9.25.2008

Mom's phone rang early this morning, on the other end was Dr. Henry S. Friedman's assistant, WhAt?!? He indicated that Dr. Friedman was out of town this week but he wanted to make sure that we were contacted. I could not believe this was happening as it has not even been 24 hours since I sent the e-mail. Dr. Friedman's assistant was aware of dad's case and wanted to know how they could help us, mom explained the treatment that dad was receiving and how dad was doing. Dr. Friedman's assistant assured mom that we were doing exactly what was needed and that the protocol dad is following is the same as Dr. Friedman would order.

Mom discussed with him a couple of new medications we had been researching and he provided encouraging feedback. Mom was instructed to contact Dr. Friedman's office at any time and was told that they would see dad at Duke University Medical Center if recurrence of the tumor presents itself and/or we desire to seek more aggressive treatments.

"We know that a brain tumor is unlike any other disease. We take an aggressive team approach to find answers and provide hope. We play to win. We want survivors."

Dr. H.S. Friedman, M.D.

Dr. Friedman's positive attitude permeated through our family today, his aggressive nature is clearly paying off as Duke will be opening it's first cancer survivor's center next year. If there are enough long-term survivors to create a survivors clinic he must be doing the right thing. It is evident that we continue to be blessed by the best.

Dave and dad went on their morning walk, dad leading the way with tremendous courage and remarkable strength. I was able to visit with Dr. Clark while dad was receiving his radiation today and once again he commented on how incredible dad is doing, he thinks that dad looks "three times stronger" each time he sees him. Dad must now have weekly blood draws to check his counts, following radiation he and I headed to the lab to have blood drawn. I had lab work that I had been putting off having done so I figured we may as well do it together. Dad had one vial drawn and I had nine, dad joked that he would be driving me home today. Following our donations of red we went for a little ride before returning home.

One of the most difficult aspects of this adventure is dad's driving restrictions, he is not allowed to drive for several months due to some of the medications he is taking, this is hard. For an outgoing and independent individual such as dad, being restricted from driving is challenging to say the least. Dad is very used to his own routine and schedule, he is now limited at being able to come and go when he needs and is pretty much confined to the house/yard. Mom came home this evening and they took a little ride downtown to get something to eat, mom was going through the drive-thru but dad insisted on going inside. As hard as we are trying to keep dad from being exposed to germs and illness we realize being stuck in the house, unable to drive and away from people is a whole lot harder! Patience.