Tuesday, April 7, 2015

A Johns Hopkins Update

Hello my crafty friends, I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. We sure did. We went to VA and enjoyed no tv, internet or phones-well we had our cell phones along but didn't bother with them. lol We rode around 300 acres just admiring the beauty of God, the warm weather and friends who are more like family to us. We ate, oh my did we eat! Being outdoors makes you eat more and I can't afford to do that! But it was so good and very relaxing getting away. Took our minds off the cancer for a little while. We came home on Easter Sunday evening after a wonderful meal at lunch time. We got the dishes in the dishwasher and the car packed up and off we went 6 hours to home. Bret got his gear out the car and into his only to have to drive another 2 1/2 hours up the road back to school. Glad it was him than me, it doesn't seem to bother the younger ones. 

Monday was our appointment at Johns Hopkins with the new oncologist. We really liked her. At first we were getting a little nervous because she told us that hubby has done everything available to him as they wrote it out on paper in front of us. But then she turned the paper over and continued to write and then we knew she had a plan. There is a study that hubby qualifies for. I don't know if any of you saw on 60 Minutes where they were taking live viruses and injecting them into the tumors so the body recolonizes the tumor so it can fight them. Well her plan is similar to that only she won't be injecting the tumors with live viruses, instead they will be boosting hubby's auto immune system and then giving him a chemo with it that he hasn't had before. Why hasn't he had it yet you ask? Well it is because this cancer has a mutation that causes that chemo not to work on it. Why is she using it then you ask?? Well because they have found that when they boost the auto immune system and then add this chemo that it is working! So as soon as she can get some info regarding hubby's tumor from our local hospital she will do some more testing for other mutations and then he will begin treatments. It will be every week. It should take her 2 to 4 weeks to get ready for us as long as the hospital sends her what she needs. We are very excited and hopeful that they will work for hubby. If it doesn't she has another plan too. And that is to go back to the first chemo treatment that worked but because of the bad side effects hubby had to be pulled off of it. She will come in with a much lower dose and with some kinds of depression meds that they have found to work to lower some of the side effects with this type of chemo. We are praying he doesn't have to go back on it, but if he has to then he will. He still has some neuropathy from this chemo treatment and it has been over a year now since he has had it. But regardless, there is a plan(s) in effect now and we can soon start treatments. 

I would like to thank you all again for the wonderful support you have given us. We have been so very blessed with all the support of family, friends and blogging buddies. The prayers are so awesome and I truly believe that is why hubby is in such good shape and is other wise healthy to do this study. If he had been losing weight and sickly he wouldn't have been a candidate for the study. But his "numbers" have stayed up, his weight has stay up and he has done fairly good for a person who is stage 4 colon cancer. And we owe it all to the good Lord and the people who keep praying for him all over the world. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!  Thank you for blessing our lives with knowing a piece of you, thank you for being you! 

Until next time crafty hugs, Brenda

27 comments:

Glenda said...

So glad to hear the new doctor has a plan. Stay strong! Sending prayers!
Hugs!
Glenda

Vickie said...

Yes that is good to hear, I have been thinking about you all day. I'm so glad that you were able to have a fun and relaxing Easter Weekend,

Hugggggggssssssssssss my Friend



Vickie

Carol L said...

That's wonderful news! I didn't see the 60 minutes show, but I saw a show on HBO called "Vice" that was all about injecting cancerous tumors with live viruses that completely cured several children of leukemia! It's exciting science and just blew my mind to imagine being cured of a horrible disease by fighting it with a known infectious virus! There's always reason to be hopeful, and I'm hopeful that your hubby is going to be cured too, and be around for a long, long time! Sending big hugs and best wishes!!

Veerle said...

Oh my dear friend Brenda, this sounds so hopeful. I really do hope this treatment will do the job for your hubby. Always in my mind and in my heart my friend. Best of luck with this new treatment. Big hug from me, Veerle xxxxx

Di said...

I'm so, so pleased the hear that there is not only a plan but also a fallback one too Brenda! Still sending love and positive thoughts.

Hugs

Di xx

Unknown said...

Some positive news for you - I do hope everything goes well. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Anonymous said...

Thank goodness for choices. It's so nice when all doctors don't just do the same thing. This makes sense and I hope you have every success with it. The two of you are on my mind a lot and you always have my prayers.
Have a beautiful week.

Bonnie said...

God's continued blessings.

Tina Campbell said...

