Blessings

We are learning that this journey has many twists and turns. On Monday we spent the entire day at UW Hospital having a CT scan, a bone scan, and an MRI, in preparation for John's starting chemotherapy the next day. We were excited to start chemo; he had decided on a clinical trial, recommended by his oncologist, which really seemed like the best choice. We were at the hospital bright and early Tuesday morning for the lab work, all ready for the 6 hours of I.V. chemotherapy. We met with the oncologist first, and that's when we received the news that the results of Monday's scans showed that the brain metastases are slightly worse, which excludes him from participating in the trial. This was a disappointment.

But then we received some very good news! When John's lung biopsy was done in February, a sample of the tissue had been sent out to be tested for a mutation called EGFR receptor. Only 8% of all tumors harbor this mutation, which is only found in never-smokers. The oncologist had told us that if the tumor harbors this mutation, there's a drug called Tarceva that would be very effective. We've been praying for weeks that the tumor would have this mutation. The results just came back, and it is positive for the mutation! We are overjoyed! This is truly a miracle. So yesterday John started on Tarceva, a once-daily pill form of chemotherapy, and hasn't had any side effects yet; he's just still very tired.

We think of Tarceva as our wonder drug! For people who are mutation positive, the response rates are very good. With standard chemotherapy, the lung tumor would have a 20% chance of shrinking; with Tarceva, it has a 60--80% chance of shrinking! We love those statistics!

We remain happy, grateful, and optimistic. We continue to count our blessings. Our daughter, Allison, from Orange County, California, came out for a visit for five days! Her husband, Nate, who's a grad student, had spring break and was able to take care of their two little ones so that she could come out to spend some precious time with us. I'm sure he had his hands full with our beautiful little granddaughters, Jane, who's almost 3, and Elsie, who's 10 months old. But he never complained, bless his heart, and he did a great job. It was so wonderful to have Allison here.

Our hearts are gladdened by the many comments on this blog from so many of you, and also by the many emails I've received from so many of you who didn't want to write on the blog. We are touched by your love and prayers. You'll think this is funny, but most days, early in the morning before John is up (he's very tired and sleeps late these days--a huge change for him) I actually come into our little den where the laptop is, and I read all the comments on the blog every morning first thing, and then again before I go to bed. I just love reading all of them, over and over! They are so heartwarming and uplifting. I feel as if you are all right here with me. It's also been wonderful to hear from people from my long-ago past--what a joy!--and from a few people I don't even know, such as Hilary's friends! How wonderful to know we are in your prayers. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Yesterday Mona brought us an amazing dinner, and last night our home teachers came over. Today Hilary, Jack, and little Grace, who just had her first birthday, are coming over. And tonight we are going to the Stake Center, where John will be meeting with the Stake President in preparation for our going to the temple soon!

Life is so full and rich and wonderful. John and I are enjoying spending so much time together. Because he has trouble with his near vision, I read the Book of Mormon to him every day, something we both enjoy so much. We find new blessings at every turn. I know that Heavenly Father is watching over us and is concerned about John and mindful of him and what he is going through. I can feel His love for us. Thank you all for your prayers. I know they are heard. We can feel their power.