Dear friends and family,

Hope this finds you all doing well. Im sure you are waiting for spring to come and stay.

I had 6 weeks of Halaven chemo (2 wks on, 1 wk. off) and then had a P.E.T. scan on Apr. 4. Yesterday on the 11th I had my result appointment with Dr. Reddy. I am glad to report that this chemo is making a difference. When I started it, the tumors had taken over %50 of my liver, now the tumors are in about %15-20 of my liver. That is a substantial improvement. I will do 6 more weeks (starting yesterday) of this chemo and then have another P.E.T. Then Dr. Reddy will make a decision about which chemo I go on then. I can't continue to take Halven for an extended period of time because of the build up side effects. I can, however, go back to it at sometime.

I have had a "critically low" white blood count 3 times before chemo but I get a shot after the 2nd chemo that helps build up my white cell counts and I respond well to that. I have a low potassium level and am doubling my medicine for that for a week. It causes some fatigue and lots of charlie horses. Mostly the side effects are fatigue from the chemo, food not tasting like itself, and kind of a fuzzy chemo brain feeling. I retired on March 15 and have found it much easier to manage my energy level.

My chemo nurses were very excited about my progress and one of the nurses said, "Keep praying girl. Too many people discount the power of prayer." I am so thankful that God has given me this gift of more time and I thank all of you for your prayers as I am surely seeing the results of them.

We are going to K.C this weekend for Asher's 4th birthday (Miranda and Jason's oldest). Seems like toys that combine Angry Birds and Star Wars is the big thing (Who would have thought?) The following weekend we are leaving for Nashville after my chemo. Adrianne is 6 months pregnant so maybe we can help with baby things.

Love you all.
Debbie

Debbie got her PET scan results yesterday and they were very positive.  The Halevon is doing its job.  The liver lesions have reduced over 50%.  They were spread over 50% of her liver before treatment and now they are covering about 15 to 20% of her liver.  The Dr. was very happy.  They are going to continue with another 2 cycles and then scan her again.  It is our hope that the lesions will have been destroyed on her liver and no other sites will develop.  Following that then we have to decide the next treatment option to keep the cancer at bay.  All of her liver enzymes are great, her blood work came back with great indicators so we are blessed to have a break and now can focus on some fun things in our lives.  God's love and blessing are wonderful to experience, regardless of the circumstances, for He takes us beyond the circumstances on a journey full of wonder and awe.  God IS Good...ALL the time.
BW

Following the Summer Chemotherapy treatment the liver tumor continued to grow.  Deb went through Cyberknife radiation treatment that targeted the tumor.  That didn't work and the followup oral Chemotherapy  using Xeloda was also not effective.  In February the liver tumors had exploded into over 50% of her liver.  She has undergone 2 cycles of another chemotherapy and last Thursday had another PET scan to see if any progress has been made.  We learn the results this Thursday.  Deb has been getting weaker and we were glad that she could take early retirement March 15th and has not had to deal with work to focus on healing.  She is in good spirits and we look forward to positive results on Thursday.  Prayers and support of our wonderful friends and family have been such a blessing.  
The greatest gift is knowing that our Lord and Savior is a part of this journey and will lead us to the place we need to be.  Peace and joy in His light and unending love and compassion surround us each day.

Bart