Still in the hospital

The bacteria infection in dad's bloodstream is E. Coli. They ran a test this evening at 4:30 using nuclear medicine to try and find out where the infection is coming from. To do the test they took some blood from dad this morning and sent it to Paducah. Apparently they take the red blood cells out of the blood and inject the white blood cells with the medicine. They took the blood around 7 this morning and had it back from Paducah and in him a little after noon. The theory is that the white blood cells that contain the medicine will travel to the area of the infection and show up on the scan. We will probably learn more tomorrow. It seems like the antibiotics have helped him. He still has quite a bit of abdominal pain. He's lost his appetite but is still eating some. He's on the 5th floor at Southeast Hospital in Cape. They say there going to keep him until the cultures come back negative. If it clears up he'll be on antibiotics for a couple of weeks and will not be able to get a chemo treatment. The bacteria is a big deal and can be fatal. Hopefully it was caught early enough. Please continue to pray for dad.

Today...

Dad was admitted to Southeast Hospital. His liver enzymes are elevated, his fever spiked to 103.8, and some new symptoms have emerged including severe chest pain. They have ruled out pneumonia, heart attack, and lung infection. They are running many tests to identify the source of these symptoms. We'll keep you posted

Riding the Cancer Train....

The cancer has spread throughout dad's lungs and to some lymphnodes. However, the actual pancreatic tumor has remained relatively stable in size, which is an excellent indication that his body has responded to the Gemzar. Dr. Sorscher gave dad three options: continue the course of treatment he is currently on, try a different combination of drugs that are slightly more toxic and not FDA approved yet for pancreatic cancer, or discontinue treatment. Dad chose option 2 and started today. The 5 FU/oxaliplatin combination is delivered for 48 hours continuously through a pump that carries the meds through dad's port. He does this once every other week. This combination is typically used with patients who have colon cancer. However, a recent clinical trial using these drugs with patients with pancreatic cancer was recently completed at M.D. Anderson. Results indicated that 1/3 of the patients experienced some decrease in the size of their tumors. So, dad thought it was worth a shot. The side effects are expected to be considerably more intense, including severe reactions to cold food and temperatures, swelling of the hands and feet, and difficulty breathing. Hopefully, dad will not experience these. There currently is not Phase 2 drug protocol for people with pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Sorscher and Sheri, his nurse, continue to be amazed at dad's optimism and drive to fight this cancer. They contribute his success to treatment up to this point to his attitude.

Dad participated in the creation of the annual Wildlife Dinner at church. The men transformed the church gym into a wildlife spectacular, complete with once-live bears, leopards, moose, deer, boar, and many other animals. Even amidst an ice storm, the wildlife dinner was a huge success. The Bixler men were invited on stage to perform their famous hambone.Can't wait for that video to surface on you tube (wink).






The ice storm devastated most of southeast Missouri. Mom and dad lost many of their trees. Tim worked all day piling up as many of the branches and limbs as he could.












Ben and I spent several days with mom and dad in Sikeston. He loves getting spoiled almost as much as they love spoiling him. Dad even tolerated Barney for an afternoon.....sort of.......










Mom made a poignant statement today. She said she misses how simple life used to be. Now, if you know my mom, you know she rarely complains about anything in her life. This was not delivered as a complaint, but as a somber reflection. She commented how much different things were pre-cancer....when days didn't revolve around chemo drugs and side effects, phone calls with insurance companies, trips to doctors, fear over blood levels, chemo reactions, and the unknown. I many times find myself becoming overwhelmed at the busyness of our lives, but mom reminded me in her gentle way that though things are stressful, life is full of many blessings. The simplicity and busyness of each daily opportunity and obligation and accomplishment should be fully embraced and appreciated because, "That's just what we've always done." I have never heard her complain about any detail involving dad's care. She is living her vow, "in sickness and in health" with love and devotion that is deeply admirable.

Aunt Marge emailed this to me a few weeks ago and I loved it....

When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go, only 1 of 2 things will happen, either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly! Seems appropriate for dad's blog.

Hope you all are well and warm and loved,
Angie