I have completed my second round of Chemo and have been fighting the side effects of mostly nausea and tiredness.
Since our last update I had a PET/CT Scan done and we went over those results with Dr. Fiorentino. We now have a new base line to compare once I have been on Chemo for several treatments. We will probably take another PET Scan in about 3 months to see what is happening with the tumors. The scan showed increased activity in the lymph node behind my left ear and in the lungs. There is a new area of activity on the 6th rib on the right-hand side in the back under my shoulder blade. This area had been bothering me quite a bit and now it makes sense. But with that being said, I am not bothered as much with it anymore since beginning the chemo treatments. The activity in the lymph node in the left groin area was not visible. We have seen the size of the lymph node behind my left ear go down and Dr. Fiorentino was very pleased to see this in such a short time. Thank you Lord!
I am also going to be undergoing Vitamin C IV therapy from Dr. Sutherlin to oxygenate the body, which we know inhibits cancer cell growth. I am scheduled for the Vitamin C IV this Thursday. I have also just ordered up a product called Carnivora. If you want to know about this product you can google it on the internet and read about it.
All in all my emotions are up and down, some days are better then other days. I just ask that you would continue to pray for me and my family as we climb this mountain. I put all my trust and faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My future is in His hands.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
April 16th Update
Dear Family & Friends:
This week you are getting an update from my perspective as Doug asked me to share with you my thoughts on how things are going.
We hope you had a blessed Resurrection Sunday celebrating our Risen Lord! Doug was able to go to church on Sunday with us and we had a wonderful time worshipping our Lord and His victory over sin and death. We were also able to spend time with my brother John and his family. Later in the day the Emry family was together and we enjoyed great food, fellowship, and the sunshine.
It is 9 days and counting since Doug's chemo treatment and has been pretty hard on him. He suffers with nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and fatigue. It is to be expected, but even then it is hard. He is getting stronger each day and we are very thankful. On Wednesday we met with Dr. Ralph Sutherlin at Optimal Health Clinic in Boise and were able to learn of some additional therapies Doug can undergo while having chemo to help his body stay strong and prevent damage to the healthy cells. Our visit with Dr. Sutherlin was very hopeful and encouraging. He is all about treating the whole person, body, mind, and spirit. Doug is going to join a "Quality of Life Study" for AMARC who are the distributors of a product called "Poly-MVA". Poly-MVA is a formula that protects healthy cells while the body undergoes radiation or chemotherapy and also replaces critical nutrients that are depleted from the therapies. This product had been mentioned to us before and Dr. Sutherlin was in favor of using it too as he has been encouraged by the results for cancer patients. Doug is also going to be undergoing Vitamin C IV therapy from Dr. Sutherlin to oxygenate the body, which we know inhibits cancer cell growth. Doug will start by having 1 Vitamin C treatment on the week in-between his chemo treatments. We also have to order the Poly-MVA and enroll him as a member of the study. I need to get all of his diagnosis from Dr. Fiorentino for him to be able to participate. Tomorrow Doug is going to have another PET scan at St. Luke's Meridian so we can get a new baseline in order to monitor any changes since the one in January and also any changes from the chemo treatments. We both have seen the swelling in the left lymph node behind his ear go down and know this is a very good sign the tumor is shrinking.
Please pray specifically for Doug tomorrow during his PET scan which is at 7:30 a.m. that he will not have any nausea, vomiting, coughing, or anxiety as the scan is performed. He needs to be able to lie completely still and this can be challenge when one is not feeling good. Please pray too for him to regain his strength, for the chemo treatments to kill the cancer, but not do any harm to the rest of his body....and for Doug not to lose hope. This round of treatments has been much harder for him and he has been discouraged at times as this is his 4th round of chemo.
We will get the results of the PET scan on Tuesday, April 21st when we meet with Dr. Fiorentino before Doug's 2nd chemo treatment. We are asking the Lord for great results! We will update the blog next week.
