Meet Charlie...

This is Melinda, Mary Beth's personal secretary (only for this moment), writing while Bruce gabs to some college students and MBA (I never call her MB.) crashes on the couch next to me. They have had a full day; the younger Alexanders are at Tadmor, Bruce had his last of ten treatments, and Spencer picked up the newest member of the family in Gresham with Mary Beth and a dog-owner friend. Charlie, short for Charleston (Isn't that the coolest name?) seems to be fitting right in to his new home. He has attached himself quite well to Spencer, and, get this, gets to sleep with his kennel at eye level to Spencer's bed. The word is this helps the dog adjust better to his new owners and surroundings. According to Mary Beth, this technique only needs to be practiced a couple of nights (yeah, right). Sure seems as if Charlie is already being spoiled like all babies of the family, wouldn't you agree?

Bruce's words to describe today: "We got a puppy and I had my last treatment; this truly is a good day." ;)

On another note, the college group at NW Hills was blessed to have Bruce and Mary Beth join us for dinner and a talk on compassion. Wow! What wise words we heard from both of them on this topic. I've included one photo of a few of the students with the couple. Enjoy, and keep praying for every need to be met, and for God to continue to use the Alexanders for His glory.


Jen, Mary Beth, Christina, Bruce, Jeff

7 DOWN ~ 3 TO GO!

Bruce had his 7th treatment today. YIPEE!! He continues to feel good, just a bit tired. He also had a visit with the radiologist, Dr Fuss, to discuss the most recent MRI reading. The MRI shows a new tumor-just one, not four! We were pleased to hear this news. Bruce's last "surgery sight" treatment will be on Tues, July 31st. The Dr wants him to have a week off for recovery and then come back for radiation on the new tumor. We believe this is a "one zap" treatment, just like the other tumor. We will then wait for another MRI (4-6wks) to see how the first tumor responded and check any new growths. The waiting is the hardest part, but we have found it bearable as we lean on God's truth and lean on each other....there really is no better place to be!!
MB is so thankful and appreciative for those who have driven Bruce to and from his appts. I have needed the break and Bruce has needed the fellowship. We are indeed blessed!
Enough medical information...now on to the fun stuff.....
WE ARE GETTING A PUPPY!!
Long story short (I'm getting really good at this), friends rallied together and have made it possible for us to get a Havanese puppy from a well known Portland breeder. He is a small puppy...and will stay that way...little! Havanese are known to be "very intelligent and witty dogs"....a perfect fit for the Alexanders!! Bruce and the kids fell in love with a 7 wk old male. He is white with a chocolate face and chocolate spots on his back and tail. Isaac has named him "Charleston". The kids are calling him "Charlie" all ready. We are making the necessary preparations and will be bringing "Charlie" home sometime next week. The kids are jumping out of their skin, Bruce is reservedly excited and MB is ready for the new addition! The timing is so right, the impact is so needed and the kids are so ready! We will send pictures when we can.
Thanks for being part of our adventure!
Love,
THE A TEAM

3 DOWN ~ 7 TO GO!

Bruce finished his 3rd radiation treatment on Friday. All in all, it has gone well, with just a few minor technical difficulties. Bruce has made it ON TIME, IF NOT EARLY, to each of his appts...for those of you who know us, that is quite an accomplishment!! :) We are so proud!
He has had minimal side affects-nausea, headaches and fatigue-that are easily treated with tylenol, light meals and a pillow and blankie...and LOTS OF LOVIN' from his wife and kids!!!
Bruce has the weekend off from any treatments. He will go back Monday thru Friday and have 5 more treatments and then the last 2 are on Monday and Tuesday-finishing on the 31st!
He will have an MRI this Tuesday, the 24th, to clarify what those 4 spots are. Again, we will let you know when we know.
KEEP LIVING~KEEP LAUGHING~KEEP LOVING!!
MBA for the A TEAM.

