Pictures for the rest of the story

These are some pictures of the some of the people that I have blogged about over the past 11 months. It is 11 months today. I had the camera with me on Sunday night and was able to get pictures. I don't want to leave the impression by posting these pictures, that one person is more important than others. First of all, Jesus trumps everyone. Second, you can not walk this journey with one person. It takes a community of people from all over, doing all sorts of things, meeting all needs, to walk this "death sentence" of cancer that we were given. It is a perfect example of the body of Christ. Some days, God used an email. Some days, God used a monetary gift. Some days, God used a visit. One day, God used Relay for Life. AND some days, God used quiet. Make no mistake, God used it all from everyone.

As we celebrate this day, I want to say thank you to everyone, and especially family, for walking us here, to this day. Mike should be dead according to doctors, but God had a different plan. How do you put a value on a day? One more day to be a man of God, a father, a husband, a friend, and most of all an inspiration...

This is Melissa..how do you start that one?? This woman would stand toe to toe with Satan and not back down or blink once. She knows, beyond a shadow of a doubt, Jesus and the real picture. She was given a death sentence like us 8 years ago and here she is. Like her brothers, with every breath she takes, she lives for Jesus. She has walked us through some of the darkest days. I remember when she sat in bed with Mike in Sarasota and told him when she sees the signs that he is dying, she will tell him. She has been God's physical hands, God's audible voice, and God's kicking boot when needed (it has been needed sometimes too!)

This is Pierre. When I opened the door in Sarasota last October, I had no idea what God had just brought to our lives! His ministry is KMMI and he is on fire for God. He tells Elizabeth the best way to bring people to the Lord is to just love them. He travels all over the world, can sing incredible Praises, speak of God's transforming power, and laugh!! He has prayed with us, worshipped with us, stayed all hours in the ER and hospital with us, and he has become an incredible mentor to Elizabeth.

This is Merlin Bise - Melissa's brother and co-owner of Giact. He is an encourager and a man that incorporates God as part of his daily life. I say that has a very high compliment. God just is apart of his life, his work, and his basketball. He walks it every moment in everyday life.

This is Evelyn Hopson. This dear friend works at Giact and has a gift of order. She was also a nurse. She put so many hours into organzing everything from Doctor's appointments to paperwork for us when we got her to Texas. She also taught me what Mike's level of care needs to be at the hospital and also about cleaning hospital rooms. I think to the first hospital stay to the last one we had. She would be very proud!

This is Craig Church of Craig Church Ministries in North Carolina (http://www.craigchurchministries.org/). They have been praying for Mike and he also visited us in the hospital this past month. Another man filled with the Holy Spirit -it is just such a tangible thing that you can't put into words when you meet him.

This is Bruce Bise. He was the one that gave us from Prison to Praise and thought us how to Praise God even when in the depths. It is freeing and joyful and puts things in perspective.

Mike and Pastor Hermon. Amazing man and was the one that first prayed healing over Mike over the phone on our way to Sarasota, FL. Mike felt hands moving in his stomach. He was also the one that prayed with us in the ER that when Mike's blood count was at 3 and he should have been dead. Amazing Godly, man. Filled with Holy Spirit. Spends a lot of time in Phillipines.

Belle - our "When we Retire" Dog

Fran our wonderful Chemo Nurse

GO, GOD, GO!!!

I think this might be a long post. SO much has happened. I will get the medical stuff out of the way first -

1. We are still waiting on an appointment time at MD Anderson. We called again today and they are waiting on records from our doctor. Mike called them and will be going there tomorrow for blood work. He plans to harass them until it is done.

2. Mike went to the doctor this morning by himself. I took Elizabeth to get spacers in her teeth and xrays of her head for braces. His numbers are down (platelets and White Blood Cell) so he got a shot for the White Blood Cell and we are stopping the Nexavar once again. We have been back on it for a week and Mike's blood counts are going down again. If the numbers go back up, we have found the culprit. Nexavar is an angiogensis drug that prevents new blood supply in the body - thus preventing cancer from finding a new food source to grow. Or that is the theory anyway.

