The Miracle on Laguardo Street

In my last post, I told you Dr. Murphy had much to say.  What I didn't do was give you many details. Dr. Murphy, as optimistic as she usually is, was very realistic.  The meeting with her on April 25th was pretty grim.  We didn't want to put much on the blog until the kids were home and we could talk about this as a family.

Dr. Murphy told us that the Topotecan was barely holding the tumor down.  She didn't know how much longer it would be effective.  She also said that Denny's body is wearing down.  His counts have been okay to give him chemo but they are a little lower each time.  In order to even continue the Topotecan, she has to have bone marrow counts.  Denny's body has been through so much that the battle is getting harder.  Dr. Murphy told us when the Topotecan failed, the tumor would grow extremely fast.  Denny would not have much time.  She said she was going to keep looking but at this time she had nothing more to treat him with.

As you can imagine, this was devastating.  However, Superman said as we were leaving Dr. Murphy's office, "I've heard this before and I'm not ready to quit fighting."  I said, "You know what?  That is what I love about you!  Me either!"  Denny kept taking the morphine to help with the pain and pushing himself to eat.  He drank Ensures, Gatorade, ate vegetables; did anything he could to help his body keep fighting.

On Monday, May 5th, we met with Dr. Murphy again.  She has Denny scheduled for chemo on Monday, May 12 - May15.  She looked at Denny and said, "I don't believe it!  The Topotecan is holding!"  The tumor bulge in the roof of his mouth has receded.  His face wasn't as swollen.  His mouth still has a little droop due to facial nerve involvement.  He is still going to need to stay on the morphine because of that nerve.  He can drive small distances; like into Lebanon or Mt. Juliet but no long drives.

In addition, she said there was a FDA-approved drug identified in the biopsy that Denny could not have because it wasn't approved for his type of cancer.  Being the fighter she is, Dr. Murphy located a "Samples Pharmacy" that has a supply of this drug.  He doesn't have to go through the insurance process or fight with any clinical trials to get it.  She says it is an option she is willing to try.

Our main worry was that Denny was not going to make it to Dan's graduation.  That has been his goal since he was first diagnosed; to see both of his children graduate.  Dr. Murphy said, "That is not a worry. You have gained a little more time."  It's our Miracle on Laguardo Street!  TheWoodruff4 are still holding strong.  Superman is fighting for every minute of time.

Thank you for all the prayers,cards, phone calls and emails.  Wayne Foster, I need to give you a different phone number.  Denny doesn't get the messages left on the answering machine.  Remind me the next time I see you!  Ronnie & Tammy, thank you so much for the smoked pork.  It came in handy for us.  I didn't have to worry about what to fix for dinner. Thank you to Marilyn, Denny's stepmom, for staying with him after his hospital adventure.  He enjoyed his visit with you. Pam and Dorothy, I have no words to Thank you two for all you have done.  You are neighbors beyond compare!  Ron & Karla, Thanks for the little sign.  It couldn't have come at a better time. TDK & Lana, thank you for the beautiful quilt.  I promise the Thank you note will go out soon to your church.  Mark Youngman, Thanks for the encouraging texts while I was waiting with Denny in the ER and the visits to his hospital room.  You are truly a blessing!  If I have missed anyone, it is not intentional. Just know you all matter to us.  We couldn't get through this without you.