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In June 2017 Wayne and I learned that he had Lung cancer and that it had metastasized to his brain. After an intense two weeks of tests he started treatment at the St . Paul Minnesota Oncology building in downtown St. Paul.
Cyber Knife radiation treatments focus on very small areas of cancer in the brain. Wayne had three treatments, July 3, 5 and 6. When he walked out of the Center he said " let's go see The Lake ." So we packed the travel trailer and headed for Bayfield! Beautiful weekend!
July 11 through 16 he mowed some of his regular customers, talked with everyone about the cancer and stayed positive.
Monday, July 17th he started Chemotherapy and radiation on his lung. The chemotherapy treatment is five consecutive days, weekend off and again on Monday. Radiation every day. Wayne felt surprisingly good until Thursday, July 27th. Difficult weekend. Monday, the 31st he needed two liters of fluids. At this point he wasn't eating much or drinking water. Each day he was a little weaker but continuing with radiation and fluids.
Gretchen and Owen and Sophie came Wednesday night, August 2nd. Thursday, when Gretchen took him to Maplewood for radiation the staff determined that he was too weak for the treatment and having respiratory distress. He was admitted to St. Johns hospital.
He was diagnosed with pneumonia initially but today the oncologist determined that it is a viral infection in his lungs, so he is having to fight harder. He is weak, not hungry and more than a little scared. After five worrisome days in the hospital he will be moved to the Kinnic Rehabilitation Facility in River Falls on Tuesday, August 8. He needs to get his strength back, heal and strengthen his lungs in order to return to the radiation treatments. The chemotherapy will be delayed another week or two. The wonderfully positive news from today's doctor visit was that the lung cancer has decreased by 50%!!!
Gretchen and I will be updating here as Wayne progresses. Love, Annette
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