Rob, Dan, Dave and Dan's newest niece Ginger.November 2006
The clinical trial started in September was discontinued at the end of October after tests showed that is was not effective in stopping the spread of the disease. Dan then prepared to start the IL-2 treatment (the one with the dramatic side affects including hospital stays) however, the doctor running the trial discovered several tumors that had grown too large to proceed with the trial. Dan started a chemotherapy regimen with the goal of shrinking those tumors to clear the way for the new trial.
In mid November, Dan was admitted to the hospital with difficulty breathing and it was discovered that he had both pneumonia and blood clots in his lungs (pulmonary embolism). Dan received treatment to correct both of those problems during a week long stay in the ICU at Abington Hospital. He was released from the hospital in time to spend Thanksgiving with his family. After the hospital stay he is ready to get back on track with the search for a cure.
Through 3 surgeries, 4 different drug regimines, radiation and chemotherapy, Mara and Pam have provided the foundation for Dan. Pam is always there when needed to provide the love, support and medical direction. She has put her pre-cancer life aside to provide care and to take over managing the household with incredible strength and poise. Mara knows no difference between the 225 pound Dad with a full head of hair and the bald, skinny father of today. Dan is quite simply, heroic. He battles with considerable pain, weakness and nausea on a daily basis, but continues to plan for the next treatment and the next set of side effects with unwavering determination. He looks like a different man than he did two years ago. But as one of his closest friends said, when you look him in the eye, he's still the same Dan Howard.
The clinical trial started in September was discontinued at the end of October after tests showed that is was not effective in stopping the spread of the disease. Dan then prepared to start the IL-2 treatment (the one with the dramatic side affects including hospital stays) however, the doctor running the trial discovered several tumors that had grown too large to proceed with the trial. Dan started a chemotherapy regimen with the goal of shrinking those tumors to clear the way for the new trial.
In mid November, Dan was admitted to the hospital with difficulty breathing and it was discovered that he had both pneumonia and blood clots in his lungs (pulmonary embolism). Dan received treatment to correct both of those problems during a week long stay in the ICU at Abington Hospital. He was released from the hospital in time to spend Thanksgiving with his family. After the hospital stay he is ready to get back on track with the search for a cure.
Through 3 surgeries, 4 different drug regimines, radiation and chemotherapy, Mara and Pam have provided the foundation for Dan. Pam is always there when needed to provide the love, support and medical direction. She has put her pre-cancer life aside to provide care and to take over managing the household with incredible strength and poise. Mara knows no difference between the 225 pound Dad with a full head of hair and the bald, skinny father of today. Dan is quite simply, heroic. He battles with considerable pain, weakness and nausea on a daily basis, but continues to plan for the next treatment and the next set of side effects with unwavering determination. He looks like a different man than he did two years ago. But as one of his closest friends said, when you look him in the eye, he's still the same Dan Howard.
