Update for Sept 29th

Linda and I came home from Cascade last night (got home at 7:00). It was so nice up there the mosquito's were gone and I only saw a few bees. Things are starting to cool down at night in Cascade but the days were beautiful.

I don't have much going on as far as treatments this week. This is my off week from treatments. I will try and get another vitamin C IV but that should be about it until next Tuesday (chemo day).

Thank you again for all your prayers as we continue on this path. Please continue to pray that the Chemo will do the trick and continue to shrink the tumors.

I HATE CANCER!

God Bless all of you,

Doug

Update for Sept 23rd

Well I was able to receive my chemo treatment yesterday. All my blood counts were up high enough. Getting treatments of these drugs is no fun, it takes all day and makes you feel tried and worn out. I am using several alternative methods to help with keeping my imune system and energy up.

Linda and I are headed to the cabin in Cascade tommorw afternoon and we will be back next Monday night.

I hope everything is going good for all of you. I appreiate all your prayers for Linda and I. Please continue to pray as we battle on.

God Bless

Doug

update for Sept 21st

I had an extra week off from chemo to get some dental work done. I am still having some pain in my jaw area from the tooth that we pulled. I can't say that it was a very fun week. I also went in for a vitamin C IV last Thursday. He used a small needle and it was going very slow. We changed to a larger needle and I was done within 20 minutes, however taking the vitamin C and B so fast made me a little sick.

I will be back on a chemo treatment schedule starting tomorrow (Tuesday). Please pray that my blood counts are up to normal and everything is a go for the treatment. It all starts around 8:30 and goes well into the afternoon, until about 3:00. I still come home with the fusion ball attached for a constant flow of the chemo drug 5FU for 48 hours. Then I go in 48 hours later to have the ball removed. He has droped my dose back 25% so I don't seem to get as much naseua as before.

Linda and I are also talking about going to the cabin this weekend so I am looking forward to that. It's always a great get away for us and now that the weather is starting to cool down it is very pleasant up in the mountains.

I hope everyone had a great summer and are well into the fall routine of work and school.

God is good.

Doug

Update for Sept 16th

Well I made it to the Dentist yesterday to have my lower left wisdom tooth pulled. I was there for an hour and a half. The Dentist had to break my tooth in half to get it out. I was in a lot of pain last night but am much better today. I needed to get this done this week so I can heal up before I start Chemo again next Tuesday. Going to the Dentist two days in a row is completely out of my comfort zone but it had to be done.

I will also have a vitamin C IV tomorrow at Optimal Health in Boise.

Thank you for all your prayers. Please continue to pray for Linda and I as we go forward.

God Bless

Doug

Update for Sept 15th

Here is a quick update on what's going on. I was given an extra week off of Chemo to take care of some dental work that needed to be done. I went to the dentist yesterday and had a tooth filled that had a pretty big hole in it. I have also been having some pain in the left side of my teeth and jaw. I still have my bottom wisdom teeth and the one on the left has a large cavity in it. We talked about pulling that tooth. However the Dentist wanted to talk to Dr Fiorentino (my Oncologist) first to see if he approved. Dr Fiorentino wanted me to first get a blood panel to see if my blood counts were high enough. So after the Dentist appointment I went to MSTI in Nampa to get my blood drawn. My blood counts were fine and Dr Fiorentino gave me the OK to go ahead with the Dentist. I am now waiting for a call back from the Dentist to get an appointment. I need to get this done this week since I have an extra week off from chemo. The Dentist is not my favorite place to go but it is what it is.

Please continue to pray for Linda and I as we continue this journey.

Thank You and God Bless

Doug

New Update

Linda and I will be headed home from the cabin today (Tuesday). We have been here since last Thursday night.

I celebrated my 53rd birthday on Sunday. We had a big pot luck with some of my family that were here camping out in Cascade. There were about 50 of us. I received many happy birthday wishes along with several cards. It was a great weekend. I am so thankful for my family who always continues to pray for Linda and I.

I think that after all I've been through this birthday was a real milestone. It was just several months ago that I wondered if I would make it to my birthday, but God is so good to keep me going.

I hope all of you had a great Labor Day weekend and are ready to head into fall.

God Bless

Doug

Test Results for PET/MRI

I just wanted to let you know about the great test results I got this week from the PET/MRI scans.

There are no new tumors to report.
The four tumors we are following have shrink considerable in size.
The MRI of my head came out without any new activity.

I was thinking that I may get a Chemo vacation but the Doctor thinks since we have the tumors backed up against the ropes that we should continue the treatments as long as I can handle it. He thinks this is the best way to maybe see a “total response” of the tumors to shrink even more.

All in all this was fantastic news and we are praising the Lord for His answers to prayer. I know that it is because of faithful saints like you and the prayers of all of you who are lifting us up in constant prayer.

Once again thank you so much for all your prayers on behalf of Linda and I.

God Bless

Doug