Thank you once again for your faithfulness for going boldly before the Lord on Doug's behalf and our family. Words are really inadequate to express our thanks and appreciation. We know Doug has done so well and the Lord has sustained him due to your prayers and faithfulness.
Blessing to each one of you! May you find comfort, hope, and peace in the arms of our Lord! Isaiah 41:10
Linda
This week you are getting an update from my perspective as Doug asked me to share with you my thoughts on how things are going.
We hope you had a blessed Resurrection Sunday celebrating our Risen Lord! Doug was able to go to church on Sunday with us and we had a wonderful time worshipping our Lord and His victory over sin and death. We were also able to spend time with my brother John and his family. Later in the day the Emry family was together and we enjoyed great food, fellowship, and the sunshine.
It is 9 days and counting since Doug's chemo treatment and has been pretty hard on him. He suffers with nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and fatigue. It is to be expected, but even then it is hard. He is getting stronger each day and we are very thankful. On Wednesday we met with Dr. Ralph Sutherlin at Optimal Health Clinic in Boise and were able to learn of some additional therapies Doug can undergo while having chemo to help his body stay strong and prevent damage to the healthy cells. Our visit with Dr. Sutherlin was very hopeful and encouraging. He is all about treating the whole person, body, mind, and spirit. Doug is going to join a "Quality of Life Study" for AMARC who are the distributors of a product called "Poly-MVA". Poly-MVA is a formula that protects healthy cells while the body undergoes radiation or chemotherapy and also replaces critical nutrients that are depleted from the therapies. This product had been mentioned to us before and Dr. Sutherlin was in favor of using it too as he has been encouraged by the results for cancer patients. Doug is also going to be undergoing Vitamin C IV therapy from Dr. Sutherlin to oxygenate the body, which we know inhibits cancer cell growth. Doug will start by having 1 Vitamin C treatment on the week in-between his chemo treatments. We also have to order the Poly-MVA and enroll him as a member of the study. I need to get all of his diagnosis from Dr. Fiorentino for him to be able to participate. Tomorrow Doug is going to have another PET scan at St. Luke's Meridian so we can get a new baseline in order to monitor any changes since the one in January and also any changes from the chemo treatments. We both have seen the swelling in the left lymph node behind his ear go down and know this is a very good sign the tumor is shrinking.
Please pray specifically for Doug tomorrow during his PET scan which is at 7:30 a.m. that he will not have any nausea, vomiting, coughing, or anxiety as the scan is performed. He needs to be able to lie completely still and this can be challenge when one is not feeling good. Please pray too for him to regain his strength, for the chemo treatments to kill the cancer, but not do any harm to the rest of his body....and for Doug not to lose hope. This round of treatments has been much harder for him and he has been discouraged at times as this is his 4th round of chemo.
We will get the results of the PET scan on Tuesday, April 21st when we meet with Dr. Fiorentino before Doug's 2nd chemo treatment. We are asking the Lord for great results! We will update the blog next week.
Thank you once again for your faithfulness for going boldly before the Lord on Doug's behalf and our family. Words are really inadequate to express our thanks and appreciation. We know Doug has done so well and the Lord has sustained him due to your prayers and faithfulness.
Blessing to each one of you! May you find comfort, hope, and peace in the arms of our Lord! Isaiah 41:10
Linda
Thursday, April 9, 2009
April 9th Update
It is time to update the blog for the week. I started the chemotherapy Tuesday. We arrived at Nampa Mountain State Tumor Institute (MSTI) at 8:45 a.m. to do lab work, to see the doctor at 9:00 a.m. and then on to the chemo suite to start the treatments. It is an all day affair and we finally left MSTI at about 3:15 p.m. in the afternoon. I also came home wearing a fusion ball with a chemo drug called 5FU that will be a continually pumping for 48 hours. I go in on Thursday to have it removed. As you can see, this ends up being a long and boring day; nothing to do but sit and read or get on the computer.
The major side effects so far have been tiredness, nausea, constipation, and some dizziness. They did give me some medications to combat the side effects so all in all things are going pretty good.
