Doctor Paul, MD

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Ups and downs, mostly up

March 6, 2016 by Paul Williams 20 Comments

Thank you again for your many prayers, thoughts, and words of encouragement. Thank you also for all you do for us. Thank you Father for your faithful presence.

Theresa had a tough week with her stomach (GI tract), and because of this she didn’t get her chemo Thursday. Her oncologist decided to give her a week break from the chemo, to help her body heal. She had already received the full dose of the receptor blockers two weeks ago. So by giving her a week break she will get a full dose of all three this Thursday. We tried the weekly chemo treatment but this didn’t give Theresa a break at all, as she was barely up to take the next weekly dose. Some people do much better with smaller doses more frequently, and Theresa isn’t one of them. So now we go back to the higher doses every three weeks and hope and pray that her symptoms are not any worse than they have been on the lower dose. The weekly dosing didn’t give Theresa a break at all, and wore her down more emotionally and physically. Having a week or two where you seem reasonably healthy makes a big difference. She will get 5 cycles over the next 15 weeks (not months that I wrote in error last time) of the combination of the three drugs, her last dose being in June. I am not sure what we do after that last treatment. We won’t be doing the MRI of her liver probably until after the 5 cycles are over, since clinically Theresa is responding very well. The 5cm mass in her breast can barely be felt and the lymph nodes in her arm pit are unable to be felt. This is enough evidence that she is getting a very good response from the receptor blockers, despite her pathologic sample suggesting otherwise. A new study just came out looking at indicators of probable good response and Theresa had a number of these. A growth rate >50% (Theresa’s was 68%), over expression of HERS2-neu (which Theresa is responding as such), and some other ones I don’t remember. Her oncologist believes she can get complete remission, so that is what we are praying for. Pray for physical and emotional strength and endurance to persevere through this rocky time.

Some have asked how the kids are doing. Actually this is hard to tell. Initially, with the bad news, they all struggled and our house was filled with insomnia and lack of appetites and grades dropped across the board. They all also dealt with it their own way, with friends, just being around us, or alone in their room. Now as we have a routine, they have adapted and are back focusing on school, friends, and what they like to do. Appetites and sleep have improved. We have depended on them a bit more to help around the house and with errands and they are following through. They now make their lunches for school, are doing their own laundry, and help with meals. They are also spending time with their friends, which has help a lot.

In our new normal, we are adapting fine. I am eager to have the next 15 weeks over, so Theresa can gain in strength and be able to get out and around. I am so glad that Theresa is responding to the treatment medications. My outlook is now back to longer term, 5-10 years, and not just a few weeks. Still live one day at a time, trying to live in the moment, but the hope of more years together has added a calm and stability we need in this storm. Thank you Father.

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Filed Under: Breast Cancer - our new normal

Comments

  1. Kimberly Wamsley says

    March 6, 2016 at 11:51 pm

    This is wonderful news!! We are praying and thinking of you all!!

    Reply
  2. Kathy Spencer says

    March 7, 2016 at 12:36 am

    Thank you for the update Paul. Prayers continue for all of you as you walk this journey together. Chemo can really kick our tails while it is killing cancer. Glad you have encouragement for the future!

    Reply
  3. Kathy westmiller says

    March 7, 2016 at 12:45 am

    Great news!

    Reply
  4. Candace and Dick Horch says

    March 7, 2016 at 4:17 pm

    I am so very thankful to hear this update. We continue our prayers every day for Theresa and for all of you. My church prayer team/pastors have prayed for her (in Kirkland), and a pastors prayer team across the state have her name and situation lifted up to God. We now ask that she can get through these next 15 weeks with continued excellent response to the treatment. In Him, Candace Wilber Horch

    Reply
  5. Lori Spencer says

    March 7, 2016 at 5:32 pm

    Paul, that’s awesome news! We will continue to pray for you all!!!!

    Reply
  6. Erik Wingren says

    March 7, 2016 at 6:50 pm

    Very good to hear of improved prospects and ‘mostly up.’ Been thinking of you, and wish all your family the best!

    Reply
  7. Tim Aldrich says

    March 7, 2016 at 7:03 pm

    Great News, My Friend!!

    Reply
  8. Janet Andersen says

    March 7, 2016 at 11:19 pm

    thank you so much for taking the time to share with us about your updates on your lovely bride’s treatments. Will be continuing to keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers!!!!

    Reply
  9. Ginny Eddy says

    March 8, 2016 at 1:15 am

    Wonderful news. One miracle at a time.

    Reply
  10. Jean MOrgan says

    March 8, 2016 at 5:12 am

    This is truly great news. Our thoughts and prayers are with you every day. Love andr prayers To you all. Jean Morgam and family.

    Reply
  11. Jay & Brenda Milton says

    March 8, 2016 at 8:20 pm

    Paul and Theresa,

    What an answer to prayer, thanking Jesus for this reprieve amidst the storm. Reading this blog entry TOTALLY made my day. Keep the blessings and healing coming Lord.

    Reply
  12. Dianna and Rod Samuelson says

    March 8, 2016 at 11:39 pm

    Hi friends, ☺ keep the faith and keep on keeping on! The Lord loves you and will keep you close. So glad to hear your good news. We too shall keep on keeping on….praying! Smiles and hugs, Dianna & Rod

    Reply
  13. linda elder says

    March 9, 2016 at 3:40 am

    Great news, so happy she is responding to treatment as hard as it is. God is looking over you all. I pray she continues to improve.

    Reply
  14. Carol & Marcus Johns says

    March 9, 2016 at 6:13 am

    That’s the best news yet. You are in our prayers every day without fail. If it takes a village, so be it.

    Reply
  15. Priscilla Christenson says

    March 9, 2016 at 8:14 am

    What great news, so encouraged by the progress Theresa is making! We praise you Lord and pray for the weeks ahead. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers daily.

    Reply
  16. Beth browning says

    March 11, 2016 at 4:50 am

    Glad to hear that things are looking up a little. Continued prayers for a good response to treatment and she will be able to remain strong physically, emotionally and spiritually during this time. Prayers for your family Paul.

    Reply
  17. Donna Mitchell says

    March 13, 2016 at 1:26 am

    Prayers from so many are being answered. The strength and growth of your family is part of this journey. Each of you play a big part in recovery and remission, Amen!

    Reply
  18. Sherrie Conrad says

    March 14, 2016 at 9:08 am

    THANKS so much for the great update & also for sharing such an insightful piece to encourage us. Continuing to pray for your family.

    Reply
  19. Nannette Hoile says

    March 16, 2016 at 6:38 am

    Think of all of you offer. Continue to pray.

    Reply
  20. Donna Rao says

    March 19, 2016 at 5:34 pm

    This is wonderful news, I had to let you both know how happy I am for you! 🙂 🙂 🙂 This “update” brought tears of joy. Your faith is a testament to God. Thanks for sharing with all of us. Sending, much love, healing thoughts and prayers. Auntie Donna

    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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