We have been so happy to report great, good and stable news regarding Dan's battle with this Cancer, that it why it has taken us a little time to wrap our heads around not so good news. Like Dan has been telling you, he has not been feeling as good as he was. He has not be catching the "bounce" as we call it as fast as he was. After talking with Dr Ellison, he felt that Dan should take a chemo holiday and let his body catch up. Before that holiday started he planned a CT scan (three weeks earlier than the normal schedule), just so we would have a baseline. That CT scan came back and showed a new tumor in the same lung, not far from the first one. Also the report showed some "activity" in the original tumor. Not what we wanted to hear, so a new fight begins. After 10 days of talking, many prayers and a few tears (like a small lake) we have made the decision to seek a second opinion. Dan always felt that when the Cancer grew he would want to head to MD Anderson, Houston, for a second opinion. He has been very impressed with the work and passion of Dr. Edward Kim. In our face to face meeting with Dr Ellison, Dan mentioned Dr Kim. Dr Ellison said that he was glad Dan liked his work, because Dr Kim left MD Anderson and has come to the Levine Cancer Institute, which Charleston Hemotology and Oncology is part of. (He is in Charlotte NC, there are 12 hospitals and 60 cancer centers in NC and SC that are a part of this group). Dr Ellison has met him and has him on speed dial and direct email, he was very supportive of this second opinion and called Dr Kim's office and within 2 hours called back and told us that Dr Kim would see Dan. (He is now the head of this part of Cancer treatment center and not seeing paitents as his routine duties) I am trying to make this a shorter story than it was, with that said, we are going to meet Dr Kim next week. 116 pages of Dr Ellison notes have been sent, we have 4 discs to take. This is an answer to direct prayer - Dan did the research and I prayed for clarity, and prayers have been answered. Dan has not recieved chemo for what will be 6 weeks, next week and plans to enjoy a few glasses of wine tonight and celebrate the last two years, as well as the 61 before that. He has lost his taste for wine, so I have been drinking for the two of us.
We feel all of your prayers and love to hear from all of you. Today, out of the blue our dentist called, because Dan had been on his mind every morning this week and just wanted to check in on him. A beautiful plant arrived yesterday from some people we don't know very well and cards come in the mailbox just when they are needed most. Your calls and facebook messages as well emails just let us know how much we are loved. I am so sorry that it has taken us this long to get all of this news out to you, we will try to do better.
Hugs and love to all of you.
Dan and Martha
Sorry of any and all spelling error