[Oe List ...] McGuire Report

[LAURELCG at aol.com]

Dear Ones,

Fred and I are enjoying a beautiful quiet day at home.  Our dear friend Joan 
Knutson visited from Phoenix, taking care of me and doing what tasks she 
could, for 12 days.  The Butchers met her plane in L.A. and brought her up, so we 
got a little visit from them also.  Imagine someone who likes to clean out the 
refrigerator!  At least that was Joan's story!  We appreciated and enjoyed her 
visit so much, and getting to meet her 14-month-old grandson Ronin, who came 
for a couple of days with his parents, from San Francisco.  Our son Scott came 
over Saturday after his son Rory's football game in the morning.
    
Fred saw a new oncologist yesterday, Dr. Hajjar, who just returned from a 
visit to his native Jordan.  He seems to be a good communicator.  He spent a lot 
of time with us gathering info on where Fred is now and how Fred sees his 
situation.  The doctor would like to try one new drug that has only been approved 
in the last few months.  It's in the same class as Sutent, the one Fred 
started in May.  The stomach/gastric upset it caused sent Fred to the hospital and 
we discontinued the treatment.  The newer drug is given intravenously.  I told 
the doctor I wasn't willing for Fred to receive it as he has been getting iron 
infusions, with visits to the cancer center.  If we decide to try it, I want 
Fred to be hospitalized with careful monitoring to see how he tolerates the 
drug.  I don't have the heart for more 911 calls.  The doctor said that would be 
possible.  He also ordered MRI's of the abdomen to see what the tumors have 
been doing, as well as of the head.  This cancer often metastisizes to the 
brain, and Fred's sense of balance and ability to walk seem to be deteriorating.

I'm tired and sad, but very grateful for the support of your prayers, and for 
each day I have with Fred.  Neither of us believes that we'll have many more 
days like today, enjoying the quiet and beauty of our home of 30 years.

Love and blessings,
Jann<BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR> See what's new at 
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