What if time stood still. What would I see if I had an extra instant to look into my past. A year ago, three weeks, 5 minutes ago. We are very strong believers in everything happens for a reason, and sometimes if you try to fight it, life will fight right back. As I sit here and write this and reflect back on three weeks ago and our infamous trip to Chicago I see now that life, in all of its wonder and glory, was sending us a message. Faith it seems was reminding us to be patient. While God was reminding us that we may not understand but he has a plan for us. Life has a way of paving the way down certain paths and setting up road blocks in others. Tonight as we sit in our hotel room we are content in knowing that our path has been paved and that the big guy is watching over us.
We got to Houston yesterday around three in the afternoon. Tammy was scheduled for blood work at four. I had the car drop her off at the hospital and I went on to the hotel to get checked in because we were expecting a late night as Tammy was scheduled for her CT at seven p.m. So I get back to the hospital and Tammy is already drinking her special drink for her CT. The pavers were out in full force because we were done and out of there before six-thirty. Life was good. We went and had a nice supper and then caught the shuttle back to our hotel. The night before doctors appointments are always harder on both of us than we let ourselves believe. Tammy usually falls asleep early then wakes up in the middle of the night and can’t go back to sleep. I usually can’t settle down to begin with so I’m usually falling asleep about the time she wakes up. This always makes for an interesting morning, some of you know about “Mann time” and the intricacies of waking up someone afflicted. I was up at 6:45 and couldn’t go back to sleep and Tammy always thinks that she can be ready in fifteen minutes. It was kind of funny this morning because she did admit that, and I quote, “wow it sure seemed like it took a long time for me to get ready this morning,” I just smiled and said “riiggghhhttttt.” She threw on her shirt and we ran downstairs to make sure we didn’t miss the 10:30 shuttle. Did I mention that her appointment was at 10:30. Got to love her!!!
Last week she had an oncologist appointment in Salina and at that time her CEA levels in her blood had risen 7 points in 2 weeks and we were nervous as to what that would actually mean in these scans. The doctors don’t put a lot of emphasis on the CEA because it can fluctuate in a short amount of time, but for us it was scary. Her doctor back home felt that things were starting to ramp up again and felt like Lonsurf, the new drug just approved, would be the natural course right now. He wanted us to go to Houston and make sure there was not something new and better to try before we start it. We have had this appointment on the books since we were here last time, 2 1/2 months ago. We just didn’t know how it was all going to play out if we ended up going to Chicago. So we go in today expecting to go on Lonsurf and see what happens. Dr. Overman comes in and shows us the scans which show some growth but nothing major. CEA has risen one point on the scale from the last time we were here, not that big of deal, so you have two options. Keep doing nothing for a while longer or we have a new clinical trial that I am really excited about for you to try. Two people had just dropped out of study which left a couple of openings. The window to getting in a trial is narrow. No brainer for us, when do we start.
The clinical trial is two pills given together. Not sure of all the details yet, but everything looks very promising. Around the first of November we will come back and have to stay 10 days for some preliminary testing, blood work, and then finally get started on the ninth day and check blood once on the tenth day. Then she will have to come back every two weeks for blood work and a check up. The drugs are pills that she will have to take everyday so she can do all of that at home. Tammy is very excited to get this going.
As one door closes another one opens. Thank each and every one of you for the love and support that you so generously give to us. We are so blessed with family and friends, near and far, who hold us up when we get weary. If I could ask for one prayer from you tonight it would be to help me get Tammy up at 3:30 in the morning for a 6:00 a.m. flight. Life is always an adventure for us:). LOVE you guys!!!!