Treatment Update

Sorry that I have not provided an update in a few days, everything is fine and Jenny is doing really well. We went into the Radiology Oncologist (The guy with the big x-ray machine, which (as a side note) always makes me think of the Hulk...) anyway we will start treatments on next Tuesday, election day. The doctor said that he was surprised at how well Jenny has recovered from the surgery in such a short time. Jenny has gotten back to almost a normal sleep pattern, she took her last steroids yesterday, so she is completely off medication except for the occasional extra strength Tylenol. She is doing physical therapy twice a week and is walking up and down the sidewalk a couple of times a day. 

She has started to care about the upkeep of the house, whether the kids are getting all of their school assignments done and laundry completed, all of which are very good signs that things are kind of returning to normal. We had our first argument since the surgery (over who is running the kitchen and food management - no surprise there) which was strangely encouraging. 

We are just about at the 25,000 visit mark on the Blog, which is completely overwhelming that there are that many people that are interested in supporting Jenny during this process. We continue to be amazed at the wonderful kindness of the Lord in providing such support and care for us. Today's reading included the remarkable faithfulness and redemptive work of the Lord, both from an earthly and eternal perspective:


[1] “Come, let us return to the LORD;
for he has torn us, that he may heal us;
he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.
[2] After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will raise us up,
that we may live before him.
[3] Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD;
his going out is sure as the dawn;
he will come to us as the showers,
as the spring rains that water the earth.”
(Hosea 6:1-3 ESV)

We are moving into a phase of the treatments that will be testing from a physical as well as an emotional perspective, please pray that we will "press on to know the LORD" even when we don't see the sunrise of the dawn on the horizon or the storm clouds of the coming spring rains - we know that their light and refreshment are coming without fail.

A snapshot (Literally)

People that have dropped by with dinner have commented how well Jenny is doing and how good she looks, and because she has not been circulating in her normal social circles I thought that I would post a picture taken today with our dear friend Kate, who was passing through Charlotte from out-of-town. Just thought you would like to actually see her... Doesn't she look great?

Many Blessings

On the road on recovery from the surgery, there have been so many blessings that we have enjoyed, for the last couple of days, Jenny's parents have been able to be here with us, not only have that given us additional support but allowed us to connect with extended family. Having three generations in the house has caused me to reflect upon the many generations that have enjoyed their own blessings from the Lord. There have been many that have come before us, who the Lord has shown his mercy in both of our families. The reading from today included Psalm 52, that says: 


[8] But I am like a green olive tree
in the house of God.
I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.
[9] I will thank you forever,
because you have done it.
I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.

Jenny has a few days off from appointments and doctor visits. The next visit is next Wednesday with the radiation oncologist. The chemo pills arrived via fed-ex today, a little reminder of the days ahead, I put then high in a cabinet, on the back of the shelf, and closed the door. There will be time enough for that, for today " it is good,in the presence of the godly"

A thousand hills...

The last two days have been filled with doctor office visits, updates on treatment plans, appointment scheduling and the logistics of treating Jenny. As we have moved from office to waiting room to examination room to checkout, I have thought that there is certainly a calling that these Doctors and Nurses have to minister to those that are dealing with the direct and indirect impacts of hearing that some rogue cells in your body have turned against you... I am moved every time I envision these caregivers walking individuals through this process. Wow - what do you impart if you don't know the Lord? Where is our hope if it is not in His everlasting calling upon us?

Yesterday, one of the nurses said that in her experience, cancer brings out the "true" personalities of people... There is no longer time for facades, make believe, or "maybe later", it exposes the foundation on which we stand.

Today, I read about the source of our everlasting hope. 
        [10] For every beast of the forest is mine,
                the cattle on a thousand hills.
[11] I know all the birds of the hills,
and all that moves in the field is mine.
(Psalm 50:10-11 ESV)   

Nothing is beyond His reach, including a few rogue cells...

Treatments should start on Nov 5th with a combination of Chemo and Radiation. So, we have a nice little break for a few days here. Please pray for strength for Jenny, that as the steroids are reduced, that her energy and endurance with continue to increase so that she can go into this next round strong. Thank you all!

Sweet Fellowship

Jenny is doing great, I just tucked her in, after a day of large meals, little pain, and some really good walking around and doing the exercises that the physical therapist gave her to do yesterday. We actually went outside and sat on the driveway in our patio chairs and greeted some our our very kind neighbors, who presented us with a lovely card a couple of days ago, conveying their care and prayers, another expression of God's care for me and Jenny.

I played in the worship band at church today, and enjoyed had a unique perspective looking out over the worshiping congregation... There were a couple of things that were impressed upon me as I stood there - The first was the goodness of God as I watched Joseph, my soon to be 13 year old, with his hands raised and eyes closed singing "how great thou art", I was overcome with the knowledge that his heart was in the hands of the one that we were singing to...

The second thing that I felt was the richness of fellowship, and the joy of being able to be apart of a communion of saints. Memories were brought to mind as I looked across the seats and saw many people that I have been joined together with for over 10, 15 or even 20 years, and the faithfulness of God in their lives. Jenny and I were blessed by Tim and Jamie Shea dropping by dinner tonight, as we spent a little time together, it was a joy to recollect some of our wonderful memories complied over the last 23 or so years, and recall God's loving care for us and our kids over all of those years, never regretting placing our trust in our savior. 

As my reading yesterday encouraged me: 

Be at peace among yourselves. [14] And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. [15] See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. [16] Rejoice always, [17] pray without ceasing, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  (1 Thessalonians 5:13-18 ESV)

Let us never cease pursuing sweet fellowship, what a gift it is...

Going Home Again!

After a very short stay, we are heading home, the steroids did the trick. The Physical Therapist said that she might need some in-home PT help, but generally she is doing great and did a couple of laps here in the hospital without incident. 

One huge change of the reduced swelling (in additional to being able to walk better) is that Jenny has, for the first time in months, started to show emotional responses to things. She is back to her crying self today - which is hugely encouraging. She cried when I shared some of the emails and blog posts that you have sent, she cried when she read the letter her Dad sent her, she laughed, expressed a desire for a Soy Latte (which she is now drinking - a "Starbucks Steroid"), and is currently encouraging her friend on the phone who is dealing with a very painful situation.

Thank you all who are carrying us in your hearts, and interceding on our behalf. We love you dearly.

It's never a straight line, is it?

So, we headed back down to Carolina Medical Center today, because of some periodic weakness in Jenny's legs that we were observing, the doctors wanted to have an MRI or CT Scan done to compare what Jenny's brain looks like today compared to the images taken the night after the surgery. The results were that there was not a lot of difference, but there was some continued swelling which could be causing some of the issues with the walking. 

Her legs are strong and she has full control over them, except when she takes extended walks, which is when they just don't work well. She will be spending the night here at the hospital (which means I get some more of my favorite butterscotch pudding). She will see a Physical Therapist and an Occupational Therapist tomorrow, after she has received an increased dosage of steroids overnight.There is a possibility that she'll need some in-patient or out-patient physical therapy, we will see.

Pray that the swelling will go down and that her brain and her legs will get back on speaking terms. Thank you all.