The new year awaits

We hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas and are looking forward to a wonderful year in 2009. We had a nice Christmas with our kids and family at home. My parents were here 2 wks before and brought us a 1/2 a steer (that's a lot of beef), and of course gifts for the kids. Thank you mom and dad. For those of you who don't know, my folks own a small farm just south of Nashville. Dave and I were able to get out and do some shopping, it took some time to get into the spirit of it all. We finally did and we did enjoy ourselves. We also had a lot of help from our families and extended family, thank you, thank you, thank you. Your all wonderful and God bless each and everyone of you.

Dave went to see the dentist on Monday, the 22nd and had his checkup and cleaning. He has 3-4 lose teeth that may have to come out before any treatments begin. Dr. Wolf will be rechecking this in early January before any treatments begin.

On Friday Dec. 26th we saw the chemotherapy Dr. He is Dr. Koenig of Summit Oncology at the Jean & Milton Cooper Cancer Ctr. located at Akron City Hosp. We also had the pleasant company of 2 of Daves sisters, (he has 5 younger sisters) Julie and Laura. They were there for support as well as to take awesome notes. Thank you ladies. The Dr. went over with Dave what he had been experiencing (the hundred questions), his visit with Dr. Rezaee from University Hosp. We did here from Dr. Rezaees secretary Cindy and she said the tumor board said that Dave is a good candidate for chemo/radiation. Although Dave has not spoken with Dr. Rezaee himself. Dave will be undergoing chemo treatments as soon as the radiation treatments begin. The medication being used is Cisplatin IV once a wk, every 3 wks. which will require an overnight stay in the hosp. during the radiation treatment. They are going to hit this hard as to try and preserve the Larynx (voice box). Dr. Koenig did go over the side effects of the medication. Dave will definitely not feel well, although there are new stronger medications for the nausea, he will be fatigued, there can also be weakening of the kidneys so there has to be lots of fluids given during treatment, and he will possibly lose his hair.

Dave will not be able to work during this time and he will be on short term disability. His company has just over 50 employees, so may not have to do the family medical leave. Dave has 2 weeks vacation and 5 sick days for the 2009 year. He had 3 weeks vacation, but his company had the employees borrow a week to close the plant down for a week at the end of this year. I believe they will have him take this time before the short term disability can take effect.

Dr. Koenig did let us know that 67% of patients undergoing this aggressive treatment are able to preserve the larynx (voice box). There will be scarring of the larynx (voice box) from the radiation and his voice may get more gravelly. Dr. Koenigs meds. are ready and waiting, but we have to get set up with the radiation oncologist first. I am to call Dr. Koenigs nurses when I find out when radiation is to start. Kr. Koenig gave us a general idea how long Daves treatment will take, approximately 10-12 weeks.

When this process begins, I will also be contacting our local job and family services dept. to find out if we qualify for any assistance. Daves income will be cut in half and we just may be able to get some assistance.

On Wednesday, December 31, at 8:00 in the morning we will be at the Radiation Oncologist (Dr. Simmons) office also at the Jean & Milton Cooper Cancer Ctr. located at Akron City Hosp. This is where Dave will learn what they do. This is all pretty scary for the both of us and I hope that I have written enough to answer any questions you may have.

On a different note, Shanna has moved in for the next month before she goes to Vancouver, Canada to start establishing herself there. She will be living with her fiances parents, working and looking for an apt. for her and Dan to live in after they are married. Dave went for a ride on his bike :) with our friend Sean on Saturday. He needed that, because he doesn't know when he will ride again, and he will ride again! He will also be there when Shanna marries in Aug.

I will close on that note, and thank you for listening. Keep Dave and our family in your prayers. We love you all.