Mike now has twenty radiation treatments behind him, with only ten left to go. He has been handling them well. He gets tired at times, and it takes him a little time to get going in the morning, but I have seen him more like himself this past week, than I have in months. The chemotherapy medication tends to be what gets to him the most, but we seem to take the edge off of the side effects by having him take the anti-nausea medication along with the chemo drug.
Mike saw the radiation physician this morning and we momentarily got our hopes up, when they handed us a new schedule, showing that radiation treatments ended next Wednesday. We were really hopeful that was true, especially since Mike only had enough oral chemo pills to last until Wednesday as well. But, when the doctor looked it up in the computer, we learned that treatments would go through to next Friday afternoon and we would need to stay the extra two days. :(
Mike's weight continues to stay up, with him even gaining another 1/2 pound. They told us most patients end up losing about 7 pounds during this type of treatment, which Mike really couldn't afford to lose; so maintaining, or even gaining a little weight during treatments, is something to celebrate. One other tidbit they shared was that Mike's blood work showed Mike's white blood count was a little elevated, and they asked Mike if he experienced fever or other symptoms, but when he said he hasn't had any trouble, they dismissed it being any problem.
Mike also saw his surgeon today. Plans were discussed for us to be back down here in late January for more tests, and to also exchange biliary tubes. Mike and I are still trying to cope with the idea that this will continue to be a part of our future, but we're grateful God has provided a better solution for these down here.
Speaking of this....Mike will be seeing the diagnostic team Monday morning to check out Mike's right biliary drain, to see if it is properly in place. There has been a minor problem with it the past two days, so it was recommended by Mike's surgeon today, to have this double checked. If it shows that it needs to be replaced, Mike will have to undergo an exchange, of only that one side. So, with that being at 11 a.m. Monday, we are hoping it won't interfere with Mike's afternoon radiation treatment, delaying our trip home any further. This is something we would appreciate your prayers regarding.
We are also needing your prayers concerning our lodging. The hotel we are staying at still has no vacancies and our reservation will be running out after Monday night. All of the hotels in the medical city area are booked, so the only place we could find with vacancies, is quite a distance from the clinic. Needing to have two treatments a day, this makes things a little inconvenient for us. But...it doesn't leave us homeless. ;) It just would be very helpful if we could remain where we are at, and we would appreciate your prayers for an opening.
This has been such a long journey, and we're looking so forward to coming home. Thank you for praying us through this winding road. You have been such an encouragement and help to us.
"May those who sincerely seek You find genuine happiness and fulfillment, and may they express their joy in proclamations of praise to You. As for me, I always need Your sustaining grace. O God, do not withhold it from me." Psalms 70:4-5/Psalms Now
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