November 2 update

Thanks so much to many of our friends for asking how Paul is doing lately. It's so wonderful to know that people are praying with us and for us.

In the last update I told you he would be having a CT scan. He had that and an MRI. What they found was not so encouraging. There is a fracture at the C7 vertebrae because of the melanoma - top of shoulderblades and also there is bone damage in the lumbar region. They also found some new spots on the liver, more new nodules in the lungs - but not a lot of new growth in previous spots. One lesion on his spleen was smaller but there was a new tiny lesion. We haven't seen the scans - the Dr. told Paul he looked pretty good considering what the scans looked like. :-/

The oncologist thinks this means the drugs he is on now are slowing the progress but there's not as much improvement as they wanted to see. He is still on that drug until they decide what medication to try next. They are doing genetic testing on the original source of the cancer to see what meds should work best for Paul.

The oncologist Dr. Butler at Princess Margaret has a Tumor Committee that he submits patient results to. This is a team of oncologists worldwide (as I understand) who consult together on different cases and give recommendations about treatment. So he gets input from many brilliant minds :-)

They have decided that Paul needs to have radiology treatment on his spine next in order to stabilize it in the least invasive way. We are waiting for the appointment this week to find out how much, where in his spine and how that's all going to work out. He will be able to have that treatment in KW instead of having to go to Princess Margaret in Toronto.

We have had 3 episodes in total of side effects from the drug he is on. He gets severe shaking (shivering) and very high fevers at unexpected times. So far, they have been 4 to 5 weeks apart. They are supposed to get less and fewer as he is on this drug longer - but they have all been just as severe as the first one. Paul - with his sense of humour has called them "shake and bake" weekends. One minute he can be fine and the next minute he starts shivering violently. It's scary in these times since you don't really know when it will happen next and for how long. He's very weak after one of these episodes for a couple of days after.

But between episodes, he's fine and no one would know there's anything wrong with him to look at him. He's lost a lot of weight but even that has held steady since September. His appetite is good - we are trying to avoid sugar and starches. He sleeps a little more than normal but his energy overall is good - a little less than before this all started but he does work around the house and yard and we go for long walks together ....when it's not RAINING!!

We are counting this time as precious - spending time doing things together and with friends. We went away for our 41st anniversary  for a weekend enjoying the beautiful colours at their peak in Algonquin. Paul enjoyed taking tons of photos - His happy place. :-) He gets out for breakfast and coffee several times a week - You better make an appointment to see him LOL!!! 

His back is sore when he stands too long or does too much but he's comfortable most of the time. Life has settled into a normal routine - punctuated with Dr. appointments. This month there are a lot more of them because of the radiology and we will be adding a new team to our care team - palliative - who help with pain management while he is going through all of these treatments. \

We are grateful for the care of the Doctors on our team - they know more than we are learning about things we never, ever wanted to learn about.

BUT, we are even more thankful that our God is the Great Physician and we are counting on God to guide them in Paul's treatment. His wisdom is greater than theirs. And His power is greater. We are praying for God's miraculous intervention as well. 2 sides of the same coin.

For those who are praying for us,

• please pray for complete healing.God is able!
• Also pray specifically for the discs in his back - all have been compromised by the cancer. The radiology is supposed to help with that. Pray that he will be able to get in to that treatment quickly. 
• Pray that the meds he is on now will be as effective as possible at stopping the growth and spread of the melanoma in his body. 
• Pray for us and for all of our family members that the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will continue to keep our hearts and minds anchored and focused on Him and not our circumstances or the Dr. reports. 
• Pray that we will be able to be strong and very courageous in the face of what Paul will be facing this month as far as new Dr reports come. 

We are also very very thankful for a bit of great news in our family. We have learned that we are having a new grandbaby in April. David and Kara are expecting #TROIS. This has and will bring great joy into our life. <3

As always, we are continuing to pray for friends who are also going through their own health issues. This month please pray for Pastor Dale Hoch. He is the brother of one of Paul's very good friends from bus driving days. He was in a motorcycle accident up north. A car went through a stop sign and hit him. He ended up in a tree. An army medic came upon the scene and helped him until the helicopter came to airlift him to a Toronto hospital. THAT friends was a miracle!!! That God provided help for him so quickly!! He is still in critical condition 2 weeks later. His leg was amputated, pelvis crushed and many internal injuries. He has had multiple surgeries. His wife was camped out in the hospital. Please please pray for that couple and their families. There are many in KW and elsewhere whose lives this pastor has touched and they are all concerned for him as well. 

We are so thankful for friends from work, from our church community and our family members who have stood beside us and shown us love through the past weeks. It sure means a lot to know you are loved when you are going through these crises. Never feel like you can't do anything - every inquiry and every hug and every card or text or phone call is making us feel supported and loved. Thanks so much.