3. Mike's stomach is sore. If he bumps the tube, it hurts. Everyone thinks it might be another side effect of the Nexavar. The sight is not red and he is not running a fever, but it is something that we need to watch and pray over.

This weekend was full of great surprises. We had a visit from Angie McCue and 3 of her kids. Angie and John were our neighbors at Dyess AFB. She is the one that I got the chocolate chip cookie recipe from and the one that took all those great pictures of Elizabeth that are in our house. Angie brought us 8 loaves of homemade bread. 3 fresh and 5 frozen. It is the BEST bread ever. It reminds me of my grandma's bread. (Just wish I had some rhubarb jelly!!).

We also got a visit from Lisa Rhodenbaugh and some of her boys to include Joshua. Lisa is a great non-military friend from Tucson. Joshua and Elizabeth were good friends at the time we left Tucson. Our house was just overflowing with love, laughter, friends, some tears, and Jesus. It justs brings so much joy. Thank you ladies. Thank you.

Elizabeth was John the Baptist this weekend at church in "Life School Musical". She had big role and did so well. She really surprised both Mike and I how good she was. She loves to be on stage, but she had a role with the meat of the gospel message. She really understood what she was saying and really said the lines. Proud Parent Moment for sure.

Sunday-- this was a big day. We were invited to participate in GIACT's 5 year anniversary. They also included in this celebration Merlin's birthday and Mike's birthday. I have said this before, but Giact was given as a vision to Melissa by God and it is a company that truly lives out the gospel in the business world. They set aside 10% for God's glory and support churches, missionaries, people in need (like us), and so many more worthy projects. We got to meet everyone. There is amazing ministry going on all over the world. I am hoping to download the pictures of everyone very soon. It is so exciting to be in a room where you can feel the pulse of God and hear about people reaching others for Christ SO MANY different ways. I felt like this big cheerleader - "Go God Go!" and "Go Giact Go!" Actually, that is a good title for the weekend - between Elizabeth preaching the gospel on stage, friends ministering to our hearts, and Giact's celebration -- GO, God, GO!!!

Guess what has come out of Giact's celebration? Mike will be going to Cedar Hill on Sunday to give his testimony for Pastor Herman's church. It is his first opportunity to go and "declare the miraculous work of the Lord" to a church that has been praying for him since day one.

Prayer needs:
Mike to gain more weight and eat more
His stomach and the pain/soreness
MD Anderson - God's perfect timing and perfect care
Financial wisdom as we wait for our VA eligibility certificate and buying our house
HAP program - that we qualify
Hedge of protection for Mike, Elizabeth and I as we prepare for the weekend.
That Mike's testimony will be honoring to God and that God will use Mike for His glory to further His Kingdom
For Giact -- continued prosperity and focus on the true priorities in life and that God will use them to move mountains!

Praise-
For the joy that He delivered this weekend
Baptism of John, Jenny and Jared (neighbors)
Spend the nights
Shark Week on Discovery Channel -
That we are LIVING, LOVING, and LAUGHING

You have to show mercy to the stupid

Well, other than buying the house that we will reside in for the foreseeable future, we have officially checked the civilian life box. Mike and I got our Texas's Driver's License today that included our voter registration. I am officially home and still not sure how I feel about it. I love Texas and I have loved claiming it all these years as home. I loved visiting every moment I could, but I think I am grieving the loss of "new adventures" that come along with PCS orders. I love going to new places and traveling. I have to admit that I am pleading with God to bring that back into our lives somehow. But if this is where God needs us to be, then I am here.

