Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Round 2 Begins

Hi all!
Jeff here . . . I will be starting round 2 of biochemo in--hopefully--about eight hours so I wanted to add a quick note to the blog. If everything goes as it did before, I will be out of commission for the next week or two. I'm a bit nervous this time. Last time, I didn't know what to expect. Now I do. It really wasn't that bad though, considering all the toxic drugs they're pumping into me. It's amazing what drugs can do to an otherwise healthy person. The good news is that I can tell the treatment is working. The bump I had on my back has gone down significantly in the last week. It was about the size of an almond, now it's about the size of a BB (smaller than a pea). That makes me feel good about what we're doing and gives me hope that all the other lesions are shrinking too.

Kelly and I celebrated Valentine's Day early by going out to dinner last night. We figured it was a good idea to get one last big meal in. All the eating is paying off. I weighed 155 last night before I went to bed; that's 12 pounds more than I weighed last week and about 8 pounds more than I weighed before starting round 1.

Before I sign off, I wanted to share a link to the Shade Foundation (www.shadefoundation.org). It has lots of great info about melanoma. Thanks to our good friend Barb Hayes-Dineen for passing the link along. Also, thanks to everyone for all the kind notes you've been sending and all the prayers you've been saying. I really can feel them working!

Jeff

9 comments:

Joel and Martha said...

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow,sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.
Jeff--We are all thinking/praying for you!!!

Jennifer (Gutschenritter) Meier said...

Jeff and Kelly,

I check the blog often and don't always leave a note. I think of you often and pray that you continue to heal!!

Jenny Gutschenritter-Meier

Mary M Clay said...

I'm thinking about you both today, Jeff and Kelly! Good luck Jeff! I can understand why you are nervous, but it's comforting to knoww that kelly is there by your side through today and the next week.
I love you,
MM

The Gardiners said...

Hi guys! Just to let you know again, we're thinking of you all the time and checking the blog more than daily! Nice work gaining weight, Jeff. It must be strange going back in and knowing you won't be feeling so great in a few hours. However, you also know this time what to expect, and didn't you say the first treatment can often be the worst? (In which case, that one is over and done with!) Keep up the fight. You guys are DOING it!!!!!! Our love and prayers, Meaghen & Brendan

Michelle & Jeff said...

Jeff-
Way to go on the weight gain! It's so encouraging to hear about the lesion shrinkage. If it's already shrank that much from one treatment imagine what the next round will do. We're all praying that it will be annihilated. I'll be thinking of you both, jeff and Kelly, this week. Love you,
Michelle

Mark Hofer said...

Keep kickin' butt, brother. We're with you!

Mark & Eliana

Dale said...

Jeff,

We're all thinking of you and the brave way you are working through the treatment. You and your family have a lot of folks pulling for you. You've earned nothing less. We'll watch your backside while you fight the fight.

See you soon,

Dale

Katie Clancy said...

Awesome about the lesion shrinking Jeff! That's positive news. I hope your nerves subside and your mind and body are ready to kick into full strength to handle the chemo. Look forward to hearing more as things progress - and possibly visiting soon. Best of luck to you and Kelly Love Katie

Cathy said...

WOW 12 lbs in 1 week! I wish I could LOSE as fast as you GAINED! Glad to hear that the lesions are shrinking, the treatments are working and that you have gained most of the 15 lbs the Dr wanted you to before your next treatment. You are an inspiration to all of us when we feel like we have a difficult road to travel. Anything is possible with the power of faith in God and prayer.

I continue to pray for you and the family everyday and include requests to the Houston club members to continue to keep you in their prayers.

We are here for you - whatever your needs might be!
Cathy C and the ND Club of Houston