Bad News

good morning world,

yesterday was a very tough day for us so it's time for another blog entry. Sorry for such a long delay in postings but I wanted to let you know that the reason for that is that we were pretty much doing fine until about a week ago.

Bottom Line Up Front: We have received comparison PET results from Dad's original PET scan to one done after chemo series 1 completed and have found that not only was the chemo not effective but the cancer in his bones has spread further into his spine and is now moving into a rib.

How did we get here: about two weeks ago we got the new PET scan and decided to put chemo on hold until we knew if it was working or not. Dad's condition has steadily deteriorated since that time. His pain level has increased and as of yesterday morning he was at an 8 out of 10 (10 being the pain he felt when he first went in back in March). In asking Dad what he felt was going on before we got the PET scan results he felt that the cancer was spreading as well. No totally huge surprise there. His appetite is gone and we are only able to get him to drink two ensures a day and about three glasses of water (totally inadequate, but all we can muster). He is severely constipated due to the opiate drugs that he is on and potentially some other chemo/radiation related issues. He was also very anemic.

Where are we at now: Dad has lost another 10 lbs in two weeks and can no longer get out of bed or his chair without help. We decided to go into the ER yesterday morning to address the severe dehydration, anemia, constipation, pain, and to get a new brain MRI. Why the new MRI? because he has started to get nausea 5 weeks after chemo has completed and the oncologist is worried that, even though the previous scan was negative, that the cancer may have finally moved into the brain (this, by the way, is a very common place for lung cancer to go). I've already broadcasted the really bad news up top but this piece of info is critical in determining the timeline of how much time does he really have left and what do we need to watch for. Dad was in ER for most of yesterday and was admitted to Harrison Oncology Ward (2 West) around 6pm and will be there for quite a few days.

Treatment plan: First, we have a new oncologist, Dr. Ann Murphy, who is based out of Poulsbo (almost right down the road from Dad's house), you can read more about her by following this link: http://www.harrisonmedical.org/home/doctor/ann-e-murphy. Let me tell you, she is totally a breath of fresh air and has really helped us to understand where we are at in the journey. Chemo is on hold indefinitely as Dad will be undergoing a strong series of tests starting this morning and lasting a couple of days while in the hospital. The idea isn't to track down where the cancer is, but instead, to find out what is causing the pain he is in so that we can attack that, if this were football it would be the equivalent of shifting from offense to defense. What we are trying to defend is his quality of life for the time remaining. Brain MRI, lower back MRI, urine tests, blood cultures, etc, etc...he'll be getting the works.

Our priorities right now for Dad's QL (quality of life) are:
1. Brain MRI
2. Deal with the severe constipation
3. Deal with and solve his lack of appetite
4. Deal with his strength
5. Determine where all the blood he is getting has gone

Items 1-4 will be figured out in the days to come. Item 5 was partially answered yesterday when we met with Dr. Murphy. Dad has "more than likely" become permanently anemic and will require transfusions for the rest of his life. This condition is due to the amount of radiation that he required in order to reduce his pain level in the lower back and pelvis regions. Since so much bone surface area was radiated, and since once bone has been radiated (in doses that Dad required) it no longer produces blood correctly this condition has resulted.

When items 1 thru 4 on the QL list are addressed Dad will come home. Most likely we will find out that the cancer has spread (1), that he will need medication for his constipation (2), that he will need medication for his appetite (3), and that his strength will return to some "better than now" level but will only last a short while (4) due to the spread of the cancer.



How much time do "I" have: For those of you who do not live in the local area i believe you will have approximately two to three more trips possible to visit and say your goodbyes :-( We can't handle any visitors this weekend, but starting next week I'd ask that you coordinate with Sherry or Myself to ensure that we can make the visits work and that you can have quality time. Once Hospice has been brought in they will be here to the end and are a critical part of knowing how much time we really have left (it's what they do). They will ensure that no family member will be absent for the end and Sherry and I will pass on all information asap as we have done in the past and continue to do today...you will all be kept in the loop.

My cell phone is 360-304-3055, you may call at any time. If I do not answer please leave a voice  message. my email is jefflraymond@gmail.com.

Finally: God has been so good to us through this entire experience, our family and friends have gotten closer. Stories of love and happiness abound. All of our prayers have been answered except the healing and this is obviously not Gods will. You all are answered prayers in Dad's life!

Take care, and until next time,
In Christ,
Jeff

How can i help: letters, emails, communications, stories, phone call, memories, etc. These are the things that Dad would like to hear and that help him cheer up. They are warm! and he needs that. Doesn't mean there won't be some tears, but that's what he needs. My suggestion is no cards, but instead if you can't make it here, write down your thoughts so he can read them.  for those that like to cook a word of warning: his taste buds are shot, even his most favorite of dishes now taste like "old sandpaper." So if you do cook, which he will appreciate, please don't be surprised or offended if he doesn't like it. We have to keep looking for new ways of putting flavors together to help him eat so it's no small challenge. I"d suggest smaller size dishes, but multiple dishes to allow him variety. But even with all of that he still may not like it.