Praise God! So glad to hear good news. I think I seen that episode of the show and so glad he qualifies for the study :) I will continue my prayers that this new experiment works :) Hugs my friend, Tina

Brenda in IN said...

Oh Brenda I'm so happy she has such hope for this treatment. That is wonderful news and a plan for him to try. Also grateful that if he has to go back on the original chemo there is something now to help the side effects. The fact that he has kept his weight up is due, I'm sure, to your great cooking skills. You are in my prayers and I am praying this will work.

Suzanne cricutcraftingrammyblogspot.com said...

So glad you were able to go to Hopkins and now have a new plan my friend. Glad you liked the doctor and praying for you both. Remember to take care of you too so you can be there for Dwayne. hugs and love

Lisa said...

Oh Brenda, I'm so happy that the new oncologist has a plan of action. I will continue to pray that it works. And even if he has to go on the original chemo, at least there is treatment for the side effects. God's blessings to you and your family. Big hugs my friend :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Leslie Germain said...

WOW, Brenda!! Glad everything worked out and you have a new plan!! I am hoping and praying that the first plan works so he doesn't have to do step two or the other Chemo again. I am constantly thinking of you and will keep you all in my prayers!! xo

Thank you for all your kids comments on my blog!! You really brighten my day with your sweetness and sincerity!!

My Card Attic: Hazel said...

. . . and we all will keep praying!! Hazel xx

Sharon said...

Oh I so see God's hand in this!!! Awesome to hear some good news! Can't wait to tell my Sunday School Sisters about it! We are all praying for you both!!!! :)

Irish Cherokee said...

Thank you for the update Brenda. It uplifts my spirit to know there are newer and better ways to fight this. I will continue to pray for you and your hubby every day. I never doubted that prayer works.

Major Hugs and Blessing being sent your way.
Jim

Jo Williams Independent Stampin' Up Demonstrator said...

THank you for updating us. I pray that this treatment can help and provide more answers. I never would have though to use a virus to stop the cancer but hey if it works, then its worth it....never give up hope my friend!
Hugs,
Jo
xox

Loll said...

Hi Brenda. It's so positive to hear that there are some alternatives for your hubby ... not one, but two courses of action to help eliminate the cancer. Hopefully hubby will get started on this soon. Take care. Sending hugs. Loll xx

I Card Everyone said...

Hello again, sweet Brenda... had to run over to see what you've been up to... I did see that 60 minutes episode, and got really excited to know that the new oncologist is willing to try something new and improved for your husband. I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. You have just about the best attitude I've ever witnessed, Brenda. God is definitely apparent in your "details."
=] Michele

Lysa said...

Hi Brenda,
So glad to hear that there is a new plan. Keep us all posted on how the Hubs is doing. Hugs to your both,
Lysa

MaryH said...

I can just guess at the joy & excitement you both got from this visit. Sounds like this specialist has some good plans & I hope you stay on your local people to get the needed info to her ASAP. Even if it takes calling frequently to ask "Did you have it yet?" or even getting the records and taking them down to her yourself. I'm so gladdened that prayers are working to get some more hope, and praying that the new plans will work a miracle. God Bless you both. Big hugs too. MM

Anita in France said...

Such heartening and hopeful news, Brenda ... praying the new plan is the answer, my friend! Hugs, Anita :)

Happy Dance said...

Hey Brenda. So glad you've found this oncologist. She sounds like she's going to fight right along with the two of you. Cancer is never an easy path, and it's never one of our choosing. I continue to pray for you all, especially your DH. I have full confidence in God and his way for us all. Each day, each minute is a blessing, and I know you're all counting them. Be strong. And consider yourself hugged. I'm here if you need me. Bev

D- said...

I am sooo happy to hear this wonderful news. You both have been in my thoughts and prayers.
Sounds like your Easter was just perfect. Spending time together is priceless.
Healing hugs,
Dawn
DesignsByDragonfly {blogspot}

Sheila H said...

Thanks for sharing the good news, Brenda!

Caroline said...

Thank you so much for letting us all know how hubby and yourself are doing. How wonderful to have a plan to beat the cancer. My prayers are with you every day. I can see that you are such a wonderful support to your husband. God bless you.
Hugs,
Caroline

cm said...

You and your husband must be ecstatic with your new doctor and her new plan that sounds...well, amazing! She appears to be tuned in to 'leading edge' treatments, so how wonderful that her expertise will be dialed into your courageous, strong and open-minded husband. I'm excited for you...new doors opening!!
Hugs galore and, as always, prayers and thoughts heading you way - express post!
Hugs~c