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12/21/06- We met with Dr. Carlisle and had our questions answered. He wrote prescriptions for Temador (Temozolomide) and Zofran (Ondansetron). The Zofran is for the nausea that the chemo drug, Temador may cause. Dirk will begin his treatment on 12/28. This treatment will consist of five days of taking the oral Temador, local blood tests on the 22nd or 23rd day, and then back to Iowa City on the 28th day. This treatment plan does not interfere with his teaching position and only requires one monthly trip to Iowa City. There will be at least six cycles of this to start with. Another MRI will be done after the second cycle. We are mentally prepared for this next phase and have been so blessed that Dirk has had such positive results from the radiation treatments that he completed in May, 2002. Dirk is in great physical shape to begin this and plans to continue his running and workouts. Please continue to keep him in your prayers for strength, mild side effects and tumor shrinkage! Thank you for checking in on us!

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12/7/06- Dirk went for another MRI and also met with Dr. Lee for a eye exam. The eye exam went well. We then met with Dr. Buatti. Dr. Buatti felt that there was a change in the tumor and suggested that we meet with Dr. Carlisle to talk about stopping the growth using chemotherapy. They were kind and made time for us that day to meet with him. Dr. Carlisle discussed the use of Temodar with us. This chemo does not have the nasty side-effects that the chemo that we discussed using 4 + years ago has. We will meet with him again on the 21st for additional information.

01/25/07- This was the first check up after the first cycle. Dirk handled round one splendidly! He had little to no side-effects. We learned today that all his "counts" were good from the blood tests. We also learned that they did not give him the full dose for the first round to see how he would handle things. Dr. Carlisle gave him a prescription for the full dose for round two. He will start that tonight.

02/01/07- A quick update. Dirk completed his second cycle on the the 29th. He once again handled everything so well! He is feeling fine and has experienced no major changes. We go back on 2/22 for a MRI and a check up. I will update after that appointment. Thanks keeping us in your thoughts and prayers (they are working)!.

03/03/07- We were unable to make the 2/22 appointment due to Dirk's platelets being too low. He had blood drawn again on 2/26 and he was given the okay to proceed. He had a MRI on March 1 and then we met with Dr. Carlisle. The doctor wanted to cut his dose down to the original dose that he started with at the end of December. Dr. Dirk negotiated a happy medium between the first and second dose. Dr. Carlisle agreed and Dirk started round three on 3/1. We are scheduled to go back for a checkup on 3/22. Dirk's MRI did not reveal any changes, so that is good!

06/30/07- Dirk completed six cycles of Temodar so he had a MRI and met with the doctors on 6/28. The MRI showed a change in the tumor, but not the change we were shooting for. We met with radiology doctors and then with Dr. Carlisle. The doctors want to put their heads together and review Dirk's slides and treatment options all together. We are scheduled to return on July 5, unless we hear from them sooner. We are confident that the next battle plan will be successful in shrinking the tumor once again. I will update with the plan next weekend. Thanks for checking in and keeping us in your prayers!

07/09/07- UIHC had called and changed our last Thursday appointment to the 9th instead. We first met with Dr. Howard to see if surgery was a option, which it is not. We then met with Dr. Carlisle and discussed our different chemo options. Dirk will start with the PCV (minus the "V") regimen this Thursday. This is basically a 6 week cycle consisting of 2 different kinds of chemo drugs, along with a anti-nausea drug. All are in pill form. Dirk will have weekly labs done and then we will travel back to Iowa City for a MRI and to visit with Dr. Carlisle again. It was a very long day and we continue to be amazed by the compassion and time that the UIHC staff shares. We truly feel blessed to be treated in that institution. Please continue to lift Dirk up in your prayers. We know God has a plan. Thanks to Mike and Ce Ann for all of their help yesterday.

07/15/07- Dirk started with the CCNU (the C of the PCV) last Thursday and feels fine! No major side effects as of yet! He will take the next pills for 14 days starting this coming Thursday. His diet will change with this Procarbazine (the P of the PCV) so we are taking advantage now and eating foods that won't be a option later this week! We are glad to have the girls back from work camp and we are enjoying this great weather. Thanks for checking on us.

0723/07- Dirk began the Procarbazine on the 19th and has handled it quite well. He hasn't been nauseous at all. He will finish that up on August 1. We are doing alright with the diet that accompanies this chemo. It is good for all us!

08/04/07- Dirk finished up the Procarbazine for this cycle this week. He has labs done every Thursday and per the nurse's call on Friday his counts were lower, but there is no concern. He continues to take a daily dose of Dexamethasone which is a steroid. We wait now to see how his labs look before we can go back for a MRI and the next round. Currently this is scheduled for the 23rd. Dirk is feeling good and keeping busy! School starts the 20th so the countdown is on!

08/19/07- School starts tomorrow and Dirk is ready! His appointment that was scheduled for this Thursday, the 23rd, has been moved to next Thursday, the 30th, for two reasons. One, his platelets are just a little low, and two, we will be moving Clair into college. He is scheduled for a MRI and to see the doctors in the morning. I will update this after that appointment.