We arrived in San Rafael on Tuesday, September 6th. We rented a room not far from the cancer center. Bobby stayed with us. He looked weary. He had been busy with appointments getting ready for treatment. He was to have 10 treatments of radiation over a two week period of time but it seems that there is no compelling evidence that the radiation is more effective given in smaller doses over a longer period of time so they decided to give him the equivalent of five treatments on Wednesday and again on Friday. It was also recommended to him to have Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Undergoing HBOT requires entering a sealed chamber and breathing pure oxygen at a pressurized rate greater than normal atmospheric pressure, forcing extra oxygen through the bloodstream. Some research indicates that HBOT treatment causes the radiation to be more effective. It is also used to treat damage caused by radiation. He scheduled HBOT for both Wednesday and Friday morning prior to radiation.
His treatments went well. The fatigue is back (wasn't really ever gone) but no burns like he experienced on his neck last year. We were able to stay through Saturday. We got some hikes in and plenty of eating. He has a great appetite. He hasn't gained weight but his weight is stable.
It was 8 months between his last treatment and this occurrence. The doctors believe the cancer will return every few months at shorter and shorter intervals. However, that's just one possibility. It is entirely possible that God will choose to heal him.
We're all heading to Hawaii in November for 10 days of warm, relaxing recovery.
My friend Sue gave me a plaque with this message on it. It's a nice sentiment.
"What Cancer Cannot Do...
It cannot invade the soul,
suppress memories,
kill friendship,
destroy peace,
conquer the spirit,
shatter hope,
cripple love,
corrode faith,
steal eternal life,
silence courage."
