[Woodcarver] update on Don

[SANDIE BURGDORF]

Hi everyone,

Since the latest scans show no more lung cancer, the doctors have turned their 
attention to preventative care. Don will have 15 sessions of a low dosage 
radiation of the brain, starting this week. The doctor says that there is a 
brain in there somewhere and that there are usually no side effects. He said 
sometimes memory is affected slightly. So now Don has an excuse if he forgets 
something. :) This is to help prevent the lung cancer from reoccuring as it 
frequently does, especially in the brain since the brain isn't protected by the 
chemo treatments.

We also had an appointment to discuss what to do about the kidney cancer. This 
specialist said that he can't tell from the pictures if the lesions on the 
kidneys are cancerous or not and didn't believe whoever told us that they were 
could really tell. So as soon as the brain radiation is done, Don will have the 
lesions on both kidneys biopsied to tell for sure. Since the lesions hadn't 
changed in size over the summer, there is a very slight chance that the kidney 
they thought was cancerous is not cancerous. Keep all your fingers and toes 
crossed that the biopsies will prove there is no cancer. This will be done on 
October 18th.

Don is feeling much better now that the chemo treatments are done. He has even 
been doing some carving this week. He has much better color in his cheeks even 
though he still tires quickly. He has joined a local artists association and is 
getting some carvings ready for display in the local gallery. Both of us 
exhibited some photos in the local photography contest. Don won two 3rd places 
and one of mine was chosen for a calendar. Mine was Autumn in New England - 
wonder which month they want that for?????

We are missing the GOW this fall. It was necessary to cancel the entire event 
for many reasons. We probably would not have been able to be there.  Hopefully 
this will be back on the schedule next fall. We hope to make Huntsville and 
Dayton in November but those will depend on whether the kidney surgery is 
necessary.

Hugs to all and thanks for the prayers. Your support really helps. Loved getting 
a call from the Woodbutcher yesterday.

Sandie
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