Vacation

Hi guys. Well, I know it's been a long time since I've posted anything. Let's just say I've been taking a little bit of a vacation. Aaron, RJ and I went to the Creation Museum. It was a lot more fun than the last time. RJ fell a sleep when we were touring the museum and started getting routy as it was close to time to leave the museum. We all had a fun time. One of the perks was that because we stayed in a larger room there was the ability to block off areas and let RJ just crawl around. By the way...RJ is now 1 year old as of October 24th. I've got pictures but my camera is actually in the car. And as of tonight he's got 6 yeeth! This opens more food opportunities!!

Aaron and I celebrated our 9th year of marriage in Gatlinburg on the 28th. It was wonderful. We are hoping to go back in a couple weeks. I would like to stay at the "Christmas Hotel". We know that that might not be possible so we may look at a nice hotel in town or go the way the way we always do and that's a cabin. I would prefer the cabin but since we may only stay overnight then a hotel might be the best choice. Either way it will be a fun trip.

Some things have happened since the last post in my health. In October we were given the news that there was nothing medically that they could do and that the cancer had actually spread to my lungs and there are more spots on the liver. When we first got the news it was very shocking, but we prayed to our Father in Heaven that He would give us peace and comfort at this time. This whole trial has been showerd in prayer, by friends, family, and people we don't even know...Friends who have told us that their friends are praying for us. I'll continue (praying and this story) From there I was sent to be admitted to UAB for a blood transfusion. Later that evening Aaron and I were in the hospital room talking and we both agreed with amazement that we had been given the peace and comfort we needed and asked the Lord for. I can't tell you how many times He has done this in our lives.

There was another time that the Lord answered prayer that just amazes me. Aaron and I were in the hospital and he really wanted his hymnal to sing some songs to me. He called our pastor who said that he would come visit us that nite. Well as he was leaving to come to the hospital (from Owens Cross Roads to Birmingham) he felt that he needed to bring his hymnal...Aaron didn't ask or allude to it at all. Our pastor arrived and handed Aaron the hymnal and Aaron just started crying...this was truly an answer to prayer.

The Lord answered a prayer of ours on Wednesday. We needed someone to keep RJ for a few hours while I went to the doctor. It was very short notice and we prayed that we would be able to find someone that we trusted and who had kept him before. The first person we called was not able to (and I hope their family is feeling better.) Praise the Lord, the second person we called was completely free, able and willing to keep him. She had also kept him before so she was familiar with some of his habits. Again; the Lord answers prayer.

So it stands...I've got swelling and am taking lasix for that, I'm also having some confusion/memory problems. And the pain has picked up a little. It was never bad to begin with. On Thursday we are going back to CCI to get bloodwork done. We had gone this Thursday and the week before. Right now my white cell count is at 0.5...very low. So, we are trying to figure why such a drop in a week. I have to where a mask IF I go into public places or around people. Handsanitizer is now my best friend. We are praying that my white blood count goes up and my red blood cells either stay the same or go up as well. So, if you would pray for these specific things, I would really appreciate it. Also, we are starting to look into Hospice and if you would pray for that specifically I would greatly appreciate that as well. And Aaron especially...he has been a BIG BIG help and support during all this. He takes care of me better than any nurse could. I cannot put into words just how much I appreciate everything he does.

Oh, today I learned that I have a habit of sleeping in odd positions such as...a Kung-fu position, or my arms might be straight out with my elbows bent. Or I may have a book in my hands as if I'm reading it. He's told me that he will put my arms down I don't feel him doing this and I have NO idea that this has even happened. I was so surprised when he told me this.

I'm sure most of you who read my have'nt seen me in a while. One day I'll get a picture of RJ and myself on here. RJ is 2.5 feet tall and myself, I'm the same height however; I have an unkempt military buzz (my decision) and nice hat and scarf collection. I like hats and scarfs.

Well, that is about 2 months summed up in a few paragraphs. I promise I will try to update more often. Thanks for all your prayers and support. Love you all!! Please keep in touch and I will try to do the same inbetween doctors appointments.

