Getting closer...

We had a VERY long appointment with Dr Nair in Allentown (He literally spent at least 2 hours with us) to learn all about the IL-2 treatment program he runs at Lehigh Valley Medical Center.  He was extremely knowledgable, a great communicator, and so KIND (as were all his office staff).  He has about 20 years experience with IL-2, nine of those years running the IL-2 program at LVMC, fine-tuning the procedures they follow to obtain the best results they can but with great concern for their patients' safety.

Dr Nair was pleased that our scheduling "happened" to coincide with not one but TWO former IL-2 patients being there today for follow-up appts.  Both patients and their wives happily met with us and spent 10-20 minutes each, telling us all about their experiences in treatment and following.  Then, Dr Nair personally walked us to the inpatient IL-2 floor, and introduced me to one of the IL-2 specialist nurses, as well as to a gentleman who had just had his first week of IL-2 treatment, ending the night before.  So we were able to talk with this patient about how he felt, just 12 hours after being "through the wringer".  All of these meetings were very helpful, and we feel, were ordained by God.

I have multiple tests to schedule for next week, in order to be sure my heart and lungs are strong enough for the treatment.   An MRI of the brain is also required, to be sure I have no metastasis to my brain.  If I do not pass the tests, there are still other treatment options, including PD-1 which is showing very promising results in clinical trials and should be released by the FDA within the next year.  Right now, we ask that you pray that I will qualify for IL-2.

If all goes as planned, I will begin treatment in early March and will have up to 6 hospital stays in the next 5 months.  Dr Nair's program uses a telemetry floor, rather than ICU, and rarely has to admit his patients to ICU.  We are grateful for that.  It is a grueling and unpleasant treatment, to say the least.  We feel it is worth the short term pain for the chance of long term benefit.  IL-2 cures Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) in about 7% of patients, slows RCC significantly in another 13-15%, and seems to show benefit in the effectiveness of other future treatments in many of the remaining 80%. 

Those of you who live locally and know our children and would be willing to help with rides for them while I am in treatment, please email Yvonne Miller (ymiller22 @ gmail.com), who has offered to organize a schedule and keep track of the sign-ups for me.  It might be a week or so before we really know exactly what will be needed, though. I will not be posting the specific treatment schedule or the children's activity schedule on this blog or on Facebook, since the blog is a public forum.

Thank you so much for praying for all of us.  I cannot imagine going through this without the Lord leading the way and comforting me with His presence, and without having the support of so many loving friends and family.

Karen

Deuteronomy 31:8  (ESV)
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.