I have two funny stories about Mike today:

1. The painful, and I mean PAINFUL, wait for our Driver's License. I took us over 1.5 hours to get these things - or at least the piece of paper until they arrive in mail in about 8 WEEKS (yes.. 8 weeks. Can you believe that?). So we waited in this long line, and finally got to the front. Mike and I went to the counter together because we have all the paperwork from registering both cars yesterday, along with VA paperwork, and retirement paperwork. We get to the counter and the lady said in the nastiest tone, " I can only help one at a time. You have to wait back in line until the next person is available." We both gave each other the "look" that husband and wives communicate with and Mike went back in line after he gave me all the paperwork. The next thing we know, someone calls next and the guy behind Mike goes. The lady that is helping me said, "Sir it was your turn. You should have gone" in a very snotty tone and Mike responded, "She has all the paperwork. (meaning me)". She turns and under her breath is the most rude tone said, "You should have come and gotten it from her then." I turn and look at Mike and he is about ready to throttle the lady. I haven't seen Mike like that in a LONG time. We are not in the Air Force anymore that is for sure. I would blog her name, but then that is really nasty!

2. After our PAINFUL venture to the DMV today, Mike wanted to go to Big Lots to look at computer cases for the netbook. We are walking across the parking lot when a guy in his car is driving towards us. I continue walking and Mike stops me. I said, "What? He is driving through parking spaces?" To which Mike responds-- Sometimes you have to show mercy to the stupid. I laughed! So true.

We should here from MD Anderson in the next 24 hours and then the process will begin. That should keep the blog interesting for awhile! I do have to give kudos to Tricare. They did approve us to go to Cleveland Clinic. They would pay for the medical, but we would have to pay for travel and lodging which is fair. However, as Mike blogged yesterday, there were things that we really hadn't thought about that needed to be weighed in making our decision.

Thanks Kathleen for that prayer and to everyone who has sent cards. I am stacking them away for him. The best thing about the cards coming is that Mike thinks I have something up my sleeve for his birthday - like a surprise party. I love it because he hates the thought of it. I can neither confirm nor deny this report since I know he reads the blog :)

Prayers:
Housing
MD Anderson - Lord to go before us and make the path straight and handle all details
Mike to gain weight and strength
Better sleep for Mike
The tube feedings to start feeling better for him. They are uncomfortable and make him feel bloated.

Praise:
Looked at a model home with Mike today
Swimming with friends for the afternoon
silly dogs
rain
To the AF for the care, details, and fun. What a life it was. It forever changed me!

Houston Bound

Dear Friends,

After several days of struggling with painful heartburn, gas and reflux, Deanna was smart enough to have me retry Probotics. Not much sleep with the pain for the last few days, but this stuff works great. In the hospital , I can get it via IV, but at home only via pill.

The pill of course would never make it down my damaged esophagus, but now with the feeding tube, we can just grind it up and pour it in with some water. So last night, I was able to get some sleep. My wife, beautiful and fabulously smart as well.

Blood levels are fine now, except the white count is still slightly low. Will probably just do the Nexovar anti-angeogenesis drug until our Houston consults are complete.

After consideration of the possibilities for multiple driving trips to and from the Cleveland clinic, I decided today to switch to MD Anderson in Houston instead. It's considered in a tie for second place with the Mayo clinic right behind Cleveland for the esophageal surgery I want to evaluate, so it's a still a very good choice. And the closer distance should greatly relieve the logistics.

I put in my referral request today. Will let you all know when our first trip to Houston will be. Some side benefits include the fact that Deanna has a cousin in Houston that might be able to help us. Plus, Dodie Osteen, the author of my favorite cancer book, is in Houston, and I might be able to visit her in person.

The Houston visit may bring an ethical dilemma. If they evaluate me and are willing to do the surgery, should I go ahead and get it? It would give me a 90% chance or so of recovering almost all digestive function. But it also has a 5-10% chance of killing me. Which is most fair to my family? Continuing in this life limited but apparently safe mode I am in now with the feeding tube? Or gambling with my life to have a chance at getting an unlimited life back?

