Sunday, September 17

Yesterday was full of highs and lows. The good news first is that Cliff has been removed from the NPO which means he was unable to eat or drink anything by mouth for the past three days. He had a cup of broth last night, coffee this morning and is preparing to enjoy a chocolate smoothy! Whoop! Whoop! It has made such a huge difference in his spirits. He keeps a suction tube next to him, just in case the fluids will not get down into the stomach. So far, so good!

 The bad news is that they have pretty much ruled out any cancer treatments other than radiation, which possibly begins tomorrow, to attack those lymph nodes surrounding his esophagus. If he can tolerate the radiation and it works as hoped for, he may be able to gain strength by eating regularly again and there may be consideration for targeted therapy. The problem we see and the doctors have agreed with is that this cancer is just so aggressive. There was a pow wow of doctors yesterday in the room and his Pulmonologist commented that he is her first patient with cancer fluid in both lungs and how it has been quite shocking to see how quickly it has spread.

 Today the family, along with Cliff, will be meeting with the palliative care folks. I am sure this will not be an easy day.  Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers.

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