A Christmas Story.....

I'm writing this post with my feet propped up on dad's hospital bed. We've been reading posts on pancreatic cancer message boards and watching CBS Sunday Morning. We've had an eventful Christmas. Dad woke up with a fever Christmas morning. That did not stop him from showering us with gifts and praise around the beautifully lit Christmas tree. He did not want to miss the family gathering at John and Laura's, so he insisted on taking some Tylenol and going. We had a nice lunch, but dad obviously did not feel well. Mom took him home early. His temp spiked, resulting in a Christmas trip to the ER. His temp rose to 103.1, and he was having pain and fatigue. Anything over 100.5 is considered alarming in dad's current condition.

His labs looked pretty good at the ER, which was encouraging since his WBC count was down to 2.0 at his oncology visit Tuesday. Because his labs were within the normal range and there was no obvious source of infection, they admitted him to SE hospital to monitor him and to place him on a continuous flow of broad spectrum antibiotics. I drove mom home and Tim spent an uncomfortable Christmas night in a luxurious pull out plastic covered chair in dad's corner "suite." Impressive was the bright yellow bathroom in the "suite." I was reading in this morning's paper that yellow is making quite a comeback in 2009. Evidently Southeast Hospital is quite en vogue.

He was feeling much better on Friday, and even better on Saturday. However, his WBC went from 4.8 on Thursday to 3.4 on Saturday, and this morning were down to 2.9. This is not an overly concerning level, but it is concerning that the level continues to drop. RBC are hovering at 9ish, so they may want to give him a blood transfusion next week.

The doctor was in this morning and told us all of the cultures came back negative, which is great. Though, we still don't know what caused the fever and associated symptoms. They are discharging him today; so he is thrilled. We just need to monitor his WBC....so, as much as dad loves everyone coming by for visits...if you have a cold or have been around anyone with the flu or other illness, please call him rather than dropping by. (He won't like it that I wrote that...sorry Dad....just being protective).

Don't feel bad that we spend part of Christmas in the hospital. We had a wonderful Christmas eve. We cooked and baked, watched A Christmas Story, played games, relaxed, ate, ate, and ate. It was truly what a holiday should be. It was a treat for us all to see Benjamin really get into the Christmas spirit. He exercised his true right to toddlerhood by getting into absolutely every shiny, wrapped, glittery, sweet Christmas treat he could get his little fingers on....including peanut butter fudge.....which nearly gave his nutritional nazi of a mother a stroke.

Mom taught Ben all of the names of the characters in the nativity. It's so sweet...instead of Mary and Joseph, Ben says, "Baby Jesus mommy" and "Baby Jesus daddy." Once, when mom was "quizzing" him on the characters, he pointed to a wise man and said, "Baby Jesus daddy"......we all agreed that he was trying to start quite the scandal!!

Children are the best type of medicine, and dad agrees that being around Ben makes him feel better. We brought Ben up to dad's hospital room. He tried to "bounce bounce" on the hospital bed, but was very disappointed in the firmness of the mattress....but not nearly as disappointed as dad, I'm sure. I'll try to post a video later.

We will go see Dr. Sorscher, dad's oncologist, Tuesday. He will complete another CBC and determine if he can get a gemzar treatment and if he needs a transfusion. As of Tuesday, the plan was to get three more gemzar treatments, then to get another CT scan. We're not sure if the events of the last few days have changed the course of the treatment/scans or not.

As always, dad tries to stay as positive as possible. However, even the most optimistic soul could not escape at least a little blow given the most recent circumstances. To be very honest, this disease is cruel and devastating and creates symptoms, emotions, and circumstances that no one should have to endure. Having said that, there are blessings to be found in every experience. We realize that there people suffering more and suffering less, but that God is with us all. We realize that time is the most valuable human resource. We realize that some paths are completely unpredicted and unappealing, but the direction is not ours to choose. It's easy for me to make these observations because I am not in the hospital bed. I might feel differently if I were. Perspective is everything.

I'm rambling....we are so humbled by the continued outpouring of love, support, and prayers. We are so deeply grateful for every single prayer, every single card and visit, and every single piece of peanut butter fudge.