The God of Miracles

Today we got some wonderful news. About a week ago I had an MRI done of my head because I had been having headaches and we were concerned that the cancer may be spreading in the head. As usual, we were anticpating what the news would be and we had a holiday weekend to go through as well. Today we got the news. It appears that there are no signs of the cancer on my head...the radiation/the Lord had taken care of the cancer. Praise God!!! He is the only one to be thanked, praised and honored!!! He is the God of miracles and he has truly worked one. Thank you for all your prayers for my health and our family. Thank you Lord for your mercy and lovingkindness!!

How Are You?

It seems like "How are you?" is always the first 3 words in any conversation I have with another person. It's not that I don't appreciate people asking, it's just that it dawned on me that it is the first 3 words to start any conversation someone has with me. What if we try something different...why not ask "Hey, have you had any pickled beets lately?" Ya know, just to shake things up a bit. Hehehehe.

Well, this post was really intended to try and give a little update and share a few things. Right now I am blogging from Crestwood Hospital Room Number 322. We are on day number 4 and very much ready to go home...to real food. I've been on a liquid diet the whole time I've been here. But, first, let me back up and fill you in on what has happened up to this point. My mom is now out of the hospital and has to stay off her toe (not the easiest thing for her to do). She still has to take the IV antibiotics, and I believe it's getting easier for dad to administer them to her. Thank you for all your prayers.

Now comes the tricky part of trying to remember all the little things I've been going through that past couple weeks. It all just seems like a blur. What I failed to mention in my last post was that the doctor in Birmingham scheduled me for a colonoscopy, which came back fine. Well, I was still having bleeding problems. I was currently taking something for heartburn/acid indigestion every day. However; I was still getting the heartburn. Aaron decided that we should call our GI doctor and we did. They were able to get us in the next day. (Answer to prayer.) We saw him on a Thursday He scheduled us for an Endoscopy or something like that...it's called and EGD. This was scheduled for the next day; Friday. (Another answer to prayer.) The EGD was able to find that I had a pyloric ulcer that appeard to be the cause of the bleeding. (Another answer to prayer.) So, how did I get back here? Well, I was feeling the same way I had felt before when my red blood count was low. We called the doctor and they set up an appointment for me to have my blood checked and sure enough, it was low again. I was admitted on Thursday to get a blood transfusion and we are waiting to be set free. What has been happening is my platelets have been dropping and this morning, they have taken a turn for the better (Another answer to prayer.). However, my red count has dropped a hair, so we are not sure what this is going to mean as far as going home. If you happen to read this please pray that we are able to go home and that the Lord woud sustain the red count and even bring it back up. I will say this, even though this is not the place I would like to be right now, the past 4 days have been good in that Aaron and I have really been able to get into the Word and discuss things of the Lord, listen to sermons and watch some really interesting DVDs on some of the historical places of the Bible. It has really been a time of enjoying the Lord and I am thankful for that.

I know this has become a long post, but there can be a lot of things crammed in my week. Thank you for taking the time to read it. And thank you to all those who have been praying for our family during this. We have definately seen the Lord working all over and it is amazing!!

It's Been a While

I know it's been a while since my last post, and quite a bit has happened. We had an appointment with the oncologist in Birmingham where we found out that my red blood cell count was very low and I then had to be admitted to the hospital for a transfusion. That went well and afterward I felt like a totally different person. We are scheduled to go for another appointment to see him next Monday. I'm hoping we might find out when I may have a CT scan done to see the progress of the radiation and the chemotherapy. But, right now things are going pretty well with me, side effects are minimal, appetite is doing well. The Lord has really blessed me with energy to get out and spend time with Aaron and RJ.

My mom; however, is going through a lot right now. Earlier this week she had to go to the ER because she had a VERY bad migraine headache. She was able to come home, and the next day she had a appointment with her GP who then admitted her to the hospital. She was scheduled to have surgery on her toe also this week. The surgery went as planned and all went well with it. She has had numerous tests ran, and what they have been able to see is that she has a ruptured blood vessel at the base of her brain. The blood vessel has stopped bleeding and the next goal is to find out what has caused this and the best way to treat it. I ask for those who read this to please pray for her. Her name is Debbie. We really do appreciate it!

