4/1/2020

Hey guys. I know I haven't posted an update on here for a while, and I apologize for that. Josiah and I have been trying to live as normal of a life as possible in the midst of all the craziness.

On February 27th, a rep from Novucure came out to our apartment and spent 2 hours with us presenting and teaching us how to use the Optune device. This device comes with a LOT of equipment, and it had a bit of a learning curve. It is mapped out where these 4 transducer arrays need to be placed on his shaved down scalp. Each array has 9 circle pads that must make 100% contact to the skin. Putting these 4 arrays on takes some time. I have to replace them for Josiah every 3 days. The 4 arrays have a cord connected to the device that is 3lbs and must come everywhere with him. It is in a breathable bag they gave us, and he carries it around either in his hand or over his shoulder. The device has a large lithium battery in it that lasts about 3 hours. When the battery dies, the device beeps, and we go where we keep the battery charger and replace the battery. They gave us 4 batteries, and 3 can be on the charger at a time. There is a disposable mesh cap we cut out that they gave us, and he wears this on top of the arrays on his head. It keeps everything in place. The device alarm can go off from a dying battery, too high of a temperature on his arrays, one of the 4 cords not being plugged in the device all the way, one of the 36 circular pads on his head at a time not making 100% contact, and a few other things. The frustrating thing is when the alarm goes off, the device doesn't tell you what's wrong. So it's a troubleshooting game. He has to wear Optune 18 hours a day, at least. Ideally they want him wearing it longer, which he has been. Keeping it on as long as possible at a time is ideal because it takes so long to set back up on his head.

This device is important because it sends Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) to selectively disrupt mitosis in dividing cancer cells. In trials they have run, 86% of Optune users received a survival benefit when using Optune more than 50% of the time. BUT, we are still believing in God's perfect and capable healing. He even tells me that he feels healed. We are just trying to be wise with the medical information that is out there and what being advised to us.

Tonight he starts another round of chemo. We have been dreading this, because like I said we are trying to live as normal as we possibly can. Last time, the dosage was 150mg of Temozolomide (Temodar) once a day for 28 days. This time, it is 300mg of Temozolomide once a day for 5 days. The effects of the chemo is meant to work in his brain for about a month following these 5 days. After the 5 days, he will get a 28 day break of not taking the pills, but the pills still working. After the 28 days, we will do the 300mg for 5 days again followed by the 28 days of no pills. This pattern will repeat for a year.

Please pray for him as he starts chemo tonight. We hate that he has to be doing this during COVID-19. His immune system will be weakened, and this is obviously bad timing for that. We have been very strictly quarantining, so we are trying to avoid this virus as best as possible. Please pray for his immune system to stay strong. Pray for the chemo to do what it is meant to do with as little side effects as possible. Pray for our spirits, as this is all so hard on us at times.

We love all of you guys, and we are still so thankful for all the love and support we have been shown. Thank you thank you thank you :)