NEW  CT SCAN & MRI – MORE CHEMOTHERAPY

On Monday, July 21^st Irene had a new MRI and CT scan.  We met with Dr. Homsi on Tuesday, and he informed us that the results of the scans indicate no discernible change and no definite evidence of local recurrence of the cancer.  The good news is the one chemo drug she is taking appears to be working.  Therefore, Dr. Homsi recommended that we continue the chemotherapy for at least two more sessions.  He sent her upstairs to the infusion center, and she spent the rest of the day receiving the chemo through an IV.  She spent three hours the next day receiving anti nausea drugs and IV fluids.  We know the routine pretty well, and the people who are caring for her are wonderful.  It appears to me from what I hear that she is their favorite patient.

Irene has been feeling good, and we are able to control the swelling in her leg with the wrapping at night and the constriction stocking during the day.  We spent two weeks in Utah, which was almost as hot at Arizona on a few days.  We enjoyed visiting with our family and friends and appreciate their hospitality.  Highlights were visiting with the Bob and Nadine Woodhead family and the Scott and Sydne Parker family.  We also joined a few of our old Bear River High School classmates and played golf in the 50^th Annual Fielding Open at Wolf Creek in Eden, Utah.  We enjoyed the Mormon Tabernacle Choir with Katherine Jenkins at the Pioneer Concert in the Conference Center.  We also enjoyed a session in the Draper Temple.

On the way home we stopped at Cove Fort and had a great visit with Merle and Carol Allen who are serving as missionaries at the Fort.  The Allens served with us in Hong Kong, and we loved hearing their experiences and testimonies.

We are so grateful for your faith and prayers and feel that Irene’s continued progress is a direct result of those petitions and Heavenly Father’s blessings.  We offer our prayers for many who suffer from cancer and from other health and difficult situations.  We continue to move forward knowing that we are in the Lord’s hands.

EIGHTH CHEMOTHERAPY TREATMENT

More than a week has passed since my last treatment, so I must give a little report.  I went into Banner MD Anderson here in Mesa on Wednesday, June 27 to have blood work, meet with Dr. Homsi and to have chemotherapy.  

My treatment was the longest I have ever had – beginning  at 11:30 a.m. and ending at 7:00 p.m.  It is given through an IV now that I no longer have a PIC line.  The chemo drug administered through an IV can burn the tissue which is very painful, so they have to dilute the drug with saline solution which results in a much longer session.  The pain was doable, and I got a lot of reading done.

I went back the next day for hydration and anti nausea drugs again through the IV.  That was only three hours and did its job.  I am grateful not to be nauseated and even more grateful that Daryl is willing to sit with me for all of those hours.    

Right now, I don’t have any more treatments scheduled, but I am scheduled on July 23 to have a CT Scan and an MRI.  Dr. Homsi will see the results, and we will go from there.  He did not rule out more treatments, depending on what he finds.

I have felt good enough lately to enjoy a sleepover at our place with 11 grandsons, age twelve to age four.  They swam, ate pizza, made lollipops, and watched a movie.  The next morning grandpa fixed his delicious sour pancakes and they swam some more.  I was so pleased with how well they all got along and treated each other.

Mikey, top right is a friend of the Peterson's.

Jolly Rancher candy on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.  The kids are very creative.

Melt at 350 degrees for 6 minutes.  Watch.  Remove from paper when cool.

Fun for all ages!   Max, Dax & Andrew.

The next morning.


On July 1, Kevin and Tara’s baby (Allison Irene) was blessed by Kevin.  It was a wonderful occasion with most of our family present and Tara’s parents, Craig and Mary Lynn Wilson here from Santa Rosa, California. 

Kevin, Tara & family

Teenage grandchildren fascinated by baby Allison

Arizona sunset

We also had a very nice 4^th of July celebration/barbecue/swim at Chuck and Gayla’s.  We feel so very blessed to live in America where we enjoy so many freedoms.  We are off to Utah in the morning.   Hope you are all having a wonderful summer!

Grandson, Josh Peterson, with granddaughter, Amy Garry before their Prom dates arrived

Amy Garry

I know that the pictures look funny off the edges, but the smaller images are hard to see.  I got a little carried away once I started.