11-20-2008 After a busy, yet rewarding, weekend with her out-of-town friends and her routine Sunday schedule, Pam was on an emotional high even though she was physically exhausted. This week found her resting during most of the day and singing with her Treasure Coast Community Singers and the Celebration Choir on Monday and Wednesday. Pam was suffering from constant abdominal pains most of the time and felt she might not be able to complete the chemo scheduled for today. Her hemoglobin count was acceptable and she completed the chemo treatment. This was the eighth treatment with topotecan as the chemical agent. Her doctor will order a CA 125 test on the next visit on December 4th and arrange for a CT scan and a PET scan to assess the effectiveness of the chemo treatments. If the test results show progress in shrinking the tumor, chemo will probably be continued. If the test results so indicate, her doctor will evaluate the next step.

Throughout this 5 month ordeal, Pam has maintained a sense of optimism buoyed by the love and support of her friends at church, in the community, and around the country. She is focused on a successful treatment plan and wants nothing more than to feel good again. We thank you all for your prayers, cards, letters, and hugs. They give us strength and resolve to meet each day.
Bless you!

11-14-2008 Pam had a chemo treatment on Thursday, the 13th, and she left the office a bit tired. Her hemoglobin count was down from last week, yet not too low to delay the treatment. We certainly are looking for no further decrease in the hemoglobin because that will probably trigger more transfusions. There was no test for cancer markers this week. The doctor will order another test in a couple of weeks when this series of treatments nears completion. The time table for these treatments is indefinite at this time. We remain optimistic for good news. It's just that the negative effect of the chemicals on Pam's energy level is cumulative.

Today, however, Pam is her old self. Three of her closest friends converged at our house for this weekend. These ladies try to get together every year and they wanted to come see Pam this year. So, her friends from Atlanta, New Orleans, and the Dallas area are here to have a great time with no set schedule. Pam is really energized.

We thank you all for your continuing prayers, expressions of hope, and support. These thoughts truly make a positive impact and a great source of comfort to Pam and me.

11-6-08 Pam had encouraging news today. The cancer marker CA125 showed a decrease from her previous test several treatments ago. A trend of decreasing cancer marker results over several test is a sign the cancer is being attacked. Her doctor seemed pleased with the results and will further evaluate the shrinkage of the tumor upon completion of this series of chemo treatments, which may be extended a bit.

Pam continues to be active with the church activities involving choir and hand bells. She has discovered that her diabetes is acting up. Acute changes in her blood sugar have affected her energy level and cause periods of dizziness. Pam is closely watching her diet and schedule of meals and snacks and a change in diabetes medication will help reduce these conditions. She is optimistic about getting everything under control so she can regain an active lifestyle.

We are comforted by your prayers, expressions of hope and encouragement. Thank you, everyone!

11-2-08 Pam had her fifth chemo treatment last Thursday, the 30th. Her hemoglobin count was higher than she had after the transfusions two weeks ago. It seems the 8-treatment schedule is taking a long time and we are anxious to learn the effectiveness of the treatments. We hopefully will get results from a cancer marker test this week to tell us if the topotecan chemicals are working. Pam will undergo CT and PET scans after the final treatment so her doctor will be able to assess the entire chemo procedure.

Pam has little sustained energy now and gets tired easily. That did not stop her from delivering Thanksgiving baskets to her clients last week or singing in the two concerts of the Treasure Coast Community Singers this weekend. She is determined to balance the effects of the chemo and her diabetes to remain active, albeit at a slower pace than she is accustomed to.

We feel the comfort and support of all your prayers, thoughts and wishes during this time. Pam is doing her very best to beat this condition and sends her love to all.