The next chapter / cancer

Yesterday  was Lee 's first chemotherapy treatment at the cancer center, Duke .  Even though he and I had used the past month knowing the inevitable was to happen, Lee entered this new phase of treatment like the trooper he always is.  He had decided and accepted that his major battle had to be fought. One week prior to his scheduled appointment, he consulted a dear friend who had completed chemo last year. As she shared her story and experience, she also provided encouragement in a positive and compassionate manner.  After talking and enjoying her visit,  he visibly became relaxed. I knew then that he was ready to face this new unknown.

My apologies blogger friends, I may need to give some of you who did not get my FB message, a bit more information:                                                                                                                                  

Lee had a routine transplant clinic visit on February 6, 2018.  At that time the chest x-Ray revealed a suspicious shadow in the middle lobe of his DONOR lung. Further scans & surgical consults confirmed an inoperable squamous cell cancer, approximately the size of a small egg. Arrangements were made for oncology consultation. Unfortunately,  two weeks prior to his appointment, he became very ill with high fever, chills & coughing up blood. He had pneumonia & was hospitalized @ Duke for a week.  Treatment with IV antibiotic therapy continued at home for one week. Oncology consultation began on March. 6.

The good news is that there is no metastasis anywhere in his body. All scans were normal and so were the lymph nodes. Praise!!!!!

 The goal of chemotherapy is to reduce size of the tumor and then begin radiation. The chemo treatments will require regular day trips to Durham. Our wonderful children have taken upon themselves to carry their Dad back and forth to Duke, providing some rest for me.
We count ourselves blest to have a loving family committed to this new pause of our journey.

We continue to ask for your prayers, for Lee to maintain his strength, for me to stay strong, for our children & grandchildren to continue their loving support of a special Grandaddy, & for those doctors, nurses & providers at Duke to be led in their knowledge that will provide the best of care.

So...........stay with us bloggers.  We anticipate a long Spring and Summer.