To start out with the good stuff, just let me say that we had a very good time visiting with Eddie and his friends in Salem. The trip was a bit of a stretch, but we are very glad to have done it. Beautiful weather, and good visiting.
This morning, though, our oncologist had to let us know that the CAT scan results from last week show Steve's cancer has progressed on pretty much all fronts—lungs, lymph nodes, abdomen—and fluid in his lungs has increased. We are disappointed, of course (to put it mildly), but have to admit it's not entirely a surprise because the energy bounce we had anticipated during the three weeks off chemo never came, but rather the reverse—less energy, more discomfort.
The doctor says we are getting near the end of the list of likely chemo regimens for this type of cancer (for which there are apparently fewer choices than for some other kinds). There is one more to try, and we are trying it. Present plan is for two cycles of three weekly doses with a week off in between, then another scan. Meanwhile, the doctor will consult with his colleagues elsewhere to see if they have any ideas he hasn't thought of, or if there are any trials of new drugs for which we might be eligible.
We hope to go ahead with most of the activities we have planned for the month of October, which involve quite a bit of traveling (mostly family visits). We'll just have to take things as they come—which is always true, of course, but seems a more obtrusive realization now than it has before.
Thanks as always to all of you—our friends, "cheering section," "prayer warriors," and other well-wishers. We continue to appreciate every encouraging vibration.
--Carol
