Wednesday, Feb 13

Last week we received the disappointing news that Marty's cancer has progressed.  The doctor ordered a MRI of the brain and a CT scan of the body to determine the cause of fevers that Marty had been experiencing. The MRI showed progression of the disease since the last MRI, which was done early January.  The CT scan however came back clean. The doctor immediately put Marty on high dose steroids to minimize his symptoms.  Marty and Erica have decided to continue on with the chemotherapy and the stem cell transplant which was the planned course of treatment.  While this is disappointing news we are comforted by the fact that our heavenly Father continues to uphold and sustain us through all things.  

Today Marty started chemo again.  Due to the fact that this is a very potent form of chemotherapy and that it is secreted through the pores of the skin, Marty will need to have a shower twice a day.  His room will also be given a thorough cleaning twice a day.  The chemo is given through IV and takes approximately 3 hours to complete.  He had his first dose at noon today.  They hope to get the chemo drug from the pharmacy a little earlier tomorrow so that they might be starting it by ten tomorrow morning.   Today, tomorrow and Friday he'll be given Thiotepa (a chemotherapy drug) and for the following three days he'll be given Busulfan (another chemotherapy drug). The risk of this chemotherapy treatment is that it is very potent and will kill good and bad brain cells and also wipe out Marty's immune system causing him to be susceptible to any infection. Without the stem cell transplant he would not be able to grow any new white blood cells, red blood cells or platelets himself.  Some other side effects possibly are mouth sores, nausea, vomitting and diarrhea.  

Following the six days of chemotherapy he'll have his stem cells transplanted back into his body.  Because of the preservative in the  harvested stem cells the transplant will take place over two days; next week Tuesday and Wednesday.  

Marty had a hearty appetite again today which is good to witness. We continue to hold fast to the promises given us by our heavenly Father that not a hair can fall from our head without his will and he will work all things for our benefit.  

 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" 

1 Peter 5:7

" But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, 

on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,....

May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, 

even as we put our hope in you. "  

Psalm 33: 18, 22