, but that should be better by Sunday.
Pat and Mary arrived from Tempe on Wednesday. Mary came bearing date pinwheel cookies which are his all-time favorite. Carol Gerth baked him a peach cobbler which is also one of his favorites. So, everyone is trying to fatten him up. His appetite is improving, but not yet back to normal. His spirits are pretty good considering what he has come through. We are all looking forward to the engagement party on Sunday. He was afraid that he would scare small children with the blistering and scabbing on his face, but I think it will be fine on Sunday. He really has been a trouper through all of this. I know that the many prayers, phone calls, emails, cards and expressions of concern have helped both of us during this difficult time.
We will be talking to Dr. Ahmed next week to formulate the new plan for treatment. Pray for guidance for the doctors that they will be guided in their decisions. Please continue to lift us up in prayer. We can most certainly feel the power of your prayers for us.
Randy & Sue
It has been a week since Randy took the last dose of Tarceva and we are finally beginning to see signs of improvement in the side effects. He has a ways to go but his skin is beginning to heal. He needed only one dose of pain medication yesterday and he is talking about going into the office for a while today. It is still difficult to shower and not yet possible to shave, but that should be better by Sunday.
Pat and Mary arrived from Tempe on Wednesday. Mary came bearing date pinwheel cookies which are his all-time favorite. Carol Gerth baked him a peach cobbler which is also one of his favorites. So, everyone is trying to fatten him up. His appetite is improving, but not yet back to normal. His spirits are pretty good considering what he has come through. We are all looking forward to the engagement party on Sunday. He was afraid that he would scare small children with the blistering and scabbing on his face, but I think it will be fine on Sunday. He really has been a trouper through all of this. I know that the many prayers, phone calls, emails, cards and expressions of concern have helped both of us during this difficult time.
We will be talking to Dr. Ahmed next week to formulate the new plan for treatment. Pray for guidance for the doctors that they will be guided in their decisions. Please continue to lift us up in prayer. We can most certainly feel the power of your prayers for us.
Randy & Sue
Monday, August 4, 2008
Randy Gets the Prize
In somethings, it is good to be the best and in others, not so much. It seems that Randy has the most severe side effects from Tarceva that Dr. Ahmed has seen. Go figure. The doctor even went so far as to get a consult with Dr. Moore, the dermatologist. They were both pretty amazed at the extent of the rash. Between the two of them, they prescribed pain medication, moisturizing lotion and a steroid. We need to invest in drug stocks. The upshot of all of this is that Randy probably will not be able to tolerate this drug even in a lower dose. Dr. Ahmed is going to consult with Dr Kies from MD Anderson before any decisions are made. Right now, we are waiting for the rash to clear up before anything new is begun. We had hopes that this would work, but obviously we will have to try other things, probably some type of conventional chemotherapy.
We are again at a crossroads, trying to decide the best course of action. We are still hopeful that the doctors will come up with a plan of action to buy us more time.
I am again drawn to Psalm 121:5-8: The Lord watches over you-the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm-he will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Continue to pray for us.
Randy & Sue
In somethings, it is good to be the best and in others, not so much. It seems that Randy has the most severe side effects from Tarceva that Dr. Ahmed has seen. Go figure. The doctor even went so far as to get a consult with Dr. Moore, the dermatologist. They were both pretty amazed at the extent of the rash. Between the two of them, they prescribed pain medication, moisturizing lotion and a steroid. We need to invest in drug stocks. The upshot of all of this is that Randy probably will not be able to tolerate this drug even in a lower dose. Dr. Ahmed is going to consult with Dr Kies from MD Anderson before any decisions are made. Right now, we are waiting for the rash to clear up before anything new is begun. We had hopes that this would work, but obviously we will have to try other things, probably some type of conventional chemotherapy.
We are again at a crossroads, trying to decide the best course of action. We are still hopeful that the doctors will come up with a plan of action to buy us more time.
I am again drawn to Psalm 121:5-8: The Lord watches over you-the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm-he will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Continue to pray for us.
Randy & Sue
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Too Much Tarceva
Randy had to stop the Tarceva today. We got home from Chicago last night and it was a good thing. The side effects were really getting severe. So much so that he was almost to meltdown stage. We were still awake at 3:00 AM with no relief in sight. He finally was able to sleep a little. I called the oncologist this morning and he advised us to stop the Tarceva and come in to see him on Monday. The side effects should subside in 2 to 3 days. He will probably decrease the dose. He had originally told us that some patients could not tolerate the highest dose. The Tarceva website indicated that 6 to 9% of patients have severe side effects. These are definitely in the severe category. Hopefully by Monday, he will be on the mend and able to tolerate the new dosage.
On a more positive note, we had a great time in Chicago. Randy was able to attend the card show all four days, although he was pretty wiped out when he got home. We had a lovely evening and dinner with Katie, Nicole, Diana, Kyle and Colleen. Paul had to go to Austin on business on Thursday, so he missed a free meal. The weather was pretty hot, but they did get a little much needed rain on Thursday afternoon. It was nice to be able to see everyone again.
We are looking forward to Pat and Mary's arrival on Wednesday for a few days. That will perk up Randy's spirits. Thanks to all who have called and sent cards and well wishes. It helps to know that we are not going through this desert alone.
Keep us in your prayers. Pray that the new medication will work well and that the side effects will be reduced.
Randy & Sue
Randy had to stop the Tarceva today. We got home from Chicago last night and it was a good thing. The side effects were really getting severe. So much so that he was almost to meltdown stage. We were still awake at 3:00 AM with no relief in sight. He finally was able to sleep a little. I called the oncologist this morning and he advised us to stop the Tarceva and come in to see him on Monday. The side effects should subside in 2 to 3 days. He will probably decrease the dose. He had originally told us that some patients could not tolerate the highest dose. The Tarceva website indicated that 6 to 9% of patients have severe side effects. These are definitely in the severe category. Hopefully by Monday, he will be on the mend and able to tolerate the new dosage.
On a more positive note, we had a great time in Chicago. Randy was able to attend the card show all four days, although he was pretty wiped out when he got home. We had a lovely evening and dinner with Katie, Nicole, Diana, Kyle and Colleen. Paul had to go to Austin on business on Thursday, so he missed a free meal. The weather was pretty hot, but they did get a little much needed rain on Thursday afternoon. It was nice to be able to see everyone again.
We are looking forward to Pat and Mary's arrival on Wednesday for a few days. That will perk up Randy's spirits. Thanks to all who have called and sent cards and well wishes. It helps to know that we are not going through this desert alone.
Keep us in your prayers. Pray that the new medication will work well and that the side effects will be reduced.
Randy & Sue
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