Today we registered our cars for Texas disabled vet plates, and tomorrow we should get our Texas driver licenses.

House hunting is still on pause until we get our VA loan eligibility certificate.

Had some time a few days ago to go over to the McKinney airport after the morning doctor visit. I checked out the FBO and even had a nice chat with the Airport Management Assistant. She brought me up to date on a lot of the events happening at the airport.

I still wonder if God wants me to do something with aviation when I am better. Could be Wright Flight, Angel Flight, maybe CAP or even AFJROTC. I am impatient to know, but I know He will reveal this to me when the time is right.

I found my pocket calendar the other day that had been misplaced with all the moves. Funny thing--you look at August 08, and it is full of the old life of a USAF officer on active duty. But turn the page to September 08, and it is full of the logistics of cancer fighting. One little page is turned, and life changes forever.

It also has the phone number of one friend who retired shortly before I was diagnosed. I'm debating whether or not to call him. I don't think he knows about the cancer yet. I don't know whether or not I should call him out of the blue only to bring bad news. I have one more friend like this, although I have lost his contact information. Difficult to decide about these two.

Elizabeth is in high gear preparing for her role as John the Baptist at a church musical. Deanna is very busy taking care of us both.

God Bless you all!
-Mike

Shower of Goodness

Today is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!

We have hit another mile stone today. Mike took a shower. This may seem absolutely silly, but he hasn't showered since we had the PICC line installed back in October. Mike stood in the shower until he got cold. It really is another miracle. Do you remember when Mike didn't have the energy to even stand long enough to brush his teeth? He now has enough to take a shower, shave, brush his teeth, etc.

Other than that, Mike's blood is good. His white blood count is still the same, but we are praying everyday that his marrow will kick in and produce those very precious immunity cells. We are still working the Cleveland Clinic with Tricare. We need a letter from our Oncologist to support the issue of going to Cleveland Clinic over somewhere "local". I think if someone asked me my opinion, as long as Cleveland takes Tricare Prime (which they do), then it shouldn't be an issue. We should have some choice in where we go under the circumstances. But I am working it, through all the correct channels and praying God will open the doors and pave the way....if it is His will.

Prayer needs:
Mike's weight to go up
Mike's White Blood Cells to start producing
God continues to heal and kill the cancer cells with Mike
Cleveland Clinic to open up or another avenue - God's Will
Our living situation - what is our next step? Where does God need us to be?

Praise:
Joy Cruse and her wonderful blogs
Roxanne and Hal in FL who have taken such good care of us
Going to church as a family last night
Coffee with the girls and laughing and supporting each other

Moving Forward - small set backs - God's Hand

Sorry for the pause over the past few days. Mike is home and every day is better. The first few days were rough. Mike was moaning in his sleep and ended up sleeping in the recliner for a first few nights. Now, he is sleeping back in the hospital bed in our room in a semi reclined position. The tube placement was more painful than we both thought it would be. Mike is amazing though. He is such a quiet, calm and vigilant fighter. You can easily under estimate Mike due to his quiet personality. Underneath it is a determined warrior. I love it. I love him!

So the tube is so-so at this point. Mike is unable to get enough cans at this point. We need to build up his weight and strength again. We are going to the GI doctor tomorrow to talk about maybe doing a continuous feed/pump all night and then allowing him to eat by mouth what he can during the day. The problem is that he uses the tube 4 times a day, and he is full. So he is not eating extra through his mouth. I think this is a good solution and we may have to push for it. But I am getting good at pushing.

