August progress...

Paul has been doing well this month. At the 2 week mark with the new meds he had some really high fevers (39.9) and uncontrollable shaking several times over a weekend. It was kind of scary while we were living through those few days, but he has not had any of that for over 2 weeks. They just took him off the meds until those expected side effects calmed and then put him back on the meds. The Dr. said that should be the worst of those fevers.

His appetite has come back, his energy level is not quite as good as it used to be, but he's not having side effects from the medicine at this point. His back is sore from time to time - we have to watch not to do too much in one day. We had a chance to get away to a friends cottage for a couple of days (it was so beautiful!) and we canoed around the small bay on McKellar lake - He felt pretty good :-) And we've had a couple of really long drives in the car - a short rest - change of position - helps. He finds it hard to stand for a long time.

The Dr. was encouraged at the last visit with Paul's blood levels - and one of the lymph nodes that was quite enlarged and had been biopsied (it had melanoma in it) has shrunk quite a bit - to the point that we can barely feel it. So that shows the meds are doing what they are supposed to do - shrinking any melanoma nodules. That was encouraging.

Paul has another Dr. visit mid month and another CAT scan by the end of the month.

Thanks SO much for your prayers. Many of you have told us you are praying and have asked how he's doing - and how I'm doing...and that makes us feel so loved. We've had friends over quite a bit and Paul's always going out for coffee with someone! Paul loves to tell stories. I think he has a story about everyone he knows! He's been reminiscing and joking and laughing...it's good for the soul! We have felt very supported and loved.

I'll try to update you all once a month or so on this blog. Thanks for praying. We know that God can do abundantly more than we could ever hope or think. And our God is able to deliver us!
. . . . . . . .

Please keep praying for our friend John and his daughter Jacqui and their family. John's mom passed away last week - she was in her mid 90's. Jacqui is having some pretty aggressive cancer treatments. We just keep bringing her before the throne too!

Hugs to you all - and thanks for your love.
Debbie

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