Well, we have the first round of Chemo under our belts. Mike handled it extremely well. Really, there is nothing to report yet. His temperature in back to normal. His heart rate is under 100 and all in all he is doing well. He has eaten some things like peas and applesauce. They did take him to CT Scan tonight to check for pneumonia. It is there last ditch effort to check for infection before they stop the antibiotics.
We were blessed to have Melissa come and be with us during most of the Chemo. It took about 3 hours all in all. They first gave him all kinds drugs to offset the chemo effects like nausea. Then the Chemo. At the end, they gave him lasix to help clear the kidneys.
Pastor Herman came by and talked "Jesus talk" and prayed with us. Mike's mother boarded a plane today to come down for a visit.
Mike's cousin Pam got here today. She is going to stay with him tonight and I am going home to sleep with Elizabeth. We have come to realize that we need to work harder and helping her. She has spent a week with family and Mike will be in the hospital for another 3 days if all goes well. We will do another Chemo round next week.
In the meantime, we will be doing all our natural things as well to help kick the cancer - we just need to get home. One of the reasons they are keeping us is to keep a close eye on Mike's blood. Chemo can lower red blood cells and white blood cells. Mike's blood was at 9.0 this morning and they will draw a CBC tomorrow to see what the chemo did to it.
Prayer needs:
Pray the Chemo will work
Mike will get rest and the pain will decrease
Mike will eat more
Mike will drink more
Sleep for Elizabeth and I
That our house in FL will sell
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Chemo has started
Mike has started his chemotherapy at 10:15 am CST. They gave him some medications and then started the first drug. The first one, Cisplatin will take about an hour. Then they will give him Irinotecan. He should be done by 2:00 PM
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
The Fiery Furnance -
Today is Dec. 3 and by this time tomorrow Mike will have done his first round of Chemotherapy. The decision was made earlier this evening and everything is set up to start in the hospital some time in the morning. The pain just increases and we just have to beat the cancer back. One of the nurses even pulled me aside tonight to let me know that a crash cart will be out in the hall for Mike. She reminded me that the Chemo is very toxic. I look at her and said I know.
Mike and I spent some quality time with Elizabeth watching Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and I played UNO with her. The best part is that Elizabeth sat in the front of the hospital bed and laid on Mike's lap for a little bit. Mike was able to rub her hair and just hold her hand for awhile. Life is about moments. God Blessed us with some good ones tonight.
Melissa and Scott came up tonight as well and just talked and laughed. You have no idea what it means when people come by and just talk about life and laugh. If you know of someone going through something, don't forget about the value of just being there.
So tonight I have a peace and a calm after everyone left. I have thoughts of Daniel 3 and Shadrach, Meshach and Abedengo and King Nebuchandessar. There was a decree in the land that everyone worship an image of Gold that King Nebuchadnezzer had set up. To make a long story short, they didn't and King Neb told them that if they didn't they would be thrown into a blazing furnace and then King Neb said , " Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?" (3:15).
Here is their response:
Mike and I spent some quality time with Elizabeth watching Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and I played UNO with her. The best part is that Elizabeth sat in the front of the hospital bed and laid on Mike's lap for a little bit. Mike was able to rub her hair and just hold her hand for awhile. Life is about moments. God Blessed us with some good ones tonight.
Melissa and Scott came up tonight as well and just talked and laughed. You have no idea what it means when people come by and just talk about life and laugh. If you know of someone going through something, don't forget about the value of just being there.
So tonight I have a peace and a calm after everyone left. I have thoughts of Daniel 3 and Shadrach, Meshach and Abedengo and King Nebuchandessar. There was a decree in the land that everyone worship an image of Gold that King Nebuchadnezzer had set up. To make a long story short, they didn't and King Neb told them that if they didn't they would be thrown into a blazing furnace and then King Neb said , " Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?" (3:15).
Here is their response:
O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the GOD we serve is able to save us from it and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. BUT even if he does NOT, we want you to know , O king that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.
So this made King Neb mad and he heated the furnace to seven times hotter and threw them in. It was so hot that the fire killed the soldiers that threw them in the furnace. Once in the fire, there were FOUR men walking around, unbound and unharmed. He even said the fourth man looks like a son of the gods (I believe that was Jesus..) King Neb called out Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They came out of this fiery furnace and their bodies were not harmed, not a hair on their head was singed, their robes were not scorched and they didn't even smell like fire!
