POSITIVE RESULTS & FIFTH CHEMOTHERAPY

This morning we met with Dr. Homsi, our medical oncologist.  He had reviewed the MRIs and CT scan and recommended that we proceed with the chemotherapy today with another one in four weeks then more scans at the end of May.  The results are positive in that the lung lesions are still indistinguishable.  The tumor in my leg has been reduced dramatically from the original scans.  

If the scans in May look good, he will probably give me a break for a few months and remove the PICC line.  YEA!

As for the blood clots, there is not much change from when they were first diagnosed.  He told us that this is a slow process which is why it could take six months or longer to see results.  I am now giving myself a Lovenox shot once a day.

I told Dr. Homsi that at least once a week someone asks, “If the chemotherapy has helped your leg, why didn’t they try that in the beginning?”  His answer was interesting and shed some light on the subject. 

First of all, he said that sarcomas are a rare form of cancer, and a lot of them do not respond to chemo, so surgery is usually the first resort.  He then went on to say that the response for my tumor has been impressive and that I am a lucky girl.  I guess if I have to have something that is rare, I can be most grateful that it is responding to treatment. 

Chemo went fine today.  I read for a while, then the sedative they put through my PICC line kicked in, and I was out for a couple of hours.  Daryl is patient as always and is getting a lot of reading done.  We will be there again the next two days for anti-nausea medicine given intravenously through the PICC line.  This has really worked well the last two times. 

The goodness of friends is overwhelming as wonderful meals, and fabulous food baskets show up at our home along with all of the verbal concern, cards, etc.  These Christ like acts of service and expressions buoy us up and do make a difference.  We love each of you and thank you so very much—especially for your prayers!

We are really looking forward to this weekend and General Conference.  And we are so excited for the scheduled arrival of Allison Garn to Kevin and Tara on April 6^th.  They are busily painting their children’s’ rooms and switching them around in preparation for this momentous event.  This will take us to 15 grandsons and 14 granddaughters plus one great granddaughter.  It does not get any better than that. 

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