Happy Holidays and a update or two..

Hope everyone is getting ready for the holidays and enjoying themselves! It's been a bit since the blog has been updated, and yes, things have been happening - but wanted to let everyone know that we haven't forgotten about you - so here is the latest.

Jerry had another biopsy last Thursday, this time on the tumor itself. We will not have any results back from this untili after the first of the year due to the hoilday and the turn around time on getting results back from the Pathologist. We won't know more on the course of treatment for another week or so. Depending on how the tests come back, and what type of tissue they determine is in the tumor, the course of action will either be Chemo treatments or Radiation treatments- or a slim possiblity of both.

We met with the doctor last Monday, the 15th and he told us why they postponed the surgery... the PET scans came back positive and they saw that the Cancer has spread to his bones. Since then, we've also found out late last week that the Cancer has also decided to spread to his Lymph Nodes (yes, the original tests said those were clear, but upon further reading of the scans, they have found Cancer there as well). So, we now have Cancer in the Liver, the Lymph Nodes and the bones - and a lovely size tumor sitting in the liver and causing some pain as well. All in all, not much fun for Jerry.

Upon asking the doctor what he thought of us getting a second opinion, he was all for it. We have done some research on the Mayo Clinic in Minneapolis and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX (thanks Tanya!) and it looks like Jerry is leaning towards going to MD Anderson for a second opinion. His thoughts are it's exclusively a Cancer Center, and also seems that he, our father and myself all have people that have either been through there themselves or close relatives that have gone and all have benefited and liked the facility and treatment they received. So, the next step is trying to get an appointment in there and moving forward as quickly as possible.

On the personal side: Jerry, mom and dad all drove back to Iowa last Saturday, the 20th and Jerry is surrounded by family and the kiddies that were super excited to see him. He is resting about the same as he was in KC, and is now on a new pain medication which (he says) seems to help him a lot better - that in conjunction with Tylenol seem to be helping him cope. He has even managed to acquire a test for Diet Coke again (in moderation, but it's there!).

Today he is trying a different method of relaxation: a full body massage! So, we'll see if that helps him out and hopefully, enable him to enjoy the upcoming holidays with a smile of good rest and no pain.

As of now, not sure how long Jerry will stay in North Liberty, IA - all depends on if any doctor appointments pop up, or a need to get to KC or MD Anderson comes sooner than later - but we'll keep you all posted on that.

All in all- we are still in this fight, and stronger than ever! Here's hoping that everyone has a safe, warm and fantastic holidays and we'll "talk" to you soon!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukkah & Happy Holidays!

Love,
Us