Dad says green jello is fine. (Just in case some of you were keeping track)
He had another chemo treatment this morning. His white blood cell count is good, so he won't have to get the shot in the morning. He said he feels better now (12:30) than he did when he got to oncologist this morning. He only had one chemo med today (he didn't remember which one) and an IV form of his "gold pill" for nausea. Now he gets a week off of Chemo and his next treatment is July 14th.
He said he felt well enough last night to help load up all the camping gear. They pull out on the yearly trip to Hungry Horse this afternoon for the week. Cross your fingers he feels better than after the last chemo treatment!
As of now the kids and I am planning on camping with them Saturday & Sunday night - but weather will dictate that. Hail, lightening and heavy rain do not mix well with tents and small children.
I will update at some point after I see him this weekend. In the mean time, I hope everyone has a great 4th!
Thank you for all the support and prayers you have given Dad and the family.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Kytril link
oopos, forgot link for meds...
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-11295-Kytril.aspx?drugid=11295&drugname=Kytril&pagenumber=2
Morning update
10:15 am
Just spoke to Dad and he is feeling better. He is eating. They gave him Kytril for his nausea now and it seem to be working. (info link below) He said they are GOLD plated - I asked him if he was now too good for "regular" pills!
I have to work now, more later.
Just spoke to Dad and he is feeling better. He is eating. They gave him Kytril for his nausea now and it seem to be working. (info link below) He said they are GOLD plated - I asked him if he was now too good for "regular" pills!
I have to work now, more later.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Red jello & Chemo don't mix
7:30 pm
That is the news today. Dad said he was doing better until he ate red jello, then he was back to vomiting.
He did ask me to email him the link for the blog, so I know he will be looking at it regularly to check up on what I am posting. So guess I can't tell embarassing stories about him anymore!
He has another Chemo treatment on Friday morning, he said he thought it would be a smaller dose than last week though. He also said they can give him something when he gets it to help with the nausea. Hopefully he will feel better so the camping trip can go off without a hitch (ooo....bad pun, sorry)
Keep up the prayers
That is the news today. Dad said he was doing better until he ate red jello, then he was back to vomiting.
He did ask me to email him the link for the blog, so I know he will be looking at it regularly to check up on what I am posting. So guess I can't tell embarassing stories about him anymore!
He has another Chemo treatment on Friday morning, he said he thought it would be a smaller dose than last week though. He also said they can give him something when he gets it to help with the nausea. Hopefully he will feel better so the camping trip can go off without a hitch (ooo....bad pun, sorry)
Keep up the prayers
Monday, June 26, 2006
Monday
10 am
Saw Dad on Saturday, he looked good. He said he was feeling pretty good (relatively speaking)
I told him it was nice to see he didn't wake up bald. so he says "the dr said my hair may thin" so i asked him what thinning thin hair would be and we laughed because that would be bald in my book. He also told a funny story...he was in the pole barn and turned around and his shorts fell down - he laughed. We also asked the dr. if they made wigs with a bald spot so he would look normal. It may sound strange to some of you to tease him like this, but the day dad loses his humor will be a very sad day indeed. And if we weren't laughing, we'd be crying.
I just talked to him. He said he was sick to his stomach yesterday and puking today. So we know the chemo is in his system. He is still planning on pulling out to the camp ground Friday afternoon, so hopefully he feels better. He has a new med for nausea now. I will check with him later tonight to see if it works.
Send him some jokes, cards, letters...whatever. Just anything to keep him in your thoughts and in your prayers and keep his spirits up.
I appreciate the comments and well wishes from all of you!
Saw Dad on Saturday, he looked good. He said he was feeling pretty good (relatively speaking)
I told him it was nice to see he didn't wake up bald. so he says "the dr said my hair may thin" so i asked him what thinning thin hair would be and we laughed because that would be bald in my book. He also told a funny story...he was in the pole barn and turned around and his shorts fell down - he laughed. We also asked the dr. if they made wigs with a bald spot so he would look normal. It may sound strange to some of you to tease him like this, but the day dad loses his humor will be a very sad day indeed. And if we weren't laughing, we'd be crying.
I just talked to him. He said he was sick to his stomach yesterday and puking today. So we know the chemo is in his system. He is still planning on pulling out to the camp ground Friday afternoon, so hopefully he feels better. He has a new med for nausea now. I will check with him later tonight to see if it works.
