Update on Ted

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." (Mark 11:24)

I received this email from Ted updating on his recent appointment yesterday 5/26.


I had an appointment with my chemo doctor yesterday. (Sorry about misspelling "Kemo" last week, but I used spell check on the computer). Here are some of the results:
1. Right lung is clear. Small tumor is gone.
2. Left lung is much clearer than it was. Tumor is shrinking.
3. Lymph nodes in the chest have not shrunk as much as they need. They are still very close to the pericardium in the heart. Radiation could cause some heart damage. I'm not sure how much more damage my heart can take.
4. Bad News: 5 more rounds of chemo in conjunction with the radiation therapy. They are planning to do both at the same time. I was told that is a common practice if I can take it physically. They are going to use a different chemo drug "Navelbine". This drug is used to kill cancer cells that are fast dividing cells, in conjunction with radiation. My first round of treatment with this drug will start on June 9th and run for 5 consecutive weeks, along with the 6-7 weeks of radiation. The purpose is to shrink the lung tumor and lymph node tumors in my chest to a more manageable size for the radiation therapy. I don't have the dates yet for the radiation therapy to begin. I thought it was going to be the first week of June. We'll have to wait and see now.
5. Side effects of this chemo drug and the side effects of the radiation is really going to be a challenge, both mentally and physically.

Side effects are as follows:
a. Signs of decreased red blood cells
b. Unusually weak and tired
c. Fainting spells
d. Light headedness
e. Breathing problems
f. Chest Pain
g. Constipation
h. Bad cough
i. Mouth sores
j. Nausea & vomiting
k. Pain swelling, redness, irritation at the injection site
l. Pain, tingling, numbness in the hands and feet
m. Stomach Pain
n. Trouble passing urine
o. Hair loss (not much left now)
p. Jaw pain
q. Loss of appetite

All of these symptoms in conjunction with soreness and shrinkage in the esophagus, sore throat, bronchial swelling, problems swallowing and generally an unwell feeling from the combination of the chemo & radiation really makes one want to jump right in there and say "Bring it on". The doctor did give me a prescription for Cymbalta for depression and Ativan Lorazepam for anxiety. I guess I have been depressed the last couple of weeks. Maybe these will help my mood and feeling of well being.I appreciate everyone's continued support, cards and calls.