So now this leads me to think of Stephen and his stoning in Acts 7 (verses 54-60). Stephen stood in front of a furious mob and looked up and saw heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. While it was happening Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus receive my spirit." Stephen cried out, "Lord do not hold this sin against them" and then he fell asleep.
The Lord saved them all -He protected them from the fire and brought them out completely whole and He saved Stephen too and gave Stephen mercy and grace by allowing him to fall asleep and get a glimpse of Heaven!
So here is the thing... God has saved Mike. Period. It is finished (and was finished at the cross) and there is no question about Mike's final destination. Heaven with Jesus. We just don't know as we face the fiery furnace of the next 12 weeks if God will deliver him through it as He did with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego or if He will show Mike mercy and grace as He did Stephen. Either way, God is in control. God knows the exact time Mike will go to be with Him. In fact, He knows the exact time you and I will leave this present Earth as well.
So here is the thing... God has saved Mike. Period. It is finished (and was finished at the cross) and there is no question about Mike's final destination. Heaven with Jesus. We just don't know as we face the fiery furnace of the next 12 weeks if God will deliver him through it as He did with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego or if He will show Mike mercy and grace as He did Stephen. Either way, God is in control. God knows the exact time Mike will go to be with Him. In fact, He knows the exact time you and I will leave this present Earth as well.
Mike has had a rough day and they have increased his pain medication. He has not really drank too much today. The pain has been rough at times. He is also running a fever of 101 and his heart rate is high.
Please Pray:
That Mike will survive the Chemo treatments
That the Chemo is exactly what God will use to heal Mike
Sleep for both of us
Mike's fever will go away and his heart rate will go down (along with his White Blood Cell count)
Elizabeth.... Her heart, her fears, and her comfort
Me... my heart, my fears and my comfort too!
Mike's pain will be reduced
Mike will eat and drink more
God's Grace and Mercy
Rough night - somewhat better now
Wouldn't you know, Mike became alert last night right as I made up my mind to go asleep at around 10:30 last night. I have to admit that I cried when he actually interacted with me. I was so worried. I help him to the bathroom and then back to bed. However, Mike has been in horrible pain since that point. It is not really related to the port or stent, I think. We are now in pain control mode until we can get the tumor shrinking I think. We have just had a visit from 2 doctors and that is there thinking at this time. Dr. Khan, oncologist, will hopefully make rounds tonight. I can't believe I am saying this, but I want the Chemo to start now to hopefully reduce and reverse this path we seem to be on. All the hospital visits and lengthy stays are making it impossible to follow the homeopathic plan... that and the fact that Mike can not swallow the pills.
The good news is that we have found a Primary Care Manager Doctor here. He is in Plano, but willing to take us on. My sister-in-law is also dropping off the paperwork at Social Security office today. So things are getting done...
I will update again tonight on Mike. It appears we will be here at least another day.
God bless,
Deanna
The good news is that we have found a Primary Care Manager Doctor here. He is in Plano, but willing to take us on. My sister-in-law is also dropping off the paperwork at Social Security office today. So things are getting done...
I will update again tonight on Mike. It appears we will be here at least another day.
God bless,
Deanna
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Update at 9:15 pm CST
There is not much change in Mike this evening. He is sleeping and grunting - however he has had two coherent sentences. The nurses said the Dr said that he may be like this until morning. On the positive side, he is resting. I don't know where to lie down and try to sleep or wait to see if he gets more responsive.
The respiratory therapist brought a breathing exercise machine for him to start using in the morning. The goal was tonight, but it is apparent that will not happen.
John 14:27... Please pray that over me and over us.
I will blog mid morning tomorrow to update on his recovery. Mike still has not even attempted to drink anything. I declare Jesus's Healing hand over Mike tonight.
The respiratory therapist brought a breathing exercise machine for him to start using in the morning. The goal was tonight, but it is apparent that will not happen.
John 14:27... Please pray that over me and over us.
I will blog mid morning tomorrow to update on his recovery. Mike still has not even attempted to drink anything. I declare Jesus's Healing hand over Mike tonight.