Hectic

Lately mom and I have had to "check our calendars" when making appointments because between Aaron, mom and myself we have had a lot of doctors appointments to make and keep. There have been some appointment conflicts here and there but nothing that couldn't be worked around or re-scheduled. Right now my mom is going through some serious issues with her toe. She went for an MRI the other day and is on antibiotics. As it stands now, the blood work shows that she has an infection in the bone and will require as pic-line and to have IV antibiotics administered to her that way. We are praying that maybe the pic-line won't be absolutely necessary. Our main prayer is that this will take care of her and get the infection totally cleared up and not have to have any other major medial procedures done. If you would please pray for her I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

Knee Surgery

A lot has been going on here lately. One thing that has happened is that Aaron had knee surgery last Wednesday. It went very smoothly and quickly. The surgery was done to remove a piece of dislodged cartilage that was fairly large from Aaron's knee that has been bothering him for years. We are praying now that it has been removed that it will help his back because he's been compensating by the way he walks due to his knee hurting all the time, not to mention taking away the knee pain. He is still fully recovering and having a little pain from the surgery and some of the swelling going down, but all in all he's doing great! Thank the Lord!!!

Weekend Getaway

Here is the update I promised of the weekend getaway. Aaron and I decided to take a trip to Gatlinburg for a couple days. We rented a cabin in the woods and it was beautiful. It was decorated in "cowboy" attire with pictures of John Wayne, and Clint Eastwood and other Hollywood Western Icons as well as horseshoes, deerskins, deer heads, comfortable furniture and very spacious. One thing I remember was that the table was set with ceramic plates and matching bowls; but, the bowls were so large and deep...ready for a bowl of homemade chilli or stew. Mmmmm.

Friday we looked around in Pigeon Forge and found a few good deals. We went out to eat and went to see the "Miracle" show. It was a show. Then on Saturday, we went to Gatlinburg and hunted for a few things that we were after. I found my funnel cake, and my frogs. Then Aaron and I found some great Christian T-Shirts that were solid and held to the Word of God. That is something we have been really wanting to find.

What was really great were the many opportunities we had to share the Gospel and leave Gospel tracks. It was truly a blessing! Also, we were able to meet with a gentleman who ran a Bible translation museum and fellowship with him for about 3 and 1/2 hours. Another blessing from the Lord!! In talking with him we found out that his first wife passed away with cancer. It was good to talk to someone else who has gone through what we are going through now. He shared with us a couple things that had happened during his wife's fight with cancer such as coming completely off all medical intervention and choosing an all natural course of treatment and the Lord giving her another 6 years to be with her family. It was truly amazing. What a blessing the Lord bestowed upon us on this trip.

And that was our weekend getaway...long overdue post.

Hair Today...Gone Tomorrow

Today will be treatment number 5 and that means we are at the half-way mark. I haven't had many side effects from the radiation so far. One thing that is happening is a little bit of hair loss. This could be because of the chemo-embolization or the radiation. I think it may be more from the embolization because we were told that there may be some hair loss associated with it. I am expecting to loose more hair from the radiation; however, those side effects usually start about 2 weeks after the first treatment. I have started to prepare for the hairloss and have ordered some hats and a scarf. Mom and dad have even said that they would shave thier head in support. Oh my! So, that's what's been going on lately. Things are going very well and I have more energy than I've had in a while. I feel more like getting out and about and have been enjoying getting out to go to the treatments. The Lord is continuing to bless our family. He is giving me the strength, the peace and the endurance I need to want to do these things. Thank you Lord!! And, thank you for all your prayers. The Lord hears and is answering them. It is so amazing to see Him answer little requests and show us things day by day. How wonderful it is to belong to Him!!!

2 Down...8 To Go

Yesterday I went to my second radiation treatment at Crestwood. The treatment process is very short and that is a huge benefit because during one part of the treatment a mesh mask is placed over my face and bolted down. If that part of the treatment were too long I would be afraid of becoming claustrophobic. I go for a total of 10 treatments; today being the third. After the treatment today I will meet with the doctor to discuss how things are going. The staff where I am going is very nice and care about how you and your loved ones are doing during this time. The nurse who is there also had cancer, so she is able to know exactly what's going on and how you may be feeling. I am thankful that she is there. The Lord keeps blessing us in many little ways here and there. Thank you Lord!!

