Update by Friends Kathy and Russ

Hello everyone. I just got off the phone with Mandy and have a lot more information than I can process. I tried my best to write everything down exactly as she said it, but I've asked her to send a correction out if I say something wrong.

Chris didn't see the doctor today until 3:30. The doctor did confirm the preliminary CT scan results that tumors have spread throughout the abdominal area. At this point, however, they cannot determine if the tumors are on the outside of the organs (small intestine, colon, and stomach) or on the inside. A gastroenterologist was called in today and wants to do an endoscopy (scope with a camera down the throat) to determine where the tumors are. They do know that the passage from the stomach to the intestine is extremely narrow due to the tumors which is why Chris has not been able to keep food down lately. They do not want to do a colonoscopy because they are afraid of rupture in the intestines. So, they are leaving the NG tube in tonight to keep the abdominal area as clear as possible and the endoscopy is scheduled for 9:00 tomorrow (Saturday) morning. Chris will be sedated during this test.

Chris and Mandy were told today that surgery is not an option because there are too many tumors in the area. Mandy said that the last CT scan was done one month ago and it did not show any of these tumors. So, in one month, all of these tumors have appeared and are growing very quickly.

Since arriving at the hospital yesterday, Chris has had 3 units of blood and he is still neutropenic (both the red and white counts are low). I asked her if Chris needs blood credits and if we could donate blood in his name, but she wasn't sure where they stand on needing credits. I think, though, that if anyone would like to go ahead and donate blood, they can give Chris' name and that he is in Baylor in Dallas and the credits will go toward his account. Mandy is going to try to verify this tomorrow.

The oncologist told Chris and Mandy today that they have exhausted all efforts with standard chemo. He wants to talk to them after the endoscopy tomorrow about further treatment options. There are some trials and some experimental drugs that they can try, but Chris will need to be able to swallow pills and keep food down for at least one of them. The doctor told them that this stomach problem isn't an immediate life-threatening problem because they can still get nourishment into him. Chris' liver function is very good and there isn't too much tumor in the liver, so that is not an immanent problem. But, this is something that they are watching.

One additional prayer request is that Chris' doctor is going on vacation after tomorrow for two weeks and his partner is taking Chris' case during that time. Mandy and Chris both feel comfortable with the oncologist's partner, but it is still a new factor that they will have to deal with. But, on the other hand, it also could be a new pair of eyes that might see something or find something that no one else has noticed.

I will be sending out an additional email in a few minutes about providing meals for the Joyces for the coming weeks.

Thank you all for your prayers for Chris and the whole family.

Love,Kathie