"GIMME A BREAK"

That's exactly what Dave got a "break", but not the kind we asked for. After his CT scan yesterday, Dave received "numerous" calls from Dr. Boehme, one of which informing him that the lesion in his left lung has slightly increased, but the one in the right lung is significantly smaller. Okay, so the tentative plan is more Rituxin in addition to another chemo drug in hopes of reducing, again, this stubborn "thing" which keeps rearing it's ugly (and I do mean ugly) head. Radiation also is a possibility. We will know more following Dave's appointment on Sept. 8th.

Alright, now about the "break". The CT revealed that Dave has a "broken back"; L3 (lumbar vertebra 3). After suffering a fall 3 wks ago, while picking huckleberries, Dave has been in constant back pain, but he attributed it to a "pulled muscle". In case you are wondering, yes, I did suggest getting it checked out but, as you all know Dave - it just wasn't in the cards, and no, he didn't get any huckleberries. Today, at 3 p.m. Dave is having an MRI to determine what the next step is, as the fracture is "unstable". Possibly they will go in and insert a balloon into the fracture site and inflate it in order to separate the space wider and then insert some sort of hot glue (or something like that) into the fracture site to stabilize it. (That won't be today in case I have confused you)! I will do my best to keep you posted as soon as I know more.

My word of advice is: don't ever ask for a "break".

WISH US LUCK

Playing with my birthday present!!

We spent a beautiful day at Flathead Lake yesterday. Thank you Roger and Deane for the invite. Thank you Stella and Sully for the entertainment!

Dave and his friend Earl...or is it Pearl?

PLAYING WITH MY NEW CAMERA

OF COURSE, I HAD A BEAUTIFUL SUBJECT, GRANDDAUGHTER STELLA!

SECRET

SHHHH - Don't tell anyone, but I'm really hoping to get a new camera from Dave for my birthday.

Bringing In Some Sunshine

Rearing it's ugly head

I have purposely avoided doing any blog posting until we knew exactly what the next step would be. This morning we met with Dr. Boehme and we are onto the next step. Dave's PET scan was good and not so good, if that makes sense. The good news is that all the pre-existing lymphoma masses are gone - completely gone, even the stubborn original one. The not so good news is the presence of a nodule in each lung which has not previously been there. After a lung biopsy on Monday, which he went through without any complications (1 in every 5 sustain a pneumothorax [collapsed lung]), Dave did well. The biopsy did reveal that the lymphoma has "reared it's ugly head" in his lungs, but we are relieved that it isn't a new type of cancer popping up. Now, onto further treatment. He will be having, again, rotuxin once a week for four weeks with a follow-up scan. I'm not quite sure if the scan will be immediately after the treatment or if it will be later. The really good news is that Dave is comfortable with this decision and as one of the nurses said today, "he continues to amaze us with his attitude". I, personally, thank God every day for all the blessing he continues to give us and for all the friends and family he has enriched our lives with. He knows our needs.

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR FIREFIGHTERS - FOREST FIRE SEASON HAS BEGUN

DJ

The DNRC helicopter landed to fuel up at the Whitefish air strip, so Dave and I quickly ran over to see D.J. and his crew in action. They have been busy with lots of fires caused by lightening strikes. We pray for their safety.