Newest Dad/Allan Update

Hello Everyone!! Today I took Mom/Colleen and Dad/Allan to dad's chemo appointment. We got his newest blood count ... everything is once again normal and high so dad can go back to work. We also received the results of his CAT/MRI (sorry don't remember which it was) and some is good but most of it not so much. The good news is that the masses in dad's lungs have reduced in size some ... the doctor was not specific on how much. The other news is that the masses in his kidneys and liver have increased 25% or more and he has new masses in both the liver and the kidneys, as well as, one in a lymph node. The scan also showed some new masses in his bones, his pelvic area, basically, where the joint in his right hip is. Dr. Dalal is taking dad off of the chemo treatment he has been on for the last 2 months, because when the cancer grows 25% or more and spreads then it is not working properly. He is starting dad on a new treatment called Alimta. It only takes approximately 25 minutes to do and he will also be taking a bone strengthener, which takes about 40 minutes or so ... total taking about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes. Which is 6 hours less then the old treatment. He will also be getting a B12 shot every 9 weeks to help with the possible side effect of being worn out and tired. Dad will also be taking 3 days of steroids before each of the new treatments instead of the 2 he was taking with the old one. The doctor is also putting dad on folic acid pills to assist with possible side effects. Dad currently weighs 155.8 lbs ... he has lost 6 pounds in 3 weeks, a total of 20 lbs since he was diagnosed with the cancer. Mom asked Dr. Dalal about something to improve dad's appetite, sorry I do not recall the name of most of the drugs dad is not on, but he did prescribe something to help rebuild his appetite. Dad got his first shot of B12 today and wont need another for 9 weeks. After the appointment we went to the hospital to get an X-Ray, we should have the results next Tuesday when he goes in for the new chemo treatment. Next Tuesday he also has an appointment with Dr. Ledley to check one the masses in his brain. I will be trying to go with them to it so that I can provide support and help update the blog more so that mom doesn't have to as much.

All in all, dad had a pretty good day, considering the news he got. I showed up at their house this morning and surprised them, we went to the appt and then to get the X-Ray, went out to eat and then to Wal-Mart to pick up there meds. He was able to go see Tommy at work (Tommy and I needed to trade vehicles for the day.) Once we got home dad and I messed with the pool (in the process of cleaning it from the weeks of neglect from when we were in Cali last month.)

Please continue to pray for both mom and dad. I know that both of them love it when they are able to see the responses you guys post and they can feel your love and support, so do I. I love you all. Molly J. Connell

A Wonderful Restful Weekend

It is so nice to have a weekend with Allan home and just rest and putter around. Thank You Lord!! The kids are coming by today so we are looking forward to that. Rangers are on tonight so we are looking forward to watching them play. Thank you, Steph, for your encouraging email! We love hearing from you! Yes, we are staying indoors, Uncle Allan at least! Tomorrow is a gardening day/mow day/with Allan and Dad indoors, resting. Sundays are such a wonderful day of rest to get ready for the week ahead. Hope you all have a great weekend and can rest and relax! Love you all and thank you for your encouragement and prayers!!!

Tinkering around

Wow! thank you Kim for your encouraging words!! No, they did not tell us that if his counts are down that means the chemo is working and I will definitely check on his hemoglobin counts! Praise God that you can help us with info! Thank you so much! We are doing our best to find odd jobs for Allan to do around the house to relieve his boredom. He fixed a lamp yesterday and will fix the sprayer on the kitchen sink today. Molly is bringing over electrical stuff that needs fixed from their place so that helps too! He played crib with my Mom yesterday while my Dad and I did the running around town that needed done. I wish I had been here cuz Mom said Allan got a 24 hand and gave the biggest grin that she has seen in a long time!!! He got another one the next game too so his day was much brighter being able to skunk Mom!! He does love to win!! We can never say enough how much your emails/blog comments/prayers mean to us! And we LOVE nurses advise!! :) We love you all so very much!!!!

Counts WAY down

Allan's ANC counts today were 400 so he could not get his xray but was able to have his CT Scan. Unfortunately, Allan's veins are starting to collapse due to the chemo so they had to stick him 6 times today, poor thing!!!! :( He has to stay home, no fresh fruit or veggies, stay away from crowds or sick people or anything dirty. He has to wear gloves, hat, scarf, mask and wear long sleeves and long pants if he goes outside. Of course here in Texas were at 612pm it is currently 108 outside he needs to stay inside anyway!! :) He can't go back to work till his counts go back up so he will be here with me!!! Good thing right?? ;) God has Allan in His Hands!

CT's AND XRAYS

I called the dr on Allan's back pain and headaches so now he is scheduled for his CT Scan at 9am and blood draw tomorrow and then after that to the hospital for an xray on his back. He is at work tonight. Thank you, Kim, for the great soap! Uncle Allan's skin feels soooo very soft now!!
Love you all!!

Very Tired

Allan has been dragging a bit this weekend. Last night his back started hurting him and he did not sleep good because of that. He has had headaches occassionally now...and today he even asked for one of his pain pills. If you know him at all you know he almost never takes pain meds. He has a very high tolerance to pain. He is working this weekend. He just has to do walk throughs which means he rides to a piece of equipment that needs checked out for PMs (preventive maintenance) and log it in the computer if it needs it or what exactly does it need etc. He comes home at 2am exhausted and sleeps till 315pm.
We had a good day/evening at Tom and Brit's on Thursday and Allan even got to fish with Tom which he LOVED...and he was the only one to catch any fish and he caught 3!! They were doing the catch and release from a pier. He really enjoyed it and I am so glad he got to fish!!
Tuesday is CT Scan day at 9am and also blood draw and weight check. Next week on Tuesday we will find out the results of the scan and do another round of chemo after his blood draw and weight check and see the dr. Thank you for your prayers!!!!

Gpa baldy and grandbaby baldy!!

Tom and Brit came over last night and brought baby Aiden...we had not seen them in about a month. Aiden cried when he looked at Grandma but talked up a blue streak when he got to sit with his Grandpa! Allan LOVES having his grandkids around. Allan is slowly getting his strength back and watching the Rangers play. Man is Andruw Jones one good baseball player!!