Mike had Chemo on Friday. Overall, he is doing well. Some throwing up - but not too bad. He is very tired today though. His platelets have started to drop today - down to 109. I am asking for prayer coverage with his blood for all those praying for us.
Mike is going in for another esophageal stretch tomorrow morning. He is scheduled at 9:30 am CST. He had two things get caught on Thursday and we decided to jump on this before it got worse. The funny thing is that he had a cup of chicken gumbo with 5 hush puppies Friday night and that went down. Meat and all. He hasn't eaten much since yesterday though (Chemo). I always have such anxiety over all these procedures. You would think it would become routine by now. It is not.
I want to thank every that posts on the blog - we read them all and we are looking into the options for the house. We are not sure if we qualify or not. Maybe under the wounded warriors. What I do hope is that everyone is learning from our road. We have planned for retirement, death, college education, etc. But never for Disability. I always viewed disability as losing an arm, etc. It never occurred to me that cancer, or any other more common disease could be considered in the disability range. If only we had taken disability insurance on the house... Honestly, I know I say this every time, but Mike is still here and able to be an incredible loving husband and father. That is all that matters.
May God Bless your day, your family, and shine through you!
Deanna
(I will post tomorrow night after procedure. Please pray that the results are as miraculous as the last time!)
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
More Opportunities for God to work through Prayer
We went to the doctor today and Mike continues to do well. His platelets are up enough to do Chemo tomorrow. They are still not in the normal range, and that makes me a little nervous. However, I take it as an opportunity to watch God work through prayer!
Mike is still eating well, but we have had two instances today of food getting stuck. So I am going to call the doctor to see if we can go in and have it stretched again on Monday. Of course, that is providing his numbers hold after Chemo. Yet another opportunity for God to work through prayer!
We got another offer on the house today. It was considerably lower than the asking price. It occurred to us tonight that the loss we might have to take on the house is larger than the payments we have made on it up until now. We are going to call the bank and see if we qualify for any of those special incentives that passed this spring. There is one option of just handing over the deed to the house. I need to find out what that means based on credit scores and such, but it may very well be an option. It would basically mean us taking at loss of about $30,000 as opposed to selling it at around $50,000. We will see what happens. Yet another opportunity for God to work through prayer!
School is finishing up next week for Elizabeth. She is busy with the end of softball season and the beginning of swim team. One more week of craziness and then summer!!! Speaking of next week, we opted for chemo tomorrow because next week is all the end of school activities/celebrations. We are hoping that Mike will bounce back quickly and be able to attend everything next week. Yet another opportunity for God to work through prayer!
Prayer needs:
Wisdom over our house in FL... Divine insight and wisdom
Chemo - it will kill only the cancer cells and leave the healthy cells intact
Platelets - that they will hold strong
Protection from infection/disease for everyone in the family
Esophagus - that God will hold it open and that we can get the stretch on Monday
Mike's food intake and blood work will be strong enough to get off of TPN
Divine timing and care for us to go to the beach in July as we have done for 6 years now. So much needs to happen medically for us to take this break. We really want to go as a family with our family.
Praise:
A roof over our heads...My brother Scott for letting us stay in his house for so long without rent.
Medical needs
Godly men and women in our paths
Dr. Bo and his adjustments
Teachers
End of School year!!!
Our dear friends
ONE MORE DAY AS A FAMILY
Mike is still eating well, but we have had two instances today of food getting stuck. So I am going to call the doctor to see if we can go in and have it stretched again on Monday. Of course, that is providing his numbers hold after Chemo. Yet another opportunity for God to work through prayer!
We got another offer on the house today. It was considerably lower than the asking price. It occurred to us tonight that the loss we might have to take on the house is larger than the payments we have made on it up until now. We are going to call the bank and see if we qualify for any of those special incentives that passed this spring. There is one option of just handing over the deed to the house. I need to find out what that means based on credit scores and such, but it may very well be an option. It would basically mean us taking at loss of about $30,000 as opposed to selling it at around $50,000. We will see what happens. Yet another opportunity for God to work through prayer!
School is finishing up next week for Elizabeth. She is busy with the end of softball season and the beginning of swim team. One more week of craziness and then summer!!! Speaking of next week, we opted for chemo tomorrow because next week is all the end of school activities/celebrations. We are hoping that Mike will bounce back quickly and be able to attend everything next week. Yet another opportunity for God to work through prayer!
