Dennis and I celebrated our holidays in Denver this year, sandwiched between doctor's appointments and a visit with a new oncologist, Henry Kaplan, from Swedish Hospital. It was a great visit-we got to see Heather and Erin and Glen, and spend time with them during their days off.
Gary and Debbie Qualls hosted us at their home for the first two days-thanks for all the help re-orienting me to Denver-it was surprising how fast I got around the old neigborhood with their direction....thanks G&D for your freindship & hospitality.
(above) Dennis, Sam and Scott Fitzwilliams from Glenwood Springs
We stayed in Lakewood at a guest room in Erin and Glen's apartment complex-it was handy because it was so easy to get around from there to all points north and south. Traffic in denver has only gotten worse. We got to see friends, some of whom we hadn't seen in as much as 20 years-it was awesome. Thanks to Erin and Glen for arranging it!
Heather has been diagnosed with a schwanoma, a kind of localized cancer of the nerve sheaths in her spine, which is likely benign, but is causing lots of discomfort. She is planning surgery for February. We were extra glad to be able have Dennis and his girls together.
Dennis's visit to the eye doctor in Lynnwood on the way south alerted us to a occluded artery in his left eye, which a retina specialist later took pictures of-apparently it is not blocking the central vision but they want to monitor it in case it expands. The retina doctor said it looked like old blood had pooled there and she chose not to laser it but watch it.
Dennis's new cancer doctor at Swedish Hospital spent a lot of time with us and may end up altering Dennis's temodar chemo regime to a low daily dose. He suggested the retina issue may be from the avastin Dennis received in the clinical trial. All in all it began the new year on a positive note for his treatments. By the time we got home to Alaska we were tired but glad to be in familiar surroundings again. Wishing you all the best in the new year, Dennis and Faith
