70%

Yea. No signs of cancer at this point, and the doctor says 70% chance it won't return. Thank you for the continued prayers.

zero

Chris's PSA is still zero. Although he thinks there's still a tumor in there, a higher PSA can indicate that prostate cancer is growing, so a zero is good news! Thank you for the prayers.

good news!

Chris had a brain scan and some other tests on Friday to check to see if the cancer has spread at all. The results came back today with good news! There is no sign of cancer anywhere in his body right now, and his PSA level is zero (down from 26 in January)--the best it can be.
Please continue to pray for his spirit in all of this. He still seems anxious about the cancer. Thank you.

cruise with family

We just got back from a cruise with the family and had a great time! We're so thankful for our time together with family! Chris and Colleen were able to have most of their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren attend. We were able to enjoy time all together at dinners and a day on a beach in Cozumel. What a blessing.

good results

Chris got a PSA test to see how the radiation had worked, and I don't remember the numbers exactly, but I think he went from 17 before treatment to currently .06. Yea God! Thank you for the prayers! I think they'll keep evaluating this to determine if/when they'll do chemotherapy. Please continue to pray for healing and for Chris to have peace in God's control through this struggle. Thank you.

Dear friends, This will probably be the last note on Chris. One week from today will be the last treatment. Yeah! He is really doing well. With the direct beams, he is not having the burning he had with the blanket so that helps a lot. Dr. Stewart said yesterday that he thought Chris was getting along very well. He seems to be getting a little more energy now so we are going to try to get him in for his partial knee surgery maybe by May 1. He will not have anything going on down here until sometime in August. At that time they will decide what if anything needs to be done. Unlike a tumor that can be seen, there is no way to tell just what the radiation has done They will take a PSA test in about 4 months. Other than that, it's just a wait and see. At least he is feeling good and eating good so if we can get his knee fixed so he can walk he will feel a lot better. We thank everyone for their prayers but please continue to keep us there, at least for a while...I'll be having some eye surgery the first of April so that I can see to drive better....We'll be sure to let you know if anything develops, but just remember that no news is good news. We're planning to do some fun things during the summer, so perhaps we'll be seeing you...Love to all Colleen

Dear friends, Chris is doing well. He seems to be handling the treatments so far. He does have 2 weeks to go with the direct high beam radiation. They are shooting in 9 different places for about 20 seconds each on the prostate. We had a great week end at OKC. It could have been better if we had won, but we're letting that go and looking to the NCAA tournament beginning on Sun. in Iowa City. We did get to spend some time with Ken and Brenda but Carlee was busy with practice. We spent sunday with my niece, Janet, and her family. They grilled for all of us, so we had a good quiet day. We stayed in our friends apt. It was a good place for Chris to rest when he needed it. He does get tired quickly. We have met a very nice couple at the hospital. He has cattle and she is a retired English teacher so we have a lot in common... We have been visiting at the hospital most days until sometimes 4:00, then we go eat and that is good for the moral... We don't know what to expect with this stronger treatment, but are praying that he makes it through as well as he has the other. The one doctor told us yesterday that he should be back to 90% within two weeks after treatment so we are going to look into scheduling his knee surgery after that...Keep us in your prayers and we'll do likewise for you..love to all Colleen

Hello everyone, Well, we're almost half done (on Wed.) and doing better. We've discovered that eating a good protein breakfast instead of cereal seems to keep him going better with less side affects. He is resting more which seems to help him build back up. We are at the Holiday Inn Express this week. Free internet and great breakfast ! so we have it made and are very excited about being half finished. We had a good week-end with kids and grand-kids coming by on Sunday. Being at home and resting on Sundays helps to start the week off right. We are planning on going to Carlee's last home game of the season on Wed. so we are looking forward to that....Hope all of you are well, love to all

Dear family and friends. One more week down, treatment #13 done and 28 more to go. Last one should be April 1. We have had great accommodations provided by the cancer society. Last week right down town Tulsa at the Crown Plaza....Have made an interesting observation----Holiday Inn Express... great continental breakfast, free paper, free local calls, free internet connection and computer provided in quiet room....Doubletree, and Crown Plaza.... Great Room only....EVERYTHING else costs....guess those staying there don't have to watch their petty cash!Chris is feeling the effects of his treatments. Very tired, needing to rest often, light stomach and on light foods the last 2 days. Hoping the 2 day rest will help. We've found oatmeal, cooked fruit and muffin breakfast at Cracker Barrel works well, snacks morning and afternoon and then maybe baked or grilled chicken, and vegies for evening meal....Just needs to eat small amounts at a time as treatments are working on colon and intestines. We will be staying in an apartment this week so will be able to fix what he needs to eat. Have to keep proteins high probably with liquid supplements. Trying to exercise 3 times a day for a short period. We're trying to do things to keep positive outlook. With treatments in the middle of the day we have exercise and breakfast in the am, then an afternoon snack( usually ice cream) a little exercise,then a good meal around 4:00 and exercise around 6:00 and wind down for the evening with movie or TV Lots of rest and short naps in between. There is a good mall where we can walk, rest and get a snack where we go to the movies. Hopefully the weather will soon warm up enough to sit and walk out side... Must get busy and get the laundry started....GOOD TO B HOME!
Colleen

Dear Friends and family, Well one more week about done. We were fortunate to have a lot going on this week. On Monday we had lunch with Tim, Mandy and little G. Got to hold little G. Sure is growing and cute as a button! On Tues. we had lunch with Tim and Lee Daniels, some very OLD friends. Wednesday we traveled to OKC to watch our grand daughter, Carlee play basketball. It was sure good to see her again. We had a little visit after the game while we ate.(see a pattern here? Always food included.) Thursday after treatment we decided to take in a move and of course on Fri. we will head home so we'll be sure and be there for homecoming. Chris is doing well. He's beginning to feel some discomfort but so far no pain and appetite is still good. We have exercise equipment here we use every morning and continue some Brenda sent. This week, Holiday Inn Express is providing us with a very nice room with a great breakfast included. Chris does seem to tire more readily but spirits are still good. We really enjoyed our visit with Tim and Lee and Carlee. I'm rambling on so will quit for this week.Will be in contact with you later. Keep those prayers coming. Love to all
Colleen