Sunday

I wanted to let you all know that David still truly appreciates all the kind words, support, and prayers. He has woken up every morning with good intentions of updating his blog. However, these past few weeks have been extremely rough on him mentally and physically. He, simply put, has just been too exhausted to sit at the computer and write. We aren’t sure why he has been so tired, other than, we are hoping it is a combination of the whole brain radiation, chemo, and a reduction of the steroid dose that the doctors asked him to do. As you know, the last MRI wasn’t as promising as we had hoped it would be. Although, I believe, and the doctors are not disagreeing, that the whole brain radiation still hasn’t completely worked (as evident by the sudden exhaustion), and that it could have, as it most often does, enhanced some of the lesions that were already there as it is diminishing them. It is pretty common for the lesions to be more prominent on an MRI after the treatment, simply because the radiation is working on them. To me, this seems like a good thing. We knew the MRI was early when we did it. The problem is, that as you all know, David isn’t use to not being able to do anything, and he simply doesn’t have the energy to do anything right now. This is not good for his spirits. I know this is a part of the process, and one that will eventually get better. I just have to keep convincing him of that.

However, we are going back today, for an IV placement so that he can begin his new treatment. A weekly stereotactic radiation starting on Monday. This wonderful doctor, Dr. Woo, has agreed to aggressively go after the tumors, and basically, “zap” them individually, four at a time, for the next three weeks. We know this works. It doesn’t stop them from reappearing, they most often do, but that is what the chemo is for. He also starts chemo back up again on Monday. This time at a higher dosage. We also added a Neuro-Oncologist to our team of doctors last week, Dr. Conrad, who David knew and who was very agreeable to seeing David and being just as aggressive. So, I have a renewed sense of hope going into the Christmas season. It will be a tough three weeks, with all the treatment, but I believe, it will be beneficial in the end.

The kids are doing well. They have had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with their cousins and aunts, uncles, and Mimi. We stayed home as David wanted, and cooked here. We all had a good time, and it was nice to all be together. We hope all of you had a wonderful, family filled and turkey filled holiday as well.

Again, I would like to thank all of you that have helped us out. You have all gone above and beyond and we truly appreciate it. Spending so much time at MD Anderson is not fun, and knowing that we have the support group at home is such a comfort.

I am not as good a writer as David, he has always been a lot more creative than I, so I will sign off and keep putting a bug in his ear to contribute. I do ask those of you that usually call him that you please continue to do so. It always gives him a boost when he talks to his friends. He may not be as chatty and opinionated (whoops, did I say that?) as he has been in the past, but it does make him feel better, and currently, he needs all the uplifting he can get.

Keep praying, have faith, and we’ll beat this thing together. Love, Nicola