August 26, 2010

Today was a better day. Twenty four hours ago we started switching Cathy from patch and oral pain medicine to an IV pump system. The conversion went better than I expected and Cathy’s pain control is much better now. It isn’t perfect but it is better. Cathy is hydrated again and looks better too. The next targets are the nausea and appetite. The Dr. changed medicine to improve these two areas. It is key that Cathy begin to eat again and gain strength. It is amazing (and hard) to watch a woman, within 5 weeks, go from biking and spinning classes multiple times a week to being so weak that she cannot get out of bed to stand, even with help. Today she started to drink high protein energy drinks again.


We learned a few things over the last 24 hours. We got pathology results that tell us that Cathy’s cancer is in the Carcinoma family rather than the Sarcoma family. Cathy’s cancer is unique and that is why the diagnosis has been difficult. The only reason it is important knowing the cancer is a Carcinoma is to be able to find the best chemo possible. We came to Dana Farber to work with the Sarcoma experts and we are going to meet on Friday with the Carcinoma experts to determine the best path forward.

I am taking a break tonight from the hospital. Some friends graciously offered that I could stay at their house near Boston. I can’t tell you how much I appreciated a quiet Japanese restaurant meal followed later by a great shower. Now I’m ready to sleep without the hourly interruptions of nurses. Friends and family are precious.

Prayer requests:
- Return of appetite and the gain of strength
- Wisdom in determining future treatment
- Thanks for the continual support of all of you