Dry Run

Yesterday Aaron and I went to the Cancer Center at Crestwood for our dry run of the treatments that I will be having. It was a pretty short, and to the point. Each treatment session should only take about 20-30 minutes tops. I have been given a barcoded card where I just have to walk in and scan the card. Then I go to a dressing room and change into gowns and wait in the waiting room for my appointment time. The actuall radiaion session is about 15 minutes. Not a very long time at all.

Everyone ther is really nice. When you come in the nurses talk to you and ask how you've been doing and ask your spouce how they have been doing. They generally care and want to make sure that they can do anything they can to make you comfortable. I am very thankful that the Lord has surrounded me with all the caring people that he has. I am actually looking forward to having the radiation treatment done and seeing what the Lord is going to do. I know the side effects might be rough, but with the Lords strenght I will endure.

Thank you all those who have been praying for us during this time. I would ask, if you would, to please pray for Aaron as he is doing so much to take care of me and RJ through this. Also, please pray for my parents as they are helping to take care of RJ and me as well. They all have been such a blessing and I am very thankful for everything they have done.

There and Back Again

Well, on the 10th we made another trip to UAB again. It all started with a sarp pain on my right side where the liver is. I called the oncologist to ask what we shoul do or who we should call. We were told that we hsould go to the ER and get checked out. We decided that UAB would be the best place to go since all the doctors are there and UAB has all the medical records concerning my cancer. So, we went to UAB and they were able to see me fast and then a little while later we found out we were staying and we were set up with a room. Before going to the room I had an MRI one of the head, a CT scan. And also had an abdominal scan. We found out that the cancer has spread to the spine, the spleen, and the sack around the brain called the managie. We spent about a total of 6 days in the hospital. So, from here we move on to radiation therapy. And, just a few hours after being released from the hospital we were being set up with a radiation therapy schedule. I will only be doing radiation on the spine, and the area around the brain, Then, we move on the chemo-therapy which will then effect all the cancer cells (that's where the cancer in the spleen will be targeted). Evaluations will be done all throughout the treatments and at the end of the chemo treatment we will determini if another chemo-embilozation will be needed. It's possilbe it will not and the tumor in the liver can be resected. Or, there may be a need for another one. We will just have to see what the Lord does through all this.

The Lord put someone interesting in our path as we were riding up to our room. The gentleman who was pushing the wheel chair told us his story with cancer. He was diagnosed with cancer and it spread to different parts of his body. He had a tumor the size of a grapefruit in his liver as well a a tumor the size of a golfball in his brain. After different therapies and surgeries he is now cancer-free as of the last year. Praise the Lord that he is doing so well. The Lord use this man to give us some hope and encouragement right when we needed it. The Lord has sent a couple of people our way with similar stories of hope and encouragement.

The Lord has given another trial in which we have the opportunity to glorify his name, praise Him and see just what He is capable of doing. The Lord has given me so many people who want to help any way they can. It is such a blessing to have these people!Thank you all who have been praying for us.

Back Home

We are home from the hospital now. We have actually been home since Tuesday afternoon. The procedure went well, no complications. Aaron said that the doctor told him that they used all of the chemotherapy drug in the tumor. We were not expecting it all to be used. After I woke up from the anesthesia I was taken to my room and settled in. Monday afternoon and Monday evening I felt good and had no side effects. The most common are nausea and pain. And I was able to eat what they had brought for dinner. This was an answer to prayer. We were expecting the worse since that was what we had been told to expect. Monday night I started having a little pain... a little. Again, answer to prayer. I slept as well as I could with nurses coming in to get vital signs. Tuesday I was starting to feel a little worse. I started getting a little nauseous but wasn't really in pain. I did have a migraine that I'm still trying to get rid of today. If it's not gone in a week we are going to call the doctor back. Tuesday I wasn't feeling too bad, just the migraine. Wednesday was about the same but with a little more nausea...possibly due to the migraine. Aaron and my mom have been taking wonderful care of me and RJ. Aaron has become my personal nurse and dispenses All in all I'm good...much better than what we expected. The Lord has heard and answered the prayers of his saints. All glory, honor, and priase go to Him alone!! Thank you to those who have been praying in this situaion; we really do appreciate it.

