Roger's youngest daughter is not good at updates this month

Sorry all for the lack of updates.  Wrapping up a busy quarter for work (and planning for a trip to Eastern Europe and India) seems to take up a bit of time. :)

Dad is doing well.  Treatments are done, he was off steroids for nearly a week (back on them yesterday after some side effects caused by some increased swelling), but overall doing well.  He goes in for his first of many MRI scans October 21st, which will give us the baseline for all future MRI's.  Dr. Hsu tells us that the radiation will continue to work for up to two years, so MRI scans will likely be done every three months during that time to measure progress.

He will also find out in October about his ability to get back his driver's license.  He's anxious to get some independence back as I'm sure you can imagine.

I'm out for close to three weeks, but will be back in Omaha for the scan the last week in October.  In the mean time, keep up your emails and phone calls, and Dad doesn't seem to ever turn down the opportunity for a breakfast or lunch date.  

Mary  

And then there were none. . .

The radiation and chemo are DONE!  Dan finished up radiation treatment #33 today, and there was much celebration and fanfare at a nice, late evening Fleming's dinner (you gotta try the Lava Cake - save room for the decadence).  Dad will return in a few weeks for a follow-up appointment with his radiation oncologist, but otherwise, things start to ramp up again in about a month.

• Mid-October: First MRI scan post radiation and five days of "double-duty" chemo; and an evaluation on if driving privileges are going to be returned (Maybe!)
  
• Late-October: Likely a follow up appointment/MRI at Mayo's with our Neuro team
  
• November - June: five-day chemo treatments per month, plenty of follow up appointments
  

This last week saw a few more side effects, but we are incredibly thankful that they never reached the point of being severe.  When Dad gets his license back to drive, it's going to be like a 16 year old with a new license.  He's going to be running to the store, Walgreen's, over to see the grandkids, or just drive around quite a bit.  

Dad and I are going to head to the Husker game on Saturday evening in Lincoln.  If you find yourselves in the West stadium, give us a wave.

The Final Three - this week!

Apologies for the lack of entries.  It's been a pretty busy week for me, and I didn't have a chance to update the blog.  Lame excuse, I know.  :)

I'm back in Omaha, and Dad has three treatments left!  Hard to believe that he's knocked down 30 so far, and has until Thursday and he's done!  After Thursday, we have a month-long wait for the next MRI scan, and then the next round of chemo.  Might be a trip to Mayo's as well in there for good measure.

Thursday night we'll be having a family dinner at a local steakhouse to celebrate the end of treatments.  Dr. Silverberg gave the okay for a half glass of wine as we toast to a full recovery.  Overall, Dad's done really well and hasn't really suffered many of the side effects we were expecting.  He still feels pretty darn well, but is seeing some tiredness and nausea kick in the last week.  Good thing it's almost over!