March 28, 2010

Derek and Dave just arrived home today after a week long chemo treatment at Primary's. It is good to have them back! Derek came home with an hearty appetite and a happy heart.
In the last post, I spoke about a surgery to remove the rest of the tumor. However, that has all changed. Derek and Dave met with the team of oncologists and the radiologist to discuss this, and it was suggested that they do radiation to kill the tumor-- no surgery at all. Dave asked the surgeon what he would do if Derek were his son. The surgeon explained the delicate nature of the surgery and the complications resulting from it, and told him that although he enjoyed the challenge, the chances of removing all the cancer was "remote", and they would likely need to do radiation anyway. So, next week, when they return to Primary's for the regular chemo treatment, Derek will also receive 5 days of radiation along with it. The radiation will be just 10 minutes a day for 5 days, and the chemo will be 3 continuous days. The radiation treatments will be over in six weeks, and of course, the chemo will continue as planned (he just finished the 6th out of 14 treatments. Almost half way done!)

On the way home from Salt Lake, the car's engine started acting funny, so they pulled off the freeway and checked under the hood. Dave found a leak in the hose, which (for the past 100 miles) had been spraying gasoline all over the hot engine! They moved away from the car and waited until Dave could safely fix the problem. Through snowstorms, heavy rains, and car problems, Heavenly Father has kept us safe and taken care of our needs. Thanks for your prayers.