We have our appointment at Cleveland Clinic to meet with Dr. Cristina Rodriquez on August 6. All records, pathology slides, and scans are on the way up there. Everything is in place EXCEPT Tricare Referral. There could be a snafu there and this requires PRAYER for sure. When you are Tricare Prime, they want you to go locally first - which for us is MD Anderson in Houston. Make no mistake, MD Anderson is good, but from what we know and have researched Cleveland Clinic is better for the GI track issues. Dr. Rodriquez is well known and in fact got a "God appointed confirmation" of this decision again tonight. Things are falling into place to quickly to doubt that God is pushing us in that direction. Once again, Giact has offered us there support in big ways, to include lodging with some of their ministry partners in Cleveland.

Mike and I went to our first Cancer support meeting tonight - Beacon of Hope. It was great. The topic was nutrition, but the information we got from others was invaluable. The sad news is that they only meet once a month. I was extremely touched tonight by a gift for me. Mary Kay Satin Hands. A small gesture, but it just makes my heart just praise the Lord for his tender mercies towards me. I love how he doesn't forget my needs as well as Mike's and Elizabeth's needs. I also picked up books and resources. Information and cancer go hand in hand that is for sure!

We went to see Dr. Khan today and again some "Praise the Lord" moments. Mike's blood work is great. His platelets are almost normal and his red blood cell is normal. His white blood is a little low, but no shot. Dr. Khan wants to have his marrow try to kick back into gear. He felt no tumor and his liver is still soft. I was able to read through Mike's medical chart. (I do it all the time...again knowledge is never bad with cancer) I actually read through Mike's procedure report from the stretching we did in the hospital. I pulled it out of his chart and handed it to Mike to read. (See how bold I am..it drives me insane when doctors don't let you look at your chart. It is after all about me or Mike in this case) Anyway, the report read that there was fibrous tissue that was difficult to get through and no visual evidence of cancer tissue. It also mentioned a 5 mm scar that appeared to be where the necrotic tissue was the last time. More physical evidence of the healing that Jesus has done. Cool huh?

God answered another care through Melissa. Literally, that morning, I was wondering and thinking about some upcoming needs for Elizabeth and mentally planning out how I could accomplish getting what she would need within our situation. I got a call from Melissa asking me if she could take Elizabeth with her daughter to get those needs. I paused to collect myself and gratefully accepted, hung up the phone and just cried. I cried because God is not only taking care of my biggest need with Mike, but taking care of the little needs as well. I have said this before, but Thank you just doesn't cover it sometimes. I look forward to the day when God uses this experience for us to give back to others.

Finally, I want to leave you with this poem:

A beautiful painting in the sky.
The Shepherd watches His sheep, dancing in the twilight.
And even if in the night, one goes astray,
He looks for her and looks for her 'till noon day.
Know, lost sheep, you won't be left behind,
For the Shepherd loves you,
He will comfort you in the moonlight.

Prayer needs:
Mike's nutrition and Gtube
Cleveland Clinic Referral from Tricare
God will reveal where he needs us to reside

Praise:
Elizabeth is back and she had an incredible time
Elizabeth wrote that poem for her teacher one morning at school for her teacher's birthday. Her teacher emailed it to me last week and it was such a gift to see the Holy Spirit at work in her!
Our dear friends in FL and everywhere
Jeff and Wendy are on their way to Germany. That is not the praise. The praise is that God put them in Abliene when He did and for everything they have done for us. It got to the point where Jeff had a honey-do-list from both his wife and everytime he came over here. No man should have two women give him a honey-do-list ! :)

Home

Mike is home and it is right on time. I could tell walking into the hospital that the stay was starting to take it's toll mentally. It was time to go, even if it meant leaving a day early. He is still in pain and walks like I did after my C Section, but I am praying that each day more strength will come.

We got a 2 week delivery late tonight of the food for his feeding tube and we are both trying to figure everything out.

Prayer needs:
Strength for Mike
Wisdom with the care and nutrition with this feeding tube
Less pain and quick recovery for Mike
Sleep for Mike - he looks so tired.
Elizabeth - she stayed at the beach and won't be home until very late on Saturday. Pray for her protection, joy, and heart
Me - I really miss Elizabeth!!