Getting Prepared

It seems like this week has just flown by and it's hard to believe that tomorrow evening I'll being heading down to Birmingham to have the first procedure done on the road to eradicating the liver cancer. I feel like I've waited a long time just to get started. But, it's all in the Lord's timing and not mine.

Yesterday Mom, RJ and I went to Florence to visit my grandparents. It's been close to 5 months since they have seen RJ and we wanted to make the drive before I went to Birmingham. It was a very nice trip and they enjoyed seeing us; RJ especially. RJ was a good boy and we were VERY thankful for that. For the past 3 day's he's been quite a handul...more than what we are used to from him. It also felt good for me to get out of the house and go on a little trip. As we were on our way there, Mom and I noticed a number of little wat-not shops that we would like ot stop in. We also saw a very large yardsale, that if we had not been running late, we would've stopped to parooze their wares. We said that one day we would like to just take a drive back that way to stop in all the neat stores and yardsales along the way. That's my kind of trip!

So, as the title of this post says, I am getting prepared for the first treatment/procedure at UAB. The only thing I am really hoping for, besides that it will shrink the tumor, is that the pain is less than that of the livery biopsy. The liver biopsy was the worst pain I have EVER felt. That's all I ask. Oh, and that things do go smoothly and there are no complications. Ok, there are a few things I'm asking the Lord for. The other thing I am asking is that my family be comforted and the Lord ease their minds as I am going through this. I cannot thank them enough for all the help and support they have given me. The Lord continues to bless my family and I day to day. It is so amazing just watching how He answers the littlest of requests. I can not thank Him enough for the mercy and kindness he has shown. Having mentioned the previous things, I would ask, if you would, to pray for my family and I. We truly do appreciate it and we know the Lord hears our prayers. Thank you.

Excited

I'm excited because I've ordered a few books that should be here early next week. One of the books I ordered is the study guide to a book I'm reading now called "The Excellent Wife" by Martha Peace. I highly recommend reading "Attitudes of a Transformed Heart", also written by Martha Peace. She is very scripturally sound, and the book addresses things that every christian goes through, what the Bible says about them and how we are to deal with them. I also ordered "The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions" and "A Gospel Primer for Christians: Learning to See the Glories of God's Love", both of which were recommended to Aaron and I. From what I've read of "The Valley of Vision", it's going to be a great book.

So, that's my excitement. New books!!

Results

Today Aaron and I had a good visit with the doctor we saw today. Here is what happened. There was a lot of talking and explaining of what the procedure is. Basically it's similar to a heart cath, where the catheter is fed to the liver via a main artery in the groin. From there a chemo-type drug in a solution of oil and iodine is injected into the liver and then the artery is sealed off. This procedure is called T.A.C.E. if anyone is REALLY interested. The procedure only takes a couple of hours and I will be in the hospital overnight. Statistically, less than 50% of patients see a reduction of the tumors to which this procedure is done...but, we know that the Lord cares nothing about statistics and He can do what ever He wants and he will be glorified. Please pray that we continue to look only to the Lord for the strenght, hope, peace and wisdom as we continue to walk through this trial. Thank you for your prayers this far.

Excited

Excited? You may ask...why excited. Well, I am excited to be starting a study using the book called "The Excellent Wife" by Martha Peace. I have enjoyed the one book I have read of hers already called "Attitudes of a Transformed Heart". The book that I have read was very biblically bound. I found her to be a very solid, biblical author that only gives instruction based on the Word of God. I highly recommend reading one of the two books I've mentioned. I will let you know how the study is going.

Well, that's what the excitement was all about. Hehehe!!! Can't wait.

