Sunday, May 25, 2008

Good Days

We are so very thankful for several things tonight. First, we have been praying specifically for Aaron's lymph node to shrink and it has definitely gone down a lot!! We continue to pray that by the drs. visit on June 3, it will be gone completely. Also, in general, he has felt much better in the last few days. The nausea and vomitting have abated for the most part. He was up and about all day yesterday, and we were most grateful to be able to go to church today! He actually ate a little ice cream this afternoon. Although his taste buds are "waking up" , it is still hurts to swallow much more than clear liquids. He is really looking forward to eating again and anxious to be rid of the feeding tube.
Pray this will happen sooner than later. We look foward to continued improvement this week and praise God for His faithfulness and the blessings of this day.

My Dad has been able to continue chemo treatments. He will have a full strength treatment next week, and will be able to go home for 3 weeks before having the next one.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Waiting

Today we woke up with high hopes of going to church together.( It has been three weeks and 2 days since his last treatment.) However, to our great disappointment he woke up very nauseated again!! The nausea and vomiting have gotten worse since treatments ended. This is NOT what we were expecting at this point! It seems like we are moving backwards. There ARE some positives, however: his voice continues to get stronger, his neck is completely healed, he IS swallowing liquids and an occasional poached egg, and has some good moments when nausea-free. The pain is still strong, but manageable. The feeding tube is working well and is the mainstay for nutrition and calories.
Truthfully, we are all discouraged....and waiting for the big "turn around". In reading Psalm 139 this morning, I was thankful to be reminded that we are "hemmed in" by HIS Presence. It is a day for remembering and clinging to Truth. Please pray for Aaron's complete healing and recovery and that even though we grow weary, we will "worship in the waiting".

News from Tulsa: my Dad had a second chemo treatment last week. He is feeling tired but otherwise doing well. He will receive another treatment on Wed.

Many thanks for your love and prayers.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

A quick update

Our drs. visit on Monday was informative. The lab results showed all counts(except hemoglobin) were up and in normal ranges. The low hemoglobin accounts for the edema. We are walking to try to get swelling down. Dr. Nabell seemed pleased with Aaron's progress. Please continue to pray for pain management and nausea. Our next trip to UAB is June 3, when we will see Dr. Meredith, the radiation oncologist and Dr. Magnuson, surgeon.

My Dad's bone scan showed no cancer in bones! He will begin a low dose of chemo tomorrow for cancerous nodules on lungs. They will be keeping a close eye on his kidney to decide whether or not he can tolerate a higher dosage. Please pray for the cancer to respond to treatment.

Thanks again for your prayers!

Sunday, May 4, 2008

THE WEEK AFTER

A short summary of the week after radiaion:

Burns on neck are much improved. Skin is regenerating and looking good.
Small improvement in the swallowing department.
Feeding tube working great.
Edema in feet and legs getting worse.
Nausea/vomitting has become a problem.
Pain in mouth and throat about the same...spikes sometimes.

We will see chemo dr. tomorrow, do labs, and address some of these issues.
In general, the week has been pretty good. I guess we are all ready to be back to normal and, unfortunately, that is going to be a longer process than we had hoped. We will see radiation dr. first week of June and hopefully know more about success of treatment.

I was able to go to Tulsa to be with my folks last week. We had some good news and some bad. The cancer is limited to nodules on the outside of his lungs and not within. However, he DOES has a bloodclot in his lungs. He will be having a bone scan done on Monday. Treatment cannot begin until he has recovered more from surgery(removal of cancerous kidney), and is complicated by that fact. (Chemo being so harmful to kidneys.) Please pray that he will get his strength back soon and that all scans will be clear of further cancer. Pray for wisdom of those planning his treatment program.

Meanwhile, we are comforted and strengthened by the body of Christ. We walk in the grace and new mercies of each day. We cling to the promises of the Word of God and the God of the Word.