In the past month, Lyle was able to finish the first round of treatment, rest and reset and then start his second round of chemotherapy. Despite the ongoing changes to the way Lyle is feeling, the family takes comfort in the latest scan information and continue to be encouraged towards hope in this journey.

The last week (early-mid April) of Lyle's first phase of treatment was difficult. The greatest impact of the radiation on his energy actually peaks about two weeks after the final session, but it was this week that Lyle really began to feel the fatigue on top of having to make it to his appointments and adapt his daily life. We had the blessing of having most of the Odegaard family gathered in Rochester during this time adding much joy, cousin adventures and a bit of chaos.  Balancing this visit alongside the intensity of treatment stressed Lyle, but it was a great opportunity for us to love and care for him as he has done for all of us over his lifetime. Many of us also were thankful for the space to talk and grieve the battle of cancer together as siblings, aunts & uncles and grandchildren. Plenty of non cancer fun was enjoyed, too, and we even managed to organize large family pictures of everyone!  The final five days of radiation, Mary and Lyle sought out a new bakery to try each day to motivate themselves through the final stretch.

After the first round was finished, Lyle had a month long rest period with no additional treatment.  This period is allow the body to recover and informally, give the heart and mind a time to catch up.  As you may remember, the peak of his treatment symptoms continue to escalate until around 2 weeks after the final session.  While Lyle did experience this effect during this month, by the end, he also decided to return to his exercise regime and add back a few hours of work with a couple of his longstanding clients.  The margin of energy that the longer recovery period created lifted everyone. And it was perfectly timed with warm weather and blooms opening for spring!  

Lyle's scans during this time revealed the initial treatment was successful at breaking up the existing tumor mass. The doctors were pleased with the image results and his bloodwork and have no need to change the ongoing treatment plan.  We praise the Lord for the outcome of this tough treatment and hope for more time with Lyle! While it may be hard to see now, this taxing process will offer Lyle a better chance at a higher quality of living and a potentially longer life. 

His ongoing treatment for the next six months will only include chemotherapy.  He will have doses for 5 day periods followed by 3 weeks of recovery in six cycles.  This chemo is a higher dose than his first treatment, but the symptoms should be more manageable without the accompanying radiation.  Lyle started his first cycle of this chemotherapy last week.  He is currently enjoying a trip to the west coast to see one of his daughters and family over this three week rest period.  We look forward to sharing more about how Lyle is spending his days and some family pictures soon!