Send him some jokes, cards, letters...whatever. Just anything to keep him in your thoughts and in your prayers and keep his spirits up.
I appreciate the comments and well wishes from all of you!
Friday, June 23, 2006
The Bomb
5:30 pm
Not a good day. Dad has non-small cell carcinoma (less aggressive type than small-cell). I have put a few links below for further information about this type of cancer. It is speculated that that it started in the lower lobe of his left lung and that he has had it for 4-5 years. He is in stage 4 - which means it is in his entire body, including his liver, lungs, lymph nodes, bones and bone marrow are involved - it is not curable. All they can do is try to control it, make him comfortable and try to buy him more time.
He started Chemo today - a cocktail of three different kinds:
Not a good day. Dad has non-small cell carcinoma (less aggressive type than small-cell). I have put a few links below for further information about this type of cancer. It is speculated that that it started in the lower lobe of his left lung and that he has had it for 4-5 years. He is in stage 4 - which means it is in his entire body, including his liver, lungs, lymph nodes, bones and bone marrow are involved - it is not curable. All they can do is try to control it, make him comfortable and try to buy him more time.
He started Chemo today - a cocktail of three different kinds:
- Gemzar - used to treat lung caner. prevents cells from making DNA/RNA. Stops growth of caner cell, causing cells to die.
- Paraplatin - used to treat lung cancer. stops the growth of cancer cells
- Zometa - Treats solid tumors (such as in the bones) Stops the cancer from breaking down the bone tissue, stops the cancer cells from growing therefore preventing new tumors in bone.
He will also get a shot of Newlasta on the Saturday morning following his chemo every week. This drug helps your body make more white blood cells to help protect you against chemotherapy-related complications like infection.
He will have four chemo treatments - one today, one next Friday, one week off, then two more fridays. After this they will do another CT scan to see if it helped at all. The Dr. said 40% of people respond to chemo. He said best case scenario is if Chemo helps, they could give Dad upto a year or a year and a half. Worst case, if Dad does not respond to Chemo, he will have approx. 4-6 months. If he does not respond to the chemo, the Dr. said he has a few "back-up" plans, including trying to find a clinical trial somewhere. Right now, he is getting his Chemo outpatient at the Cancer & Hemotology Centers of West Michigan. He is doing the best he can and intends on fighting hard.
So, as I said before - keep him in your thoughts and prayers. I will continue update with his progress and such. This is the hardest thing I have ever typed.
Links to info:
non-small cell carcinoma - this link has information ranging from general info about thi type of cancer to the explaination of the 4 stages of this cancer
National Cancer Institute links:
-overview on type of cancer
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/non-small-cell-lung/patient
-about chemotherapy
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/chemotherapy-and-you/page2
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Small Update
9 pm
Dad saw his regular Dr. today as a follow up and he has gained back some weight, which is good.
Got some preliminary test results, and it is not positive. He definately has cancer and he could have up to 3 different kinds. It appears to be very aggresive and fairy widespread through out his body. I want to wait until after the oncology appointment tomorrow to say any more. We are all in shock, so forgive the short update and bad news. I had hoped I could post something different.
I will post as soon as I can after I get back from the oncologist's office tomorrow. We should get all results back including the bone scan and 2nd liver biopsy - and hopefully we will get a firm diagnosis and what we can try to do about it.
Please keep Dad in your prayers, we will need all we can get.
Dad saw his regular Dr. today as a follow up and he has gained back some weight, which is good.
Got some preliminary test results, and it is not positive. He definately has cancer and he could have up to 3 different kinds. It appears to be very aggresive and fairy widespread through out his body. I want to wait until after the oncology appointment tomorrow to say any more. We are all in shock, so forgive the short update and bad news. I had hoped I could post something different.
I will post as soon as I can after I get back from the oncologist's office tomorrow. We should get all results back including the bone scan and 2nd liver biopsy - and hopefully we will get a firm diagnosis and what we can try to do about it.
Please keep Dad in your prayers, we will need all we can get.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Bone scan info
1:40 pm
I did not catch Dad before he left for the hospital. He had to go at 9:30 this morning to get the dye injected. He should be having his bone scan right now, I am told it lasts about 45 minutes. For more info on what a bone scan is, here is a link:
http://www.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/hw200283.asp
I will call him later to see how he is doing and post later tonight.
