On the road

Mom and dad are on their way back to Missouri. Dad was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon. There was still some fluid in his right lung and fluid has started building in his left. The doctor said there is a procedure they can do to seal the perforation in the lung, so mom and dad will follow up with the oncologist Monday to discuss options. We are still waiting for the analysis of the fluid that was completed two weeks ago in Cape.

Update

Just left the hospital. Dad is definitely much better than he was this time last night. Still in pain from the procedure they completed to drain the fluid. He's in good spirits, though tired. He will get an x-ray in the morning to assess the right lung and to be sure the fluid is not returning. We are praying that the lung is clear with the exception of the fluid they could not drain today. As I was leaving, I told him that I was so sorry he was having to endure all of this. He said some people have it much worse and that, "It really ain't nothing but a thing."

Angie

Sam's baptism - Tuscaloosa, AL

What a surprise!!

Isaiah 58:8-11:


"Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.

The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail."

When the phone rang this morning, and I looked at the caller id, I was prepared for the worst. As Tim reported, mom and dad were given difficult news by the oncologist two weeks ago and this morning was the appointment with the oncologist to get results of the CT scan. Even Monday, his labs revealed that his tumor markers were elevated, evidently confirming the news the doctor had shared two weeks ago--that the chemo was no longer working. He had recommended mom call Hospice. Well...the CT scan revealed the seemingly impossible...the pancreatic tumor has shrunk!!! The lung nodules have also shrunk. The doctor was a bit baffled, to say the least.

So...now, dad will start chemo again. The chemo regimen may change, as the more toxic of the two drugs creates debilitating side effects including neuropathy in his limbs and fingers and vision problems. A new Phase 3 clinical research trial is beginning in St. Louis. Dad may be a candidate for the study--his M.D. is looking into that as a potential option.

While this is wonderful news, and we're all thrilled, the disease continues to take its toll in numerous ways in mom and dad's lives. They show amazing strength, though the challenges are vast.

As always, we are deeply grateful for the continued prayers and support. We are confident that this progress is due to the power of prayer, the wonderful care dad receives from mom, and the positive outlook he has maintained throughout this experience.

With love and gratitude,
Angie

Our dear cousins, Bill and Connie Reid, are participating in a walk funded by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in St. Louis October 18. They are walking in honor of Connie's friend and in honor of dad. Please don't feel pressured to contribute. I just wanted to take a moment to thank Bill and Connie for this kind gesture and to provide additional information to anyone who may want to offer a donation, or to participate in another way. The link to Bill and Connie's team page is below, followed by information about PanCan and the event in St. Louis.

http://pancan.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=316311&lis=1&kntae316311=40D8C9C3C02647559E9B8E9538D3C80C&supId=265099601

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is a non-profit organization working to advance research, support patients and create hope for those affected by pancreatic cancer. The organization funds research grants, provides information and resources to patients and their families at no cost, pushes for increased federal research funding and educates the public about this disease.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, yet it receives less funding per patient than other leading cancer killers. Your support helps the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network fulfill its mission and provides hope to the over 37,000 Americans who will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year.

Ben and I spent several days with mom and dad this week and had a great visit. One night, the Bixler brothers hosted a fish fry....pretty serious business as you can tell from this shot.



Dad is very tired and experiencing painful side effects secondary to the Neupogen injections he receives to replenish his white blood cell count. The chemo regimen he is on attacks the bone marrow, depleting red and white blood cells and platelets. However, as Tim described in the previous posts, dad never skips a beat. He is pushing and fighting and doesn't want to sit around and talk about cancer. Funny....one of Grandpa Bixler's canes was at the house. Uncle Craw told dad that he should use it to get around. Dad replied, "I don't want people to see me with it and think I'm sick."

For their birthdays, mom and dad received a veranda swing for the back yard. We couldn't get these three out of it to move it over the fence!




As always, thank you for the continued support and prayers.

Matthews reunion

Mom and dad attended the Matthews High School reunion this weekend with Uncle Craw and Aunt Jo. They had a great time.