Michael has not had a very good week. His headaches have returned. He has also been having abdominal pain. They did say this may happen due to the location on his back when they adjusted his dosage this week. Next week they will be doing more adjustments and increasing his dosage even more. At least he will have the weekend off. Hopefully he will feel a little better tomorrow so we can enjoy the beautiful day. It’s supposed to be in the 80’s tomorrow here in Dallas.
We went to see his oncologist on Thursday. We had a nice long talk with him. We went over everything from beginning until now, his treatment plan, his surgeries, his appointments with his other doctors and what they had said, even his job status and if he will be able to return to work.
On his treatment, Michael was able to do 5 of the 6 chemo cycles they wanted to do in the beginning and he is currently doing his radiation. The next step would be to do possible chemo again. With Michael’s cancer, he is a little on the “rare” side. Ewings Sarcoma is generally a bone cancer. Michael’s was inside the spinal fluid entangled in his nerves. None of our doctors and those they have been discussing his case with has seen anything like this. Right now, they are trying to base his treatment plan as if it was located in a bone and if he was younger. Yeah he is older than the “norm” to have Ewings, but I have always said he is a kid at heart, and I can now say in the spine too.
The doctor wants us to finish up his radiation; right now he has 6 doses left, rest for a week or two, and then we will meet back with him on the 24th. Before that, he will have meetings with all of the other doctors (his radiation oncologist, neurosurgeon, etc), as well as meeting with the doctors down at MD Anderson. Both Michael’s oncologist and his radiation oncologist have been discussing his case with some doctors down there all along. They are the ones that created Michael’s treatment plan.
At this point we are not sure if the radiation oncologist will have any more scans scheduled after we finish radiation. Michael’s oncologist did say he may end up sending us down to Houston to speak with the doctors down there before we decide what to do. This will be one of the items we will discuss on his next visit.
As for work, the doctors still have Michael off work until May 1st. This time was to allow chemo, radiation, a few weeks to recover from radiation, and depending on what we decide on our next appointment. If they decide no more chemo and if they feel he will be able to the work, and then they may let him go back on May 1st. That was the plan when we left the doctor’s office yesterday.
Michael’s employer does have in their medical leave policy that after 6 months of being on medical leave, they could possibly terminate your employment. Michael has been off work since August 20th (which is right at 7 ½ months right now) when his problems in his back and legs got real bad and he needed to use a cane to get around. Since the first of March, he has been talking back and forth with his corporate office on trying to extend his time. They called him today and have decided to terminate his employment. They said that they have allowed him enough time and can no longer keep him employed. They did say that they do have a “6-month” re-hire policy that will allow him to keep his status if a position is open at that time.
We will just have to play it by ear on his job. I just keep telling him all I worry about and want is for my husband to fight this and to become healthy again. I know we will overcome this as any other obstacle we have come across in our lifetime. I just want to make sure that he takes his time and we take every step to make sure we do over-power this dreaded disease.
We do want to thank everyone for their kind messages, prayers, and support. That does bring us “HOPES”. For those of you that don’t know the meaning of “HOPES” in “HOPES for Michael”, it stands for “Helping Over Power Ewings Sarcoma”. We also want to say thank you for visiting Michael’s page. Please continue to keep Michael and all those in our Ewings family in your prayers.
Melodie
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2 comments:
Michael, you and I are both fighting a dreaded disease. It seems that neither of us is the "norm" for the types of cancer that we have.
All of this is in God's hands and we must trust Him to do His will for our lives. He will show us the plans that He has for us in His time - not ours.
I think of you, Michael, continuously and of your wife and children who are supporting you in this horendous battle.
I am sorry to hear about the job loss. I remember when I was fired at 19years old and came home in tears. My dad so lovingly said, "You found a job when you were looking for that one, you will find another job." He was so right. When God closes one door, he opens another.
Right now all you need to do is concentrate on getting well and beating this disease. You are much to young to let Cancer win the battle.
Please know that I love you Michael and Melodie and you are always in my prayers.
Kathy in CO
Your strength and resilience to stand at such a difficult time is refreshing. Continue to keep your eyes on the prize...there really is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The job loss is part of this whole process so that means provision will come from elsewhere. Thanks for taking the time to be open and candid. It helps in more ways than you can imagine. God Bless you Michael & Mel!
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