Getting our ducks in a row

More in the series of unusual events designed to steer us in the right direction. The airline cancelled the flight that Judi was supposed to take home tonight. She's leaving tomorrow morning instead.

We were originally scheduled to meet with Dr. Haid tomorrow afternoon, but we were able to move Jim's appointment to late this afternoon so that Judi could come with us. I called UW Madison this morning. They are seeing Jim this Thursday. I called Mayo this morning. They are seeing us next Thursday. My mom will watch the kids this Thursday, Jim's parents will watch them next Thursday.

Today we spoke with Dr. Haid about next steps, asked him about a few traditional treatments, and we asked for his help in scheduling our next appointment at Sloan Kettering. (There seems to be a slight technology error with getting our appointment there, as they are not receiving our updated records and will therefore not let us make an appointment.) Dr. Haid likes one of the traditional treatments...combining a drug we haven't tried yet, Xeloda, with irinitocan (one of the drugs that Jim is on now), and Avastin, which Jim was on during his first course of treatment. Xeloda is the same drug as 5-FU, which Jim is currently getting. BUT, Xeloda is a pill, and right now Jim is getting the 5-FU in a pump. Switching to Xeloda would make a big difference in Jim's quality of life because he truly hates wearing the pump. We also discussed an experimental drug that we would have to apply for through the National Cancer Institute, although we're electing to discuss this with Madison since they are the ones running a clinical trial on it. (That's the one that Jim's cousin David is helping us with.)

Once we have all the opinions, we'll be working with Dr. Haid to determine the best course for Jim. We also found some interesting articles from MD Anderson (a big cancer hospital in Texas) so we can even go out there if we need to. Right now it seems that working with 4 different facilities is probably enough, but hey, you never know. :)

Jim's going up and down mentally, but he's 100% better than before his sister arrived. His pain is under control. She's even gotten him to walk to the corner twice. We're hoping to get him over to the Kohler pool this week. I am feeling a little more in control now that we have some of our appointments lined up.

Sometimes it's hard to be in this scenario, but I also realize that we are lucky - so far, our insurance company has paid for everything. We have the means to pay for a few other things. And we're doing it while sitting in our own home - there are other people diagnosed who have no one, no support network, no insurance, and no financial base to carry the rest of the burden. Even in the midst of this confusion, we can still count our blessings, be thankful for the things we have, and thank God for every day that we have together. The road may be long and the cross may be heavy, but we're thankful for the friends and family we have to lighten the load.

On another note: today may have also been one of the more remarkable days in the journey. We received a sizable box from my girlfriend Julia, who lives in Germany. She sent approximately six pounds of pure heaven (no, not wine...she can't send that through the mail) - but she did send chocolate. And, not knowing what my preference is, she sent a wide variety. Miracles do happen. I'm counting my blessings and they are many and varied.