Marvel Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 Many of you have been praying and sending good thoughts our way as my wife Barbara has struggled in her fight against melanoma. The first standard treatment wasn't working, so we stopped that. In the six weeks she was on it, she had lesions show up on her spine, in her liver and lungs. Her brain was clear. She was then admitted to a clinical trial, to test a new drug. No placebos, she would be getting something that they hoped would work. Everyone had a surprise this week. On Wednesday, the doctor's staff thought that Barbara was too fatigued to receive her infusion of depsipeptide and they decided she should go ahead and have a CT scan and MRI. The radiologist saw several lesions in the brain. There were too many to do surgery or gamma knife and he recommended to begin whole brain radiation. Barbara was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday night and given a steroid to reduce the swelling in the brain tissue. The steroid showed some improvement on Thursday afternoon and she was released to come home. Whole brain radiation will begin on Monday morning at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga. Barbara should receive ten radiation treatments over two weeks. The radiation expert at Emory, Dr. Peter Johnstone, said the radiation is not expected to shrink the brain lesions but to cause them to become stable and could provide long term stability. Hair loss is expected but regrowth is possible within three months. Some of the new lesions are quite large, and we know at this point that all we are going to be doing is to make her comfortable for the time she has left. I thought I had been dealing with this pretty well. We have received much support, from family and friends, including you folks here on the Klipsch forum. But I guess I'm not dealing with it very well at all. . Even though we are taking it a day at a time and trying to enjoy what we do have, I also have to make decisions and think about life without the love of my life, the joy of my youth. [;-)] Thirty plus years of good times and hard times. It makes a lot of the petty crap here seem pretty trivial. I just wanted to vent/rant/let go a bit. Got to go. It's a sunny day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay481985 Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 I am truely sorry for the whole situation. Please rant on as much as you want as there are listening ears on this board. And please spend all the time you can with your wife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Matthews Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 So sorry to hear that. Spend lots of time together and tell her all the reasons why she's been your soul-mate for all these years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 Bruce, Thank you for posting the update. I am so sorry to hear things are going as they are for Barbara. It sure make sense to me that lots of stuff would seem trivial in the light of the situation as it is and you are thinking about the things that really matter. I don't know what it really means to handle things well anyway. You put your feet on the floor and get out of bed... after that, put one foot in front of the other.... to walk and not faint... that's handling things well, I think. This is a good place to posts rants, vents, raves... whatever... you have got alot of support and caring in this place. It's all welcome here. If you think of it, mention to Barbara that we are keeping all of you before the Lord. Thinking of your son, too. Peace. Dee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m00n Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 Bruce, very sorry to hear about the spreading. I can understand when you say this situation seems to make other things in life seem petty. God bless the two of you. Regards Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardhead Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 Very sorry to hear the sad news. Please tell your wife that we're keeping her and you in our thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Reed Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 We're praying for you and yours. Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Amy Posted November 18, 2005 Moderators Share Posted November 18, 2005 I'm sorry too, Bruce. I know it's difficult to be strong, but we're here to support you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbflash Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 Bruce, I had no idea it was this bad. Your wife and your family are in my thoughts. If there is anything you need please let us know. danny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryC Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 I am so very sorry. God be with you and Barbara. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedball Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 Bruce, I'm reading your posts with great interest....Pat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-MAN Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 Bruce, I am so sorry. Both of you are in my prayers. Until the better and shining day, my friend. DM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timmikid Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 Words are meaningless. Terrible. I hope you can find the strength to get everything out the time you have left and do the right thingd. I have a feeling you will. Don't excuse the rant, I think I speak for all that we are honored that you want to share this with us. This forum is strange in that way, it's more than exchanging facts and reviews... Keep in touch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customsteve01 Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 Bruce, I just don't know the words to say.[] Just take each day at a time and make them as wonderful as you can. Remember the good times and make some more good memories, make every day count.I believe we are all keeping you in our prayer and I know I have shed a few tears reading your posts. Keep us updated, God bless.Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMcGoo Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 Bruce, As others have said, do the best you can and help her enjoy each and every day. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted November 18, 2005 Author Share Posted November 18, 2005 Since Barbara had been Stage I for 4 1/2 years, and had kept up with all the research going on, the sudden leap to Stage IV melanoma was itself a surprise. One checkup to the next, with no indication anything was going on. Since she jumped to Stage IV in July, we knew this day would probably come, and have just done what we could along the way. It doesn't make it any easier, of course. The standard treatment of IL-2 only had a 16 percent chance of being effective. The clinical trial had shown to be more effective, and someone has to try these things. We didn't feel we should just stop trying. The shock is wearing off a bit. She has already outlived her statistical lifespan given what she has. Could we try other experimental drugs? Sure, but at what cost? Emotionally and physically draining, and all of those 'quality of life' issues start coming up. Some of the treaments put your body through hell, and that isn't what we want to do now. There are, of course, all kinds of 'alternative' treatments. Helpful friends have told us of some, but we have tried to keep current and know what really has been effective and what has not proven to be any help at all. Some of those treatments actually have helped some, but they aren't 'the' cure for cancer. Melanoma is a particulary difficult cancer to fight. It, compared to many other cancers, doesn't play by the rules at all. Some do, so you know exactly how to fight it and have a pretty good chance of surviving a long time. As my wife has put it, life is a death sentence. No one gets out alive. Some just have an easier time than others. Our faith is strong, we know in whose hands she rests. This isn't meant to sound fatalistic. It is not in the least. As a good friend on this forum told me, we wouldn't always choose the road we go down, but God has us go down that road to be the person He wants us to be when we get to the end of it. Enough preaching. I love you guys (warts and all!). I am sure that as I spend more time here at home, I will be able to get on here. After all, there is only so much laundry to do and so many dishes to wash. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
st. patrick Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 Bruce, I don't know what to say . . . .other than that: we are here, we are a family of souls united, please rant, vent and cry with us. We can (and will) all pray, but I sense you have that covered very well. Our empathetic hearts are with you and Barb, but obviously we are helpless when it comes down to the short strokes. I can't make sense out of it; I can only hope it is all revealed to us one day. We are here for you, and hopefully that gives you some reassurance that the sun will come up tomorrow and the next day, and the next . . . . . . Hold her and love her, as she loves you. God bless your family. Amen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myhamish Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 ditto to st. patrick - well said - Bruce, Barbara and family, I hope and pray you find support, love, laughter and hope in each other, with family, friends (yes -even us) through this chapter of your lives. As for faith, it's an open book - never-ending. You all take care. Hamish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 Value your time together. Talk about the important things. Make the best of the time you have. May God bless you and your family. Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 You're a good man Bruce. 30+ years with the love of your life is a true blessing. You and Barbara are in our prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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