Prayer needs:
Wisdom over our house in FL... Divine insight and wisdom
Chemo - it will kill only the cancer cells and leave the healthy cells intact
Platelets - that they will hold strong
Protection from infection/disease for everyone in the family
Esophagus - that God will hold it open and that we can get the stretch on Monday
Mike's food intake and blood work will be strong enough to get off of TPN
Divine timing and care for us to go to the beach in July as we have done for 6 years now. So much needs to happen medically for us to take this break. We really want to go as a family with our family.
Praise:
A roof over our heads...My brother Scott for letting us stay in his house for so long without rent.
Medical needs
Godly men and women in our paths
Dr. Bo and his adjustments
Teachers
End of School year!!!
Our dear friends
ONE MORE DAY AS A FAMILY
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day Picture
We have had a great weekend. Mike continues to eat and continues to get stronger. Today, we went to a Memorial Day Celebration in McKinney and Mike walked about 1/2 mile and carried two folding chairs. But I thought the best thing I could do would be to post a picture of Mike. Hopefully you can see the changes for the better.
Thank you to everyone who has served and is serving this great country of ours. You are our brothers and sisters and even though we are no longer serving beside you, we pray for you and are grateful for everything you do!
God Bless America!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
He is Scrounging for food people!
Miraculous things continue to unfold in front of me. I was watching TV with Mike and he got up and went to the pantry. I ask him what he was doing and he said, "Looking for something to eat." Wow. Praise God!
I came home yesterday and Mike and eat a pear (skin and all) like an apple. Incredible. Praise God!
Elizabeth and I were out late running activities and Mike put our dinner in the oven and had it ready for us. He pulled in trash cans. He folded laundry. Huh?? Praise God!
I know. There are such simple things, but really huge steps. He was unable to do any of that just a few months ago. He is eating more and more everyday. Turkey meat loaf. Broccoli Rabi. Pears. Ginger Snaps. Homemade bread from Angie. For everyone who has followed this blog for so long, I know you will recognize the miracle.
I did make Mike a breakfast taco yesterday. It didn't work. We are starting to think that eggs don't do well for him anymore. He got sick on a over easy egg - sick on the breakfast burrito on Sunday - sick on the breakfast taco yesterday.
Mike's platelets are up to 92 as of this morning. They are coming up, but not up enough. So we have a break for the entire weekend!! No doctors appointments until Tuesday. Chemo, maybe next week.
We have so much to be thankful for today. We are still trying to get the VA and DFAS talking to each other. DFAS says they must receive communication from the VA about concurrent receipt and the VA says they already sent it. So we faxed over to DFAS the VA documents we received with a letter, saved the confirmation, and filed it. We have done as much as we can do with that. So we will see what happens.
We lowered the price another $5,000 on the house. I keep going back and forth about switching Realtors. I like my current one, but maybe a switch would be the best thing to get it sold. Everyone loves the house who sees it, but no one is buying and we just can't afford a huge loss and we are very close to the amount of a loss we can handle.
We had some issues with the pool as well and it may not be done yet. We will see if the new company can remove the stains on the liner. I just pray they can!
All these are minor and unimportant in the big picture. My family is still here and God is still in control. Heaven awaits and that is the BIG picture.
Prayer Needs:
Mike to eat enough to get rid of the TPN (this is his liquid food he gets every day over 14 hours via IV)
Mike's blood levels to keep improving
Mike to start gaining muscle mass
Our house in FL to sell
The stains to come out of the pool liner
Financial prudence
Praise:
This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!
Family and friends
See above!
I came home yesterday and Mike and eat a pear (skin and all) like an apple. Incredible. Praise God!
Elizabeth and I were out late running activities and Mike put our dinner in the oven and had it ready for us. He pulled in trash cans. He folded laundry. Huh?? Praise God!
I know. There are such simple things, but really huge steps. He was unable to do any of that just a few months ago. He is eating more and more everyday. Turkey meat loaf. Broccoli Rabi. Pears. Ginger Snaps. Homemade bread from Angie. For everyone who has followed this blog for so long, I know you will recognize the miracle.
