Dan

First, we want to thank all of you for your prayers on our behalf, and for your encouraging messages. This is a very challenging time in our lives, but we now have every reason to believe that God will be gracious and make Dan free of cancer.

The Bottom Line - I wrote earlier that we spent last week at MD Anderson in Houston. Their recommendation for treatment is the same as what was recommended by our local team of specialists - radiation. Texas Oncology, Bedford, has an outstanding reputation for success. They use advanced methods. Today's meeting with Dr. Dubey, Dan's radiologist, was an informational meeting with signing of "consent to treat" form. Actual radiation treatments will begin late next week.

After today, Updates will be given on Dan's blog each Monday, or sooner if there is a significant development.

That may be all you want to know. If you have the interest and time, here's the rest of what Dr. Dubey told us:

These things must take place first:

1. Dan's surgeon, Dr. Elieson, will inform us Friday if he is going to leave the pocket of fluid in place to allow the fluid to absorb on it's own inside the cavity in Dan's leg. 2. C-T Scan on Monday. 3. Dr. Dubey will draw a line on the x-ray around the area to be treated 4. The physicist at Texas Oncology will design the best angles to be used by the radiology machine. (They will try to target only the area where the tumor was and any area that might have cancer cells.)

Monday, they will arrange Dan's treatment schedule. They will tell us at that time how many weeks they expect to treat Dan. The treatments will be at the Edwards Cancer Center, next to HEB Hospital, Bedford. Each appointment will be the same time each day, 5 days a week. Each treatment appointment is for 20 minutes. Dan may be able to drive himself to his appointments for awhile. He may possibly not experience extreme fatigue because the radiation will be on his leg. (Extreme fatigue comes when the radiation affects the organs, or mouth/throat.)

Radiation will not affect Dan's Parkinson's. (The radiation will be on the leg. Parkinson's is controlled by cells in the brain.)

Possible Side Effects:

After a few treatments, the skin on Dan's leg will be tender to the touch -- like it is sunburned. If it gets pink, a gel will be prescribed. If it is more than just pink, a cream will be prescribed. If it becomes extreme, a bandage will be used to protect the skin.

Edema in the right leg will get worse. There is a treatment center to help with this if needed.

Possible Delayed Side Effects After 10 - 15 years:
Some soft tissue scarring may develop. Some nerve damage may show up.

Other questions people have asked:

What does "reactive lymph node mean? -- That there is an inflammation or irritation somewhere. But it is not anything to worry about. It is just something to watch.

How did bone cells get into the muscle of the sarcoma? -- The cells that form bones and muscle begin at the same point near the joint. One cell did not form properly. This sarcoma was completely outside of the bone, not attached to the leg bone.

Thank you for continuing to pray for his complete healing, for peace and strength. We are learning that it is God, and God only who can help us manage to keep going. In 1 Peter 5:6, Peter says, "Humble yourself...under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast ALL your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." We humbly keep giving God our anxiety...every time we feel afraid. He takes it, and gives us peace. Praise God! -- Anne and Dan