I trust each of you will celebrate Resurrection Sunday this weekend. This is the single most important event in Christianity! Without the Resurrection we would have no Savior, no Salvation, no victory over death, no hope of Christ’s return for His Church, and no hope of eternity in heaven as God’s children. Without the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Christianity would have fallen by the way side a long time ago.
I want to encourage everyone to celebrate the victory Jesus had over death.
HE HAS RISEN, HE HAS RISEN INDEED!
Blessings to each of you,
Doug
The major side effects so far have been tiredness, nausea, constipation, and some dizziness. They did give me some medications to combat the side effects so all in all things are going pretty good.
I trust each of you will celebrate Resurrection Sunday this weekend. This is the single most important event in Christianity! Without the Resurrection we would have no Savior, no Salvation, no victory over death, no hope of Christ’s return for His Church, and no hope of eternity in heaven as God’s children. Without the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Christianity would have fallen by the way side a long time ago.
I want to encourage everyone to celebrate the victory Jesus had over death.
HE HAS RISEN, HE HAS RISEN INDEED!
Blessings to each of you,
Doug
Thursday, April 2, 2009
April 2nd Update
Well another week has almost passed. I don’t have any new news, just a trip to the dentist to fix a broken tooth. I have been in contact with a Dr. Sutherland in Boise who runs Optimal Health Clinic. Dr Sutherland’s clinic uses alternative methods to help people who are going through cancer, cancer treatments and other diseases. I hope to meet with him in the near future to discuss any help he can give me with my treatments. He also has an Herbalist that I would like to meet with.
I am still having some headaches and dizziness, but over all am beginning to feel better. I think pushing out the start of chemo treatments was a good idea.
Chemo treatments will start next Tuesday April 7th and as you would suspect I am not looking forward to starting at all. I know from past experience just how difficult this will be, but I am fully trusting in the Lord to heal me or walk with me through this time.
I ask that you would pray for Linda and me as we start these treatments. Pray specifically for the chemo drugs to kill the cancer in my body and not damage the good healthy cells; for the side effects to be at a minimum or even not at all; for Dr. Fiorentino to have the wisdom, discernment, and guidance to administer the best treatment possible for me.
I love you all and each of you need to know just how much it means to Linda, my family, and I that you all are praying for us.
Psalm 71:14 But as for me I will always have hope and I will praise You more and more.
God Bless You All
I am still having some headaches and dizziness, but over all am beginning to feel better. I think pushing out the start of chemo treatments was a good idea.
Chemo treatments will start next Tuesday April 7th and as you would suspect I am not looking forward to starting at all. I know from past experience just how difficult this will be, but I am fully trusting in the Lord to heal me or walk with me through this time.
I ask that you would pray for Linda and me as we start these treatments. Pray specifically for the chemo drugs to kill the cancer in my body and not damage the good healthy cells; for the side effects to be at a minimum or even not at all; for Dr. Fiorentino to have the wisdom, discernment, and guidance to administer the best treatment possible for me.
I love you all and each of you need to know just how much it means to Linda, my family, and I that you all are praying for us.
Psalm 71:14 But as for me I will always have hope and I will praise You more and more.
God Bless You All
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Update for March 26th
As I promised I am updating the blog weekly.
I was set up to begin chemotherapy this last Tuesday, March 24th only 2 weeks after finishing radiation. My Oncologist recommended waiting a month. After not bouncing back as quick as I had hoped for I called MSTI Nampa and pushed the start of Chemotherapy out 2 more weeks. I will begin Chemotherapy on April 7th. We will be doing what’s called “Full Fury” which will include the drugs 5FU, Lucovorin and Irinotecan. You can Google the last drug name and find out more about the drugs and side effects.
I hope over the next 2 weeks to regain my strength before starting the Chemo Treatments. Please continue to pray for my family and me as we get ready to take the next step in my battle against cancer. It means so much to us to know just how many people are lifting us up in prayer. We thank every one of you for your continual prayers for us.