I did make Mike a breakfast taco yesterday. It didn't work. We are starting to think that eggs don't do well for him anymore. He got sick on a over easy egg - sick on the breakfast burrito on Sunday - sick on the breakfast taco yesterday.
Mike's platelets are up to 92 as of this morning. They are coming up, but not up enough. So we have a break for the entire weekend!! No doctors appointments until Tuesday. Chemo, maybe next week.
We have so much to be thankful for today. We are still trying to get the VA and DFAS talking to each other. DFAS says they must receive communication from the VA about concurrent receipt and the VA says they already sent it. So we faxed over to DFAS the VA documents we received with a letter, saved the confirmation, and filed it. We have done as much as we can do with that. So we will see what happens.
We lowered the price another $5,000 on the house. I keep going back and forth about switching Realtors. I like my current one, but maybe a switch would be the best thing to get it sold. Everyone loves the house who sees it, but no one is buying and we just can't afford a huge loss and we are very close to the amount of a loss we can handle.
We had some issues with the pool as well and it may not be done yet. We will see if the new company can remove the stains on the liner. I just pray they can!
All these are minor and unimportant in the big picture. My family is still here and God is still in control. Heaven awaits and that is the BIG picture.
Prayer Needs:
Mike to eat enough to get rid of the TPN (this is his liquid food he gets every day over 14 hours via IV)
Mike's blood levels to keep improving
Mike to start gaining muscle mass
Our house in FL to sell
The stains to come out of the pool liner
Financial prudence
Praise:
This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!
Family and friends
See above!
Monday, May 18, 2009
More cake, please
Dear friends,
How richly God has blessed us the past few days!
On Friday we went in and the platelets were up ten points to 70 after hovering around the high fifties to low sixties for weeks. We were given the weekend off, and this morning the platelets gained another ten points over the weekend up to 80. Maybe I won't have to get my hip drilled into after all. The white count was a bit low, so I got a booster shot for that.
The eating department has been good as well. I've had a carton of potato salad, a serving of collard greens, a pancake, some chicken-and-dumplings, ginger snaps, ravioli, and a large carrot cup cake. I've had more food in the last few days than the last several months put together.
The esophagus stretch seems to be holding well, with the exception of a chorizo-and-egg breakfast burrito that soundly defeated me yesterday morning on the way to church. It took several hours to recover from that one, but by lunch time I was munching baked potato chips.
Note to self. My much beloved chorizo is off the table, at least for a while.
Saturday our friend, chiropractor, and faith healer Bo called and said he felt led that we should go to the Higher Trails cowboy church near Merit, TX. He had heard that many healings were occurring there. They have a large hangar like building for their church, with a great band that played Appalachian and country style worship music. It reminded me of weekends at my grandmother's and uncle's houses when I was little. Celebrations filled with country and Appalachian music. Everybody would join in and sing or play something: jaw harp, banjo, guitar, ukulele.
The cowboy churches are a branch of the baptist churches, reaching out to the country and western culture to bring them the gospel in their own style.
After the main part was over, Bo said we should go up to the alter, which we did. Bo prayed over me, and then the pastor, wheelchair bound himself, rolled over and asked if he could have some people pray over me. Of course, I gladly accepted. The next thing I knew, I was surrounded by friendly faces with many hands on me as the pastor led the healing prayer. Deanna and Elizabeth kept their seats. Later, she told me it was one of the most touching things she had ever seen in church. From my kneeling, forward facing position, I could not see just how big the crowd was, but Deanna could. She says that the ENTIRE congregation got up, came forward, and laid hands on for the prayer. The people who were too far back to lay hands on me just laid their hands on whomever happened to be in front of them.
Those folks at Higher Trails out near Merit--they sure know how to do it right.
Well, my friend and nurse Randy has just cleaned my PICC (IV) site and changed the dressing. He said it looked great, no signs of infection. He had a good weekend at Lake Brownwood at a man-to-man event.
God has richly blessed us by putting so many gifted Christians into our path to help us.
I have felt lately that we are closer to the time when I need to start serving more. For the time being, I've deliberately spent more time in prayer for the needs of the people in my life. I'm also considering writing a book about this incredible journey that He has brought us through.
Well, Deanna went grocery shopping and asked what I wanted before she left.
I told her to get some fresh, organic greens and,
More cake, please:)
With much love,
-Mike
How richly God has blessed us the past few days!
On Friday we went in and the platelets were up ten points to 70 after hovering around the high fifties to low sixties for weeks. We were given the weekend off, and this morning the platelets gained another ten points over the weekend up to 80. Maybe I won't have to get my hip drilled into after all. The white count was a bit low, so I got a booster shot for that.
The eating department has been good as well. I've had a carton of potato salad, a serving of collard greens, a pancake, some chicken-and-dumplings, ginger snaps, ravioli, and a large carrot cup cake. I've had more food in the last few days than the last several months put together.
The esophagus stretch seems to be holding well, with the exception of a chorizo-and-egg breakfast burrito that soundly defeated me yesterday morning on the way to church. It took several hours to recover from that one, but by lunch time I was munching baked potato chips.
Note to self. My much beloved chorizo is off the table, at least for a while.
Saturday our friend, chiropractor, and faith healer Bo called and said he felt led that we should go to the Higher Trails cowboy church near Merit, TX. He had heard that many healings were occurring there. They have a large hangar like building for their church, with a great band that played Appalachian and country style worship music. It reminded me of weekends at my grandmother's and uncle's houses when I was little. Celebrations filled with country and Appalachian music. Everybody would join in and sing or play something: jaw harp, banjo, guitar, ukulele.
The cowboy churches are a branch of the baptist churches, reaching out to the country and western culture to bring them the gospel in their own style.
After the main part was over, Bo said we should go up to the alter, which we did. Bo prayed over me, and then the pastor, wheelchair bound himself, rolled over and asked if he could have some people pray over me. Of course, I gladly accepted. The next thing I knew, I was surrounded by friendly faces with many hands on me as the pastor led the healing prayer. Deanna and Elizabeth kept their seats. Later, she told me it was one of the most touching things she had ever seen in church. From my kneeling, forward facing position, I could not see just how big the crowd was, but Deanna could. She says that the ENTIRE congregation got up, came forward, and laid hands on for the prayer. The people who were too far back to lay hands on me just laid their hands on whomever happened to be in front of them.
Those folks at Higher Trails out near Merit--they sure know how to do it right.
Well, my friend and nurse Randy has just cleaned my PICC (IV) site and changed the dressing. He said it looked great, no signs of infection. He had a good weekend at Lake Brownwood at a man-to-man event.
God has richly blessed us by putting so many gifted Christians into our path to help us.
I have felt lately that we are closer to the time when I need to start serving more. For the time being, I've deliberately spent more time in prayer for the needs of the people in my life. I'm also considering writing a book about this incredible journey that He has brought us through.
Well, Deanna went grocery shopping and asked what I wanted before she left.
I told her to get some fresh, organic greens and,
More cake, please:)
With much love,
-Mike
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Doctor Today - Prayer Request
We went to the Doctor today and had a fun time showing everyone the pictures. The Chemo nurses where just so excited to see them. It made their day and gave them encouragement.
So as this roller coaster goes, we have another prayer need that has surfaced today. Mike's platelets have been very low (around 60) for about 7 -10 days now. They were in the normal range when we had the last Chemo (18 days ago) and fell very quickly after that. They have stayed around 60, but the problem is they are not going back up and that could be a sign of something else and of course one of the options is cancer. They did some blood work today to test for Heparin antibodies and pulled a lot of blood. If Mike's platelets don't go up by next Thursday, they will want to do a test on Mike's bone marrow. I am not sure what this test is, but I have heard around the clinic that it is painful and has to do with getting marrow out of the hip.
So, as we have done in the past - we are calling on all pray warriors to lift this straight to the Throne of Grace. To speak out and ask for God to speak to Mike's marrow to produce the platelets. Please ask for protection for Mike while the marrow is rebuilding the platelets. Platelets cause the blood to clot and that is very important. Even a small cut could be dangerous.
We are trusting the Lord with everything!
(By the way, Mike and I had a date afternoon and saw Star Trek together. We loved it and I loved holding his hand and just being us for 2 hours.)
