Treatment Plans

Hello Everyone-
This is Allen updating. We met with our neurooncologist today and we have pretty much decided to participate in a trial at St. Jude's in Memphis. We are still waiting to hear the exact details from St. Jude's about when we would start and housing and some other details. With Joseph's particular tumor radiation is the only proven treatment, but this trial uses a drug called Tarceva to augment the radiation and help shrink/kill the tumor. There are other drugs that have been used with radiation that have not shown proven benefit, but hopefully this one will. Our doc recommended using some kind of chemotherapy and we decided that this would be the best agent given it's lower side-effects and better overall tolerability. So we don't know when we would start, probably soon after Christmas, but they may want us there before to get things moving. So to all family and friends around the memphis area, we will probably be seeing you soon. Otherwise, Joseph seemed to be progressing fine according to the doctor and should be much better when he is totally off of his steroid taper.
As Gill wroter earlier, we are struggling to get Joe motivated to get off the couch and playing and walking. Target only has so many cars. Please continue to pray that he will want to play and walk. I think he gets discouraged knowing that he can't do what he used to do so easily. The picture above is from Joseph's trip to target where he walked around the aisle (barefoot of course) to pick out a car.
Holly has been entertained by her Nana most of the week going on fun walks and trips to the store and such. She tries to play nurse to Joe feeding (sometimes force-feeding) him goldfish and bringing him juices and patting his head. Thanks to Lynn for visiting and to Nana who has been here this whole week keeping our house clean and Holly entertained. And thanks so much to Beth and BJ for letting them stay at your house. Also thanks to those who have offered up their houses for our extended family. There was an overwhelming response and it means a lot to us.
Again, I can't express how much it means to us that there are so many people praying for Joe P. We thank you so much for your prayers, comments, letters, gifts, meals, houses, emails, phone calls, and drop by's. We are mostly worn out and worn down but knowing that we have a strong community behind us is unbelievably encouraging. We will keep you updated.