April in Zion

This is Randy, Kathy's husband posting. It is about 4:30 PM and Kathy is down in the infusion center waiting to begin today's chemotherapy. We spoke with the doctor this afternoon and he was very encouraging. Kathy has been experiencing dry skin and the doctor said that the dry skin is a good sign that the erbitux is working. He gave her some moisturizer which will help. He also ordered that her thyroid be tested to be on the safe side. Dry skin is also an indication that the dosage can be reduced. The cancer is really responding to the latest round of chemo, so the next step is to use radiation. This should be very effective because Kathy's cancer is present in the skin and radiation will target the skin tissue. The radiation treatments will start in about a month. Also, when the radiation begins, the chemotherapy will drop the taxotere and carboplatin and will only consist of the erbitux. There is a new oral medication that Kathy may be able to use also but the details are unavailable right now.

Our next visit to CTCA will be scheduled for the facility in Philadelphia. This a real answer to prayer and we certainly do appreciate all of those who have been praying for Kathy and our family.

Kathy's treatment today is taxotere and erbitux and will last about 2 hours once it begins. I expect we will get back to the hotel probably around 8 PM this evening. It makes for a long day. We got up around 5 AM this morning to go the airport. Kathy's mom drove us and is watching the kids while we are away. Tomorrow, Kathy will receive more chemotherapy, taxotere and carboplatin, lasting about 3 hrs. Friday's chemotherapy will be limited to just taxotere and will only last about an hour, which is nice because it makes the departure day less hectic.