Dave had a checkup yesterday at the U of I, things are still "ok". They did the usual blood tests and questions of "how are you feeling?". He's been feeling tired these past few days and he attributes that to low red blood cells, (cells that carry oxygen to his system), making him energyless and tired in general.

As for the weight gain, it is slow but surely gradual, which is good! Ok, some wants to know the weight gain we're trying to achieve.....He needs to gain 17 more pounds to get back to where he was before all of this started. But, if you ask Dave, he thought he was able to afford to lose 10 pounds and he doesn't think he's far from where he think is "ideal". I think all of us knows that Dave was already a fit person and probably didn't have anything to lose. SO, our goal is at least to get him back where he was so I'll keep you all tracked starting today. We'll go for 17 more pounds from yesterday's doctor's appt, 2-25-03.

If things continue to stay on track, Dave is due for round #5 next Tuesday, again for 3 days. Dave was feeling pretty "yucky" tonight though and was having some questionable problems which he will be addressing with the doctor in the morning (I'm pressing the issue, someone has to!), so let's pray that nothing is out of the ordinary and that we're just being paranoid.

I don't think a lot of people are aware about the tumor site in the leg, where the cancer originated, so I thought I would talk about it. I've had some people ask about this, so.......

The radiation treatment Dave had in the beginning, 5 weeks in length, was very successful in "killing" the tumor, the doctors deemed the site to be neucrotic, meaning not alive! Since this tumor is no longer a concern, at this time surgery will not be an option because of all the other tumors in the lungs that needs immediate attention. Also, because the mass in the leg is no longer bothering Dave nor is it being obtrusive to anything else, there's really no need to go in and bother with it until the lungs are taken care of, then maybe they can go in and get the neucrotic tissue/mass. People either noticed or heard Dave mention his leg had increased in circumference compared to the other leg, the leg is back to normal size and you wouldn't even know now there was ever anything there.

Dave is feeling better this chemo round. Of course he still feels very tired and unmotivated(most of the times), but compared to the last round, Dave said he seems to be more with it whether he knows what to expect this time around or what, who knows! but the chemo is definitely helping and he's handling it like a trooper! Although, getting him motivated to eat is another story, the girls and I try to help and encourage him and it seems to help most of the times but we could use everyone elses encouragement as well! hint, hint, hint. I'm sure he's bored hearing it come from me :-).

Yes, it is true, they finally found the x-rays! AND the best news is that compared to the ones taken on Tuesday, there was an obvious difference and the tumors continue to shrink. I had to have Dave repeat that to me a couple of times so that I didn't misunderstand the results or that my hard of hearing might have impaired what I thought I heard, but I am thrilled to report to everyone that things are continuing to look good! He finished up his chemo treatments today but has to stay till the morning, letting the iv fluids work through. I'll be taking the girls to visit him this evening and bringing some "real" food at his request :-).

The prayers are being heard and answered, please keep the positive flow. I don't want to dampen the moment or mislead anyone but the fact is there is still a lot of fight left to go but you got to take the good with the bad and these are good days! Happy Valentines Day to everyone tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!! we know we're going to enjoy the day even a little more here.

Dave is at the U of I doing round # 4 of chemo, he went in on Tuesday as scheduled. The day started with them taking blood samples then x-rays and when the time came for the consult, they couldn't find the last set of x-rays for comparisons! The blood counts were good at least, so chemo was still a go for the next 3 days, he'll be out Friday morning. Dave told me from his memory of the other x-rays, that this time around some areas looked better but there was some spots that looked like they grew but it was hard to tell. The doctors think the x-rays were misplaced or could have actually been inadverntantly sent back to the Mayo Clinic for their records, in any case, they are trying to locate them. It is a little frustrating or disappointing not to have them there to compare but the good news is that Dave is feeling pretty good and has regained some energy and strength back.

The doctors did say the encouraging thing is that Dave is feeling good and looking in pretty good shape considering what is going on. He has also continuously been gaining weight, which is great!!! the girls and I have been trying furiously to get him to eat all the time or at least eat a lot when he does eat because we know that the chemo gets him in a funk for a week afterwards with no motivation to do anything, especially eating. Dave is a strong fighter and we are so proud of him for that, he is doing considerably well with the chemo compared to a lot of other people that I have heard about going through the treatments. We continue to pray for another miracle.

I would like to thank everyone for all their support and encuragement during this time. I read the posts often, and am continually reminded of all the love and support that I have behind me and my family. The downside to reading the posts is that it reminds me that I cannot return to fulltime work until I am through with all my chemo. I miss the people that I work with, as well as all the customers that come in, and truely miss being part of everyday life at Walgreens. If there is anything that can be considered positive that has come out of this experience, it has to be finding all the caring and assistance that is in everyone. It is human nature the overlook the obvious, and I never knew that there was this much concern about me until I became ill. That, next to the support I have received from my family, has helped me maintain a positive attitude during times when I might feel like getting down on myself. And a positive attitude is half the battle. Again, thanks for all the support. I really enjoy the posts.

Dave had another checkup this past Tuesday at the U of I. Again, it was just a routine, "how are you, how do you feel?" type of checkup. Dave continues to feel better and actually has been feeling pretty decent these days. He will have the next round of treatment next Tuesday again for 3 days. Tuesday will be a tell tale of how things are really going, he will have some more x-rays taken. The last set of x-rays showed that the tumors were shrinking and we're hoping to see even better results this time.

We truly appreciate all the support and thoughtfullness from people all around and we know so many out there care. A lot of people continuously ask how Dave is doing......well, Dave is continuing to do what he loves doing, spending time with the girls, and each day is taken without "taking things for granted" and for Dave, everyday is a miracle. GOD bless and let's pray things look "GREAT" at the next appointment.