SOME NEW FINDINGS

Bruce had his first radiation appt today at OHSU. Dr Fuss (foos), the radiologist, greeted us with the statement, "We have some mixed news." We both took deep breaths, looked at each other and thought, "Oh no, here comes something out of left field, again". We put on our 'gloves' and braced ourselves to 'catch' the news. The MRI from just a week and a half ago showed another tumor. It is 6mm in the back left section of his brain. They radiated this tumor today with a high dose of radiation, in hopes to kill it. He was nauseous on the trip home and took tylenol for a headache. This should hopefully be the only side affects throughout his future treatment.
He gets a day off on Tues-yipee!! On Wed, he will start a 10 day radiation treatment plan for the two surgery sights. This is a lower dose to kill off any remaining cancer cells in hopes to prevent any recurrence in those areas.
The MRI also showed 4 other small spots in his brain. They are not certain what these spots are, so Bruce will have another MRI this week to determine if they are tumors or not. We will know more at the end of this week.

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT!!

Bruce's treatment is outpatient-YEAH!! That means lots of driving to and from Portland-NOT YEAH! I am setting up a transportation schedule with friends who would like to spend some quality time with Bruce.........OK, THE TRUTH: I don't think I could make all those trips and Bruce would love a break from my driving! :) I'll be calling some of you soon!

We do not know how this will affect Bruce's future systemic treatment for his body. We are taking one day at a time.
We knew that tumors would most likely continue to grow in the brain, we just didn't think it would be this soon, this fast. We are so thankful for our time at Mount Hermon. It was an amazing time of spiritual renewal and refocusing, being reminded daily of God's faithfulness and goodness, resting in His love, and LAUGHING and PLAYING a whole bunch!! God's timing is so perfect. It was just what our family needed. We are ready to face this new challenge. We are blessed to have so many friends and family praying for us and helping us in so many ways. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

WHOM HAVE I IN HEAVEN BUT THEE? AND BESIDES THEE, I DESIRE NOTHING ON EARTH. MY FLESH AND MY HEART MAY FAIL; BUT GOD IS THE STRENGTH OF MY HEART AND MY PORTION FOREVER!


TRUSTING,
THE A TEAM!!

QUICK UPDATE

Mount Hermon Family Camp is over and it was an AMAZING week...more on that later.
Bruce flew home on Sat night and is resting comfortably in his own home. Isaac was invited to join our family friends, the Owers, on their yearly family camping trip. We sent him off Sat morning and will see him in two weeks. He will be in his element out in the woods, exploring nature, avoiding the rattlesnakes (please pray) and hanging with his buddy, Robbie.
I drove with the other 3 kids and arrived in Redding Sat night, had a great night sleep and will be on the road by 11am (please pray there is a Starbucks near by)
and home sometime early this evening....hopefully! The kids are troopers!
Bruce goes for his first targeted brain radiation at OHSU tomorrow, Monday, at 11:30am. We will know the rest of the treatment plan after Monday...more on that later.
PLEASE SCROLL PAST THE PICTURES TO GET THE MOST RECENT UPDATE, IN CASE YOU MISSED IT.
Thanks again to everyone for their prayers and commitment to our family-we would not be where we are without it!
Love,
MB FOR THE "A TEAM"

Pearce and Mom on a Sunny 4th!

CSC_0110, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

This is my personal favorite of the day! (Carol)

Isaac and Pearce with Friends

DSC_0006, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Mary Beth doing one of her favorite things!

DSC_0010, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Girl Power!

DSC_0030, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Bruce and Rex

DSC_0039, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Bruce Up and About and Enjoying the Fourth!

CSC_0115, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Happy 4th of July

WE LOVE YOU, DAD, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

As promised, here are pictures of Bruce's recent hospital stay!

BRUCE AND HIS SUPER HEROES

BRUCE AND HIS SUPER HEROES, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

We wanted all the kids there this time, but Mikaela got sick and had to stay behind with friends….thus, just the boys in the pictures.

SPUD STUD TUBER HAT

SPUD STUD TUBER HAT, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Kirsten, Bruce’s sister, made him a Mr Potato Head Hat….also known as the “brain tuber” hat! Very creative. Great conversation piece!

