Fun in Hilton Head

Jack and I have just returned (11/7) from a restful week in Hilton Head, SC, where we were also joined by Jack's youngest brother, Robert and his wife Trudy. We like staying at Marriot's Heritage Club which is part of the Marriot Vacation Club timeshare organization. The weather was just okay--but was glorious the day before we came home! Jack and Robert played golf, and Jack played plenty of golf before Robert arrived. Jack's energy level is very good and the activities were good for him. I think the only negative reaction he has from his tumor is that with extended activities, the left eye begins to swell a bit more. But rest, and no golf for a day seems to take care of that. His vision is good and on the drive back said that he could see very clearly. That is good news! The medical appointments are not quite as frequent at this point, except for the doctor that helps us with his diabetes and blood pressure. Jack is scheduled for a second PET scan after Christmas, and it appears he'll have one every three months. This particular scan doesn't really show how much the tumor is shrinking, but does tell us if there are any cancer cells growing within the rest of his body. Another MRI will be done sometime this winter to determine the percentage of shrinkage of the tumor that the radiation has provided. We want to know right now but that's not the way radiation works for this type of tumor.

Jacquie participated in her 60-mile cancer walk which began on 10/31. The walk was broken up into 3 20-mile days. While in training for this wonderful event, she began having blisters, and they were painful. But they improved somewhat, and off she went for the walk. These walks have lots of medical personnel to assist the walkers and she used them! They'd pop the blisters, rewrap her feet, and send her on her way, probably amazed that she was still walking. All the participants slept in pink tents!

We continue to be grateful for all your prayers and love. We are blessed to have such great prayer warriors! Thank you so much. We ask that you continue to pray that this tumor will shrink by at least 80%; that the cancer will not recur within his body; and that God will give us patience as we await the PET scan and MRI! We love each of you very much!

Karen