Change of Direction

Last week the clinic told us the PSA readings had gone from the 80's to 120. Not the direction we want! The oncologist changed the medication and added a component. Over the course of the week, it created much more aches and pains than the previous ones. I was forced to cut back on work hours. It affected my sleep patterns.
Please pray that I would be able to get a good night's rest. Lack of restful sleep has meant that I face the new day tired, and without energy to finish the day.
Thank you for praying for me to get exercise. Until last week I had made good progress in this area. I may need it again as I try to re-establish it in my daily routine.
So many people at church have come up to me to let me know that they are praying for me. I have been told that I am prayed for daily. Some have said they wouldn't know how to open a blog, so they go on what they have heard months back. So I want to thank you all for your generosity with your thoughts and prayers. As the months have rolled on I have an increasing sense of being supported by threads of prayer forming a net of individuals who are parts of the Body of Christ. The net is local, my family, my church, co-workers, and friends. It is multi-lingual with prayers in Russian, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Burmese, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Indonesian. It is also global with people across the States, in Hong Kong, Japan, Ukraine, and countries in Africa. It's an amazing realization and I hope it gives you a sense of this wonderful Body that we are all a part of.

-Cal-

A Closed Door

The clinical trial at the Cancer Care Alliance does not seem to be open to us. After going over the paperwork, the doctor said that I did not meet three of the criteria for entry to this clinical trial. Annie is at peace over this decision too. So we are back to the regular routine. We will be seeing our oncologist on the 15th and see what other options he has.
Thank you very much for your ongoing prayers. I feel so fortunate to have people like you praying on my behalf.

-Cal-

Clinical Trial Possibility

The last blood test in late December showed no improvement in the PSA numbers. So now the options are getting fewer. However the oncologist learned that there was a clinical trial for a new drug being tested and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance was looking for participants. He was excited about this new drug and felt that I would be a good person for this trial as it targets prostate cancer, and, as I am in fairly good health. So on Monday the 11th I go in for an interview and apply.



Pray that God would be leading in this decision. We do not know if this is a good thing to be in this trial or not. And there is a certain amount of not wanting to be a guinea pig for an unknown drug. Also Annie is worried because present meds will probably stop if I become a participant and she doesn't know if that is a danger or not. Others have said that drugs that they test in this manner are very promising, and since there are many safeguards, that I should take it, if I can get in. We would like to submit everything to the Great Physician for guidance.

Please continue to pray for me to get 30 minutes of physical activity in daily. We have got it up to about 20 minutes 4-5 times a week and need to keep pressing in on this objective.

Thank you so much for being willing to pray for me on this matter.



-Cal-