Update

Yesterday we met with Dr. Garrett to learn more about the radiation and details of how it will work. Dr. Garrett spent time with us reviewing Rob's PET scan from September in comparison to the PET scan from last week. It was quite amazing to see - actually SEE - the difference in the size of this tumor. The Dr said when he looked at this scan from September, he could not believe that Rob was not having more symptoms in the begininng and suffering from sickness and difficulty breathing. Another testimony to Rob's strength and his body's fight against this thing!

As we were told last week, the tumor has decreased significantly, however radiation is the next sensible step in taking care of the rest of this tumor. The other options are more chemo, which we have been told by both doctors probably would not get rid of the tumor completely and the side effects could be severe and even toxic to his heart, OR do nothing and see what happens. The "do nothing" option doesn't seem appealing to us either, because if the mass that is left is in fact Lymphoma, it will begin growing again rapidly and Rob would then need a bone marrow transplant. As Dr. Garrett said, "The best chance to cure this, is the first chance." So...on to radiation...


Dr. Garrett said the biggest risk with radiation will be Rob's left lung. The tumor is positioned very near and somewhat over the lung, so the radiation area will encompass part of the lung. How much radiation will the lung actually receive? We do not know yet. It is my understanding that the lung can tolerate (if you will) some amount of radiation, but too much could cause serious long term problems. Tomorrow Rob will undergo a simulation which will define the treatment area and the areas that need to be protected from the radiation - a treatment plan. He will have small marks on his skin to identify the treatment area and the marks will be used each time to make sure his body is in the correct position. This treatment plan will also tell the Dr exactly what dose of radiation Rob will receive and give us a better understanding of the amount of radiation the lung may receive. The radiation dose will need to be balanced between being high enough to kill the cancer cells yet low enough to limit damage to healthy cells. The treatment plan will also identify the areas that need to be "shielded" or "protected."

Today, Rob went in for his echocardiogram and tomorrow we hope to know the results of that test as well as have the treatment plan completed. Rob is due to begin treatment next week.

More details to come as we receive them....

Please continue to keep us in your prayers. It has been and continues to be "quite the adventure" as Rob puts it.

Love and Blessings,

Susie