Brothers:
I just received the following in an email from Bird's sister, Anne. the news is not very good, but hope springs eternal.
Please remember to help out with the New Century Century Club. Big Bird needs our help now more than ever.
Also, my wife had a wonderful idea. Since Bird has to stay in a hotel in the Ann Arbor area, are there any well-traveled brothers that might be able to share some hotel points with Bird to defray this cost?
Regards,
Bando
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Hi Tim;
I just spoke with Mark and Barb - they are on their way back home after Mark's appointments today. I'm afraid the news is not good. Mark's sarcoma is very rare and aggressive. He has been enrolled in a nation-wide trial wherein he gets double one of the chemotherapy drugs that has been used for sarcoma in the past - because his cancer is so rare, there are only 12 patients enrolled nation-wide. Unfortunately, he has to do chemo in Ann Arbor, his therapy will begin in about 10 days. He will do 5 days of chemo, then get 2 weeks off, then have another 5 days of chemo. MPNST does not respond well to chemo - we all need to pray very hard that this buys him some time.
They will not be addressing his lung mass until after they see how he responds to the chemotherapy - it may shrink making the surgery much less invasive. He feels very well, but his spirits, hearing such heavy news, are somewhat depressed.
Phil and I have offered to put him up in a hotel room near the hospital, as he will not be admitted for treatment. There are plenty of brothers (and family) nearby, but I think the rigors of the treatment will be too much for him to commute back and forth to the hospital on his own. There are 5 or 6 hotels in the area that offer complementary transport to and from the hospital - I am hoping to find him something with a small kitchen, so he doesn't have to worry about going out to eat. We'll let you know what his decision is so you all know where to find him.
We are absolutely heartbroken, but we thank you so much for all of your support,
Love,
Anne
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And by 'buy him some time' I meant at least 35 years, which is how much time our mother's treatment has bought her!!
ReplyDeleteAnne
Hi guys-
ReplyDeleteAnne pretty well summed it up...prognosis is not good, but he is strong and otherwise healthy and is ready for battle. Regarding a hotel in Ann Arbor, the hospital has an on-site hotel for patients and families at reduced prices which would be very convenient. I looked into it last time, but it was full. (Kai & family were nice enough to let me stay at their house and drink their wine during the surgery last time.) Once we have the schedule for his chemo, I'll look into the 'Med Inn' at U of M, and if it's full we'll have to look elsewhere. I imagine with the side effects of chemo, at least from his second round on, it would be better to have a motel.
Not sure when he'll be in the mood to blog again, but he is keeping busy and I'm sure processing everything in his own way. I (we) can't thank everyone enough for the thoughts, prayers and all of the awesome support. It means more than words can say.....