Quick

I have to get to my staff meeting but I wanted to give you all the information I have with regards to what happened today at Dr. Barth's office.

Today was not a good day or a promising day by any means. Gary's cancer has spread to his liver. The mass in his pelvis is still shrinking and that seems to be good news. His pelvic masses have shrunk about 45% so far. Unfortunately, the cancer is now presenting itself in his liver. The size of the tumor is moderate at 2.6 cm. Dr. Barth does not want to mess with it right now because as he says "Where there is smoke there is more than likely fire". He could have more spots that just are not detectable at this point in time. Looking back to the April scans you can see a very tiny shadow on Gary's liver and it has grown significantly over the past 6 weeks.

Not having therapy because of the struggles Gary was having with side effects has certainly led to the spreading of this aggressive cancer. Just so you all know it is bladder cancer NOT liver cancer.

Now we are backed into a corner and we have to do something. We are backed into a corner and doing nothing because Gary is not well enough is not an option. The molecular therapy has potentially damaging side effects for Gary with his bowels being compromised but Barth started him on the molecular therapy today. He will have chemo next week and he will keep repeating the regimen (Avastin 1 week chemo the next Avastin the following week chemo the next and so on). This is the plan as of right this moment. Things could change and more than likely will depending upon how well Gary tolerates the Avastin.

So, wow I would be untruthful if I told you I was completely okay with all of this. I need a day to process this new discovery and get my head in the right place. Gary is doing okay and I think he is in shock still. He says he is more than fine and he is not worried at all. I hope and pray this is true.

If any of you have done research on the internet about bladder cancer you would know that things do not look good for survival at all. Gary never does research do I do not ever share with him my findings and neither does Dr. Barth because there is no point. Treatment is still the same. A POSITIVE attitude is imperative!

I really do not want to talk on the phone right now. I promise it is nothing personal against any of you but I think I just need to be quiet and still and just think. I will be back to my chatty self tomorrow.

We love all of you and we keep you all close in our hearts.
Love, Me