Today's Appointment

Mark had an appointment today with his neuro-oncologist and Nurse Practitioner. I drove us to Jeff's house in Germantown & he took us the rest of the way to the hospital. (No trains for us today). They will keep him on his course of meds as prescribed. They believe that he will get stronger again and have decided that they will order physical therapy for him. This will probably be done locally, at Grand View Hospital, per my request. He needs to hear someone else tell him to get up and move around, not just me. (It's too easy for me to do things for him when he asks me to.)

His weight dropped 11 pounds in the past 2 1/2 weeks, due to loss of appetite. But I think the prayers of our church members, friends, and Kris and team in Thailand have been heard! This morning for breakfast he ate 2 eggs with a little bacon, one half English muffin, one Bran muffin, 10 ounces of orange juice and a cup of protein- fortified hot chocolate! I could hardly believe my eyes! Then on our return home from Philly he asked me to stop at Red Lobster for a late lunch. (He had taken a gift certificate from Jeff and Sara along with him.) He ordered a big seafood platter and ate half of it, bringing the rest home for tomorrow. So it looks like we're on the road to recovery! PTL

Remembering Ted Kennedy

Our "big adventure" today was to go to the lab for weekly blood tests. Before going there we went out for lunch at Java on Main Street. But Mark was not hungry, so he ordered just a bagel and latte. And he was not really hungry for supper. I'm wondering if the chemo is playing games now with his appetite. When this happens it's harder work to entice him with nutritious foods that he likes. Hopefully tomorrow will be better!

This was also a sad day, learning that Ted Kennedy died. He had the same type of brain tumor as Mark. I'm glad that the tributes to him have been so postitive, for he really did accomplish a lot in the political world, especially for the most needy. When I was in college, I worked two summers as a Nanny in the home of Joe Kennedy's personal physician (in Massachusetts.) There were photos and stories of the Kennedys who were in the same social network. I did not personally meet them, but from that time period on, that family was part of our history. May God give them all His peace and comfort.

Trip to the Hospital

Mark continued to be more tired & lethargic, so early Friday morning I called the hospital and talked with the neurologist on call. She suggested bringing him in, through the emergency room. So we drove down to Penn & they began an intensive testing: Xrays, CAT scans, blood tests, ultra sound, etc. Almost ten hours later he was discharged, as all of his tests were clear. They do think that his body is not happy to be off the steroids, even though he was gradually tapered off. So now he will be back on a minimal amount of steroids for up to a month. They gave him a break too, not having to take his chemo on Friday. :)

Again, this Sunday he wanted to be in Worship Service, so we did go to church. It was a wonderful service. He is asleep now to restore his strength so he can go to the annual Garis Reunion right here in Souderton. We will stay only a short time.

Lethargy

Mark's tiredness and lethargy have increased this week. I have been checking in with his doctors at Penn by phone. They say to consider this normal for what he has been through. They expect that it will decrease in a week or more. So we are just hanging around the house while he rests and sleeps. He began his chemo also.

On Monday, August 3, Mark had an appointment with his neuro-oncologist.She is very pleased with his progress. She had two students observing her as she examined and talked with Mark. (She is also a professor at Penn). When she told them that he is an "Energizer Bunny", I spoke up and told her that he has been very tired lately. It seems that going off the steroid medication is leaving him lethargic. On the other hand, it has given him a tremendous appetite. I was sure that he must weigh ten pounds more, but in fact his weight is exactly what it was before surgery! I remember this stage in his recovery from the first tumor surgery. Dr. Rosenfeld said that he will get his energy back gradually. I believe her.

The incision has healed so well. We will visit the surgeon for his post-op on the thirteenth. Dr Kevin Judy is on the Brain Tumor Team with Dr Rosenfeld. He had told us immediately after the surgery that it was non-eventful. He has agreed with Dr Rosenfeld that the preferred treatment now will be the same chemo that Mark has been taking for three years. But instead of one week every two months, he will take a reduced dosage of Temodar pills daily for three weeks, followed by one week of no meds. After he sees the doctor at that point, he will keep cycling the chemo: three weeks on; one week off. He will have MRIs every two months . . . same as he had been doing. The goal is to destroy any remaining cancer cells. Mark has tolerated this chemo well for three years, so we expect that when he starts it again next week, it will go well for him. He will not be on the Clinical Study anymore, so I will no longer be giving him injections of Poly ICLC (interferon).

We had a good time together at our house on Saturday for Jeff's forty-fourth birthday. Since Jeff wanted to forget how old he is, little Tess easily got all of the attention. At nineteen months she is a ball of energy, keeping Sara constantly watching out for what trouble she can get into. Big brother Wesley entertains her a lot, which she enjoys. The birthday balloon was a big hit with her until it ascended to the peak of the ceiling. Ladder and Broom Mission needed! Now we are looking forward to seeing Viola here on Friday night with Wes and Beth. Viola has been canoeing all week at Spruce Lake Camp, her fifth year of camp. The recent rains must be providing lots of streams for them. Can't wait to hear her tales.

Tomorrow we will again Skype with Kris. She is a regular communicator with her Dad. Knowing that she is about 12,000 miles away, yet seeing her on the computer screen and hearing her voice, melts the miles away. How fortunate we are with our family! And you, our friends! Thank you for taking the time to read this and encouraging Mark. May your prayers join ours, on his behalf.