First Quarantine Complete!

Sept. 1, 2026 Dear family and friends, I can’t begin to tell you how amazing it is to have so many people not just wanting updates on Tony’s health but reaching out, praying, and loving us well. I have some really good news to share. As always, please forgive my bumbling through medical terms and info. On Friday, Tony got a call that we could meet with an oncologist today as opposed to his appt. on Oct. 9. Our understanding had been to see if radiation could help along with hormone treatment or just carry on with meds and hormone-arresting injections. The doctor we met with has taught at UVA med school and has quite a gift for sharing and explaining multiple details. She told us she read Tony’s file last week and believed he was a perfect candidate for newly, FDA-approved PLUVICTO. Pluvicto is an infusion Tony will receive once every 6 weeks or so for approximately 9 months. I will include some info about the treatment, and you can google. The information about this treatment says Pluvicto is not chemotherapy. It is a radioactive substance that will go directly into the cancer cells and kill them from the inside. The doctor showed us Tony’s PSMA PET scan. (I thought I knew my husband before – PHEW! I have seen things!) The scan picked up cancer cells that previous scans could not have shown. These tiny cells will have no chance to develop into anything larger and destructive. To give you some perspective for a man in his 70s, a PSA of 6 or lower is healthy. When Tony saw our PCP a couple months ago, his PSA as 12. Bloodwork done the day of his biopsy (also called a “Babopsy” if you are a fan of My Big Fat Greek Wedding) showed a PSA of 25 (that was only 4-6 week since the initial finding). We saw today after 1 month of hormone therapy and other Rx, his PSA is 1.87 – less that 2! Pluvicto is able to reduce that number (thus cancer) to 0 – 0.2. This treatment shows efficacy regardless of age, race, ethnicity, etc. But wait! There’s more! As the doctor asked us about our family (including the spoiled corgi) and our activities, we began to discover we have many things in common with her – including being followers of Jesus. A few times she said, “I’m so glad I met the 2 of you.” What?! When does a doctor ever say that? The doctor spent about an hour and a half with us. She said she would be in touch with Medicare to make sure they cover the Pluvicto which runs about $51,000 per does. Tony’s first infusion will likely be Tues. Sept. 29 – the day after we return from our cruise. Once Tony has the infusion, we have to take several precautionary measures – the obvious is to not make him Bruce Banner mad – I don’t need to deal with a Hulk! (Truthfully, I’ve only seen Tony angry once in our 26 years together – a server refused to give him the better red wine glasses the restaurant had because the wine we had ordered was only $60. Oh yes, he got his glasses – no servers were harmed – just educated.) Paul, the corgi, and I will need to keep our distance from Tony for the first three days after the infusion, and he will need to continue lying low from the public days 4-7. Then he can go about life normally until the next infusion. The week before the next infusion, bloodwork will be done to track progress. I need to give praise to God. At the beginning of August, our church began 21 Days of Prayer. We heard testimonies of healings and breakthroughs. Of course, I longed for cancer to be gone. I know cancer is no match for God. So, shouldn’t He just heal Tony? Sometimes Jesus instantly healed and sometimes He spat in the dirt, made mud, and commanded the blind man to go wash. There is blessing and growth in obedience, faith, and even in waiting. As we continue thru this journey, there is another that remains unfinished: a complaint filed against me with the Board of Counseling. The complaint was filed Aug. 19, 2025. I learned of it Nov. 10, 2025, and immediately contacted my attorney. She filed a 14-page response with 80 pages of evidence on Dec. 10, 2025. (Note: the complaint itself was only 200 words.) We were told we would hear about next steps from the board in 6-9 months. Next week is 9 months. Though this complaint pulled the rug out from under me in November, today, it is nothing but a gnat compared to cancer. I am ready to have this chapter closed – but I’m not the one writing the story of my career. As Joseph said – what the enemy intended for harm, God will use to my good – and to His glory. Since receiving the complaint, I have pulled back from some activities and am fully off social media. I don’t miss social media, but I miss my other activities and connections. Meanwhile my office is filled with godly counselors. My calendar is full each week. Tony and I truly love our church and the joy it brings both of us. I covet your prayers. I am grateful for your love. And I am sure you are tired of reading. Please stay in touch – the texts and calls are so healing for both of us. With love, Lara Behold! I am doing a new thing. Now it springs forth. Do you not perceive it? I will make a road rise in the wilderness and streams flow in the desert. Isa 43:19