Happy New Year to all of you.
Love,
Angie

December 4, 2008

Just a quick update...Dad received his first gemcitabin treatment Tuesday, following two weeks off. Having the break last week allowed dad to enjoy Thanksgiving without experiencing as many side effects of the chemo. He has continued taking Tarceva daily (the chemo drug he takes orally). However, its associated side effects are not nearly as debilitating as those imposed by the gemcitabin.

He will have treatments the following three weeks and will receive another CAT scan the week after Christmas.

Hope you all are enjoying your holiday season. Take care.

GOOD NEWS!!!!!

The tumor has shrunk! The original size was 4.2 x 5.2 cm. It is now 3.7 x 4.1 with no metastasis to the liver or other organs!! According to research findings, only 24% of tumors like dad's shrink. He has found his way into that celebrated minority, just like he said he would. So, the M.D. wants to do four more rounds of chemo and reassess. He remains unsure if the spots identified on the lungs a few months ago are malignant, so he is going to have a radiologist examine the image when they reevaluate next month.

Dad's red blood cell count was low, so they want to do a blood transfusion tomorrow. His other counts looked good.

When I was praying for dad this morning, I asked God that He would let something happen today to let mom and dad know that He hears their prayers and is listening to the pleas of their hearts. I know that prayer was answered.

Dad still has a long road ahead of him, as we all know the statistics related to pancreatic cancer. But, today is a day to celebrate and to be thankful! How befitting that this news was delivered during the Thanksgiving season.

Thank you for all your continued prayers and support.

Please write your legislators to support more funding for pancreatic cancer research.

"A joyful and pleasant thing it is to be thankful."
The Book of Common Prayer

CATscan on Monday

Dad received chemo yesterday. His blood levels all looked good with the exception of his sugar, which was a bit high. He has lost a few more pounds, which has put his total weight loss at around 65 pounds. The Thursday following his Tuesday treatments is always his toughest day. He usually experiences fever spikes, significant fatitue, and complete loss of appetite.

He is looking forward to this weekend when he will make the annual family pilgrimage to southwest Missouri to go deer hunting with all the Bixler men. He will return Sunday and receive his ultrasound Monday. This is the first CATscan the oncologist has ordered since dad began chemo. Obviously, we are all a bit anxious to hear the results, and are optimistic that the tumor has stopped growing.

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

November is National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Follow the link below to see how you can help raise awareness (and funds) to fight this disease.

Thanks!!

http://www.pancan.org/raiseyourvoice/index.html

October 24

Dad and mom went to St. Louis today. Dad had the temporary stint in the bile duct that drains from the liver replaced with a permanent one. The procedure went well and they will return home tomorrow morning. Dad has to remain on a liquid diet for the next several days. Monday, he will receive a port through which the gemcitabin treatments can be facilitated with more ease. He will receive chemo again Tuesday.

The oncologist wants dad to receive two more treatments of gemcitabin before re-imaging him. So, the CAT scan will be scheduled a few weeks out. His appetite is very poor, and he remains fatigued. His potassium was low on Tuesday, but other levels looked good! Dad's spirit and optimism remain strong.

We're at the two month mark now. It's incredible how much we've learned and experienced in these two months. Our vocabularies have changed, as have the nature of our conversations. When I have free time, I find myself browsing cancer blogs, research abstracts, and clinical trials updates rather than overstock.com. I am also much more aware of the extensive network that inhabits cancer survivors, patients, and caregivers. It's hard to believe we are now in that web. It seems more people than I ever realized have loved ones with some type of cancer. This network spans all ages and cultures. I met a woman online from L.A. whose father also has pancreatic cancer with lung metastasis. She and I exchange any new information we find. We continue to explore medical and alternative treatments, supplements, etc. that are being tested with patients with pancreatic cancer.

Thanks for your continued support of mom and dad.

Tall Cotton.....

We took Ben to John's cotton field for his first lesson in picking cotton. He demonstrated natural talent that surprised us all! He didn't want to leave! Here's part of his lesson....Click on the arrow to view.