A few Updates

Hi all - thanks for checking in again with us.....I wanted to give you an update on some things. A few weeks ago, we had thought that the original skull tumor was completely dead and it wasn't expected to give my Dad any more problems. As we've mentioned before, cancer has a mind of its own that can totally knock you off course, and that seems to have happened yet again. This week my Dad found out that the original tumor has developed a new extension that has moved back over toward his left eye. We are discouraged that all of the cells associated with it just don't seem to get radiated. Kidney cancer is very resilient....but so are we. Along with the radiation that my dad will be getting to his lungs over the next few months, he will also receive a gamma knife treatment to that original skull tumor. Please pray with us that they will finally get all those microscopic cells zapped and that there will be no more expansion of that tumor.
Please also pray for my mom and dad's spirits and strength as they continue on with this journey. They are both quite tired as they have had numerous appointments to attend over the past two weeks. Recently added to the already busy schedule is daily massage therapy for the swelling around my dad's left eye. Every day for about an hour he has a massage and then his head is wrapped with a compression bandage to try and help reduce the swelling. They have seen some minor improvement, but perhaps the reason they haven't experienced more improvement is that unbeknown to us, the tumor had actually been growing. Nevertheless, I think the massages are relaxing and they have developed a nice friendship with the woman who is doing them. They have to drive over to Newport News (about a 30-40 min drive each way from Williamsburg) for these appointments as well as needing to be other places for various other appointments, so they have had an exhausting few weeks.
The other night, my Dad attended a dinner for a golf tournament that he has participated in for the last few years, but was unable to do so this year. While there, he received a standing ovation from his friends and fellow golfers and it was just really nice that they honored him like that - so thank you to all of my Dad's golf buddies who care so much for him and make him feel so special!
The doctors have given their okay for my parents to continue on with their travel plans to Phoenix for this coming Friday, and so they are looking forward to heading west and to visiting with my Dad's two brothers and their families. This will be a nice break before all of the radiation treatments start up again.
The latter part of May, and all of June and July look like they will continue to be very busy times. My sisters and I are going to try and get down and help out as much as we can....but if there is anyone in the Williamsburg area who can also check in with my parents to see if they need any assistance, my siblings and I would be very grateful!!! Thank you all for your support and kindness --- Tami and family