Good day to all of you!

I knew it had been a hot minute since my last update, but looking at this site, I realize it's been four years! Yikes. Well then, here we go...

Until 2021 there was no change for Dick, a daily chemo pill, hormone and bone strengthening treatments every three months, and a negligible PSA count. In September of that year, his PSA began a very slow, but consistent, climb. By March of last year (2023) the  numbers were high enough to warrant a look-see so he had a PET scan. Three areas of growth were found, one on the spine and two in the pelvic bones. These were spot radiated. After an initial, and expected, spike in June, the PSA number was falling by September. 

However, in December it was back up a bit. By March of this year (2024), it had made a significant jump, so another PET scan was ordered. That took place on 4/11.

Yesterday, Tuesday 4/16, we had a follow-up with the oncologist, Dr. Pham (for whom we are so very grateful!). There are at least a dozen active areas of cancer spread throughout Dick's skeletal structure from upper spine to the hip and pelvic regions. So the current medication is no longer working. 

The next step in treatment is a cycle of 10 doses of chemotherapy (docetaxel) to be administered once every three weeks beginning on 4/29, and taking us through the beginning of November. Along with the chemo will be an anti-nausea med to alleviate any intestinal issues, and a low daily dose of prednisone to help combat fatigue. 

There are newly approved treatments for patients who have undergone chemotherapy, and these have had good results in clinical trials. One is an isotope treatment and another is a medication targeted at a genetic mutation in the cancer cells in Dick's body. Once he has gone through this round of radiation, one of these will likely be the next step. There is also a clinical trial in which Dr. Pham is participating, and Dick may be included in that, depending on how other treatments go.

All in all, there are several more years of treatments available, and new discoveries on a continual basis. For this, and for every day we have together in this life, we are grateful. Everyday of life, every friend and family member, every moment of the mercy of God poured out on us are gifts for which we can never be thankful enough, yet God showers us with these. 

As St. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"