Hi All:
I have been waiting to send an update for Dr. Bartlett to read my latest CT scan and give his advice, but so far, I haven’t heard back from him and likely need to call his office Monday and see if they ever received the CD of it. Since I am now in the Phase 1 experimental program, the tests are all scheduled by them and they insisted on doing it through Spectrum Health. I asked Spectrum to send a CD to Dr. Bartlett, as we have done the last 26 times, but it is different than the small place I have been going to the last 5 years, where there was only one tech, I paid cash for the test each time on the spot (Insurance didn’t cover CTs, much to our amazement) and I think things were more organized and personal, although one time it took 3 mailings to get one to Pennsylvania? However, a number of you have asked how the guinea pig is tolerating his treatments and I felt it wise to get an update out before we leave next weekend, as we greatly appreciate the faithful prayer that so many raise up to our Saviour on our behalf and want to keep you informed.
The reading of the CT in Grand Rapids by Spectrum was that there was some metastasis to the lungs and progressive growth in the abdomen, something not unexpected with this relentless cancer. When they received the fax of the reading, Dr. Bartlett’s nurse called and asked if they were going to get the CD and promised to call back when they read it, that was 2 weeks ago and the mail isn’t always the fastest. She said that they wanted to be sure I was undergoing some treatment and seemed happy with the immunotherapy. I have made many trips between our office on the west side of Grand Rapids and the experimental cancer center on the east side, always during the busier times of the day but I am hoping that we will now taper down to only once weekly as we get further along in the trials. Each time they will increase the dose until I get unacceptable side effects (and I have no idea what to look for, not sure they do either). So, each time I go, they check an EKG, some labs, a brief physical, a bunch of questions and then I wait to leave til the bunch of labs come back to return to my office and patients. Sometimes it is a bit irritating, but then I remember the last trial was in Pittsburgh and the whole week was shot each time, so thankful I can do some work around their schedules. Also, I can sleep in my own bed each night, Karen can be home with her kitties, etc and we can have a semi normal schedule. I seem to be a bit more fatigued and nauseated on the regimen, but tolerable and praying that it is doing something to slow the growth of the cancer.
Our plan is for Karen, Dan Boerman and I to leave early Saturday morning, meet up with our Nurse Practitioner friend, Tabitha Sheen, in Chicago, then hook up with our Dutch friends, Evert Bek (he hails from Lowell, MI, a most impressive repairman in our 2 trips together so far) and his niece, Petra, in Miami for our week in Haiti at CSL. Since I am of the opinion that Dan can fix almost anything (haven’t found anything yet he is not afraid to tackle) we should have a good week of righting the wrongs in the functionings of the hospital with that duo. Additionally, we have some administrative issues to address and try to resolve, something very difficult for me, as I don’t consider that the Lord blessed me with great administrative skills. So, would appreciate prayer for resolution in a God honoring fashion for that issue also.
We pray that you all will have a most blessed Easter season as we once again consider the incredible price Christ was willing to pay for our redemption and eternal destiny. Thank you, as always, for all your prayer and support for our efforts to serve our Risen Savior in sharing His love with our Haitian brothers and sisters. Each time I read the gospels, I am humbled by the fact that Jesus, our Example, time and again, was weary and yet had compassion on the needy people who thronged to Him for healing and hope.
In His (Thankful) Service,
Bill, Dan, Evert, Karen, Petra and Tabitha