Faithful Family and Friends~

We really are so very grateful for you standing with us on this hard journey! We appreciate every prayer  uttered on our behalf before the Throne of Grace. 

We had our day of doctors' appointments on Wednesday last week. It ended up being some mixed news for us. Basically the bottom line is that the targeted treatment drug (Alectinib) he has been on for a couple months has not been as effective as his treatment team was hoping. So they are switching him to a new medicine called Lorlatinib, which has had good results in recent comparison trials. They also think that the Alectinib has potentially caused an infection in his lungs that is leading to the shortness of breath and resulting in significant fatigue/weakness. They put him on steroids and another antibiotic to treat the infection. 

After 4 days on the steroids and being off the Alectinib, he is feeling better. He is still on the oxygen around the clock but the hope is to get his lungs better on the steroids and that the Lorlatinib will start to take care of the cancer and he can get off the oxygen. Not sure how long that will take but we are praying for that. 

It has been hard to be tied to the oxygen and not be able to leave the house. We are trying to get some portable oxygen or smaller tanks so he can venture out some. 

Here is how you can pray for us~

Pray that the Lorlatinib will work and work quickly. It is a "cousin" to the Alectinib so we are a little concerned about how his body may respond. Pray that he won't experience many adverse effects and it will stop the progression of the cancer. Pray that he will also have relief from his more acute symptoms: shortness of breath, coughing, and fatigue. 

Pray that the infection in his lungs will clear up with the steroids and that he can get off the oxygen soon.

Pray for wisdom for the team of doctors treating him and that they will be communicating with each other to find the best treatment plan moving forward.  Also wisdom in general for us to know how to best navigate the medical system and to be good advocates for him.

We so appreciate you all and love hearing from you. Thank you!