Reflecting back on this year has been bittersweet. I am so glad that Tom is here to walk with us in 2011. I don't know how I would have made it through the loss of my brother without him by my side. We have taken the opportunity this year to see people that we have lost touch with. Tom has had many people bring him to Detroit and spend time with him. He has enjoyed the time with his family/friends. As always, the generosity of people has continued to amaze us.
Towards the end of this year, the effects of Tom's chemo was noticed by many. It's hard to describe to people how Tom feels. I usually tell people it's like having the flu but knowing that you will not feel better in a couple of days....This is his life.
The kids are all handling this well. I just found out today that when our eldest gets home he always checks on how his dad is doing when he walks through the door. He said he even "tucks him in" if dad is having a bad day. That's my Kyle! Cody makes sure dad is feeling well and is able to come to his events & Katie loves to give her daddy hugs. This year at Thanksgiving we had to write about the things we are thankful for. I wrote that we have a lot of stress in our family & I'm grateful for the times we sit around the dinner table talking & laughing about silly things. I will just say we have the weirdest table conversations & funny memories!
On Tom's last visit to Detroit the doctor decided to remove him from treatment for one cycle. Tom had requested this as his side effects have become worse and he needed a break. I think the fact that the holidays were coming up and Tom wanted to enjoy sometime with his family without being sick might also have had something to do with it. After just 3 days, you could see the difference in him. I had my husband back even if it is for just 28 days.
Tom talks with other MTC patients on a chat site. We have found out that 3 people currently on the trial are experiencing growth in their cancer again and have been removed from the Clinical Trial. Tom also found out that the MTC drug that was approved earlier this year is available and that his U of M oncologist is able to administer it. Tom wondered this spring if he should switch to the FDA approved drug. In this last month he started to look into it again. He has an appointment with Dr. Worden @ the U of M to discuss this mid January. Tom would like Dr. Worden's opinion about the direction Tom should go with his treatment. If he does decide to go with the drug Vandetanib Tom could receive all his treatment here in Grand Rapids under Dr. Worden's direction. While we are so grateful for this drug keeping Tom alive, being in a clinical study on the other side of the state has worn on us both physically, emotionally, and financially.
We both understand that this can't be a flippant decision. It is a huge choice and needs to be researched, talked about, and prayed about. I understand that if Tom chooses to come out of the trial he will not be able to get back in if the other drug does not work.
1 Timothy:1 "Here are my directions: Pray much for others; plead for God's mercy upon them; give thanks for all he is going to do for them."
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