Hi Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Freinds
It's been a while since my last update. I have been meaning to update you all for a while now, but decided to hold off until my dad did his full body scan (I was also in the midst of final exams last month, and so I was neck deep in the books!) He did the scan 2 wks ago, and went to see the results last week. The doctor was very pleased at his progress. From the report:
"Compared with the previous examination, there is now evidence of decreased volume of the right hemithorax compared with the previous examination. The size of the right-sided pleural effusion has markedly decreased in size. "
Initially, the largest tumor measured 5.4x5.4cm, the largest tumor is now 1.2x1.1cm (the other 2 tumours are smaller). This is very good news! Praise God!!
My dad will be continuing with this targeted chemo treatment until the doctor decides it's either stopped working, or the tumor has gone into remission. So far, the side effects of this drug are not very strong, which has enabled my dad to eat and sleep much better. So much so that he's been going back to work once or twice a week, each time for 2-3 hrs. We're making sure that he takes it very easy, and does not get stressed. Actually, my dad even went to our church's annual retreat this past long weekend! Everybody was VERY pleased to see him out and about, and they've all been very kind and good to us!
As for the rest of us, we're doing much better now that dad is!! This good news is refreshing! For Elijah, one of his program (hospitality and tourism) requirements, is that he work in the industry for x amount of hours (i think it was 1600). If the "poor" economy wasn't enough of a hindrance to hotels hiring, the G8 and G20 summit coming up in downtown Toronto and as a result, no hotels are hiring for security reasons. So, he is stuck volunteering for our travel agency again this summer unless he can find a job elsewhere. My mom is doing well, she is much relieved since hearing the good report. Since we do not let dad drive by himself, she takes time off work, and accompanies my dad when he goes to work. Again, he only goes in for no more than 3 hours each time, and no more than twice a week. As for myself, I am back at work this summer, at the computer company which i have been working at for the past 5 years.
I want to thank you for continuing in prayer for my dad and our family. We ask that you continue to pray for him, because although he has improved dramatically, he is still not fully recovered, and also thank God that he's improved so much!!
Take care, God Bless,
Thaddeus
The Mark Family
PS. I've attached a pic of my mom and dad taken this past weekend at retreat!
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