Treatment Results

Harry was scheduled to return to the hospital tomorrow (August 31) for a fourth treatment. We were also to receive the results from CT scans that were done last week. These scans were to reveal whether chemo treatments were working.

Well, Harry and I got an unexpected call from his oncologist tonight. When she identified herself on the phone, we both held our breath. All day we have been a little anxious about what to expect. But we both have stood firm (and is still standing) on God's Word: He will take sickness away from our midst (Ex. 23:25).

Harry's oncologist shared the results: the treatments have stabilized the tumors in his lungs. Hallelujah!! However, the tumors on his bones and on his adrenal glands have slightly grown. With that, Harry's doctor is recommending a change in the course for his treatment. She is adding radiation along with the chemo, but the chemo medication is changing.

Harry and I are receiving this report as good news. We understood Harry's next step for his treatment was a maintenance drug, but the doctors are changing that recommendation. Evidently they have been encouraged by the stabilization of the tumors in his lung. The new treatment regiment is a blessing and a new source of hope.

Here are our prayer concerns as we move forward:
1. Pray that God will give Harry's doctor wisdom as she designs a new treatment program for Harry.
2. Pray that Harry will be able to eat more and gain more strength to get ready for the next round of treatments. He especially needs to get his red blood cell count up.
3. Pray that the next round of treatment will be effective on the rest of the tumors.
4. Pray that the side effects will not be as hard. Harry has really suffered because of the treatments.

Thank you, one and all, for your prayers. We know that God is working and feel His presence in our midst. We also have a great sense that He is working through Harry's doctor. It's all because of the prayers that are reaching the throne of God.

Treatments

First Treatment

Harry spends most of his days laying down because of the chemo treatments. They have been brutal and have weakened him quite a bit. The side effects were not severe at the beginning. After the first treatment, sickness took hold of him for maybe three or four days, then he was able to function very close to normal. But each treatment delivers a stronger punch to his body. It may be because Harry has not been able to recover fully before it's time for the next treatment.

This was especially true before his last treatment. He was scheduled to receive a fourth treatment on last Wednesday, August 10. But because his red blood cell count was so low, the doctors opted to give him a blood transfusion and rescheduled his treatment for Friday, two days later. The blood transfusion helped. The next day Harry felt better, and by Friday, he was able to walk through the hospital without the aid of a wheelchair. This was huge.

Unfortunately, I was not about to be with Harry during his fourth treatment. I had a medical scare and spent Thursday and Friday at the hospital undergoing tests because I was experiencing symptoms of a heart attack. Don't panic. The doctors cleared me and put me on over the counter meds to provide some relief for the stress of our journey.


At Centennial Park

The day after Harry's fourth treatment, he felt great. We went to Centennial Park to get some sun and to walk. It was great for him to get out again after spending so many days confined to the bed or the sofa. And on Sunday, August 14, the second day after the treatment, Harry was able to go to church after being away for about four Sundays. However, he felt that he had overdone walking at the park because he was quite sore.

Monday brought disappointment. Harry fought against the side effects as much as he could. But by Tuesday, the side effects of the treatment won. This past week he has been depleted of appetite and strength. He spent a couple of days in the bed and the other days on the sofa ... again.

Harry and I ask that you continue to pray for his healing and also focus your prayers to be delivered from the side effects of the chemo treatments. The next treatment has been scheduled for August 31, but before the treatment, he will undergo scans to determine how the tumors are responding to the treatments. The scans are scheduled for Thursday, August 25.

Thank you for your prayers. We believe that God is great, and He not only delivers us from sin, but also from diseases (Ps. 103:1-5). Harry and I strongly believe that God will deliver him from this disease. Please join your faith with ours as we believe God to get us on the other side of this, healthy and whole. We love you all.