More pics

Here are more pics from Saturday (see two posts down). They were just too good to leave out.

The News

At my doctor's visit today, the decision was made to switch me completely over to a drug called Revlimed, a second generation to a drug called Thalidimide, if either name means anything to you. They are very tightly controlled drugs and I had to sign a lot of forms and sit through several briefings to get a one-month prescription, and will have to repeat the process to get it refilled each month. Hopefully, side effects will be few and effectiveness will be great.

A definite positive point is that this new medication is taken orally, rather than by infusion. This frees up at least 6 hours every week from having to go to the doc's office and get infusions, as well as makes it much easier to plan trips, without having to tuck them in during times when I will be in and out of the IV room. (How would you like to be given 6 more hours a week?)

Here we go on the next phase of this adventure. Thanks for caring, and thanks for praying.

Alyssa Visits Grandpa

On Saturday, Alyssa (6 months old) dropped by for a little while to see her grandpa while her grandmother put away the groceries from their shopping expedition. While here, she became the latest of all the Bennett grandchildren to ride in the swing.

As she’d swing forward, she would tap my beard and face with her foot, then just laugh, laugh, laugh as she swung back. It was a neat time. For pictures of the great grocery shopping expedition, visit Carol’s blog.

Cancer Update

The blood sample taken on Tuesday, March 3, shows the cancer numbers continuing to increase. They are now almost as high as they were at diagnosis 18 months ago, and higher than at any time since we began chemo therapy treatments. The doctor will probably add another drug (as yet undecided) to the treatment mix later this month. I'll let you know when that happens.

Thanks for your concerns and prayers.

Valentines Day Weekend

When I was little, my mom used to be famous (at least with me) for her sugar cookies. I liked them plain or frosted, but frosted was, and still is, best. Sometimes for Valentines Day she would make little sugar cookies shaped like hearts, and sometimes they would have pink frosting.

This year on Valentines Day weekend, Carol and I drove to Arkansas to check on my mom and see other family there. Because there were some business matters which forced us to stay over until Monday, we drove up on Saturday, spent Sunday in Heber Springs, and took care of business in Little Rock on Monday. We made a nice Valentines weekend out of it with meals out and a nice place to stay.

As a Valentine gift to me, Carol made a big batch of heart-shaped sugar cookies with pink frosting. Here's a picture of me sharing one to my mom.

Geezer Dog Rules

One of my favorite things to do every year is to sit down and watch the Westminster Kennel Dog Show (or at least portions thereof) for two evenings in early February. This year's winner is a 10 year old Sussex Spaniel named Stump. That's one old dog. In fact, the first time I saw him parading across the dog show promenade I said to Carol, "Wow, that's an old dog." So let's hear it for all the doggie geezers out there, and ARF! that, all ye young pups.

What's up

To follow up on the last cancer update, yesterday I met with my doctor and the decision is to continue the current level and form of treatment for 6 more weeks, see how things are, and decide whether or not to add more drugs to the treatment. Kinda like a groundhog seeing his shadow in February.