After Ruth and Willis's trip to NC it was time to enter phase II of the treatment adventure. Since Halloween was near and there were tons of maps printed in order to find our way around Duke for the next year, we decided to combine the two. The maps were spread out on the table and pumpkin carving commenced. Will created his pumpkin all on his own with one arm and you can see how it outshines Ruth's about 100%:)
Since we had not been accepted into the protocol at Duke, the Reno's once again returned to KC to figure out the next step in Will's treatment. We had spoken to MD Salacz at St. Lukes concerning the chemotherapy as an alternative option prior to August 25th. He had begun the ground work in getting it approved with the insurance and this was the option Will decided to go with next. The treatment is experimental and is the exact same as what we would have been receiving at Duke, CPT-11 and avastin, just no longer free under the protocol. This still has not seemed to be a problem to St. Luke's as we are undergoing treatment without knowing how were are going to pay. They have agreed to administer the medication no matter what our ability is to pay which is a blessing. Discussions and appeals with the insurance company continue to occur and prays are going up for a solution but until we get one we just live by grace.
It really is amazing how the Lord continues OVER AND OVER to provide for our needs. The most recent being a positive MRI reading. To back up a bit Will did start the treatments on October 20th. He receives an intravenous infusion for 4 hours every two weeks at St. Lukes. Work has been wonderful about letting Ruth have those days off so we can sit and talk or watch TV or just be with each other. November 17th was Will's third treatment in six weeks placing him back in the MRI scanner the following Monday November 20th. Being the first MRI post experimental treatment we were all ready to see the results! We are so thankful for the notes and prayers from those who keep lifting us up. There had been some 'enhancement' areas on the pre-experimental infusion MRI back in September that were questionable for tumor. Those areas have regressed/gotten smaller. The darker areas which were the old blood that had disqualified Will for the study at Duke are lighter and have regressed. AND there is no new blood on the MRI which would have stopped the treatments. There are praises all around and I know you are to praise the Lord in ANY circumstance but we just can't help but be happy for the good news. Thanks for sharing in this with us!
Besides all of this it is hunting season for white-tailed deer. Will has been out several times and is still to shoot one but we know it is just on the horizon!
Alan, Fran, Will, and Ruth spent some sweet time at the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Grandview, MO just praying and having other pray for Will's healing. IHOP is a wonderful 24 hour prayer ministry which has rooms where those who are ill can go and pray specifically for healing. Prayer for Will's healing is an everyday affair but we hope to get back soon to take advantage of others lifting their voices to the Lord.
Thanksgiving is almost here and we do have a lot to be thankful for. Warm showers and heaters and crunchy leaves just touch the surface of how much we praise God for the gifts He gives and how He provides. He spared nothing, not even the gift of His Son Jesus. I think sometimes that even becomes cliche when I say it but the thought of giving up Will or he I, hurts just to think about. I cannot imagine the pain of giving up One I had perfect communion with. Guess I think of Thanksgiving as a bit of a precursor to Christmas. We are thankful for positive MRI scans and life. We are thankful for 26 of Will's family members coming in for the Thanksgiving holidays to love on us and celebrate. We are thankful for those who read this lengthy blog and then pray. We really are.
Some of the crew at IHOP before Will's MRI>