I did not catch Dad before he left for the hospital. He had to go at 9:30 this morning to get the dye injected. He should be having his bone scan right now, I am told it lasts about 45 minutes. For more info on what a bone scan is, here is a link:
http://www.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/hw200283.asp
I will call him later to see how he is doing and post later tonight.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Nothing new so far..
11 pm
Sorry for the delay...
Fathers day was nice - soon i think we may have to eat dinner in the pole barn or rent an airplane hanger or something - with 6 kids, 11 grandkids, various boyfriends/spouses, dad & ruth there - we are running out of room in the kitchen. I think our immediate family is larger than some extedned families! Dad was noticably tired Sunday, he went to church that morning. He tires easily, but it was good for him to go. He did still have energy to crack some of his *famous* jokes and tickle the grandkids. It was good to see him home and I think he was happy to be home.
Dad sounds well today, he said he felt like he could have gone to work - but he knew as soon as he got there he'd need to rest. I'm sure he is out of his element and misses showing off his particular "skills". I know he takes a lot of pride in clearing out the control room - those of you who know him well know what I mean ;)
He is eating and he says he has not gained back any weight; but hasn't lost any more either - which is good. He said he had more pain yesterday, but that is normal when it is just about time for a new pain patch. He is sleeping better with help from meds. He says he feels slightly stronger each day. I told him to make sure he doesn't over-do it & he assured me that when he gets tired, he takes on the roll of manager instead.
I know the Dr. has results from the PET scan, but Dad didn't know what they are yet. His bone scan is tomorrow afternoon. I am sure there are results from the liver biopsy too, however I guess he wants to wait until Friday's Oncologist appointment to find out everything. I am hoping that there will also be bone scan results by then too so we can get a handle on at least some of this.
I will update when I talk to him tomorrow after his scan - won't be until after 4 or so I'm sure.
Thank you so much for the person who commented, I never know if anyone is reading this thing or not. So I'm glad it is useful.
Keep up the thoughts and prayers!
Sorry for the delay...
Fathers day was nice - soon i think we may have to eat dinner in the pole barn or rent an airplane hanger or something - with 6 kids, 11 grandkids, various boyfriends/spouses, dad & ruth there - we are running out of room in the kitchen. I think our immediate family is larger than some extedned families! Dad was noticably tired Sunday, he went to church that morning. He tires easily, but it was good for him to go. He did still have energy to crack some of his *famous* jokes and tickle the grandkids. It was good to see him home and I think he was happy to be home.
Dad sounds well today, he said he felt like he could have gone to work - but he knew as soon as he got there he'd need to rest. I'm sure he is out of his element and misses showing off his particular "skills". I know he takes a lot of pride in clearing out the control room - those of you who know him well know what I mean ;)
He is eating and he says he has not gained back any weight; but hasn't lost any more either - which is good. He said he had more pain yesterday, but that is normal when it is just about time for a new pain patch. He is sleeping better with help from meds. He says he feels slightly stronger each day. I told him to make sure he doesn't over-do it & he assured me that when he gets tired, he takes on the roll of manager instead.
I know the Dr. has results from the PET scan, but Dad didn't know what they are yet. His bone scan is tomorrow afternoon. I am sure there are results from the liver biopsy too, however I guess he wants to wait until Friday's Oncologist appointment to find out everything. I am hoping that there will also be bone scan results by then too so we can get a handle on at least some of this.
I will update when I talk to him tomorrow after his scan - won't be until after 4 or so I'm sure.
Thank you so much for the person who commented, I never know if anyone is reading this thing or not. So I'm glad it is useful.
Keep up the thoughts and prayers!
Friday, June 16, 2006
Frustrated!!!
4:15 pm
Ok - so far I have tried to post objective info and try not to let any personal feelings get in, however, today I need to say I am beyond frustrated! That out of the way, I will try to be as calm as I can with this post.
We met with the oncologist and found out nothing! In fact they had canceled his appointment because Zeeland hospital still had him listed as admitted there. So, the Dr. saw him very quickly. Here is where it gets frustrating...
