A New Beginning

On Thursday, Randy began the new treatment protocol. The chemotherapy regime is using two drugs in combination - Taxotere and Carboplatin. He will receive one infusion every three weeks. After six weeks, he will have a CAT Scan to assess the effectiveness of the treatment.

There are the typical chemotherapy side effects. In addition to the nausea, fatigue and loss of appetite, Randy had the hiccups for three days and nights and a terrible case of heartburn. Last night, neither he nor I got any sleep. The nausea and hiccups subsided about 5:30 AM and he was able to finally get some rest. He has been feeling much better this afternoon. He ate lunch and supper for the first time in weeks. He is eating small meals, but he is eating and he is able to keep it down. That, to us is success. We are thankful for small steps.

The side effects of the Tarceva are much better after massive doses of steroids. That was the protocol for last time and it worked equally well again.

Randy said that he will trade three or four bad days for a couple of weeks of normalcy. Hopefully the trend will continue and he will be on top of his game for Pat and Mary's wedding. They are at 13 days and counting. Everyone is excited and the anticipation is growing. We look forward to having most of our family together and many dear friends, as well. The temperature in Tempe is beginning to moderate, so the evenings should be a little cooler.

Thanks for all of the hugs that I received at church this morning. I was given instructions to pass them on to Randy when I got home. And I did. It was an emotional day, but a good one none the less. We are on an emotional roller coaster with highs and lows. But we are remaining hopeful that this treatment will give good results.

I was reminded of something that the kids learned at confirmation camp long ago. God is good all the time. All the time, God is good. Continue to pray for us.

Randy & Sue

Going to Plan B

Randy and I saw Dr. Ahmed and reviewed the results of today's CAT Scan. While there were no new spots, the lymph nodes in his chest and the lymph node in his collarbone area had nearly doubled in size since the last scan a month ago. Together, Randy and the doctor determined that the Tarceva has not been effective. Dr. Ahmed thinks that continuing with Tarceva would only be wasting time. So, Thursday Randy will begin conventional chemotherapy. We have faith in Dr. Ahmed's judgment and know that he will do everything possible to stop or slow the spread of this disease. We knew from the outset that Randy's cancer is a very aggressive form and is a Stage 4 cancer. Dr. Ahmed has conferenced with Dr. Kies at MD Anderson and Dr. Alfrey, the transplant surgeon, and there is agreement that this is the best viable alternative since the Tarceva was ineffective. We are disappointed but not discouraged. So, we will move forward.

From Randy's bloodwork. it was determined that he needs a blood transfusion. So he begins his day at 7:15 at Deaconess Gateway getting a fill-up. I'm sure he will feel better when his hemoglobin is in the normal range.

We have many things to look forward to. Of course, there is Pat and Mary's wedding in October.
Our annual Maui vacation with Paul and Diana is coming up in November. Dr. Ahmed assures us that the chemotherapy schedule can accomodate our plans.

Once again, we thank all of you who continue to be concerned about both of us. We are blessed to have a wonderful family, caring extended family and many priceless friends. This difficult journey would seem nearly impossible without all of you. Thank you for your calls, cards, emails and other expressions of care and concern.

We continue to pray for God's guidance, grace, peace and mercy. In Romans 12:12, we are reminded to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Continue to pray for us that we may be given strength for the journey and that God will give us the peace that passes all understanding.

Randy & Sue

Back In The Normal Range

Good news!!!!! Randy had blood work on Tuesday and the creatinine level was 1.8 which is in the normal range for him. It must have been an hydration issue as we had hoped.

Side effects are not too bad. They don't seem to be any worse at 100mg than at 75mg. I'm not sure what that all means, but we will take what we can get. Next Tuesday, he is scheduled for blood work and another CAT Scan. We are hoping that Dr. Ahmed will try to work him back to the 150mg level. He had originally thought that 100mg would be his maximum dose, but he may reconsider since Randy seems to be tolerating 100mg better than expected. We will just have to wait and see. It seems like we are doing alot of that lately.

Thank you to everyone for your continued concern. I know that as time goes on, everyone gets caught up in their daily routines, but you have continued to call, email and send cards with well wishes. These are so important to Randy's will to continue to fight this battle. Some days are really tough and then the phone rings or the mail arrives and he sees that we are not in this alone.

Through everything, Psalm 34:8 keeps resounding in my mind. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man who trusts in Him. Please continue to pray for us.

Randy & Sue

Going Up!

We saw Dr. Ahmed this afternoon. After consultation, we are going to try 100 mg of Tarceva. He did say that he thought that would be Randy's maximum dose. He did not think that 150 mg would be possible, but we will just have to wait and see.

The doctor did give Randy a shot of Procrit to help fight the fatigue factor. He had blood work done this morning and it did show a couple of issues. One was the low hemoglobin level which contributes to the fatigue. The shot should help that. The other is a little more troubling. His creatinin which is a measure of kidney function is slightly elevated. The doctor wants Randy to increase fluids and have it rechecked in a week. Over the years, this level has fluctuated a bit but not too much. It isn't high, just out of the normal range. Hopefully it is an hydration issue and nothing more. We are not going to get too concerned until we are sure of the cause.

All in all, the doctor seemed to be pleased with the level of Randy's tolerance for the 75mg dose. In two weeks, he will have another CAT Scan and that will tell us more about the effectiveness of the Tarceva, as well as any spread of the disease.

Thank you for all of your expressions of concern, calls, emails, cards and hugs. You are all so important to us as we travel down this bumpy road. We offer prayers of thanksgiving daily for all of the blessings God has heaped upon us in the form of all of you.

Continue to pray for us. God continues to cover us with his grace and shroud us in his love.

Peace to all of you.

Randy & Sue

There's No Place Like Home

We returned yesterday from our fishing trip in Canada. We took the trip with Randy's cousin Paul and wife Diana and his brother Daryl and wife Becky. The fishing was great and the weather was typical for this time of year. Rain gear was required for two mornings but the third day was sunny and warm. The guys and Becky caught trophy fish. Paul caught three. So, a good time was had by all.

Yesterday was the 8th dose of 75mg of Tarceva. The side effects are beginning to intensify but are not unbearable. We are trying to stay ahead of the itching and pain with the medications prescribed last time. As usual, Randy is a trooper and rarely complains. He knows that he needs to be able to tolerate at least 100mg for the drug to be effective so he is toughing this out.

We are looking forward to our trip to Arizona next month for Pat and Mary's wedding. All of the plans are in place. It will be great to celebrate with family and friends.

Continue to pray for healing according to God's perfect plan.

Randy & Sue