For a week, I've been trying to figure out what I would write in this post to update everyone about Nick's progress.  Unfortunately, this will be my first one to report a setback in his cancer battle.  After a fantastic CT scan nine weeks ago, the one he had last week came back showing the cancer is back in a big way and is over a good bit of his liver.  Therefore, Dr. Tauer immediately stopped the treatment plan he had been on, and had to re-evaluate.  We knew in the beginning that his specific type of cancer (small cell carcinoma of the lung) typically responds well to chemotherapy, but we were hoping the immunotherapy regimen he was one would be the game-changer.  It appears that the positive reports were probably due to the chemo.  Our next plan is start a new immunotherapy drug called Opdivo, and he is scheduled to receive this every two weeks for the next eight weeks.  We will know fairly quickly if it is helping, or not.  While this plan is being worked, we'll also be looking for any other options or clinical trials that may pop up.  

We've been so blessed this summer to have had Nick healthy enough to go on a few trips, and especially a family trip to Greece, which wasn't planned until after we found out he was sick.  While it was a bit hard on him, he was an amazing warrior and kept right up with us all.  The memories we made on that trip will be some of the best of our lives.  I've attached a photo for those of you who didn't see any on social media.  We have a couple of more trips planned for the next two months, but will play those by ear.  It's my hope you see me posting tons of pictures and intuit that he is doing well enough to have made the trek.

Please keep us in your prayers and pray specifically that this new treatment stops the newest cancer growth and stabilizes his situation.  We love you all, and can't thank you enough for all the support we've received over these past seven months.  Until next time, stay well and live today like it's your last.

Jenny and Nick