Maybe a misunderstanding? corrected

Hello Everyone. This is Molly. It was brought to our attention that the last post regarding no cancer in Dad/Allan's brain sounds like he no longer has any cancer. I wanted to make sure everyone knew what was going on. There is still approximately 10% of the original larger mass and the smaller one have either shrunk small enough not to show on the MRI or is beign, in his brain. The cancer in his liver/kidneys/adrenal glads have grown 25% or more and have spread to his right hip; it is in his bone. There are more seeds/masses in his liver/kidneys/adrena glands. The masses in his lungs are smaller (we did not remember to ask how much it shrunk.) So currently he still has malignent cancer but the masses in his brain and lungs are smaller and the liver/kidneys are larger.

He started the new chemo yesterday and so far no side effects except some diarrhea, poor thing. He is looking awesome. He worked on the John Deer lawn mower today and we went out to Oakwood to have his friend Pete weld an idler pulley stud. He had a blast hanging out with his friend. When we were done we put the lawn mower back together. He is now really hungry and waiting on dinner to be ready. He is so energetic right now and looking so good!!! He is currently talking to Gma in the kitchen.

Here is Mom. Love you all!!!

Well I am really sorry to have maybe given those of you who have not had a chance to follow Allan's blog site for very long the wrong impression. I guess when we get good news, especially after the sooo bad news last week, I just wanted to celebrate! Just did not realize I may have given some of you the wrong information. And Allan is indeed just running around with a new kick in his step, having a ball being "normal" which I know for sure you understand, Kim. It is like a whole new lease on life. I hope and pray that Allan can be this way for a very long long time.

WHAT A BLESSED DAY!!!!

Wow yesterday was LONG!!! But it was all GOOD!!! Praise the Lord!!! We started off with Allan's new chemo yesterday and that went well but a lot longer than we were told...there were sooo many people in for chemo. Last time Allan was the only one there for a long time and then 2 other people came in...yesterday I think all the chairs were filled with chemo patients. The back xray showed NO CANCER!!! but scoliosis of the upper back and the beginnings of arthritis in his lower back...we did not previously know about either one. Allan's counts are up too! He will be getting the bone enhancer, to keep the bones from getting brittle as the cancer weakens the bones, every 3 weeks I believe and chemo every 4 weeks. I may have gotten that backwards...it could be chemo every 3 weeks and bone enhancer every 4...I know the vit B12 shots are every 9 weeks for sure. Then we did a little running around as Molly had to make a car payment etc and then off to Tyler. The MRI went fine and then to the neurosurgeons. The MRI showed no visible cancer! Molly heard that the existing one was 90% smaller. So that was GREAT news!!!! Dr said to come back in 3 months and they will have another MRI done so that IF a tumor/lesion shows up they will immediately plan on doing the cyber knife on him to get it out...doc says we need to catch them as early as possible so that is ok with us but Lord willing there won't be anymore tumors/lesions. I have not figured out why they call tumors 'lesions' anyway? Anybody know the answer to that one? How about our favorite nurse in WA? Do you know why???
We went shopping for my folk's at Sam's Club afterwards and had to pick up some things at WalMart and Kroger's so we got home late and Allan was still going strong! We did go to bed early but we had such a great day. Allan hopes to fix the John Deere today so he has a plan! Thank you thank you all for your continuing prayers for Allan and I! They were sure felt yesterday big time!! We love you all!!!

Wonderful pattern

Allan has gotten into a wonderful pattern: he comes home from work about 2 a.m. showers then goes to bed. He wakes up about 9am, sits in front of the TV and drinks his shake (2 big glasses of the stuff!), then watches TV till he nods off and then goes back to be till 3pm. He eats his normal (which was the way he USED to eat before all this hit) meal and then goes to work. On the week days we get up, have our quiet time together and then we start our day. Allan is back to doing chores and puttering around. I love it!! Thank You Lord! Tomorro is going to be a very full day for Allan. We go to get his new chemo at 9am. It is supposed to take like one and a half hours and then we come home for a little bit, then go to Tyler to have his MRI on his brain at 1:15pm and then to his neurosurgeons' at 3pm to find out the results of the MRI. A VERY LONG day for Allan. Please keep him in your prayers tomorrow. Will let you know what all of the drs and test results are tomorrow hopefully. Have a wonderful day!!!!

WONDERFUL SUNDAY MORINING REST

Allan got up early this morning about 9am and wanted his shake! He drank all of that AND two banana split muffins! He watched National Geographic channel till he started getting tired and took numerous short naps before he decided it was time to go back to bed. When he got up I fixed him a huge plate of bbq beans and bbq brisket on a whole wheat roll and boy! did he go though that!! He had fun watching NASCAR and the Rangers beating the Royals. He left for work a very happy camper!! What a wonderful Sunday!! : ) Thank You, Lord!!!!

'THE BEST I HAVE FELT IN MONTHS'

Hi, All!
Hope you are all having a good weekend. Allan was busy with puttering most of this week. Mowing, errands, fixing stuff, keeping busy. He took naps too off and on. He had a short nap today before he dressed, ate, and went to work. He was very excited about going after missing last weekend. Allan started eating the concoction that his older brother Charles has been recommending for him to try: 2/3 cup of organic cottage cheese, 6 Tablespoons of flax seed oil, a few nuts, strawberries, blueberries and mix it in a blender. I added a bottle of Ensure Plus to help him put on more weight too. He actually liked it! So that will be his breakfast from now on. We are trying to feed him good stuff. Last night was fresh squash from the garden stir fried, bbq salmon, and corn on the cob. We had fresh fruit for dessert and Allan cleaned his plate and bowl! His appetite sure is getting better and he is feeling so much better too! He is talking about the things he needs to get done 'when he gets well'. He said the quote up top to me yesterday. It is such a blessing to see the Lord's Hand at work and so very comforting to know so very many people are praying for us! Talked to a very nice lady in England who has been praying for Allan. She is a dear friend of our Brit Sis. It is just incredible to me how very many people...people we probably will never know until we all meet in Heaven with Jesus, are praying for us! What a HUGE blessing!!! God bless all of you!!!!
Allan has his new chemo on Tues morning and then in the afternoon we travel to Tyler for his MRI on his brain and then a follow up appt with his neurosurgeon. Will let you all know how all that goes. Congratulations Brit on the new Strong baby due!!! January right?
Love you all!!!

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