Well, 35 radiation treatments, 2 chemotherapy treatments, 1 PEG surgery, and 6 weeks later, it is OVER!!!! Friday was a day of rejoicing as we went to UAB for radiation one last time. The wonderful staff presented Aaron with the "mask" he wore for daily treatment. It looks like something out of Star Wars!! He is going to hang it on the wall like a trophy, I think.
These last 6 weeks have seen like an eternity, but there have been many blessings along the way. Just a few things we are thankful for:
-safe travel to B'ham every day
-faithful drivers
-caring, compassionate staff, drs, etc.
-uninterrupted treatments
-no complications with PEG tube
-no extraordinary complications associated with treatments
-wonderful support of family and friends
-answered prayers
Here are a few things to continue to pray about:
-that cancer is completely gone
-for Aaron's swallowing ability to improve and get back to 100%
-for healing of skin, as well as tissue inside mouth and throat
-for Aaron's ability to speak again(he is only able to whisper)
-for patience and peace during recovery process
We will be going back for follow-up visits in 2 weeks, then 4 weeks. At some point (6 weeks?)drs. will scope his throat and do CT and PET scans to determine success of treatment. There remains the possibility of surgery to remove lymph node that has not completely gone down. PEG tube will probably remain in for 6-8 weeks.
Meanwhile, we are seeing improvement and healing of the radiated skin on his neck. He has felt good "in general", and the pain in throat is being "managed fairly well until he "practices" swallowing. We have been grateful for a few more restful nights recently. We look forward to NO treatment tomorrow and a full recovery in the weeks and months ahead!
As always, thanks for your interest and love for us. We will keep you posted.
FYI: My Dad is doing much better as he is recovering from surgery. He will have his lungs scoped and biopsied on Wed. to determine course of treatment. Please continue to pray for him.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
"HE CARRIES US"
" It would sometimes appear, indeed, that God puts us into special circumstances of difficulty and trial in order that He may make manifest to us the infinite resources of His consolation; just as we need to go out into the dark night in order to behold the stars." F. B Meyer
We are down to the final 2 treatments! This is both wonderful and terrible....wonderful because the constant intentional burning of the soft tissues of Aaron's mouth, tongue and throat will come to an end; terrible because the pain and discomfort are at new highs. Yesterday was a particularly hard day. Aaron was suffering so much and had had just about all he could handle. I was feeling completely helpless and desperate. With tears of frustration we cried out to our Good Shepherd for mercy. In the intervening hours spent in and out of drs offices at UAB, the "Great Shepherd of the sheep" came and carried us.
"His strength is perfect, when our strength is gone. He'll carry us when we can't carry on. Raised in His power, the weak become strong. His strength is perfect".
S. C. Chapman
"He willl tend his flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom and gently lead those that are with young." Is 40:11
We are down to the final 2 treatments! This is both wonderful and terrible....wonderful because the constant intentional burning of the soft tissues of Aaron's mouth, tongue and throat will come to an end; terrible because the pain and discomfort are at new highs. Yesterday was a particularly hard day. Aaron was suffering so much and had had just about all he could handle. I was feeling completely helpless and desperate. With tears of frustration we cried out to our Good Shepherd for mercy. In the intervening hours spent in and out of drs offices at UAB, the "Great Shepherd of the sheep" came and carried us.
"His strength is perfect, when our strength is gone. He'll carry us when we can't carry on. Raised in His power, the weak become strong. His strength is perfect".
S. C. Chapman
"He willl tend his flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom and gently lead those that are with young." Is 40:11
Sunday, April 20, 2008
"Well-Done" (The Final Countdown)
"O trembling heart, look away, and look up! Your sorrows have been multiplied indeed, by looking at difficulties and second causes. Cease from all of this. Talk no more about walled cities and giants; about the rugged paths and dark valleys; about lions and robbers. But think of the love, the might, and the wisdom, of the Shepherd. Love that spared not its own blood! Might that made the worlds! Wisdom that named the stars! Your salvation does not depend on what you are, but what He is. For every look at self, take ten looks at Christ. Cease using the first pronoun, and substitute for it the third.
