Tim's recent treatment and how he is feeling now!

Tim was admitted for chemo treatment at Torrance Memorial on Tuesday, February 22.  His treatment was delayed 13 hours but after it began everything went smoothly.  Tim was well hydrated through an IV for the entire duration of his hopsital stay.  Tim's treatment (Methotrexate) began at 9pm on Tuesday and was completed at 4am the following day.  Consequently, Tim received Leucovorin every six hours starting 24 hours after his chemo began, he received Dexamethasone and Allopurinol to prevent infection and swelling, and various other medications to help alleviate pain and nausea.  Routine tests followed: urine ph levels were checked every 4 hours during infusion of Methotrexate and every 12 hours for the duration of his hospital stay. Blood tests were done every 24 hours, and his vitals were checked every 12 hours.  The side effects Tim experienced were all the common ones: loss of energy, loss of apetite, nausea, vomitting, and hair loss.  Tim's doctors followed his progress daily and said that Tim's body was responding as expected. 
Several friends and family either called Tim on the phone or came for short visits to keep Tim's spirits up! Others sent cards, and many more kept us close through your thoughts and prayers!  The combination of all this support was greatly appreciated and helped tremendously.  Tim was released from the hospital on Sunday, February 27 and he was in great spirits!

Upon arrival we shaved the remainder of Tim's hair and he rested and enjoyed being home and seeing our girls again.  Since then, it has been all about Daddy for little Maegan! 

Tim has been eating little bits and drinking plenty.  Tim received a shot at Cancer Care today to help stimulate his bone marrow to build up his white blood cell count.  He will have follow-up blood tests and urine tests done in the next few days and will meet with his doctor on March 9th.

Tim is scheduled to receive his next chemo treatment at Cancer Care on March 15.  We will keep you posted!

Thank you to all for your prayers and support!

First Treatment Cycle

Tim's Oncologist reported that the results from Wednesday's (2/16) MRI didn't show much change from the first MRI done on January 17.  This means that the cancer has neither grown nor has it metastasized.  In addition, Tim's bloodwork results were all normal.

Tim had a Port-A-Cath surgically placed on his chest on January 31st to facilitate chemo treatments and reduce the chances of infection.  Tim is receiving MAP chemotherapy consisting of Methotrexate, Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) and cisPlatin.

Tim's first chemo treatment (Adriamycin and cisPlatin) was on February 1st at Cancer Care Center and lasted about 6 hours. It took Tim 10 days to recover and to regain his apetite and energy.

Tim's next treatment (high dose of Methotrexate) is scheduled for Tuesday, February 22nd at Torrance Memorial.  He will have to receive fluids and be monitored closely until Saturday or Sunday to make sure that there is no Liver and Kidney damage.

Please continue to pray that all goes well and that the tumor begins to substantially reduce in size.

Tim's Diagnosis

After suffering from back pain for almost a year, in early January, an MRI detected a cancerous tumor wrapped around Tim's Spine from T7 to T12 with bone intrusion into T8 to T10.  Later that month, pathologists officially diagnosed Tim with Osteosarcoma.  The cancer was categorized as Stage 3 due to its size and location, which does not allow for surgical removal at this time.

The treatment plan for Tim is two cycles of chemotherapy (two treatments each for a total of four) three weeks apart.  The goal is to shrink the tumor as much as possible to allow it to be surgically removed.

Support!
Your prayers and moral support have been incredible!  It is also comforting to know that Katie is in such wonderful and supporting environment at her school.

We have received many kind offers to help us in many different ways.  It has been hard for us to know exactly what our needs will be and how to ask or accept help.  But we realize that we just can't do this alone and that this is not the time to let pride get in the way.

Many of you have offered to make dinners for us and help us with groceries.  My good friend Marivic, has offered to coordinate a calendar for us.  She will know information on  any special diets depending on Tim's treatment schedules.  If you would like her phone number, please contact us so we can provide it to you.

As Tim is further into his treatment our needs may increase, change, or become more apparent, and we may be accepting or asking your help.  In the meantime, please keep us in your daily prayers!

May God bless you!