Update as of 4:00 pm CST
Mike is out of the surgery area and back in the room. He is not really awake and has yet to say anything other than a grunt to me (hence Igor). Both procedures went well. The port went in without issue and they were able to put in a small (16) stent. They have bigger ones (18, and 20) that hopefully once the chemo starts we will be able to switch to once the chemo begins to work. They are encouraged that this will give Mike a better quality of life. He should be able to take clear fluids over the next 12 hours, then move to liquids, then to soft baby type food.
We were blessed to have 2 of the staff from Four Corners church come and pray with us this morning. Paster Herman also came and prayed with us and stayed with us until Mike went into surgery. Then Pierre and my Dad came and stayed with me in the waiting area for over 2.5 hours today. Best of all Pierre brought Joshua with him (his 8 month old). Life is always more joyous with a precious child in your arms!
This battle so belongs to God right now. Mike has shown more character, fight, and courage than I ever knew existed. God is working through him and for him. The tumor is "massive" according to the GI doctor and we know it is spreading from the CT Scan. We are now on to the next step of Chemo to try and beat it back. This road is crazy, but God can use Chemo too.
Please continue to pray:
Mike will stop the spit up phlegm thing
The stent will improve his quality of life
Mike will gain strength and weight
Hope for tomorrow
Good night's rest for Elizabeth and I
I will blog again later tonight to update everyone
We were blessed to have 2 of the staff from Four Corners church come and pray with us this morning. Paster Herman also came and prayed with us and stayed with us until Mike went into surgery. Then Pierre and my Dad came and stayed with me in the waiting area for over 2.5 hours today. Best of all Pierre brought Joshua with him (his 8 month old). Life is always more joyous with a precious child in your arms!
This battle so belongs to God right now. Mike has shown more character, fight, and courage than I ever knew existed. God is working through him and for him. The tumor is "massive" according to the GI doctor and we know it is spreading from the CT Scan. We are now on to the next step of Chemo to try and beat it back. This road is crazy, but God can use Chemo too.
Please continue to pray:
Mike will stop the spit up phlegm thing
The stent will improve his quality of life
Mike will gain strength and weight
Hope for tomorrow
Good night's rest for Elizabeth and I
I will blog again later tonight to update everyone
Monday, December 1, 2008
An Appeal and Apology
Alright. You have to deal with me blogging and not Mike today! I agree with everyone that it was great that Mike took the time to blog. Yesterday was a blessing from God. Mike had a good day, his labs were great, and we spent time as a family. It is funny when everything gets stripped away how joy really comes from the simple things.
I want to start out with our appeal. Mike is scheduled to get his Port and his stent tomorrow. We want to appeal to everyone to lift him up in prayers for these procedures. While they are relatively simple, Mike's health makes them a little more complicated. He will be put completely under. He can not lay back without severe pain. Also, we are struggling with his blood count. they will be giving him more blood today to increase that. However, something else that has complicated things is that his White Blood Cell count is going back up as well as his temperature. The last reading is 100.4. He has also begun spitting up the phlegm again this afternoon like he did on Saturday. Right now things are scheduled around 11:30 tomorrow. The port is going in first by Dr. Peterson. Dr. Peterson is an aviation buff and wanted to fly for the Navy. However, he had a detached retna and was turned down. His Grandfather actually owned land in Kansas that they sold to the US Govt' for a bombing range - Smoky something. As part of the deal, they can go into the tower on the range and watch the bombing runs. So he and Mike talked airplanes for awhile. That may sound weird, but I think they have bonded and that makes it easier to trust him. Mike is not just a patient. Dr. Pucha will be installing the stent right after the port. The stent is a special order piece and is very expensive. I praise God for the AF and insurance that can pay for this device.
I owe so many apologies to everyone. I had a breaking point last week when I got overwhelmed by cancer and I think it came across the blog as that I have lost my faith in Jesus. That is not the case and will never be the case no matter what fire we walk through. If Mike goes home to see Jesus, it will not be the case. I will still love Him. I will still worship Him. I will still walk with Him. It is just that I have begun to realize that up until this point, I haven't had to really put my faith in action. I haven't really had to walk through a fire. I have sung words about it in church. I have read about other's having trials, but I haven't actually had to put it in to practice really. In my life, when things have gotten tough in the past, I block it out; shut down/veg out; go on to other things; look forward to when it is over. That is how I deal with my prior stresses like deployments. I can't do that with this. I have to walk through it. I can't detach from it. I am being "refined and sifted" like no other time in my life. Honestly, when it gets really bad is when I want to just shut down and block everything out - including my time in the Word. So I am my own worst enemy. God is walking with me, but I need to learn how to walk with Him in a deeper way than I have EVER had to before. In the end, I don't want to walk through this and be the same person that I was anymore. I want to be stronger and have a deeper understanding of the Great I Am.
