Are you still with us?? Sorry about the silence. It has been crazy. My mother is in the hospital with a nasty lung infection and of course this happened the same day my aunt flew into town for a vacation. So all plans were tossed out the window and Mary had the privilege of staying with us for a few days. I did wash the sheets, but she had to make the bed!!
Someone out there turned on a switch because our life was moving at a nice slow pace and now things seem to be going full steam. Everything is in motion for us to go to MD Anderson on August 25. The first day of school is August 24, so we will get her off to school, pack the car, make sure Elizabeth is tucked in at Aunt Kathy's and head out from there. Elizabeth is not excited about us leaving her first week of middle school. But this trip is very important on so many fronts and we have to stop postponing treatment.
We also received our VA eligibility certificate, applied for a loan, and are back in the housing market. We looked at 5 houses today and will put an offer in tomorrow. The pace and the heat has done Mike in a little bit.
We had middle school orientation this morning for Elizabeth. She had to register and then she got her class schedule. I shelled out way too much money for miscellaneous things. We found her locker and we believe she can open it. She also had the opportunity to practice the bell schedule and find her way to her classes. The weird thing is that this middle school is the High School I graduated from so many years ago. One of my high school basketball coaches is still there. So many memories!!
Elizabeth spent the weekend with the middle school group for "KickStart Weekend". The 6th graders went to host homes, had bible lessons, ate junk food, slept (?), and went to the waterpark. This was a huge leap for us and she did well. Mike and I also spent some time trying to get to know where we can volunteer in the middle school area.
Sunday, Mike, Elizabeth and I drove to Ft Worth to Nations Worship Center for Mike to give his testimony. It was one of those moments that I will never forget. I am at a loss for words to describe it. I recognized Mike, but at the same time who was that man?? His story was compelling, true, and full of scripture. He talked about healing, about tithing, about forgiveness, about Jesus. It was so good. We were in church over 2 hours in the most freeing worship service I have ever been too. People prayed in tongues, worshipped with music, dancing, horns, flags and just filled the hall with glorious praise. I am hoping to get an audio, and if I do, I will post it somehow.
Today, Mike went to the doctor and has loss another 2 pounds. The formula that we are using is not enough calories. I have found Peptomin 1.5 which has almost double the calories than the Jevitiy that we are currently using. I have to call the doctor in the morning to give him the name. In the meantime, I have ordered Benecalories which has 300 calories in 1.5 ounces of fluid. I am a firm believer that the weight loss is not related to the cancer. It is coming off gradually and I know what he is eating via the tube. He is not getting enough calories. The GI doctor, the one that is always so blunt, had the nurse relay to me that it is probably the cancer in Mike's stomach progressing. I had to laugh. Everytime.. it is the cancer progressing.... and yet it is not. I refuse to believe it this time as well.
Mike does have a PET Scan on August 21. So all will be revealed soon.
Prayer needs:
Mike to gain weight
All the details for MD Anderson
PET Scan - that it is negative for cancer
House.. God's will not ours
Time and paper management - the paperwork is crazy right now
Middle School for Elizabeth - that she will be a light, make Godly choices, and that she will achieve everything that God intends for her life
Sleep for me
My mother's healing and for sleep for my father. I know how hard long hospital stays can be
Praise:
We are house hunting
One more day
The ability to go and testify about the incredible miracles in our lives
New friends
Sleepovers
3 comments:
I LOVE worship services like that! I really hope to get to hear Mike's testimony. If the church has a website that posts messages, be sure to post the link.
I'm still here, still reading EVERY post, still praying, still believing God.
Hug each other for me!
-Lisa
SO great to hear from you Deanna. We were praying so much for Mike's testimony time. Elizabeth is going to thrive in middle school...at least that's my "gut feeling"...once she can get into her locker!!!!! Is it a public or private school? Love, Gini
Deanna,
Your post was such a blessing for those of us that pray for you guys all the time and are always wondering how you are and thinking of you. I LOVE hearing your confidence in Mike's healing, and what a witness to the nurses! It just makes sense -- for losing weight they say "eat less, move more." I'm just a mom (and chronic dieter/foodie who has pathetically read nearly every diet/nutrition book known to man) but Mike is now able to shower, house-hunt, go to things and so he's moving so much more, but not taking in more calories. Last year he was barely able to move. It would make sense that as he is able to do resume more and more normal activity, his metabolism would begin to kick in after it slowed last year and that he would begin to burn calories at a higher rate. I'll pray that you are able to get him the liquifood he needs. I'm going to say special prayers for your sleep as well. Everything is so much more "do-able" with a well rested body and mind. A few days of good sleep can fix anything! xo,Kathleen
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