Joe Beat The Infection!!

We are so happy to report that things are turning around.  Joe's infection is gone.  He is doing so much better.  The prayers really worked this time!  Today is his last day of antibiotics and he will be free of the 2nd IV machine for about 4 hours a day.  Dr. S was so impressed with Joe. He kept saying over and over how strong Joe is based on everything he's been through.  Joe put 2 lbs back on (from the 9 he lost during this infection) and wants to put on more.  He's starving.  Dr. S put together the plan for us and is wasting no time.  Tomorrow morning at 6:30 am, Joe will go back to Chandler Regional and have the new port put in on the left side.  Monday afternoon Joe will start the biological chemo treatments at the cancer center.  These treatments are targeting the cancer on his bowels/colon.  The hope is it can kill the cancer that is squeezing his bowels (from the outside) and causing so much of the obstruction.  If he could get some relief, he may be able to eat something besides jello, popsicles, juice and broth.  If that goes well, Dr. S has found another treatment plan that will attack the tumors throughout his abdomen.  He said he can't administer it until Joe gets through this first phase of the treatment, so prayers needed that will work.  In the meantime, the new surgeon from Chandler Regional (Dr. F) is looking for ways to try and get Joe some ability to eat.  The TPN is just not enough to sustain Joe's appetite.  It's so wonderful that he has an appetite (so many cancer patients lose their appetite), but so frustrating that he can only handle clears.  Dr. F is exploring different G/J Tube options or possibly an ostomy (that's a long shot) so Joe can graduate to at least full liquids (cream soups, puddings, milk shakes...).  In the meantime, we are setting goals.  Joe hit the first one by beating the infection.  The next one is to get out of the house and go to church and then go to a movie sometime this weekend.  We just want to get out and feel normal.  Thanks to everyone for all the emails, text messages and phone calls.  Sorry I haven't been able to return all the messages.  Just know how much we appreciate them.

XOXO
Sherrie