Good news for Irene

Dear Friends, GISTers and Family,
Irene called this evening and shared what is happening right now in her life. A week ago she was waiting for a clinical trial to slowly decide if she would be given Nexavar and this evening she has her first bottle of Nexavar in hand. In the past week she has consulted with a GIST specialist in Portland, Dr. Heinrick and is working with an oncologist at Kaiser who sensing that time is very important when tumors are on the move helped her get the Nexavar off label immediately. She is also considering a brief round of radiation to see if some relief is possible from the tumor generated pain. Once again she had to make decisions with nearly everyone in the medical community having a slightly different take on things. Some wanted her to wait for 4 weeks after the radiation before starting the Nexavar while others thought she could do both at the same time. Irene has felt led to begin both as soon as possible. Her faith is strong, her spirits are good and she is looking forward to doing what is possible to slow or reduce the tumor threat. Another very meaningful thing is Kaiser is paying for the Nexavar even though its use is off label. That is very big news and encouraging for others to follow. Blue Cross will not pay for any off label use of a medicine leaving it for the patient to find the funds to cover the $5,000 + a month. So Irene is feeling the blessings of God this evening.
Meanwhile I've worked close to home today, clearing out appraisals that need to be completed, doing conditions and fixing things in reports. I started off the day by discovering that the report I wrote on Thursday was wiped out by the one I wrote on Friday and since I had to fix a couple things in the Thursday report I had to reenter it word by word today and recreate it in the computer. While not fun it is done now, accidents do happen and I caused this one. Its been two days without money which is sort of hard to take but two orders did come in today which was very good news.
Marilyn twisted my arm and persuaded me to add a DVR to the cable TV system. So we went to town today and picked it up, picked up meds at Longs and then a few groceries. Even though we went to the cheap store it seems they sure cost a lot.
This evening Lois and Ray invited us to join them for dinner at a little to go place in Brentwood. My little burrito with rice and beans was very good. Then when we came home they invited us to the back deck for coffee and cake. We ended up enjoying the cool breezes off the lake and joking around with them. We got to ride in their vintage BMW convertible, talk about a bad hair day! The whole evening was fun and a nice change from sitting at the computer all day.
Now its bed time. Ken, drill sergeant, says we walk at 6:30 in the morning so the alarm comes early.
I am hourly deciding to live with hope in spite of some pretty hefty financial challenges ahead. Why not move forward and try, rather than give up and wilt under the pressure.
I am so thankful to have spent the weekend with the family. How I enjoy my kids and their kids. It is like a huge present everytime I get to see them, a spot of joy and peace, a reality check on life as to whats really important, not stuff, not power and success, its people caring about people. I also discovered more about Sylvia, her gentle voice, her endless patience shown as she was teaching a little one to use chop sticks, her gentle touch when holding the babies. God has gifted her with some very special abilities which she shares easily and naturally. She was a wonderful addition to the weekend.
Soon Marilyn is going to head to Sacramento to see her mother in law who has suffered an injury, to see her sister and her friends. Tomorrow we drive to Bob and Carrol's house, join them as we all drive up to the foothills for dinner, to celebrate their 52 wedding anniversary. What fun, what a blessing that Carrol is experiencing respite from the big C. We will enjoy our evening.
So my friends, fellow GISTers, family, life moves forward and gradually picks up steam.

Sending love to all,

Tim