October 7

Hi,

Denny's had a couple of rough days lately, so we were happy to get to the doctor today. We were anxious to get the results of the brain scan and we were hopeful that we could get some explanation for the increasing body weakness, dizziness, profuse sweating, and depression that Den's been experiencing.

We received some good news and some not so good news. The good news is that the swelling in his brain is subsiding, slowly, and there is no bleeding. That news did not surprise either of us because Denny's concentration, recall, and writing have all improved a great deal since last week.

The not so good news is that all of the symptoms he has are side effects of the steroid he is taking in mega doses. He will have to continue taking that same dose until at least next Tuesday when he'll have another brain scan, so I'm guessing the next days will surely have their ups and downs.

Dr. Howard also ordered a complete blood panel, just to be sure that something wasn't being overlooked. We had been home about an hour or so after the brain scan when the doctor called to say that there is something "way out of whack" (another of Steve Howard's medical terms) with Den's liver function test. So we had to go back to St. E's for a scan of his stomach, liver, and bowel. You can imagine the fear that went through us. The scan, much to our relief, showed nothing, so Steve and Dr. Mortara are stumped. They know that those enzyme levels were normal on September 9, when Denny had his last blood work done. Now, we were told, we will be referred to a liver specialist. I suspect it's a side effect of the steroids.

The other issue is the blood clots that are currently not be treated. It's my understanding that Denny will go back on a blood thinner as soon as all of the doctors agree that a brain shunt is definitely not necessary. Most likely he will return to taking the shots to his stomach rather than the pills.

Now, with the October 14th appointment at UW postponed, the chemotherapy must also resumed. We will be meeting with Drs. Howard and Mortara on Thursday to discuss that. Den will be changing to a new oncologist next month when Dr. Mortara discontinues his practice at St. E's, but that protocol of 5 days out of 28 on the temador has to begin before the new oncologist is here.

All of this puts everything on hold as far as our jobs. Denny desperately wants to get to his classes a couple of times each week, if only for a half hour or so. Dr. Howard said that would be the maximum and directed me to be the judge of what Den should or shouldn't do. If he feels as lousy as he has lately, my task won't be as difficult as it was those first few weeks of school. Until things improve, Steve said someone has to be with Denny 24/7, so I will be here with him.

That's the medical update for today. After reading it over it sounds overwhelming, but we're actually doing okay. Our kids and some friends check in regularly, Sarah Simon has brought us some meals and is keeping Denny supplied with desserts, and
tonight Den received a book of poems and letters from the students in his honors class that really lifted his spirits. Each day we count our many blessings.

Please know that you are among those blessings.

Love,
Carla