The Other Man in My Life

Well, technically he's not a man. My RJ...where to begin? How about in the mornings when he greets me with a smile in his pack and play where he sleeps. Or how he carries on a conversation sometimes before we go down stairs. When I pick him up from a nap and sit him on my lap he proceeds to tell me what he dreampt about...or so that's what I think. And he has a smile that when doing so, he scrunches up his little face. His smile and laugh are enough to melt your heart. Some of the littlest things make him laugh. He has a way of looking at you...that look that can make you give in to any request he may have. Mothers, I know you know it...grandmothers, I think have lost their ability to fight it. Some of his best conversations are on the changing table...don't know why. And when he rolls over, lifts his head up and smiles at you. This is just some of the things about my RJ. Our precious gift from God.

Leavin' on a jet plane...

Tomorrow we will be. Today was our last appointment with the doctor. And, as it turns out, he said the same thing that the doctor at UAB said. Also, he does no see any cancer anywhere else. Where do we go from here? We go back home; we make an appointment with the liver surgeon at UAB and we get started with the procedure to shrink the tumor so that it can be surgically removed. That is where we go. Do I feel that this was a good trip? Yes. It further confirmed what we were already told and the action that needed to be taken. The only thing I would change would be the personality of the doctor we saw. I know he is a good doctor and knows what he's doing...but I like for a doctor to have more personality and talk to you like you are a human who does not see, talk and think about cancer every day. That's just me, and that is the ONLY thing I would change. The Lord has answered our prayers that the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body. Thank you Lord!!

We are excited to be going back home tomorrow. We can't wait to see R.J. and my parents and be in a familiar place again. I am also praying that this cold that keeps hanging on will give up soon. RJ does not need to get sick and he has been very fortunate not to get sick with everyone in the house being sick around him.

Thank you so much for all your prayers. We do appreciate it. We have still got a long road ahead, that even though we may not know what will happen, the Lord in his sovereignty is not taken by surprise, nor does anything happen without him allowing it. What a wonderful God we have.

What a day!

It was a day like no other. We arrived at MD Anderson around 7:30 am did paperwork, got vitals, saw the doctor, did lab work and got a chest X-ray. That was done about Noon. The doctor was not what I had expected. We waited for him for close to an hour and when he came in he didn't even apologize for our wait. He was very cut and dry, just like we were any other case. I know I'm nothing special and he does this every day, all day long...but, we don't. So, I was expecting him to be a little bit more personable. We have an appointment to see him again on Friday and go over the labs and CT scan. Maybe things will go differently.

After we got lab work done and chest X-ray, we went to the first floor and ate at the cafe. I needed food at that point. Then we went back to the hotel and relaxed for a couple hours. We had to be back at the hospital at 5:20 for the CT scan. We arrived there along with dozens of other people. This is where the day really took its toll on me. I had to drink contrast, then I went to another room and put on scrubs, went to another room with a lot of the same people I saw previously while drinking the contrast and had an IV put in. I then had to drink a little more contrast...just couldn't get enough! Hahaha. And then came the actual scan. It took about 20 minutes and then I was free to go and have the IV removed, change clothes, and go back to the hotel. I did not like this part at all. We were there from 5:00 until 9:00.

Aaron and I are waiting for the room service we ordered to arrive. This will be the second meal I've had today. Tomorrow will be better. We are planning to go to one of the museums that are close by. Not sure which one, but, I know we will enjoy it.

Thank you again for all your prayers. We are very thankful for them. The Lord has blessed us on this trip with being able to relax when we can, being seen by the doctor today, going to the zoo yesterday, and what ever he has in store for us the rest of our time here. We are truly blessed.

Prayer Requests

Some have asked specifically what they can pray for and often times I don't remember some of the little things that I really do need prayer for. So, I'd like to take a minute and ask those who are praying to pray for these things...if you wouldn't mind.

That the Lord would give me physical strength walking places.
That we would have a safe trip to and from MD Anderson.
That there would be no problems with flying. (I often have ear problems for a few hours up to
a couple days after flying)
That the travel arragements go smoothly and everything arranged is how it should be.
That RJ would be good for my parents and there not be any emergencies.
That my mother will have the strength, patience, and feel good to take care of RJ.
Pray for Aaron as he is going through this as well. That the Lord give him strength, patience, and endurance while we go through this.

Again, I thank you for all the prayers. I know the Lord is hearing and answering them and with His strength we will get through this.