Update on James 12/16/2014: James, Laura and myself made it home safely on Sunday, after an exhaustive four day trip to Houston. Overall, without going into a lot of details, the trip went fairly well. Thursday was a very long day (8:00am - 11:00pm), as James had to have a new pic line inserted, blood work, visit with the Doctor and PA, and then the chemo treatment. The Doctor and PA were pleasantly surprised at the reduction of the mass in James foot...hopefully there is also a reduction of the cancer in his heart as well, but we will not know for sure until the heart scan is performed on his next visit. If the scans are positive, then the Doctor stated they would move to a more long lasting treatment that will only require a one day, 90 minute infusion every visit (lets pray and keep our fingers crossed!) James was extremely exhausted after the treatments however, I must say he is a real trooper! I was even able to convince him to eat and drink regularly, not without some nudging and persuasion though, as he realizes how important it is to keep his calories up. We were met at the hospital with a case of 2014 AFLAC Holiday ducks that were sent from Tom Giddens. Tom requested we distribute the ducks to the doctors and nurses throughout the center, as the quacking duck would brighten their day. He was right! James got great pleasure giving the ducks away, and seeing the smiles on the doctors and nurses faces. I was even able to sneak into the nurses station and place a duck into each of the nurses stockings! James next visit to the center will be on January 5th and 6th. Please keep your thoughts and prayers going for James and Laura. ** I would like to take this opportunity to say a special Thank you to my daughter Cristy (and the company she works for), for obtaining the use of the apartment in Houston....what a wonderful place it is for James and Laura to come back to for rest and relaxation in between appointments at the center. If I dont post again before Christmas, I would like to wish all a Very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season. Thank you all, Mike ***The attached photos are of the AFLAC Ducks at the nurses station in the center, and also of James nurse Dana with her duck.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 13:07:01 +0000