"Tell us no more of your tears, your failures, or your sins; but tell us, oh tell us, of the all-sufficiency of Jesus; and how your needs have been the foil of His deliverances. Sing again the old song of how all wants are swallowed up in the shepherd love of God. And emphasize each "He" as you say again the Psalm of childhood and of age. "
F. B. Meyer taken from the "Shepherd Psalm" on the 23rd Psalm
Well, tomorrow begins our final week of radiation!! Aaron will have a treatment every day, Monday thru Friday, and then he will be done(wellllll done). He is a bit anxious, as every radiation increases the heat and burn on his tongue, throat, mouth and neck. He described this past Friday as the "hardsest and longest" day of his life. He had two radiation treatments (6 hours apart) and at this point, it was brutal! We actually wound up spending a few hours at the hospital late Friday night in an effort to get fever, blood pressure, and dizziness under control. After a liter of fluid, along with some meds, he was able to go home. Thankfully, Saturday he was much improved and was able to get some much needed rest. Today started off a little 'rocky' but improved as the day progressed.
We are eager to get this last week behind us and begin the healing process. (although they say the week after your last treatment is actually the worst...painwise.) Please pray for strength for Aaron to endure these last 5 treatments. As I said, with every one, the pain intensifies. He has felt he has failed to keep the faith sevral times recently, when it gets so dark for so long. But once again, he was encouraged by the small but very sweet mercies of God that do eventually come. We know this week cannot be easy, but please pray that there will many of these new merices every day. Pray for Charlie, a fellow patient at UAB. Pray for my Dad, as he deals with recovery and treatment.
As always, we appreciate the love and support of so many. We know that your prayers are keeping us going! Our faithful "Shepherd" IS supplying all our needs.
"Tell us no more of your tears, your failures, or your sins; but tell us, oh tell us, of the all-sufficiency of Jesus; and how your needs have been the foil of His deliverances. Sing again the old song of how all wants are swallowed up in the shepherd love of God. And emphasize each "He" as you say again the Psalm of childhood and of age. "
F. B. Meyer taken from the "Shepherd Psalm" on the 23rd Psalm
Well, tomorrow begins our final week of radiation!! Aaron will have a treatment every day, Monday thru Friday, and then he will be done(wellllll done). He is a bit anxious, as every radiation increases the heat and burn on his tongue, throat, mouth and neck. He described this past Friday as the "hardsest and longest" day of his life. He had two radiation treatments (6 hours apart) and at this point, it was brutal! We actually wound up spending a few hours at the hospital late Friday night in an effort to get fever, blood pressure, and dizziness under control. After a liter of fluid, along with some meds, he was able to go home. Thankfully, Saturday he was much improved and was able to get some much needed rest. Today started off a little 'rocky' but improved as the day progressed.
We are eager to get this last week behind us and begin the healing process. (although they say the week after your last treatment is actually the worst...painwise.) Please pray for strength for Aaron to endure these last 5 treatments. As I said, with every one, the pain intensifies. He has felt he has failed to keep the faith sevral times recently, when it gets so dark for so long. But once again, he was encouraged by the small but very sweet mercies of God that do eventually come. We know this week cannot be easy, but please pray that there will many of these new merices every day. Pray for Charlie, a fellow patient at UAB. Pray for my Dad, as he deals with recovery and treatment.
As always, we appreciate the love and support of so many. We know that your prayers are keeping us going! Our faithful "Shepherd" IS supplying all our needs.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
FYI, my Dad's surgery went well yesterday. They are waiting for the path report to know for sure what kind of cancer he has. The drs. will be scoping his lungs in a few days to make a determination about what exactly is going on there. A treatment plan will be forthcoming. Please continue to pray for them.
On the home front, Aaron is down to 8 more treatments!!! The radiation is really taking a toll. He is struggling to swallow at all. The skin on his neck is cooked and has painful blisters. He is dealing with nausea, constipation, and ever increasing pain in his throat and mouth. The PEG tube is truly a life-saver, as he continues to get water, meds, and Ensure down to keep him going. Please pray for physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental strength to make it during these days when the end is in sight, but the climb is so, so steep. We talked(before treatments started) with many people who had gone through this and were told how bad it was. However, we were not prepared for the extent of what we would be up against! Many thanks for your prayers and support.
