Going to China

In the past couple of weeks, we've been doing tons of research, inquiries, and have gotten lots of help from friends/relatives who have contacted other professionals in the cancer-field. My dad got his first round of chemo last week, and has been having a very difficult time physically - he has already lost 8 pounds the first week. We also found out that my dad does not qualify for the Herceptin treatment. After much research and prayer, my parents have peace and have decided to go to China to get a type of cancer treatment that is not yet practiced in the U.S. - p53 gene therapy.

My parents were deciding among multiple hospitals, and ended up deciding on one just outside of Beijing - thanks to the Kungs who visited the hospital for us earlier this week and spoke to the hospital director about my dad's specific condition, my parents really felt at peace about the treatment process, and the living conditions in the hospital. There is a special wing for foreigners who go for this treatment, with facilities more appropriate for the extended stays.

My parents will leave this coming Wednesday, 6/2, and they will return in two months, in early August. The gene therapy is meant to target the large tumor my dad has near his kidney. He will continue with a lighter dosage of chemotherapy while in China, since his cancer has already spread (gene therapy is more effective on localized cancers, thus he needs to do a combination of gene therapy and chemo).

My parents will have help from the Kungs in getting settled in. Kyun and I plan on joining them for the second month of their stay, but haven't solidified our travel plans yet.

Please keep them in your prayers:
-Before the trip: that my dad's energy and health can recover for a tolerable flight
-Getting settled into the new environment
-Wisdom for doctors/nurses on the treatment plan, and proper administration of the treatments
-Energy, strength, safety preparing for the trip, traveling, and while going thru treatments