Well gang, I’m not sure how to do this. Never had to do this and hope I never have to again. I guess I’ll just rip the band-aid off.

There’s nothing left to offer Jeff but love and compassion. He is giving it the old college try, and he’s thrown everything at this sucker, but it will ultimately take him. He came to the hospital Monday and had a CT scan. The scan showed incredible progression in the size of the tumor – the exact opposite of what we all hoped. The tumor is now bigger than it was in the beginning and occupying most of his “Buddha” belly. He also has some blood clots for which they would usually insert an IVC filter, but his inferior vena cava is compressed by the tumor. They could attempt another route for insertion, but it would involve general anesthesia and he has been deemed too high risk. For now he is getting antibiotics for infection in his blood, breathing treatments, and pain medication. He is sleeping well for now, though has some panic attacks and must sit up occasionally.

Next step, hospice. 🙁

We were encouraged in the beginning of all this, knowing that lymphoma is curable. Then after the first four cycles of chemo showed a little more than 50% reduction in the tumor and the doctor was not happy with that, we knew he was up against something really tough. But never in a million years would we have dreamed we would be where we are today, just 7.5 months later. This… just… SUCKS. This is ri-god-damn-diculous.

Jeff has done so much good and I can’t tell you how honored I am, WE are, to have such loving, wonderful, stand-up people around us. I am glad I have gotten to meet some of you and gotten to share Jeff with you. Jeff is so loved and I am grateful for every day by his side. Of course, it hasn’t all been roses, but is it ever?

The fight goes on, though. I still encourage you and your adult kids to donate blood and/or stem cells if able. Give money to fund cancer research – American Cancer Society, Lymphoma Research Foundation, WHATEVER!