On the home front, Aaron is down to 8 more treatments!!! The radiation is really taking a toll. He is struggling to swallow at all. The skin on his neck is cooked and has painful blisters. He is dealing with nausea, constipation, and ever increasing pain in his throat and mouth. The PEG tube is truly a life-saver, as he continues to get water, meds, and Ensure down to keep him going. Please pray for physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental strength to make it during these days when the end is in sight, but the climb is so, so steep. We talked(before treatments started) with many people who had gone through this and were told how bad it was. However, we were not prepared for the extent of what we would be up against! Many thanks for your prayers and support.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Praises!!!
We are thankful this Lord's Day for a successful PEG surgery, for the completion of our final chemo, for Aaron's weight holding pretty steady, for the compassionate care and wisdom of our drs, for the faithful men who help drive Aaron back and forth to UAB for treatments, for the constant love and concern of our precious church family, for the food many of you have prepared for us, for the continuous flow of emails, cards, calls, and PRAYER offered up on our behalf, for the beauty of spring, and for the faithfulness of our great God, the intercession of our living High Priest, and the power and encouragement of the Holy Spirit. "Every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights, in whom there is no variation or shifting shadow;" James 1:17
Amazingly, Aaron had a good 4th week! 'Amazing' because it included chemo on Monday, fluids on Tuesday, surgery on Wednesday, hospital stay Wed. p.m., and radiation every day, including 2 on Friday!! However, by Friday, the effects of chemo began to catch up with him. He has been struggling with nausea and extreme fatigue for the last few days. Hopefully, some of this will begin to decrease this week.
So far, the feeding tube has been a great help. He is able to maintain his weight and nutritional needs with 6 cans of Ensure and 64 ozs of water(at least) daily. He is still able to swallow water, although painful, and will continue to do so as long as he can to keep the swallowing "funtion" going. Pray that there will be no complication, infection, etc. where the tube is concerned. He will probably have it about 5-6 weeks.
Well, we are down to the final 2 weeks!!! Eleven more radiations and he is DONE!
(LITERALLY) Monday will be the last rad on his lower neck area, so that skin can begin to heal. At this point, his body is pretty beaten up. Pray that he will be strengthened to endure this final stretch. Pray for his blood pressure to be stabilized, that he wouldn't "catch" anything(his white counts are down due to chemo), that he would MAKE himself swallow, pray for no more nausea, pray for complete eradication of cancer cells.
Thanks again to all of you who love us and show it in so many ways. We are humbled and blessed.
Also, in my above litany of thanks, I neglected to mention some very special folks. First, Aaron's co-workers at Acker Electric have been awesome! They have been so supportive and have truly "taken up the slack" in his absence. We are very grateful for the caliber of personnel at work. They are capable, dependable, and have been quick to do everything possible to help him. Thanks, guys. Next, some of you may know that Andrew has come to work for Acker Electric and moved back home.(Sarah will be joining him in a few weeks.) It has been a treat to have him around and he has been a help to us in many ways. Finally, Anna Lee has been spending several days a week with us. She has been able to take care of Abigail in my absence, not to mention, buy groceries, clean house, do laundry, etc. (I definitely could get use to this!) We are so appreciative of their love and service to us.
Finally, thanks for praying for my Dad, Max Thorhill. He is at Cancer Treatment Center in Tulsa, OK. He will be having surgery on Tuesday for the removal of a kidney, and cyst on his bladder. He also has some spots on his lungs. Treatment for that has yet to be decided.
We thank God for you all.
Amazingly, Aaron had a good 4th week! 'Amazing' because it included chemo on Monday, fluids on Tuesday, surgery on Wednesday, hospital stay Wed. p.m., and radiation every day, including 2 on Friday!! However, by Friday, the effects of chemo began to catch up with him. He has been struggling with nausea and extreme fatigue for the last few days. Hopefully, some of this will begin to decrease this week.