-the oncologist had no info on the initial biopsy
-had no knowledge of the second one yesterday
-had no verbal results from the PET scan from this morning
-could not read the PET scan image cd he was given by Ruth
-never let me ask even one question (personally frustrating as I am an information junkie, helps me cope)
They did draw a blood sample. They are looking for basic things such as: iron levels, iron binding, metabolic counts (potassium, cholesterol, hemeglobin, etc.) I would imagine this is for comparision to all the others. Especially important for his amenia.
I am concerned that he is retaining fluids. According to Ruth, there was a 10 pound difference between Sunday and Yesterday. There was also a 6 pound difference between yesterday and today and a two pound difference from the PET scan this morning and the oncologist's office this afternoon - so unless the scales need to be fixed, something is suspicious in my eyes. (From office to office, scales are not usually that far off.) He hasnt eaten anything since pretty much 7 last night.
As for Dad, he was so sick to his stomach from the crap he had to drink for the PET scan he could barely walk or even keep his eyes open. So we got a script for some nausea meds, that Heidi ran to get, so by the time we left there he was looking better and felt better.
So the waiting continues - he has another appointment at the oncologists next friday. They should have the second biopsy results Monday afternoon and the PET scan results, they are suppose to call with that.
AS far as I know his bone scan is still on for Wednesday. So hopefully the appointment next Fiday will actually be useful.
I will call tonight to see if they spoke to his primary Dr. about the possibility of fliud retention or if there was any PET scan results that he has seen.
On the GOOD NEWS side -- Jodi's baby is such a cute little peanut! 1 week old today!! Congrats! She had a check-up today - Mom & baby are well.
I do not foresee anything new to post until Monday. I will post if I find out anything new, otherwise I will post Sunday after I see him.
Everyone please think good thoughts and prayers and forgive my ranting today! Have a good weekend.
Ok - so far I have tried to post objective info and try not to let any personal feelings get in, however, today I need to say I am beyond frustrated! That out of the way, I will try to be as calm as I can with this post.
We met with the oncologist and found out nothing! In fact they had canceled his appointment because Zeeland hospital still had him listed as admitted there. So, the Dr. saw him very quickly. Here is where it gets frustrating...
-the oncologist had no info on the initial biopsy
-had no knowledge of the second one yesterday
-had no verbal results from the PET scan from this morning
-could not read the PET scan image cd he was given by Ruth
-never let me ask even one question (personally frustrating as I am an information junkie, helps me cope)
They did draw a blood sample. They are looking for basic things such as: iron levels, iron binding, metabolic counts (potassium, cholesterol, hemeglobin, etc.) I would imagine this is for comparision to all the others. Especially important for his amenia.
I am concerned that he is retaining fluids. According to Ruth, there was a 10 pound difference between Sunday and Yesterday. There was also a 6 pound difference between yesterday and today and a two pound difference from the PET scan this morning and the oncologist's office this afternoon - so unless the scales need to be fixed, something is suspicious in my eyes. (From office to office, scales are not usually that far off.) He hasnt eaten anything since pretty much 7 last night.
As for Dad, he was so sick to his stomach from the crap he had to drink for the PET scan he could barely walk or even keep his eyes open. So we got a script for some nausea meds, that Heidi ran to get, so by the time we left there he was looking better and felt better.
So the waiting continues - he has another appointment at the oncologists next friday. They should have the second biopsy results Monday afternoon and the PET scan results, they are suppose to call with that.
AS far as I know his bone scan is still on for Wednesday. So hopefully the appointment next Fiday will actually be useful.
I will call tonight to see if they spoke to his primary Dr. about the possibility of fliud retention or if there was any PET scan results that he has seen.
On the GOOD NEWS side -- Jodi's baby is such a cute little peanut! 1 week old today!! Congrats! She had a check-up today - Mom & baby are well.
I do not foresee anything new to post until Monday. I will post if I find out anything new, otherwise I will post Sunday after I see him.
Everyone please think good thoughts and prayers and forgive my ranting today! Have a good weekend.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Home
9 pm
Just spoke to dad, he was discharged and is home now. Got more info on the first biopsy - apparently they "missed" the target and got tissue other than what they wanted - hence the second biospy today.
PET scan at 7 am.
Just spoke to dad, he was discharged and is home now. Got more info on the first biopsy - apparently they "missed" the target and got tissue other than what they wanted - hence the second biospy today.
PET scan at 7 am.
