Because of the genetic marker in Aaron’s cancer his first line of defense is a cancer medicine called Tarceva. It is in pill form that he takes once a day. So far, we have noticed the following improvements:
No night sweats
Gained 4 pounds (he lost 21 pounds in two weeks)
His oxygen saturations have been at 94 on room air
He is not laboring to breathe
His health was spiraling out of control a few weeks ago. He was rapidly losing weight, laboring to breathe, and had a grayish color about him. His oxygen saturation was 88 on five liters of oxygen. To give you a baseline, in February Aaron’s saturations were at 97 on room air. A normal saturation is 93 and above on room air. It is so reassuring to see him trending upwards.
The side effects have been extreme fatigue, a rash, and trench mouth. We quickly got him on an antibiotic and the rash and trench mouth have cleared up. The rash is also a good sign because it means his body is responding to the treatment. How long will he respond? We have no idea. We will watch and see. He will have another scan in about 6 weeks, and that will give us an idea of how well his body is responding to this treatment. In the meantime we are grateful to have him on something that is treating the cancer. We are grateful to have other treatments in the line up, which includes chemotherapy down the line. We are grateful that genetics have worked in our favor for once.
He does continue to have pain, mostly in the rib cage area. I spent five hours yesterday running back and forth between the pharmacy and the doctor’s office trying to secure a pain medication for him. I finally got that all worked out just in time to have the kids come home from school. Thankfully Grandma was here, and I could get a much needed nap. Sometimes I think I am experiencing sympathy side effects because I am almost as tired as Aaron.
Cancer fights are long fights with many ups and downs. I am thankful to feel like we are in an “up” moment. We need this moment to recuperate from the draining whirlwind weeks prior and from the whirlwinds that lay ahead.
My go to talk lately has been “More Than Conquerors through Him That Loved Us”. So many things speak to me from this talk. It first spoke to me when it was given because it was the year our Maddie had a number of difficult struggles with cystic fibrosis. It speaks to me again. One particular principle keeps running through my mind, and it is this:
“Being good is not enough. We want to become like the Savior, who learned as He suffered ‘pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind.’”
I keep considering the things I really want out of life and they are things that come at a price. We are either willing to pay the price or walk away. The latter is not an option so onward we press.
Your faith and prayers give us strength and we are so thankful to have each of you on our side.
Love, Lorraine & Family
Here’s the link to the talk:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/more-than-conquerors-through-him-that-loved-us?lang=eng
No night sweats
Gained 4 pounds (he lost 21 pounds in two weeks)
His oxygen saturations have been at 94 on room air
He is not laboring to breathe
His health was spiraling out of control a few weeks ago. He was rapidly losing weight, laboring to breathe, and had a grayish color about him. His oxygen saturation was 88 on five liters of oxygen. To give you a baseline, in February Aaron’s saturations were at 97 on room air. A normal saturation is 93 and above on room air. It is so reassuring to see him trending upwards.
The side effects have been extreme fatigue, a rash, and trench mouth. We quickly got him on an antibiotic and the rash and trench mouth have cleared up. The rash is also a good sign because it means his body is responding to the treatment. How long will he respond? We have no idea. We will watch and see. He will have another scan in about 6 weeks, and that will give us an idea of how well his body is responding to this treatment. In the meantime we are grateful to have him on something that is treating the cancer. We are grateful to have other treatments in the line up, which includes chemotherapy down the line. We are grateful that genetics have worked in our favor for once.
He does continue to have pain, mostly in the rib cage area. I spent five hours yesterday running back and forth between the pharmacy and the doctor’s office trying to secure a pain medication for him. I finally got that all worked out just in time to have the kids come home from school. Thankfully Grandma was here, and I could get a much needed nap. Sometimes I think I am experiencing sympathy side effects because I am almost as tired as Aaron.
Cancer fights are long fights with many ups and downs. I am thankful to feel like we are in an “up” moment. We need this moment to recuperate from the draining whirlwind weeks prior and from the whirlwinds that lay ahead.
My go to talk lately has been “More Than Conquerors through Him That Loved Us”. So many things speak to me from this talk. It first spoke to me when it was given because it was the year our Maddie had a number of difficult struggles with cystic fibrosis. It speaks to me again. One particular principle keeps running through my mind, and it is this:
“Being good is not enough. We want to become like the Savior, who learned as He suffered ‘pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind.’”
I keep considering the things I really want out of life and they are things that come at a price. We are either willing to pay the price or walk away. The latter is not an option so onward we press.
Your faith and prayers give us strength and we are so thankful to have each of you on our side.
Love, Lorraine & Family
Here’s the link to the talk:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/more-than-conquerors-through-him-that-loved-us?lang=eng
Thank you for the update! It's so wonderful to hear that there have been improvements. I pray that his improvements will continue.
ReplyDeleteGreat update; thank you!
ReplyDeleteJim
It is wonderful to hear of the blessings that follow the trials. I'm sure you are so tired of all the "learning experiences" you are being blessed with. Your way of looking and dealing with these are so inspiring to many of us. I do know that with Heavenly Father as an important part of your life, it is possible to handle it all. Bless your family. My prayers are with you. Beckie Olson
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear some good news. you and Aaron are already so Christlike. Thanks for the update and I hope you both can get some rest.
ReplyDeleteAffliction is often that thing which prepares an ordinary person for some sort of an extraordinary destiny.”
ReplyDeleteC.S. Lewis
You are in my thoughts and prayers everyday! I love you Aaron!
ReplyDeleteThinking about you guys!!
ReplyDeleteSorry to comment again. You guys have been on my mind all the time these past few weeks. Lorraine, your posts are so inspiring, as have been a 'll the stories and comments. As I pray for Aaron and the rest of the family, I realize how blessed I have been. If i'm right, (I'm still trying to wrap my head around it) think of all of those folks you are blessing by sharing your hearts and souls with us.
ReplyDeleteI'm really not one to share feelings and heartache with others (my sister Bev and the Obrays) so this is a new realization. Other than your mom and dad, I really don't know you guys. Now I feel like I could share the externalities with you as family. Thank you.Beckie
Generic Megace is anti cancer medication use to treat breast cancer in womens
ReplyDelete