BRUCE'S SISTER AND MOM VISIT

KIRSTEN BRUCE MOM, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

SUPERMAN PREPARES FOR SURGERY

SUPERMAN PREPARES FOR SURGERY, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

SUPERMAN BLANKIE

SUPERMAN BLANKIE, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Friends sent Bruce the Superman blanket with a matching pillow…very comfy! Bruce will have to fight me for it!

GUESS WHAT POPPY ATE

GUESS WHAT POPPY ATE, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

EATING PRIME RIB

EATING PRIME RIB, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

FAMILY FUN

FAMILY FUN, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Bruce wanted Prime Rib before surgery . . . so he got it!

MB's TRIAL RUN AT PICTURE POSTING!

Here is Spencer walking down the aisle at his graduation ceremony. (I'm not sure who the girl is, but her last name must begin with an A.)

He doesn't look at all happy about graduating, does he? :) It was a very memorable evening.

He will be starting classes in late August at George Fox University in Newberg, OR. I'm not sure how Bruce and I will handle the transition, but, when the time comes, I'm sure Spencer will have the same big grin as in this picture!!

We are very proud of him!!!

OUR NEXT STEPS

I can't believe it's been a whole week since Bruce's surgery. Time flies when you're having fun...and even when you're not! Bruce looks great (at least that is what others are telling him), has less head pain each day, continues to walk and does light workouts (at least that is what he tells me) and his right hand is improving slowly each day. He tied his shoes on Sunday and was thrilled! He says he wants to start playing the violin soon....that was his brother-in-law's idea! (Hi Matt!) All in all, things are going as well as can be expected after brain surgery. We continue to take one day at a time, do what we can when we can, rest when possible, work as a team, cry when we need to, laugh whenever we can, pray without ceasing, enjoy the little things and be thankful in all things. All these together make for full days!!! :)

MEDICAL UPDATE
Again, trying to explain medical updates without being confusing can be tricky. My goal here is to be brief (yes, I can do that) but be informative. Here goes:
Bruce's next step will be localized brain radiation.
He will go to Portland this Thursday and Friday (5th & 6th) for the necessary radiation prep work. They will then take time to prepare a specific plan for Bruce and he will start radiation on Monday, July 16th. His treatments will be one hour each day for 5 days as an outpatient. They will radiate only the tumor bed areas to clean up any microscopic cells left over from surgery. This will take place in Portland at OHSU in a brand new radiation wing of the hospital. This new facility has the most advanced technology and machinery that provide the best treatment available for melanoma with specialized radiologists and medical staff. The most amazing thing is: This wing just opened up last Monday-the same day of Bruce's surgery. YES-GOD IS GOOD!!
Bruce will have about a week to recover from the radiation. The side affects are hopefully very minimal-small hair loss, minor nausea and fatigue....a piece of cake compared to brain surgery! YEAH, easy for me to say!! :)

Bruce is scheduled for a cat scan on July 30th and has a follow-up appt with Dr Curti on August 3rd. We will discuss at this time what systemic treatment plan will be best for Bruce, based on the results of the scan...possibly more Interleukin II OR an Interleukin/chemotherapy combination.
We willl let you know more when we know more.

HOMEFRONT:
WE ARE GOING TO MOUNT HERMON!
Many of you know that one of our favorite family things to do in the summer is to go to Mount Hermon Family Camp in California-just outside San Jose. We weren't sure it was possbile for us to go this year and we just found out that we are going for sure! THE KIDS ARE THRILLED!
MB and the kids will caravan down with two other families on Saturday, July 7th and get home Sunday, the 15th. Bruce will fly down on Sat the 7th and come back on Sat the 14th-to get all the rest he needs before radiation on Monday. The timing is just right and God's provision is perfect in allowing us to go! Another miracle!

Well, that's enough for now. We'll fill you in on more later. Pictures are coming-MB's having just a few technical difficulties that my friend Carol, the blog expert, will be able to remedy in no time!
Love To All,
MBA
DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD AND HE WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART!