Colson Update 8/27/05

Dear All,

I wanted to take a moment to give you another update...

Today (Saturday) we went back to UVA and several more tests were run. Joey had several ultrasound pictures taken, a very detailed CT scan, and 8 viles of blood drawn with MANY tests run on those.

The tests showed no tumors and no obvious infection, which are good things... However, this means the doctors still are not sure what is causing this complication. Because of this, they still would not admit Joey today for his chemo. They are in a somewhat difficult situation because it is imperative to keep the chemo treatments going steadily, but there are also serious dangers of such treatments when parts of the body are functioning incorrectly.

The doctor wants Joey to see what happens over the weekend, get mroe blood work done on Sunday for testing, and then head BACK to UVA on Monday. Then, they will make more decisions about what the next step should be.

I know that so many of you are praying - and your emails and prayers mean so much. Please pray they will be able to figure out what is happening in Joey's liver so his chemo treatments will not be delayed any longer, and pray also for both of us because Monday is my first day of school at FMS, so I won't be able to be with Joey for a large portion of the day on Monday. God has been so faithful to us and we know that ultimately He will work through this whole situation.

I will do my best to continue to keep you all updated!

Love, Cynthia

Colson Update 8/25/05

Dear All,

This morning we went up to UVA so that Joey could start his next round of combination chemo. They sent us to get Joey's blood work and some xrays done, and then up to Joey's head doctor for a pre-chemo appointment.

From Joey's blood work, they have determined that something is going on with his liver. The liver produces enzymes that metabolize. The numbers for these particular enzymes are normally 40-50. Well, Joey's numbers today were 240-250 - a 500% increase! Joey's nurse was pretty shocked, and his team is not sure what exactly is causing his liver to be reacting this way. Just one more thing in this whole situation that has not been common!

They said it could be the medications, a virus, or possibly even another tumor. They have no idea right now, so until they figure it out, they have delayed his larger chemo treatments. We will go back early tomorrow for an ultrasound and CT scan on his liver and for more bloodwork, and then proceed from there. If they figure out the problem and determine it can be fixed, then Joey will be admitted tommorow night for chemo.

So.... we ask that you just pray. Pray for the doctor's to have wisdom, and pray that there is an easy, simple solution. We know God is working, and Joey and I left UVA today feeling ok about the situation.

Thank you all for your love, prayers, and support.

Cynthia Colson

Colson Update 8/19/05

Dear Friends,

First, I would like to continue to thank you all for your prayer support, cards, and emails. We are certainly blessed to have such a group of friends and family to help see us through. We have been very fortunate that this first round of chemo has not made me very sick, relative to what we know it could have done. I have had many more good days than bad days this time around, and we are praying that my second cycle of chemo will be the same. Please pray for us as I am admitted to the hospital next Thursday to begin my second cycle of chemo that the doctors will have made correct adjustments to my nausea medication and that the second cycle will have me feeling better.

We also made another trip to UVA today to see the radiation oncologist, and we began to discuss plans for radiation therapy, likely to begin in November alongside of my chemo and will last for 5-6 weeks. Because of the intense skin irritaion that will occur from radiation along with the fatigue that I will likely experience down the road with the chemo, we have begun to pray and look for a home with a bathroom and bedroom on the ground floor. This would make life MUCH easier, and some extra space would be very helpful as we have had alot of family in to help. Right now, Cynthia's parents (Mr and Mrs Lindsey) are here, and have been a tremendous help and blessing to us. Please continue to pray for Mr. Lindsey's health as well, and for them as they will be on the road this weekend. My parents and brother will be here over the weekend to see Cynthia and me.

Thank you again for your prayers and help- God continues to open doors for us to share with others the things He has done. We are truly blessed.

He is faithful,

Joey and Cynthia Colson