So far, the feeding tube has been a great help. He is able to maintain his weight and nutritional needs with 6 cans of Ensure and 64 ozs of water(at least) daily. He is still able to swallow water, although painful, and will continue to do so as long as he can to keep the swallowing "funtion" going. Pray that there will be no complication, infection, etc. where the tube is concerned. He will probably have it about 5-6 weeks.
Well, we are down to the final 2 weeks!!! Eleven more radiations and he is DONE!
(LITERALLY) Monday will be the last rad on his lower neck area, so that skin can begin to heal. At this point, his body is pretty beaten up. Pray that he will be strengthened to endure this final stretch. Pray for his blood pressure to be stabilized, that he wouldn't "catch" anything(his white counts are down due to chemo), that he would MAKE himself swallow, pray for no more nausea, pray for complete eradication of cancer cells.
Thanks again to all of you who love us and show it in so many ways. We are humbled and blessed.
Also, in my above litany of thanks, I neglected to mention some very special folks. First, Aaron's co-workers at Acker Electric have been awesome! They have been so supportive and have truly "taken up the slack" in his absence. We are very grateful for the caliber of personnel at work. They are capable, dependable, and have been quick to do everything possible to help him. Thanks, guys. Next, some of you may know that Andrew has come to work for Acker Electric and moved back home.(Sarah will be joining him in a few weeks.) It has been a treat to have him around and he has been a help to us in many ways. Finally, Anna Lee has been spending several days a week with us. She has been able to take care of Abigail in my absence, not to mention, buy groceries, clean house, do laundry, etc. (I definitely could get use to this!) We are so appreciative of their love and service to us.
Finally, thanks for praying for my Dad, Max Thorhill. He is at Cancer Treatment Center in Tulsa, OK. He will be having surgery on Tuesday for the removal of a kidney, and cyst on his bladder. He also has some spots on his lungs. Treatment for that has yet to be decided.
We thank God for you all.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
successful surgery
Aaron got out of surgery around 3 o'clock. The doctor said that everything went well and that the pain in his stomach should only last two or three days. We spoke to Aaron on the phone and he said he was doing okay, his stomach is just pretty sore. Please pray that there will not be any complications related to the feeding tube and that it will help Aaron to feel better and recover faster. Pray also for wisdom in knowing how to use it correctly. Praise God that the surgery is over and was successful and for the good report. Please also pray for my pap-paw, (this is Anna Lee writing, by-the-way) Max Thornhill. He does have cancer on his kidney and in his lungs, and he just found out today that he has a cancerous cist in his bladder. He will find out on Monday the specific types of cancer that he has and the treatmenst that will be necessary. Although, Tuesday they will go ahead and have surgery to remove his kidney and to take out the cist in his bladder. Thank you so much for your prayers and concerns.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS
Bad news first: Aaron is having a surgical procedure done tomorrow p.m. to insert a feeding tube directly into his stomach(called a PEG). Now the good news: Aaron will be able to get the nutrients and calories his body needs to heal and recover from the current onslaught of chemo and radiation.
Bad news: this past weekend was pretty hard going. He was able to get very little down...some water, a small amount of milk, a couple of jars of baby food. By Monday, (and his final chemo)he was just about de-hydrated. Because of this, the drs. ordered more fluids today and tomorrow, as well. Good news: He had a GREAT day yesterday and actually felt better than he has in several days. Today has been good, too. We are SOOOO grateful for this "reprieve"!!!! We know there is much prayer going up.. so thanks.
What we expect:
1. the chemo will intensify the effects of the radiation causing more pain, more burning of skin(blisters, etc)
2. he will be able to have surgery, spend one night, and not miss a radiation treatment
3. headaches and nausea will be lessened due to more food in his stomach
4. tumors have been and will contunue shrinking in size as cancerous cells are destroyed
5. we will be finished with treatments on April 25th, God willing
6.the pain will continue on a pretty high level for a week or 2 after treatments stop
We continue to be blessed by our friends and family. Thank you so much for the meals, cards, calls, emails and prayers. You just don't know how important your kindness has been to us. It has been a source of strength and encouragement when we needed it.
