Dick Pedersen's Situation

We received the following message from Dick Pedersen's son, Arne. 

He has been fighting metastatic melanoma since August of 2019.

He had a PET scan last week.  The results were not good.  The cancer is spreading and growing.  He had another scan today from head to toe and it showed that the growth is much larger.

For the last several weeks he has been ever more tired and weak.  His feet have a numbing sensation.  He is cold all of the time.  He has fallen twice in the last few weeks.  Fortunately, he did not hurt himself.

We met with his Oncologist today.  She is very concerned about his falling down as well as his weakness and numbing in his feet. 

She provided two options for Dad from which to choose:

1. Up the treatment strength to a combination of Opdivo+Yervoy which will make him weaker and will put him in a nursing home.
2. No treatment: provides a higher quality of life and be able to live independently a little longer.

Dad chose option number 2.  He will go out with dignity and with family and friends by his side.

Dr Parshad has ordered an MRI for his head to rule out any cancer in his brain.  That will be on May 4^th.

She has referred him to a Physical Therapist to assess his ability for independent living and what assistance he may need to make that happen.

She also referred him to palliative care as the pre-planning needs to start now.  We need to prepare for hospice in the future.

His GFR (kidney #) remains in Stage 4 kidney disease.

His heart seems to be ok.

Please keep him in your prayers.  Now is the time for God’s hand of protection upon him.  This is also a time to begin lamenting.