It's Mike again. Dad's home! He's doing fine, in good spirits, and glad to be out of the hospital. (And we're glad to have him home!!) He's got lots of energy, despite having not slept too well last night in the hospital. (More than most of us, in fact!)
We spoke with a lot of docs and nurses this morning, and we now know the treatment plan. Starting in a week or two (after the small biopsy incision in his head has had time to heal), Dad will begin undergoing radiation treatments five days a week (Monday through Friday), same time each day (they'll be calling to set up the recurring appointment tomorrow), for six weeks, at Union Hospital, 10 minutes from his and Mom's home. For the same six-week period, he'll be taking a relatively recently-developed, low-impact chemotherapy pill once daily. The side effects from these treatments are expected to be fairly minor - possibly some nausea (but they're prescribing another med to prevent that) and some localized hair loss around the specific sites where the radiation will be aimed. The drug can also reduce white blood-cell counts, so they'll be testing him along the way to keep an eye on that.
After the six-week program of treatments, they'll give him a break of at least a month, and follow up with an MRI to gauge the effectiveness of the therapy. Then, we take it from there, moving forward based on test results and the advice of the docs.
We're very, very thankful to have Dad home and completely himself, without any of the potential loss of language, memory, etc. that we were very afraid might have resulted from the originally-planned surgery. (The steroid medications Dad's been on for the past two weeks have been effective in counteracting most of the minor symptoms that originally alerted Mom and Dad to the problem. They're going to be weaning him off the steroids as the radiation and chemo treatments take their place in combatting the tumor.)
We're also very thankful for all of you, and your support, love, and prayers. Thank you all so much for loving us through the beginning of this battle, and in advance for continuing to love us as we dig in for the long haul.
Love,
Tom & Lynne
Mike & Tina
Sean & Anna
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6 comments:
that's great news...thanks for the update! we're glad the first major milestone of this ordeal is behind you and stand in awe of the courage and love you have shown one another.
love,
rob & lara
Great to hear the positive news! I will be checking on your mom and dad a lot. I love them both more than I can explain and will truly do anything I can to help through all of this. They have some really great kids as well!
So glad that you're home Tom. All our love and prayers are with all of you as you start on this latest journey of life. Keep up your "Irish" humor, it'll help getting thru this. Thanks so much for all the updates, it helps to keep all of us in the loop.
Love to all, Mary W
Super news! I'm sure you're glad to be home sweet home. We'll be checking up on ya! Can't wait to tell the rest of the gang!
We really appreciate the updates. I have had the pleasure of working with Tom for several years. Besides his quality work in our Calibration Lab, Tom also served as a ready resource to our Engineering Department. When it comes to inspecting parts and reading blueprints he is without peer - plus he's got that wicked sense of humor! Get well soon friend. We miss you.
We are so glad to hear that you are spending quality time with each other in the comfort of your own home. We wish you well as you delve into your treatments. May the love you have for each other and a few good laughs help you through all this...they have worked wonders for us! Love-Cathy and John
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