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!