Update
3:42 pm
Dad is still at the hospital. He is having another liver biopsy at 4. They are going to take a sample from a different part of the liver. All we have gotten from the first one is that there are "abnormalities" and that they are definately leaning towards cancer - which we knew already. So he will hopefully be released from the hospital by 8-9 tonight.
Oncology appointment is still on for tomorrw afternoon. Hopefully the oncologist will give us more information on Tuesday's biopsy results. I am not sure if they will have the results from the new biopsy or the PET scan by the appointment tomorrow.
More as I find out...
Feel free to comment, I think Dad may read this when he is at home over the weekend. Any encouragement, support and prayers are appreciated.
Dad is still at the hospital. He is having another liver biopsy at 4. They are going to take a sample from a different part of the liver. All we have gotten from the first one is that there are "abnormalities" and that they are definately leaning towards cancer - which we knew already. So he will hopefully be released from the hospital by 8-9 tonight.
Oncology appointment is still on for tomorrw afternoon. Hopefully the oncologist will give us more information on Tuesday's biopsy results. I am not sure if they will have the results from the new biopsy or the PET scan by the appointment tomorrow.
More as I find out...
Feel free to comment, I think Dad may read this when he is at home over the weekend. Any encouragement, support and prayers are appreciated.
Morning
10:45 am
I visited Dad last night and he was in great spirits - joking as usual. I learned he has a bone scan scheduled for next Wednesday. They put him back on pain pills for "break out" pain rather than the shots in anticipation of his discharge. He still has his patches too. He is still spiking a fever about the same time everynight since Friday night (I find this odd and we don't know why this happens), but he is eating regularly now and looks and feels so much better than Sunday when he was admitted.
Spoke to Dad very briefy this morning, the nurse came in so he had to hang up. He said no news on biopsies yet :( this waiting is the worst!
He is still planning on being discharged this afternoon, Dr. is pushing to get results before he leaves, but more than likely it will be this evening before it comes back.
So, hopefully the next time I post there will be something new.
I am planning on attending the appointment at the oncologist's office tomorrow, so I will update after that as well.
Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers!
I visited Dad last night and he was in great spirits - joking as usual. I learned he has a bone scan scheduled for next Wednesday. They put him back on pain pills for "break out" pain rather than the shots in anticipation of his discharge. He still has his patches too. He is still spiking a fever about the same time everynight since Friday night (I find this odd and we don't know why this happens), but he is eating regularly now and looks and feels so much better than Sunday when he was admitted.
Spoke to Dad very briefy this morning, the nurse came in so he had to hang up. He said no news on biopsies yet :( this waiting is the worst!
He is still planning on being discharged this afternoon, Dr. is pushing to get results before he leaves, but more than likely it will be this evening before it comes back.
So, hopefully the next time I post there will be something new.
I am planning on attending the appointment at the oncologist's office tomorrow, so I will update after that as well.
Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers!
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Morning Update
9:30 am
Just spoke to Dad. He actually used the word "pumped" - he's feeling good. He said he actually fell asleep without any sleep meds. They are switching him to oral pain meds rather than the shots. (he still has pain patch, but the additional meds are for in between the patches and if he needs a little extra at times)
Bone scan is not scheduled as of yet, but the ball is rolling. PET scan still scheduled for Friday @ 7am - this is to address the enlarged/inflammed lymph nodes in his chest/lungs. We are hoping for at least preliminary results of the biopsies later today. He was told he will probably be discharged tomorrow sometime.
more as I get it....
Just spoke to Dad. He actually used the word "pumped" - he's feeling good. He said he actually fell asleep without any sleep meds. They are switching him to oral pain meds rather than the shots. (he still has pain patch, but the additional meds are for in between the patches and if he needs a little extra at times)
Bone scan is not scheduled as of yet, but the ball is rolling. PET scan still scheduled for Friday @ 7am - this is to address the enlarged/inflammed lymph nodes in his chest/lungs. We are hoping for at least preliminary results of the biopsies later today. He was told he will probably be discharged tomorrow sometime.
more as I get it....
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Update
3:15 pm
Spoke to dad, he said biopsy went fine. They took 5 tissue samples about the size of a pencil lead. Dr. is pushing & we are hoping for results by tomorrow night or Thursday. There is also a bone scan being scheduled to get the extent of involvement in in his spine and to see if any bones beyond his spine contain areas of concern.
No further discussion on discharge date/time from hospital.
Spoke to dad, he said biopsy went fine. They took 5 tissue samples about the size of a pencil lead. Dr. is pushing & we are hoping for results by tomorrow night or Thursday. There is also a bone scan being scheduled to get the extent of involvement in in his spine and to see if any bones beyond his spine contain areas of concern.
No further discussion on discharge date/time from hospital.
Tuesday
I spoke to dad last night and this morning. He is getting his liver biopsy right now, this procedure averages about 45 minutes - 1 hour. He is eating regular meals and sounds well. He has been up walking the halls and has not lost his sometimes *questionable* humor. (It is then we will all worry!) He says he is at peace will everything and not worried at all. He said he had the best sleep last night as he has had in months!
The oncologist stopped in yesterday to touch base with him and another oncologist from the group will be in either today or tomorrow to touch base again. They are going to try to speed up the results for the biopsy to tomorrow, but we don't know. I am told he is to meet with the oncologisst Friday afternoon, but that could change depending on the biopsy. As of now, he assumes they will keep him at the hospital at least through the night.
I will post more information as I get it. Dennis & family have a strong faith in God and trust in him to see us through this. We welcome and appreciate all your thoughts and prayers.
:)
The oncologist stopped in yesterday to touch base with him and another oncologist from the group will be in either today or tomorrow to touch base again. They are going to try to speed up the results for the biopsy to tomorrow, but we don't know. I am told he is to meet with the oncologisst Friday afternoon, but that could change depending on the biopsy. As of now, he assumes they will keep him at the hospital at least through the night.
I will post more information as I get it. Dennis & family have a strong faith in God and trust in him to see us through this. We welcome and appreciate all your thoughts and prayers.
:)
Monday, June 12, 2006
It begins...
This is the update page for Dennis Timmer. Check back often for updates on him and the family. Feel free to post comments,questions or encouragement for the family.
As it stands right now, he has "spots" in his liver which were not there 3 weeks ago and also "spots" in all of his vertebrae (back bones) shown in the CT scan. There is some sort of inflamation around his kidneys that is of concern and some inflamed/enlarged lymph nodes in his chest/lungs as well. I am told there has been changes in these areas as well - there are now more/larger areas. The areas he has are not localized (meaning there does not seem to be one specific place that is worse.) Because of this, it cannot be determined where these "spots" started. From the changes in the CT scans, whatever it is we are dealing with appears to be fast-moving.
The Dr. is telling us that there is a small chance this could be some sort of infection, but he is saying he thinks it is cancer. An oncologist should be meeting with Dennis at some point today. He has liver biopsy is scheduled for Tuesday morning, I am told it takes 2 days to get the results. This biopsy is to confirm that it is indeed cancer we are fighting and to isolate what kind it is so we can plan a course of treatment.
He has severe pain in his lower back and he is on strong pain medications, tylenol (for fever) and aniti-nausea meds. He is at Zeeland Community Hospital and is comfortable. He had a full breakfast this morning and is no longer vomiting. He sounds better and got some sleep last night.
So, that is the beginning in a nutshell. The family welcomes and appreciates all of your good thoughts and prayers.
As it stands right now, he has "spots" in his liver which were not there 3 weeks ago and also "spots" in all of his vertebrae (back bones) shown in the CT scan. There is some sort of inflamation around his kidneys that is of concern and some inflamed/enlarged lymph nodes in his chest/lungs as well. I am told there has been changes in these areas as well - there are now more/larger areas. The areas he has are not localized (meaning there does not seem to be one specific place that is worse.) Because of this, it cannot be determined where these "spots" started. From the changes in the CT scans, whatever it is we are dealing with appears to be fast-moving.
The Dr. is telling us that there is a small chance this could be some sort of infection, but he is saying he thinks it is cancer. An oncologist should be meeting with Dennis at some point today. He has liver biopsy is scheduled for Tuesday morning, I am told it takes 2 days to get the results. This biopsy is to confirm that it is indeed cancer we are fighting and to isolate what kind it is so we can plan a course of treatment.
He has severe pain in his lower back and he is on strong pain medications, tylenol (for fever) and aniti-nausea meds. He is at Zeeland Community Hospital and is comfortable. He had a full breakfast this morning and is no longer vomiting. He sounds better and got some sleep last night.
So, that is the beginning in a nutshell. The family welcomes and appreciates all of your good thoughts and prayers.
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