CT SCAN RESULTS

Today we had an appointment with Dr. Ahmed and saw the latest CT scan which was taken yesterday. The results were not what we had hoped to see. The lymph node in the collarbone area has increased in size and the three spots on the right lung remained the same. The "not so good" news was that there is a new spot in the right lung which appears to be about one inch in diameter. Dr. Ahmed explained that this means that the cancer cells have most likely mutated and are no longer being affected by the chemotherapy drugs that Randy has been receiving.

This being the case, we have moved on to Plan C. Today, Randy began receiving a new drug, Erbitux. This chemotherapy drug has been shown to be effective in treating squamous cell cancers of the head and neck. While this is not the first or even the second choice for treatment, it can still be an effective treatment for some people. It does not have the same side effects as the Taxotere and Carboplatin. It does not affect the bone marrow or lower the white cell count. This is good news since we will not have to be so concerned with infection and anemia. The downside is that most patients have some form of rash not unlike the rash we encountered with Tarceva. Dr. Ahmed's experience with this drug has been that the rash is not as severe as with Tarceva. But, we will just have to wait and see. Randy will receive Erbitux weekly.

We spent most of Monday at Deaconess Gateway where Randy was given three pints of blood. His hemoglobin on Monday was 6.9 -- way too low. The transfusion has given him more energy. His balance continues to improve. The edema is still somewhat of a problem, but is improving.

While we are unsure of the side effects of the new drug, we are hopeful that Randy will be able to tolerate them. He has been such a trooper through all of this. I have every reason to believe that he will continue to be positive about the outcome.

We had a wonderful Chrismas. The kids all made it home and we were able to be together for Christmas Eve service. What a blessing that was. The party celebrating Pat and Mary's wedding was a great success - good food, good friends, good times. Katie returned to Chicago on Sunday. Pat and Mary will fly from St. Louis to Phoenix tomorrow. Carrie will ring in the new year in Indy. She will be flying back to Atlanta on Jan. 2.

Please continue to pray for us as Randy begins his new course of treatment. We know that we are not walking this road alone. Thanks for all of your hugs, cards, emails, phone calls and expressions of concern. We are so blessed to have such loving support.

Tonight, I meditate on Philippians 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Peace to you.

Randy & Sue