Yesterday provided a clear treatment path and plan for the next 18 weeks. Sam was officially diagnosed with primary mediastinal b-cell lymphoma. This type of lymphoma is fast growing which also makes it very receptive to treatment. The term “treatment to cure” is the philosophy Sam’s oncology team is taking. We asked the doctor when this might have started and he was guessing more than two months but less than six.
The treatment plan is one continuous week of chemo and then two weeks off. This will go for a total of six cycles. His chemo week will be office appointments every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The office appointment days will consist of getting the chemo started and sending him home with a very cool 90’s fanny pack which contains a pump and chemo to be run while he is at home.
Our understanding is that the second week of each cycle will be the one where he feels the most tired and yucky. Right now his goal is to continue his work at GMB while going through chemo. His co-workers have been so supportive with helping take the burden off his mind of missing work.
The first week treatment started yesterday (Saturday) and the medical community wants this first round to occur while admitted at the hospital. That will allow Sam to be under some good observation and make sure he tolerates the treatment. It also helps keep an eye on that crazy blood clot in his neck. So the current plan is to keep him in the hospital for the time being with an expected discharge on Friday 11/14. Sam has so far been doing good with visitors, which has helped break up the monotony. Please feel free to visit him this week, just check in a little bit before heading over to make sure he is up for a visit.
Prayer requests:
- That Sam would not be discouraged as he figures out that his limits are narrower than he would like.
- Sam responds well to the chemo treatment. That it has the desired results and the side effects are minimal.
- Patience for both Sam and Grace. And especially patience with each other.
- That God would glorify Himself through all of this and be made much of!
The Gordon Family Site 