Prayer needs:
Mike platelets to increase
Injury protection for Mike
Our house in FL to sell
Financial prudence
Praise:
The Congressman worked (thanks again Carole). We got our VA - now we just need the AF retired pay to catch up. We are getting our full retirement, but are not entitled to it. The VA money needs to come out of that.
Someone is looking at our house
Star Trek - good movie (for adults)
Prayer warriors all over the world
Daily Devotionals
Cards in the mail
So as this roller coaster goes, we have another prayer need that has surfaced today. Mike's platelets have been very low (around 60) for about 7 -10 days now. They were in the normal range when we had the last Chemo (18 days ago) and fell very quickly after that. They have stayed around 60, but the problem is they are not going back up and that could be a sign of something else and of course one of the options is cancer. They did some blood work today to test for Heparin antibodies and pulled a lot of blood. If Mike's platelets don't go up by next Thursday, they will want to do a test on Mike's bone marrow. I am not sure what this test is, but I have heard around the clinic that it is painful and has to do with getting marrow out of the hip.
So, as we have done in the past - we are calling on all pray warriors to lift this straight to the Throne of Grace. To speak out and ask for God to speak to Mike's marrow to produce the platelets. Please ask for protection for Mike while the marrow is rebuilding the platelets. Platelets cause the blood to clot and that is very important. Even a small cut could be dangerous.
We are trusting the Lord with everything!
(By the way, Mike and I had a date afternoon and saw Star Trek together. We loved it and I loved holding his hand and just being us for 2 hours.)
Prayer needs:
Mike platelets to increase
Injury protection for Mike
Our house in FL to sell
Financial prudence
Praise:
The Congressman worked (thanks again Carole). We got our VA - now we just need the AF retired pay to catch up. We are getting our full retirement, but are not entitled to it. The VA money needs to come out of that.
Someone is looking at our house
Star Trek - good movie (for adults)
Prayer warriors all over the world
Daily Devotionals
Cards in the mail
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Thomas moment or A picture is worth a thousand words
OK. It is my turn. Wow. Wow. Wow. As you all know, Mike had the stretch done on Monday and God gave us an unexpected gift. The GI doctor came to talk to us after the procedure. He always takes pictures of what he does. I take my bible with me when we do these things, and I left the last set of pictures in my bible. I think, because subconsciously, this is too big for me by myself and in the end that is where I need to leave it, in God's hands. It was kind of a physical action to help my spiritual heart. When the GI doc told us that the cancer he saw before was gone, I was a little in shock. I then pulled the pictures out of my bible and could compare. I showed the wonderful nurses in day surgery (who were excited and mighty prayer warriors). I immediately thought of Thomas.. (John 20: 24 -29)
24But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the LORD. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God.
29Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Thomas...so near and dear to me. With everything that has been happening, I am so afraid to let my guard down. The remarkable events are hard to deny, but I have this warning voice in the back of my head telling me not to let go all the way. I think it is because I still remember the words from back in September - "There is a large mass" and the shock of the rug being pulled out from under us so quickly. But I can learn from this. Thomas teaches me that even though the doubt is sometimes there, Jesus understands. Everyday in this journey I am walking closer towards Jesus and further from that worldly unbelief. Some days it may be only 1/2 of a step closer, but closer none the less.
So here are the pictures that I believe He gave me - This is the before picture taken in April when they removed the stent:
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It is just remarkable. Six weeks. Praise be to God for His remarkable hand AND for allowing us to see it.
24But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the LORD. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God.
29Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Thomas...so near and dear to me. With everything that has been happening, I am so afraid to let my guard down. The remarkable events are hard to deny, but I have this warning voice in the back of my head telling me not to let go all the way. I think it is because I still remember the words from back in September - "There is a large mass" and the shock of the rug being pulled out from under us so quickly. But I can learn from this. Thomas teaches me that even though the doubt is sometimes there, Jesus understands. Everyday in this journey I am walking closer towards Jesus and further from that worldly unbelief. Some days it may be only 1/2 of a step closer, but closer none the less.
So here are the pictures that I believe He gave me - This is the before picture taken in April when they removed the stent:
Here is the picture from Monday of the same area:
It is just remarkable. Six weeks. Praise be to God for His remarkable hand AND for allowing us to see it.In all you do, wherever you are, in every circumstance, His Word tells us BE NOT FAITHLESS, BUT BELIEVING!!!!
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