Finally, I want to apologize to everyone here in McKinney. I told my sister-in-law that I really need friends right now. People to come over and talk and just be with me. I miss talking about kids and life outside of cancer. Kathy told me people are wanting to but I had originally said that I needed space. I am sorry to everyone if I said that. The best part of Wendy and Dena and the Millers coming over was talking, laughing, and reminiscing. I want that more. So please come over, call, and pop in. The worst that will happen is that it won't be a good time, or I might tear up.
Have a blessed evening and please pray for:"
Rest for Mike, Elizabeth and I
The procedures tomorrow
The doctors, nurses and everyone surrounding Mike tomorrow
Comfort for Elizabeth
No complications
Joy and Peace
Our House in FL to sell
Mike to eat and drink more
For his White Blood Count to drop and his low grade fever to go away
Wisdom in medical decisions
I want to start out with our appeal. Mike is scheduled to get his Port and his stent tomorrow. We want to appeal to everyone to lift him up in prayers for these procedures. While they are relatively simple, Mike's health makes them a little more complicated. He will be put completely under. He can not lay back without severe pain. Also, we are struggling with his blood count. they will be giving him more blood today to increase that. However, something else that has complicated things is that his White Blood Cell count is going back up as well as his temperature. The last reading is 100.4. He has also begun spitting up the phlegm again this afternoon like he did on Saturday. Right now things are scheduled around 11:30 tomorrow. The port is going in first by Dr. Peterson. Dr. Peterson is an aviation buff and wanted to fly for the Navy. However, he had a detached retna and was turned down. His Grandfather actually owned land in Kansas that they sold to the US Govt' for a bombing range - Smoky something. As part of the deal, they can go into the tower on the range and watch the bombing runs. So he and Mike talked airplanes for awhile. That may sound weird, but I think they have bonded and that makes it easier to trust him. Mike is not just a patient. Dr. Pucha will be installing the stent right after the port. The stent is a special order piece and is very expensive. I praise God for the AF and insurance that can pay for this device.
I owe so many apologies to everyone. I had a breaking point last week when I got overwhelmed by cancer and I think it came across the blog as that I have lost my faith in Jesus. That is not the case and will never be the case no matter what fire we walk through. If Mike goes home to see Jesus, it will not be the case. I will still love Him. I will still worship Him. I will still walk with Him. It is just that I have begun to realize that up until this point, I haven't had to really put my faith in action. I haven't really had to walk through a fire. I have sung words about it in church. I have read about other's having trials, but I haven't actually had to put it in to practice really. In my life, when things have gotten tough in the past, I block it out; shut down/veg out; go on to other things; look forward to when it is over. That is how I deal with my prior stresses like deployments. I can't do that with this. I have to walk through it. I can't detach from it. I am being "refined and sifted" like no other time in my life. Honestly, when it gets really bad is when I want to just shut down and block everything out - including my time in the Word. So I am my own worst enemy. God is walking with me, but I need to learn how to walk with Him in a deeper way than I have EVER had to before. In the end, I don't want to walk through this and be the same person that I was anymore. I want to be stronger and have a deeper understanding of the Great I Am.
Finally, I want to apologize to everyone here in McKinney. I told my sister-in-law that I really need friends right now. People to come over and talk and just be with me. I miss talking about kids and life outside of cancer. Kathy told me people are wanting to but I had originally said that I needed space. I am sorry to everyone if I said that. The best part of Wendy and Dena and the Millers coming over was talking, laughing, and reminiscing. I want that more. So please come over, call, and pop in. The worst that will happen is that it won't be a good time, or I might tear up.
Have a blessed evening and please pray for:"
Rest for Mike, Elizabeth and I
The procedures tomorrow
The doctors, nurses and everyone surrounding Mike tomorrow
Comfort for Elizabeth
No complications
Joy and Peace
Our House in FL to sell
Mike to eat and drink more
For his White Blood Count to drop and his low grade fever to go away
Wisdom in medical decisions
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