12/30/08 - Pam has experienced highs and lows over the past one and one-half weeks. She was full of energy on the days leading up to Christmas. Her sister and brother-in-law arrived for a week's visit on Christmas night and Pam was really excited. After a chemo treatment on December 26th, Pam began to feel less energetic and tired easily. She began to have abdominal pains attributed to fluid retention due to blockage of the lymph system. She is scheduled to have the abdominal area drained again on January 5th, the earliest date available.

Pam's sister and brother-in-law have helped immensely to keep Pam upbeat and positive. They have worked around the house, completed errands for Pam, and provided wonderful fellowship. They will leave for home in Connecticut tomorrow.

We continue to thank you for your prayers and blessings and wish you a Happy New Year.

December 19, 2008 Pam has been blessed this week with stamina and optimism. After a period of recovery from the shift in chemo treatment drugs, Pam has slept better and begun to have some appetite. We traveled to Orlando for two days to see our four grandchildren and their mother in a performance of the Nutcracker at the Orange County Convention Center. Despite the rigors of travel to and from and around town, the hustle and bustle of visiting excited children, and being away from home, Pam held up very well and immensely enjoyed herself. The granddaughters are compassionate and are comfortable talking to Pam about the cancer.

Pam had a chemo treatment today. She was apprehensive that her hemoglobin count would prevent her from receiving treatment; however, the blood test was fine and Pam has not lost or gained weight. This means she is stabilizing her weight and has not suffered any accumulation of fluid in the abdominal areas. This is a reassuring condition.

We won't know if the chemo is working for several weeks. Pam's doctor will be arranging a visit to New York for late January or early February to have a second opinion. If the chemo is working we will still go. If the chemo is not working, we'll try to find a procedure that will work.

Pam and I have been overwhelmed with prayers, comforting words, and expressions of optimism. We feel greater inner strength and know the Lord is watching over us. Thank you, friends.

12-13-2008 On December 11th, Pam learned that the cancer has not measurably changed. The original mass on the liver has decreased in size; however, several cells were noted near the spleen. The cancer marker is up a bit, but that index is subject to fluctuation. The clogged lymphatic system which caused the buildup of fluid was indicative of cancer cells moving around the abdominal area. The new cancer drug, Gemzar, is designed to be effective in the entire abdominal region, liver, pancreas and ovaries. Side effects should be less noticeable than the previous treatments.

Pam is doing reasonably well and remains optimistic for chemotherapy success. She is eating more food and more often and resting frequently, while getting ready to visit the central Florida grandchildren next week, as we will not be with them on Christmas, and sing the Messiah at church. Blessings to all who have been so kind, prayerful, and comforting to Pam and me during this ordeal.

12-9-2008 The drainage of the abdominal area was a success. The technicians drained 6 liters, over 13 pounds, of fluid. The procedure was efficient, relatively short, and painless. Pam has eaten her first solid food in a week and is resting comfortably at home. She feels a bit weak and the doctor told her to expect some discomfort while the organs settle back to their original positions. Pam will be ready for chemo with the new drugs tomorrow.

We thank you all for your prayers, expressions of faith, and comforting calls as Pam struggles with the cancer. Every small success is uplifting.

12-8-2008 It was an uncomfortable weekend for Pam. The diuretics had no effect in eliminating the fluid in her abdomen. The pain was intense, at times, and we consulted her doctor on Saturday. We learned that the diuretics take several days to take effect and he suggested she call him if no improvement is noted.

Pam stumbled over a lip in the sidewalk at the church on Sunday night just before the children's Christmas program (which she directed) began. She bent her glasses, skinned her forehead, bruised her right side where the fluid has accumulated, and cracked a toenail. She believes this was the result of a dead foot-numbed by the chemo therapy. Nothing was broken. The children's presentation was a success-with the contributions and assistance of many people.

Pam's doctor saw her on short notice today after a restless night and increased abdominal pain. She will have the fluid in her abdomen drained on Wednesday, December 10th. The drainage will no doubt enable her to eat normal food and not feel constant heartburn or reflux. The cancer has clogged the lymphatic system and prevented normal fluid drainage. The new cancer treatment drug is intended to defeat the cancer cells and restore the system to normal operation. She starts the new treatment on Thursday and we expect to have more information as to the location of the cancer. Any improvements in defeating the cancer with the new drug should be noticeable in 4-8 weeks.

We thank you for all your prayers and support. We are optimistic that effective treatment of the cancer will be coming soon.

12-4-2008 Pam's cancer treatment has hit a bump in the road. She expected a chemo treatment, but her doctor noticed the excessive bloating of her abdomen and immediately concluded that the topotecan drug was not working. Then bloating really became apparent over the past two weeks and caused Pam extreme discomfort. Fluid accumulated in her abdomen because cancer cells prevented efficient distribution.This condition convinced the doctor that the cancer may not actually be ovarian and may be classified as a cancer of unknown origin. If the topotecan were working as predicted, the cancer cells would most likely be destroyed since that drug is targeted to ovarian cancer. This situation will need further evaluation because the last cancer marker test obtained after 4 of the planned 8 treatments indicated a reduction in cancer cells.

Pam will undergo a CT scan on 12/5 and meet with her doctor again next week. The current plan involves using a drug that has been effective against general abdominal cancer and has been effective for lung and pancreas cancer. The bottom line is that the ovary may not be the primary source of cancer and that is the next step-isolate the source of the cancer cells.

Radiation is currently ruled out because it would encompass the entire abdominal area. Referrals to other cancer centers at this time would most likely not be accepted because the primary cancer source has not been located and no clinical trials are known to be available.

Pam will work on eliminating the fluid with diuretics and that will certainly make her feel more comfortable.

We thank you for your prayers and best wishes as we continue to control this disease.

12-1-2008 The past ten days have been busy and rewarding yet a bit trying for Pam. She has experienced fatigue, little or no appetite, and abdominal pains every day. On the very positive side, we enjoyed Thanksgiving in Orlando with David and Diane, Diane and Steven, Beverly and six grandchildren. The weather was perfect and we had a grand opportunity to catch up on the happenings of the children and adults and make plans for our December visit. Thanksgiving Day was the only day Pam felt anything like her old self.

Pam's sister Diane came in from Connecticut for the weekend to lend moral support and help Pam get ready for Christmas. Shopping was grueling, but productive, and the ordeal is over for this year. Diane and her husband, Art, will be back for Christmas.

Pam will have another chemo treatment on Thursday this week. We have a long list of questions to pose to her doctor with respect to further treatments and treatment alternatives. We should have a progress report on the effect of the current treatments in a week.

Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement. They keep Pam and me strong to face this health issue.