A RECORD WEEK

Jon has had his best week since his liver biopsy back in November. He worked every day this week (with only an occasional nap) and we rode our bikes 20 miles in the Daffodil Bicycle Classic on Sunday. He wasn't as fast as last year but a far cry from the guy who had to lie down after walking up two flights of stairs two weeks ago!

Chemo again tomorrow. Tim is going with Jon since I have a deposition for an injured patient. We have copies of his CT and chest x-ray from Auburn Hospital for Dr. Chu to evaluate. The radiologist from the hospital did not see any tumors in his lung and we want Dr. Chu to see if he can identify any that may have been masked by the infection. We all think it was blasted by the Tarceva.

WHY SHOULDN'T WE?

We believe in things that we cannot see
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we?
Hands that heal can set a chained man free.
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we?

We believe in peace within every heart.
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we?
Burning brightly, brightly in the dark.
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we

So come on darling' feel your spirits rise.
Come on on children open up your eyes.
God is all around
Buddha's at the gate
Allah hears your prayers
It's not too late.

AND WE BELIEVE IN THINGS THAT WILL GIVE US HOPE
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we?
Let your voice be heard, celebrate your vote.
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we?

We believe in things that make us all the same
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we?
Love belongs to all in deed an name
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we?

AND WE BELIEVE IN THINGS THAT CAN'T BE DONE
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we?
Lift up your heart, put down your gun.
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we?

WE BELIEVE IN THINGS
WE'RE TOLD WE CANNOT CHANGE
Why shouldn't we?
WE HAD HEROES ONCE, AND WE WILL AGAIN
Why shouldn't we?
Come one darlin'
Come on children
God is all around, Buddha's at the gate
Allah hear our prayers
It's not too late
Why shouldn't we?

Mary Chapin Carpenter


Why shouldn't' we believe in miracles? I think I'm living one.

Lorri OHollaren Nichols

No News Is Good News

Jon has had an excellent week and is feeling better than he has in months. He tolerated the new chemo very well although it makes for a very day since they are giving him a cocktail of premeds, 3 drugs and 3 vitamins. His bloodwork is normalizing and only his redcount, hemoglobin, and hematocrit are a little on the low side. He commented earlier this week that he feels so good that he's concerned the drugs aren't doing their job in killing the cancer. I'm sure that they are working just fine. 10 more weeks to go and then a PET scan. I will probably just blog once weekly now unless something unusual comes up. Remember, no news is good news!

ROUND THREE

We are back at chemo today at the Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center. Jon's bloodwork is looking pretty good and he is feeling better than he has in months. He was exhausted after leaving the hospital and finally began to feel well on Saturday. I am grateful that he has had a few good days before starting this round of chemo. He lifted weights and walked the hill at Lakeland Hills yesterday afternoon for the first time in weeks. Actually, he and Rex tried the same hike Saturday afternoon but got lost and ended up bushwacking through brush and backyards to find their way home :)

We are anticipating that he will tolerate this treatment well. It is usually a little easier than the first combination and he felt good for the first 8 of the 12 weeks on the last go around. He is scheduled through the end of June on a weekly basis and will then have a PET scan to measuer his progress. We expect all the cancer to be gone at that point. He was originally supposed to take Tarceva and Interferon after this round but it remains to be seen whether we will try the Tarceva again. The interferon is designed to build his immune system.

Back at Home

Jon is home and his steroids have worn off (no more pushups for now). He is tired, but much better than I had expected. Although he's not up to working out he is able to do all of the things the rest of us do in a normal day. His blood work is erratic from all of the drugs but should normalize in the next two weeks. It will be rechecked again on Tuesday before chemo.

Staci is on her way to spend a few days with Jon while Kelsey and I head up to Vancouver for the last part of his spring break. We will be home in time to celebrate Easter with the family.

Jon's attitude remains excellent and he is ready to take on this next round of chemo with a vengence!

The Old Jon Is Back

When I returned to the hospital after church today I found Jon traveling around the building doing push ups for all the doctors and nurses in hopes of them releasing him sooner. The nurses told me not to worry, that it was the steroids making him behave this way. I told them I wasn't worried and that this is his normal behavior. Fortunately for them, he comes home tomorrow.

He's Coming Around...

Jon is progressing well with the steroids-he is only sad that they are catabolic and not anabolic (you know the ones bodybuilders take to give them big muscles). He slept well last night and declined the wheelchair to take him for his chest x-ray. He is disconnected from his IV and we were able to have dinner in the cafe with Kristi and Tonya last night. He still has some trouble breathing when he sleeps, he doesn't stop breathing, but his oxygen levels drop lower than the doctors would like. When he is sitting or standing his oxygen levels are great.

His last dose of steroids will be and midnight tonight. If his chest x-ray looks good and he can sleep tonight without oxygen they will release him tomorrow. Worst case scenario, they would keep him until Tuesday.

His room looks like there has been a serious party going on; full of flowers, food, balloons, and people. The staff has been great with all of our commotion and really loves us since we brought them their own Baskin Robbins ice cream cake on his birthday.

Thank you to everyone for all of your incredible support, positive thoughts, and prayers!