July 10, 2013 Update

Pop has been continuing to receive his chemo therapy pretty regularly. For the past couple of years, his chemo has been working effectively and has kept his lung cancer pretty much under control.

Recently, the doctors confirmed that Pop’s cancer has now spread to his bone. It began with a tumor on his right orbit (eye socket). They gave him radiation therapy for this. It then showed up on his right femur (long part of the hip bone, along his thigh). They also gave him radiation to that location too.

He continues to have a lot of pain in his right thigh so they gave him some pretty strong narcotics (oxicotin) to help control his pain. So if you talk to him and he’s a bit “loopy or bobito” (I mean more than his usual), that’s why.

The doctors at Fox Chase Cancer center continue to work with Pop and not “give up”. They are going to start him on a new experimental drug that is specific for primary colon cancer with metastasis (spreading) to the bone; which is what Pop has. This is pretty much a last effort but Pop’s condition is definitely on the decline.

Pop continues to struggle with depression and loneliness but overall he continues to want to keep on fighting.

Keep Pop in your prayers.

Love, Ron