First, Mike and I would like to thank everyone for praying for us this week, and mostly especially, today. The anxiety of the unknown can be the hardest for us to deal with. But we felt God's peace today, and know that is largely because of all of our family and friends supporting us.
We learned today that Mike gained another pound, which was a surprise to me! I was convinced, as often as he has been playing the drums each day, he would have dropped some weight, but evidently not, so that was good news to me. :) The doctor also was better able to gauge Mike's Neuropathy in his hands and feet, saying, "It can't be too bad if he's playing the drums!", so that was good news to hear as well. This has been one area the oncologist had been concerned about, trying to gauge exactly how much the chemotherapy is affecting Mike's fingers and feet.
Labwork showed that his CBC counts were all good. His liver enzymes are elevated, as they have continued to be, but his bilirubin count is normal, and that shows that his bile ducts/stents are functioning well. His kidneys are functioning normally too.
The CT Scan was discussed, and it was decided that Mike will have this done in Little Rock, at the oncology office there. This is because Mike has had scans done at so many different locations over the last 10 months (St. Mary's, Baptist, MD Anderson), that the doctor would like to use a radiologist he feels particularly confident with, so he can compare the scans and get as accurate of a measurement as possible. There has been a little confusion in the past, how much the tumor has shrunk, because of the various locations and different equipment.
Instead of having the CT done next week, the doctor decided he would like to have it scheduled as close to the next treatment date as possible, to allow Mike's body another three weeks of treatment, before making the measurement. We will receive that scheduled date tomorrow when Mike returns for the Neulasta injection, but we know it will be before May 1st, which is the next scheduled treatment date. We will know how to proceed after the scan is done. Obviously, we will need God's grace and strength waiting for those results.
Today's treatment went fine. We are expecting the same pattern of side effects, as we have with the past treatments.
Day1 & 2, Mike feel's jittery and has an onset of emotions, probably due to the steroids given during treatments.
Day 3 & 4, Mike begins to have stomach problems and just an overall feeling of not feeling well. He also becomes extremely weak and run down, wanting to sleep often.
Day 5 thru 8, Mike begins to bottom out and begins to hurt all over, and experiences bad headaches. He also seems to get the most discouraged around this point after treatment.
Then he begins to pull out of it, and begins to mend.
I know we can count on all of you praying for Mike, and for our family, as we try to help make him more comfortable. I'd like to also ask you to pray for protection over him, that he wouldn't be exposed to any harmful viruses the next week, that his vital organs would be protected from any harm of these harsh chemicals being used to diminish this tumor in his liver, and lastly, that God would take these drugs and work about a miracle in Mike. Also, please be praying that God will prepare Mike and I, to be at peace with whatever His will is, with the CT results, and to not lose hope.
In the past couple of days, we have received news from three family members and friends, who have been fighting cancer, and who have all gone into remission. God is answering prayer and working miracles. We continue to hope and pray there is one more out there with Mike's name on it.
Thank you again for loving us and supporting us in prayer.
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