Doctor Paul, MD

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A rough week that ended well

February 8, 2016 by Paul Williams 22 Comments

Once again thank you all for your kindness, cards, and prayers.

This week was pretty rough, though ended well. As I wrote before, a week ago Thursday Theresa got her half dose of Herceptin and Taxotere. She did alright the day of Chemo, but the next day and through the weekend she had severe abdominal pain, diarrhea and even water went through her. As the weekend progressed it was obvious she was getting severely dehydrated and her pain wasn’t responsive to the therapies we had at home. Monday morning I called her oncologist and he had her come in. She was given a liter and a half of fluid, antinausea medications, famotidine, and morphine. She went back Tuesday and got another liter of fluid and medications, and then on Wednesday another liter but by then her pain was improving, so didn’t need any pain medications. Thursday she was starting to feel better and we went into see her Oncologist. He believes she had a severe reaction to the Taxotere, plus she can’t take the steroids ahead of time, so he is going to switch to Abraxane when she gets her next Chemo in 2 weeks. She will get Abraxane and Herceptin. We also discussed Metronomic Chemotherapy which uses lower doses more frequently instead of the higher doses every three weeks. This method will hopefully reduce her side effects, as she is so very sensitive to the chemotherapy drugs. So in just under two weeks we will start the lower dose of abraxane weekly with either Herceptin every three weeks or also weekly. In three to four weeks she will get a repeat liver MRI to see if there has been any response to her liver mets and if a significant response, then she may have enough HERS2-neu receptors to continue Herceptin and maybe add Perjeta, also targeted treatment. If there is no response, then we will cross that bridge.

Friday we had our first Family Night is a month. Ben’s girlfriend came over and we all had dinner and a movie. Theresa didn’t eat much, but was hungry – which was great. Yesterday my brother-in-law took two of the boys snowshoeing at Mt Hood, my sister and her daughter took our daughter to Portland, and our other son went out with friends, so Theresa and I had the day alone. Outside of getting tax forms together, we spent the day talking and being near each other. It was a very nice day, getting back to some normalcy. I expect Theresa’s energy level to improve over the next two weeks as her anemia, nutrition, and endurance improves. I just pray that she will continue to improve and not get hit hard with the next round. Her hair is starting to fall out. She has a full head of hair still, but it is beginning to thin.

God’s promises are so true. In the midst of the storm He is there. He provides comfort, strength and guidance. He provides people, divine appointments, and affirmation of the course he has for us. We appreciate those of you who have sent us verses of God’s promises and truths, which always seem to be the right words at the right time. We also appreciate the help we have received from you. We actually have had many more offers of help than we actually need or know what to do with. We appreciate all of these offers and want to let you know that by not accepting your offers at present, we are not rejecting the offer, just not in need at the moment. Oh but we are in great need of your continued prayers, so please keep it up.

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Filed Under: Breast Cancer - our new normal

Comments

  1. linda elder says

    February 8, 2016 at 1:24 am

    Glad you two had a good day together. I pray for many of them for you both.

    Reply
  2. Dianna and Ŕod Samuelson says

    February 8, 2016 at 1:51 am

    God bless you. We continue to pray. ♡♡

    Reply
  3. Denise Anderson says

    February 8, 2016 at 2:28 am

    Always on our minds and in our prayers.

    Reply
  4. Jim Parker says

    February 8, 2016 at 6:24 am

    Still praying for you Paul, Teresa and family.

    Reply
  5. Kathy Spencer says

    February 8, 2016 at 6:55 am

    Thanks for the update on your journey Paul. Give Theresa a hug from me. Praying without ceasing!

    Reply
  6. Cindy becker says

    February 8, 2016 at 9:21 am

    Continues prayer for you all.

    Reply
  7. Bob & Andi Walters says

    February 8, 2016 at 4:52 pm

    Our family is continually lifting you up in prayer.

    Reply
  8. Jenny Matthews says

    February 8, 2016 at 8:56 pm

    Continuing to pray for you. I’m so glad you’ve had some together time.

    Reply
  9. Shelly Ford says

    February 9, 2016 at 4:11 am

    We continue to pray for you all daily. I also want to thank you for keeping us up to date on Teresa’s fight. By sharing your story and at the same time showing genuine gratitude and love for God, you are speaking life to so many around you. At a time where the world would expect people to question their faith, you are showing what it truly means to rest in Him. How, even in the midst of a storm, He provides comfort and peace. You two have hearts for Christ and it is evident to all who meet you. Praying for God’s hands to rest upon Teresa and provide her with relief and healing.

