Dan

Last Friday the oncologist's office honored our request to help us get a 2nd opinion about Dan's case. Just as we were walking out the door today to meet with the surgeon, the phone rang. It was MD Anderson in Houston returning our call. The bottom line is - in order to give a 2nd opinion, before Dan begins radiation, they have to study all of Dan's case records, x-rays, & tissue samples...or begin with them 21 days after Dan finishes the radiation treatment here.

Since we will meet with the radiologist for the first time this Friday, MDA said to call them Friday after we know when radiation therapy is to begin. The timing of the radiation depends upon how well the incision is healing. If radiation is begun too soon, it will interfer with the healing of the incision.

Today Dan's leg was hurting where the drain tube enters his leg. So, I drove us out to HEB Medical Center in Bedford to meet with the surgeon, Dr. Elieson (Dr. E). (Dan really is not up to driving more than very short distances anyway.) Dr. E said, "the color of the fluid draining into the pump is the right color indicating no infection." He went on to explain about the different colors it could be and what problems each color indicates.

Dr. E also said, "the reason Dan has so much drainage (600 - 700 cc. daily) is because of the large section removed from his thigh. When the drainage is below 100 cc a day, the pump and the tube can be removed." Dan has had less trouble with clots blocking the tube today. We are grateful for the help the drain provides in the healing process, but three weeks after surgery, Dan is ready to be rid of the pump.

We're always worn out after the trip to meet with the doctors. What a blessing that they are all 20 minutes from our house. What I'm coming to realize is that not only is the drive tiring, but it also takes a great deal of energy to calmly sit and talk about Dan having cancer and what may be the best way to treat it. But God is so good. He daily sends encouragement through special messages. Shortly after we got back from Dr. E's, an out of state client of mine called to check on us. As she began to say just what I needed to hear, she chuckled and said, "I'm rather like the Student Teacher...using what you told me that helped me so much." We are all students...and God will teach us, help us. We are so blessed. -- Anne and Dan