The Dobbs' Place

Ron is exhausted & it is taking a toll on him.  I really do not know how to communicate news about Ron's health any more than I've already said in previous postings or through other means of communication.  The bottom line is that he needs a mighty miracle that only God can provide.  We continue to believe and know that God is leading Ron's medical team to know how to best treat him.  Even though that we know that God is in control, it is still very, very difficult to see Ron wasting away.  Some days he feels better than others.

Ron has appointments at UAMS in Little Rock on July 7th and July 8th.  He will be getting a CT scan, an octreo scan, bone scan & labs.   If the labs are ok, he will also be getting a Zometa infusion for the cancer that is now in his bones.  In addition to all of that, he will see his wonderful oncologist, Dr. Makhoul.  We will find out if the "Afinitor chemo pills" are working or not.  If the scans indicate bad news, the chemo pills will most likely be discontinued.  If it shows stabilization, we will continue the "chemo pills".

There is a lot of research going on in the medical field in regards to "chemo pills".  Hope is that SOMEDAY all cancers will be treated with a chemo pill of some sort.  I think that would be a truly Godsend.  In Ron's situation and with his diagnosis of "Carcinoid Cancer", he was not a candidate for the traditional IV chemo.  This is because carcinoid patients DO NOT respond to well to the traditional chemo.  Other cancer patients DO NOT respond well to "chemo pills".  When a patient learns they have cancer, his/her medical team does a biopsy to determine what the cancer cells are made of and then with that information, they determine what is the most beneficial to treat that individual patient.  (This is my explanation as to why all cancer patients are not treated in the same manner).

Sometimes, it is difficult for anyone (medical or otherwise) to make a 100% assessment as to what is going on with a "carcinoid patient".  This is because, most of the time, the carcinoid tumors produce serotonin in large quantities.  The serotonin runs through the patients body causing all sorts of damage & discomfort.  At this point in Ron's health condition, the labs that monitor serotonin is of little value, because it will not change his health condition or treatments.  He is already on a bi-monthly injection that is used to slow the serotonin production.

The good news is the home health nurse is working out great.  At this time, she is only coming once week.  She can step up services at any point.  It is very nice to have someone of her expertise on board.  We both feel very comfortable with her as she is also a friend from church and only one phone call away.   Thanks Kathy!!!  You are making this much easier on Ron and me.

Thank you all for your continued prayers.
Love to you all, Joyce