From: Rachelle MIller [pcm@teleport.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2001 2:04 PM

Subject: Update on Peter

Ah, dear friends, what a week we had!  Peter's brother, Phil, was able
to spend some time with us.  It was his first trip to Oregon and he got
a taste of autumn in the Northwest...a little sun, a lot of drizzle,
some rain, and temperatures that ranged from pleasant to chilly.  Phil,
it isn't always like that here not matter what they tell you ;-)  Please
come back anytime!!!!

Peter's "big chemo" day was put off until Wednesday of last week in
order to get the results of his CT scan.  The results didn't help us
much.  Just as in the first scan "way back when", the films were
inconclusive.  The spots on his liver were still there and his lymph
nodes were still enlarged.  BUT, the spots on his liver may not have
been related to his cancer in the first place and are still too small to
biopsy to know for sure.  Also, his lymph nodes were enlarged 2 years
ago BEFORE he had cancer, so even though one of them is smaller this
time, the doctors don't know why they were enlarged to begin with and
thus don't know if one of them is smaller due to the chemo or for an
unknown reason.  Phui!  Nevertheless, because Peter is tolerating the
chemo well, we proceed to another 2 rounds. We know we are in the Lord's
hands every step of the way, but please ask God to give us more patience
and more faith as we walk this at times frightening and always
exhausting path.

Peter had surgery to insert an IV port last Wednesday.  The surgery
itself was relatively minor.  The port is inserted in a major vein just
above his heart and sits just below the skin on the left side of his
chest.  It is a major blessing because the medicines can be put into the
bloodstream faster decreasing side effects and limiting the damage to
the veins in his arms.  One of his medicines really fries the veins and
has to be very diluted and the IV drip slowed way down to make it
tolerable.  This increases the side effects, though, and you're left
with a choice of having a very irritated vein (he has one that has taken
weeks to heal) or more side effects.  The port should help things
tremendously.  Please praise God for the successful surgery and the
addition of the port.  Ask Him to help Peter tolerate the chemo better
with fewer side effects.

The children are hanging in there.  Calvin has been struggling a bit and
the wonderful folks at his school are keeping an eye on him and trying
to get him to open up a bit about his concerns regarding Peter.  Reba is
a great help most days.  Amber, well, she is struggling to find her
independence and it isn't always a smooth path.  She tries for her
driver's license on Wednesday.  Pray for her success.   It would be such
a blessing to have another driver...even if her dad doesn't want her
behind the wheel until she is 40!  All three kids have their worries and
we wish they would ask more questions and be more open with their
concerns, but, we are their parents and as such not always the easiest
folks to confide in.  Please pray that they will find confidants who can
help guide them and console them when that is the case.  Ask that God
provide wisdom to us so we can best help them whenever that is possible.

We meet with the surgeon on Thursday.  The plan as of today is that
Peter will have 6 rounds of chemo (we have just started Round 3) and
then have surgery to remove his bladder after a period of recovery.
Needless to say, that plan is up in the air until all of the doctors are
working off of the same page.  Please pray that there will be good
communication between the doctors and Peter and that an agreement can be
reached as to what the most effective treatment protocol will be.  Ask
that Peter will remain strong and healthy, that the cancer will respond
to treatment, and that whatever the protocol becomes it is within God's
will.

Thank you again for all of your care and support.  You make this
struggle so much easier.  May God bring many blessings to each and every
one of you.

Many hugs,

Peter and Rachelle