We learned today from Mike's oncology appointment, he will need to have another thoracentesis on his right side Friday. A chest Xray was done this morning which indicated a lot of fluid surrounding that lung. It would explain the congestion and cough Mike has had the last couple of mornings that can be frightening to hear. It sounds like someone with the worse case of pneumonia, but evidently, it's this continual problem we've been having. The thoracentesis should help him breathe better, and he also has prescribed a small capsule for Mike to take to reduce the problem with the coughing. It's just frustrating with the small amount of time the last one was done. Mike will need to be off the blood thinners until after this is performed.

Also alarming was Mike's ammonia level has increased to 63, which is high. Mike has caught himself doing odd things, so he had already suspected this had gone up. When he tried to use the remote control for the TV, as a telephone last night, Mike knew it had to be high. So they have increased an amount of one of his prescriptions to help get this number down.

Things just seem to be raging out of control since May...when Mike began taking the Xeloda. I just wish there were some way we could get him back to before that, so he could continue being strong in fighting this cancer.

Mike's other counts, including a bilirubin count of .06, were all good....except a sky rocketing alkaline phosphate total of over 2000, for which the doctor couldn't explain. His liver seems to be draining well, but not filtering correctly...and this is causing these other problems he's experiencing.

The oncologist also remarked how underweight Mike is...and told him he needs to get 2500 calories in him a day. Mike has improved his appetite the last couple of days, but trying to rise that number is going to be challenging for someone who already feels bloated and full. We may need to just buy enough Chocolate Ensure for Mike to have six shakes a day to get him anywhere close.

The additional problem Mike has been having is the development of bed sores. He has them on his tailbone, shoulders....anywhere where bone presses against skin. The oncologist said added protein in Mike's diet would help, alongside the antibiotic cream we're using.

Things became very difficult for me at one point, as I was waiting with Mike for his treatment to be over. Hearing Mike's raspy voice trying to talk, hearing his deeply congested cough, and seeing how frail he looked compared to all the others taking treatment, really upset me. I can read the concern in the doctor and nurses eyes, and I want to force Mike to follow their instructions, but I know realistically, I can't make him do anymore than he feels he can do. The desperateness I feel is overwhelming.

I was able to encourage Mike to eat lunch by suggesting a small cheese pizza at Brickoven after we left the treatment room. I've had more success getting him to eat that way, since he can choose what he feels like, at any given moment. We made sure he had an Ensure shake beforehand, just to get the nourishment he needs as well.

Please continue to pray Mike will increase his appetite, that we can get 2000-2500 calories in him a day, that his ammonia level would come down, that this thoracentesis would help Mike to breathe easier and possibly stay clear for longer than 2 weeks. That this cough wouldn't disturb Mike's sleep. That his liver would begin to function properly and filter out any bad guys.

We praise God for His enduring strength, the support of our family and friends, for God's provision with insurance and bills, for my compassionate and understanding employer, and for promising not to give us more than we can handle. It's really hard for me to say that last one without a grimace on my face.....yet, we would be nowhere without our Savior's grace and mercy. It feels like a dumpload of bad luck has buried us, but there still is enough voice to praise Him.