What a difference a week makes!
At my last update we were scheduled to meet with the Duke University oncologist on Wed which we did. In a manner that can only be described as a “God thing”, we were quickly scheduled with the UNC oncology team on Tuesday.
The meeting on Tuesday at UNC was impressive. They have a true team approach and we met with the head of thoracic oncology, one of his associates, an associate professor of radiation oncology, one of her associates, and the research nursing coordinator. Dr. Mark Socinski is the director of the clinical trial I am recommended for and he met with us at length, assuring us he believes this program is the type of approach that can cure my illness. He does not believe surgical removal of my left lung lobe will improve my outcome, although he will reassess that periodically. They use a combination of 3 chemotherapy drugs for 9 weeks and then add 7 weeks of radiation. Their radiology program is one of 3 in the county that can effectively deliver the very high dose of radiation they use in this program. We were impressed with everything we witnessed at that meeting.
Then we went to Duke on Wednesday. They recommended a compressed course of 2 chemotherapy drugs, surgery to remove the lower left lobe of my lung, then more chemotherapy and additional radiation. We met with an associate of their oncology program who stressed to us that surgical removal of the lung was the best way to ensure a good outcome in my situation. We never met the radiologist, be we were told that the 2 chemo drugs were not the same ones offered to us at UNC but were standardly used in cancer treatments. They were insistent that I needed surgery.
So, we were quite confused. But we, along with many of you, took it to the Lord. I relied on this verse: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’ – Isaiah 30:21
God was so faithful to answer us and we have definitely felt led to UNC. Thanks to all of you for the prayerful support that helped get us to that decision. At the end of the week we both felt like the UNC program was more cutting edge, more aggressive and where we need to be.
We go in tomorrow morning for the first chemotherapy treatment. They have told us to expect a 6 hour day there, a little longer given some final blood work we need to complete. The next administration will be in 3 weeks. They assure us that while this is a very aggressive and difficult program, they have lots of tools to help me get through it.
Again, our many heartfelt thanks to all you for your care, concern, prayers, many offers of help, cards, emails, phone calls – the outpouring of love has been just overwhelming to us. We are thankful to the Lord for providing you to us. He continues to be with us at every turn and we are grateful to serve such an awesome God.
So, we’re off! It’s time to start getting well. We’ll begin that journey tomorrow. In God’s hands.
Please join us in praying that the treatment will be successful.
PS You know I can’t resist -- “Go Heels!”
Kay and family
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