    Reply
  10. Linda Clugston says

    February 9, 2016 at 9:17 pm

    Our love, thoughts, and prayers are with all of you every day. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
    II Corinthians 12:9

    Reply
  11. Sheilah Galpin says

    February 9, 2016 at 9:52 pm

    We thank you for you’re continued updates. It helps us to know what additional prayers are needed for treatments, meds, kids as well feeling our lords presence and merciful comforting arms surrounding Theresa and all those who know and love all of you. Being your patient for the past 15+ yrs has been a blessing. God certainly knew we needed help and that you’d be the perfect for us. I wish there were more we could do for you. God works miracles all the time. I also keep those on my prayer chain updated, As the lord says…”Where two or more agree, it shall be done.” Prayers from thousands of people across the globe should be loud enough for our heavenly father to be merciful and loving.

    In our Lords name ask,
    Sheilah and Darren Galpin

    Reply
  12. Aunt Betty says

    February 10, 2016 at 2:04 am

    You and your dear family continue to be in our thoughts and prayers, Theresa.
    Paul, thank you for keeping us updated.

    Reply
  13. Priscilla Christenson says

    February 10, 2016 at 7:35 pm

    Thank you for the update Dr Paul and we’re so glad you and Teresa had a good day together. We are continuing to pray and send you both our love. Hopefully the next round will go better, that is our prayer.

    Reply
  14. Janet Andersen says

    February 11, 2016 at 4:31 am

    Thank you for this update. Will be continuing to pray for Theresa, you and your precious family!

    Reply
  15. Renee Wilcutt says

    February 11, 2016 at 5:07 am

    I pray for you and Theresa continuously.

    Reply
  16. Margie Isensee Briscoe says

    February 11, 2016 at 4:45 pm

    My dear Paul and Theresa,
    I just received the news from your dear Mom, Diana, that you were going through this fiery trial! I went to your blog site and read every post through my tears and whispered prayers. I consider it one of the greatest gifts I have ever received from the Lord that He brought our lives together! How the Holy Spirit orchestrated our getting to meet was beyond miraculous, if anything can be beyond miraculous! Just to think how the Lord stored my name in your Grandmother’s trunk, and that’s how your Mom and Dad found me! And, I’m so grateful they did! I was beginning to feel I was losing connection with my West Coast Isensee family. I will never forget the day I met you and Theresa and your beautiful family! How my heart was touched with your beautiful spirit. Now my heart aches for you. But, I find much comfort in knowing that you have a strong faith in our loving, Abba Daddy Father. His grace is sufficient for every trial. We believe in miracles, and I am certainly praying for one. When I was five years old I was given two weeks to live. I was dying with rheumatic fever. So Theresa’s outlook is much better than mine was!!!!! “We greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, your are in heaviness…..that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” Much love and many prayers to you and your family. You are cherished.

    Reply
  17. Dolores Lee says

    February 12, 2016 at 12:59 am

    Dr Paul and Family, My prayers continue on a daily basis for all of you.

    Reply
  18. Dayna Morris says

    February 12, 2016 at 5:16 am

    May peace be with you and your family,

    Reply
  19. Ellen says

    February 12, 2016 at 2:24 pm

    Praying that God will continue to provide His peace and strength to all of you.

    Reply
  20. Suzanne Tereski says

    February 13, 2016 at 4:04 am

    Thank you for the updates.Your family is in our prayers. God is with you. He will never leave you.
    Suzanne Tereski

    Reply
  21. Rose Weed says

    February 15, 2016 at 8:02 am

    Ed and I have you both and your family in our prayers. My heart is with you both. Please contact me if there is anything I can help with.

    Reply
  22. Dianne Dorey says

    February 15, 2016 at 7:32 pm

    Prayers said and sent. My prayers are that you will have many more days ahead like the one you just spoke of. That you can find comfort in each other and that God’s will be done. You are both the best!

    Reply

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About Doctor Paul

Dr. Paul Williams, MD is a small-town family practice doctor working in Centralia, Washington. He works from the same office where his primary care practice was established by his father over 38 years ago. He believes strongly that the art of the old-fashioned primary care doctor is an important feature of our medical system that should be preserved and protected from excess interference from insurance companies and government regulation alike.

Due to changes in the health care industry and regulations affecting it, and in an effort to preserve the art of old-fashioned primary care, Dr. Paul has shifted his practice to a Direct Care model, meaning that patients pay an affordable monthly fee to purchase primary care health care services directly, rather than having their services billed through an insurance company.

This blog is intended to help Dr. Paul's patients (and anyone else!) understand the changes the medical industry is going through, and to provide information about the Direct Care model of primary care.

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