Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Well, it was an early start to the day. Frank and I arrived at 8 to meet with the nurse and the insurance lady about how the events of the next few days will unfold.

We are sitting the waiting room waiting (a room by any other name....) for Frank to be worked in for his central line placement. Getting worked is another word for "plan to sit here all day long". But we're not complaining. They said they didn't have an appointment for this until Friday. We were even going to try and get this done in Memphis. But they said they could work him in today. So, we're happy to... sit here all day long. :)

We have the list of meds now, for our medical friends and patients, or just for those of who like detail. MED PAC: M: mesna. This isn't chemo. It's given to prevent bleeding from the bladder when the cytoxan. E: etoposide. D: dexamethasone P: platinum (cisplatinum) A: ara-c This is the new one. This is a leukemia drug. C: cytoxan.

The nurse we met with today said basically the same thing we learned yesterday. She said they have been using this for about 2 months on less than a dozen people. No written data yet, but it's well tolerated. Frank will do great!

He'll get chemo Thursday morning. Then Friday at 6am, he'll have a PET scan. Dr. B will read it stat, and then he'll adjust chemo if needed and he'll get chemo right after that. He'll get disconnected Sat with labs over the weekend and stem cells on Monday.

You know everything we know!!

Frank's family is coming in for the weekend. We're looking forward to spending time with them. And I can't wait to see Chase and hear all about his trip. He's been in Colorado since last Sat. He has waited ~ not so patiently~ to finally be old enough for the church trips. We talked to him once and he was having a blast.

First thing we did this morning was read your encouraging comments. They mean so much to us! Thanks.

Love, Peggy

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey carlton's, we love you guys so much. we are lifting you up in prayer all day long. Gods grace is enough - you guys are such blessing to those around you. May God give you His strength to continue this battle. the battle is His. God is deepening our faith through our trails we are blessed to be your friends. hope to talk soon, love lee,kelly,amber,wilson & shelby

Anonymous said...

Hi, Guys, Sounds as if they are pulling out the big guns!!!! Words like good veins, positive results with MED PAC, being able to draw more stem cells, etc., etc. sounds like a PLAN to me!!!! Loved the picture of the group!! So glad you can come home to gear up for next week. Have a lovely reunion with Chase and your family, Frank. Love you!!!! Pat C

Anonymous said...

Hey Frank!
I want you to know you are my hero.
I talk about courage and faith with my family and I certainly think I have an abundance of both; but you my friend, are what all christian men aspire to. You love your Lord. You love your family. You practice your faith openly, lovingly, humbly, and without reserve. You will live forever, because you are God's chosen child.

Now. Get better and come on home. I need your help with Beast Feast...We have to prepare...

Lute

Anonymous said...

Wow-I couldn't agree more than to what Lute just said! He perfectly described how so many of us feel about you but weren't poetic enough to explain it. :) God bless you. Love, Colleen, Brad, Cole & McKennah

Anonymous said...

i love looking at the pictures ... Chandler looks so grown up ... where have our 4th grade daughters gone? we love you ... and miss seeing you in person ... especialy Peggy and VBS. :)
Stay Strong!
jennifer

Anonymous said...

Just a quick note to say hello and tell you all you are on my mind. Day two - praying for you.
Kristy

Anonymous said...

Frank and Family:
I had the blessing of meeting and getting to know Frank over the past year at Elliott. I can't say that I have every met anyone quite like Frank...committed, loyal, hilarious and always positive in the midst of such turmoil. Having lost my mother to an extremely long battle with a terminal illness and having a father who recently underwent two heart surgeries, I do understand the anxiety and worry. I pray for all of you for strength. Frank, it was truly a blessing to meet and work with you. Stay strong and don't forget to take time for yourself.
Brandy

Anonymous said...

There's a reason all those superhero movies came out recently, Frank! To inspire you! Now go rent an Arnold Schwartzenagger flick and then kick some proverbial butt with those new meds!

Anonymous said...

you guys are AMAZING! and are such great examples of what it means to surrender everything to the Lord. Thank you for sharing what God has done in your lives with the rest of us and being who you are because of who HE is. I LOVE YALL!!