God Bless
I was set up to begin chemotherapy this last Tuesday, March 24th only 2 weeks after finishing radiation. My Oncologist recommended waiting a month. After not bouncing back as quick as I had hoped for I called MSTI Nampa and pushed the start of Chemotherapy out 2 more weeks. I will begin Chemotherapy on April 7th. We will be doing what’s called “Full Fury” which will include the drugs 5FU, Lucovorin and Irinotecan. You can Google the last drug name and find out more about the drugs and side effects.
I hope over the next 2 weeks to regain my strength before starting the Chemo Treatments. Please continue to pray for my family and me as we get ready to take the next step in my battle against cancer. It means so much to us to know just how many people are lifting us up in prayer. We thank every one of you for your continual prayers for us.
God Bless
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
March 18th 2009
Not much to update this week. It has been 13 days since my last radiation treatment and I am still feeling tired and out of energy. I really thought by now I would be seeing a big improvement in my energy level. I am scheduled to begin chemo treatments next Tuesday but may take the option to push it out two more weeks and begin sometime in April.
We have been struck by some sickness around the house. I seemed to have caught a cold (or more like the cold has caught me.) I hope with the spring weather upon us that I can begin to get out more in the coming days.
Please continue to pray for Linda, my family and me. I know that we will have some very rough days ahead with the chemo treatments. Having gone through chemo before (3 times) I kinda know what to expect.
Thank you all for your ongoing prayers for us. This is my prayer for all of you.
"that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might
which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come."
Ephesians 1:17-21
God Bless You All
We have been struck by some sickness around the house. I seemed to have caught a cold (or more like the cold has caught me.) I hope with the spring weather upon us that I can begin to get out more in the coming days.
Please continue to pray for Linda, my family and me. I know that we will have some very rough days ahead with the chemo treatments. Having gone through chemo before (3 times) I kinda know what to expect.
Thank you all for your ongoing prayers for us. This is my prayer for all of you.
"that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might
which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come."
Ephesians 1:17-21
God Bless You All
Monday, March 9, 2009
March 9th 2009
New Update:
I completed my radiation treatment as of last Thursday. The last 2 days of radiation all of my hair fell out. I never really wondered what I might look like as a bald man but now I know; only a face that a mother could love.
Linda and I met with the Chemotherapy Oncologist, Dr. Fiorentino, on Friday to go over the next steps in my battle with Cancer. He thought with all that I have been through (Surgery, Radiation) we should wait a month before starting any chemotherapy. I wondered about waiting a month because of the possible growth of the tumors. Because of my concerns and hesitation to push out treatments for a month we set up a tentative appointment to begin chemo in two weeks. At that time we will evaluate my physical strength and if needed postpone the chemotherapy treatments for an additional two weeks. Dr. Fiorentino told us that I need to be at full strength before beginning any chemotherapy.
Linda and I have made our way up to the Cabin in Cascade this week. I hope to get some much needed rest and renewed strength. Please continue to pray for me and my family as our God continues to hold us in His loving arms. I know that God is in control and I look for His leading everyday in my life.
I completed my radiation treatment as of last Thursday. The last 2 days of radiation all of my hair fell out. I never really wondered what I might look like as a bald man but now I know; only a face that a mother could love.
Linda and I met with the Chemotherapy Oncologist, Dr. Fiorentino, on Friday to go over the next steps in my battle with Cancer. He thought with all that I have been through (Surgery, Radiation) we should wait a month before starting any chemotherapy. I wondered about waiting a month because of the possible growth of the tumors. Because of my concerns and hesitation to push out treatments for a month we set up a tentative appointment to begin chemo in two weeks. At that time we will evaluate my physical strength and if needed postpone the chemotherapy treatments for an additional two weeks. Dr. Fiorentino told us that I need to be at full strength before beginning any chemotherapy.
Linda and I have made our way up to the Cabin in Cascade this week. I hope to get some much needed rest and renewed strength. Please continue to pray for me and my family as our God continues to hold us in His loving arms. I know that God is in control and I look for His leading everyday in my life.
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