Scope is over and Dr. Appt. results.

July 7, 2010 - 11:00 am Good Morning to all of you. James(Buddy)was up and ready for the scope at 7 am this morning. The scope procedure went well and was a quick procedure. The doctor found no surprises AND no cancer in the stomach! This was positive!
The next step was to see the Oncologist, Dr. Le, at 10 am. She said she would start him on the chemo this afternoon. The chemo treatment is called Gemzar, a fairly new drug used on Bial duct and pancreatic cancer. It should help him but no promise. Just wait and see! It is easy to tolerate with no hair loss. He will take one treatment a week for two to three weeks and then be off a week. We go according to his blood counts before each treatment.
He is very weak and tired and very slow moving. He sleeps a lot and is not too talkative at this time. We pray for brighter days.
Our 4 children and grandchildren are hanging on for dear life and they are so precious. I cannot even describe what is going on. I thank God every day for the blessing of this precious family. They have shored me up!! I was even up at 5:30 this morning all bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to go. Jim couldn't believe it.
Thanks for your prayers and keep us lifted up. God has been so good. Love you all. I will update you on how he is tolerating the drug in the next 24 hrs. Marion Bond

Friday Update from Marion Bond

Friday, July 2, we went to Presbyterian hospital today to get fluid removed. At firt the doctor did not see enough fluid and was hesitant to do the precedure but looked from another view and decided to do it. He took about a quart of fluid off his abdomen. He made it in and out of the hospital okay on his own. He is extremely weak and moves very slow. We had lunch and he came home and went to bed.
There may be some improvement after having the procedure but I am having a hard time seeing it. We really dont have any good news to report.
I want to say thank you to all the friends who are writing and sending cards. You are so precious and so dear to think of us. What a treasure we have in all those friendships. I sure remember some fun happy times. Thank you again and we love all of you. Marion Bond

Marion's Note.

Jim wrote you all concerning the visit with our precious Oncologist , Dr Le, and explained everything using some medical terms etc.
I must admit I am still having a lot of trouble accepting all these facts. I think I am listening and hearing in disbelief. Buddy is the cause, though, he has been so healthy and so busy and industrious I thought he would live forever. His doctor in Athens, Dr Doug Curran, told him one time when his check up went well and no colesterol problems, "Pastor, you're going to live to be 100"!! I guess i fully believed that.
Dr. Le made it plain that no treatment would conquer his cancer and when we ask about time, she said 6 months. We are going to seek whatever treatment will help and then prepare ourselves for the rest. You know I love you all and want every prayer you will pray. I know God is in control and we want His presence to continue to be with us and guide us. I will keep you informed . Our love from the family. Marion and I know the kids want me to sign their name because they have been here constantly so thanks from Sue, Choc, Jim, Gail , Linn, Doug ,John and Donna and all the 9 grandchildren.

Update from the Oncologist

The biopsy revealed that the liver tumors are moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. This finding does not completely make known the source of the cancer. It does rule out several sources - it is NOT prostate cancer or pancreatic cancer.

Biopsy results indicate that the cancer is cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer, BDC), stomach cancer, or esophagus cancer. The doctor believes that it is bile duct cancer. The treatment options are generally the same for any of these three cancers.

The cancer is metastatic with tumors present in the liver as well as other areas. The treatment will not be curative but palliative, with one chemotherapy drug available. It will generally be given weekly for 2-3 weeks, with one week off.

An upper endoscopy has been recommended and will be done in the next few days. This procedure will be scheduled with a gastroenterologist.

Also, there is a fluid build-up in the abdomen. The doctor will schedule a procedure to drain that fluid. She feels that removing the fluid will quickly help with the overall comfort level. This procedure will be scheduled at Presbyterian Hospital Plano within the next few days.

There is a follow-up appointment in one week with the oncologist. She will finalize (and perhaps begin) the treatment regimen.

We continue to covet your prayers and we know that God is in control.
James and Marion Bond.

Report from Oncologist after reading the biopsy!

James' biopsy is over!!

We have spent the day at Presbyterian hospital in Plano , where they did a biopsy of the liver. We had a long wait but everything went well and he had no problems or pain with any of it. We are to see the Oncologist later in the week where we get the report on the biopsy and they will know what kind of cancer we are dealing with and even the source of the cancer. That is when the treatment will be decided. We pray they have a very effective drug to slow it down.
He is feeling okay, not dizzy and not too sleepy so we feel good about the procedure. John and Jim were there and three of our granddaughters, Abby, Julie and Amy Christopher so we were very well taken care of. We continue to lean on your prayers and thank you for all your concerns. We will keep you posted.
June 28, 2010. Love much, Marion

Update on the shock of finding out James has cancer.

Most of you know by now that last week after two trips to the doctor and a sonogram cancer spots were discovered on James' liver. The doctor just said I have some bad news after reading the sonogram and he showed us the spots. It was very obvious. I can't tell you the feeling that came over me and all of us. He has been so healthy and to be hit with this report so quick. He has been tired and sleeping a lot the last month or so . I suspected something was wrong. He first went to the doctor a month ago and he said it was a bacteria in the stomach but that proved to be incorrect.
Monday, June 28th he goes in for a needle biopsy to try to determine the source of the cancer. That will lead the doctor in the treatment she will follow. We covet your prayers and will give you a full report as soon as we hear. We love each of you and treasure every memory of you and the friendships we have had through the years. Thank you for your concern and for your prayers. Marion Bond