To date, Aaron has had 20 of 35 radiations and 2 of 2 chemotherapies. YEAH!!!! Please continue to pray for him as he has surgery tomorrow, makes adjustments with feeding tube, and continues to fight to swallow even as pain increases more and more in throat and mouth. Also, pray for teeth, hair, and skin as they are taking lots of abuse.
Meanwhile, the good news is: I finally have Aaron right where I want him: SPEECHLESS !!!!
Bad news: he has to wave his arms and use sign language to boss me around. Good news/bad news: I can't always decifer what he wants!!!!(???)
Seriously, we are thankful for how God is working in our lives in this circumstance. He is faithful. His Word is true. He is providing, sustaining, and keeping us. We are blessed.
I Peter 1:3-9
Bad news: this past weekend was pretty hard going. He was able to get very little down...some water, a small amount of milk, a couple of jars of baby food. By Monday, (and his final chemo)he was just about de-hydrated. Because of this, the drs. ordered more fluids today and tomorrow, as well. Good news: He had a GREAT day yesterday and actually felt better than he has in several days. Today has been good, too. We are SOOOO grateful for this "reprieve"!!!! We know there is much prayer going up.. so thanks.
What we expect:
1. the chemo will intensify the effects of the radiation causing more pain, more burning of skin(blisters, etc)
2. he will be able to have surgery, spend one night, and not miss a radiation treatment
3. headaches and nausea will be lessened due to more food in his stomach
4. tumors have been and will contunue shrinking in size as cancerous cells are destroyed
5. we will be finished with treatments on April 25th, God willing
6.the pain will continue on a pretty high level for a week or 2 after treatments stop
We continue to be blessed by our friends and family. Thank you so much for the meals, cards, calls, emails and prayers. You just don't know how important your kindness has been to us. It has been a source of strength and encouragement when we needed it.
To date, Aaron has had 20 of 35 radiations and 2 of 2 chemotherapies. YEAH!!!! Please continue to pray for him as he has surgery tomorrow, makes adjustments with feeding tube, and continues to fight to swallow even as pain increases more and more in throat and mouth. Also, pray for teeth, hair, and skin as they are taking lots of abuse.
Meanwhile, the good news is: I finally have Aaron right where I want him: SPEECHLESS !!!!
Bad news: he has to wave his arms and use sign language to boss me around. Good news/bad news: I can't always decifer what he wants!!!!(???)
Seriously, we are thankful for how God is working in our lives in this circumstance. He is faithful. His Word is true. He is providing, sustaining, and keeping us. We are blessed.
I Peter 1:3-9
Thursday, April 3, 2008
in the HEAT of battle
Tomorrow marks the end of three weeks of treatment. We will have completed 18 radiation treatments and will have 17 more to go. On Monday, Aaron will have his second (and final) chemo treatment. The purpose of the chemo is to intensify the effectiveness of the radiation. As predicted the side effects of the treatments are severe. Aaron now has great difficulty swallowing. Talking is very painful, as well. At present, he can "get down" a little baby food, Ensure, milk, water, or unsweet tea and this only AFTER he has taken pain medication. We know that next week, the "burn" will be taken to the next level because of the chemo, so it is somewhat overwhelming!! ( I realize this may be 'tmi', but if you are reading this, I figure you must want to know.) It really is daunting and discouraging to think about what he must endure to get to the "other side". All this to say, please keep praying! Pray for ability to get and keep nourishment down. Pray for his spirits to be lifted. Pray for peace and rest. Pray for right medicines to manage pain without causing other(stomach) issues. Pray for doctors to have wisdom in dealing with his particular case. Pray for me to be patient and sensitive to his needs. Pray for our children as they also watch and wait on their Dad. Pray that we would continue to trust God, draw near to Him, and proclaim His goodness and faithfulness. Also, please pray for Max and Bonnie Thornhill, my parents. My Dad was treated for prostate cancer last year. He will undergo biopsies and testing next week for possible cancer in other areas. Needless to say,we covet your prayers for that situation, as well. Thanks.
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