From: Rachelle Miller [pcm@teleport.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 4:51 PM

Subject: A quick update on Peter

Hello, friends and family!

It has been awhile since we have sent you an update on Peter's
progress.  So much has happened!  The good news is that Peter went back
to work the first of April and is doing well.  He seems to have
recovered most of his normal energy level, and certainly his good
spirits.  I guess what my grandmother told me is true:  hard work never
hurt anyone ;-)

He is back helping with Boy Scouts as well although he does face some
logistical problems like how to manage his ostomy while camping or how
to balance his backpack so it doesn't bother his back.  Right now, his
back is the major issue.  He has been having tremendous pain which the
doctor thinks is related to arthritis although the cancer in his spine
certainly can be aggrevating the problem.  He's been taking Celebrex
which helps with the arthritis pain, but then he has been getting back
spasms which are not affected by it at all.  So, then he switches to
Motrin until the arthritis acts up, and on and on it goes.  Please pray
that we will soon find a solution that works for both problems.

Peter's next doctor's appointment isn't until about the first of May.
At that time the doc will evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment
approach they are using.  He is doing what they call a "total androgen
blockade", an attempt to block the hormones which feed the cancer.  If
all goes according to plan, his PSA will drop to about zero, and they
can monitor the effectiveness of the treatment by how low it stays.
Once the PSA begins to climb, other treatment options will be explored.
This approach is fairly benign overall and is non-invasive.  Please pray
that this treatment is very effective for a very long time!

God bless you all for your support.  I'll be sure to let you know when
we hear more.

Hugs,

Rachelle