going home, for real this time

pop is going home today  he is waiting to get meds and will then go to radiology and then home.  the trip home will use up most of his energy today so please do not visit on friday.  if you would like to visit on saturday please keep the visits very brief and call first to make sure it is a good time.

Change of plans

Dad is not going home now. There are some things the dr wants to monitor. We will see what the next step will be.

Going home! Maybe

The plan is for dad to go home today after his 4:15 radiation treatment. He is keeping liquids down. He looks good and sounds good. They are going to walk him around to see how he does. They took him off oxygen to see how he reacts.

His vision continues to get better slowly. He has some fun looking around the room to see what he can try to figure out.

Keep the prayers coming. Only God knows what tomorrow holds. Thank you all for the prayers and encouragement.

Light ahead

Dads vision is starting to slightly clear up. He drank some juice, and had some jello, and has kept them down so far. The real test will be moving for his radiation treatment this afternoon. They say he may be able to go home Thursday if he doesn't get sick again, but dad seems apprehensive. If rolling through the hospital makes him sick I can't imagine what driving in from Advance each day would feel like.


He has a really good nurse today that seems to be proactively treating his nausea and discomfort.

Continued prayers are much appreciated. As much as dad would like to see people and thank you for your concern, his biggest need is rest.

Update

Dad had his radiation treatment this afternoon. Moving is hard on his stomach and he got sick twice. He is pretty tired right now. They moved him to a new room that is larger and closer to the nurses station so that the nurse can keep a better eye on him.

Since September 1, 2010 when dads journey with cancer began I have seen him cry twice. The first time was when we got the news that the cancer had spread and was terminal. Even then he cried not for himselfbutbecause he was upset over what mom and the rest of us who care about him would through. Today I saw him cry again. Again not for himself. When asked what prayer concerns he had he talked emotionally about his friends who do not know Jesus as their savior and how much he would like to see them meet Jesus before he dies.

So if you are one of dads friends that have not surrendered to God yet then you need to know that as dad deals with all the symptoms of the cancer, you are the focus of his prayers.

If you are a fellow follower of Jesus then I ask you to join dad in his prayer for those who need Jesus.

The first words out of dads mouth when he found out about his cancer were that it was good news for him because he gets to go to heaven. His deepest concern today is that all his friends can have that same hope.

The plan for today

I think every Dr at Baptist Hospital just came into dads room. Today they are going to start the radiation on the brain and continue the radiation treatments on his back and lung. Dad has not thrown up since Monday evening. He is hydrated and healthy in terms of nutrition. If He can show that the nausea is under control then he will beableto go home in the near future.

Thank you for the prayers. Please keep them coming.

Merry Christmas

Dad started feeling bad on Saturday and then spent all of Christmas day in bed.  That evening he developed some vision problems so we took him to Baptist Hospitol.  A brain scan revealed that there are some spots on the brain that are probably causing both the nausea and the vision problems.  Either tuesday or wednesday they will start whole brain radiation treatment to help neutralize those spots on the brain.  He will also finish up the focused radiation treatment on his back and lung.  The hope is that these two procedures, and some medicines to help swelling, will make him much more comfortable.  The doctors can't say for sure what will happen next.  As dad has said numerous times, every day is different.  Right now he just needs to be able to keep food down so that he can get enough strength to be able to go home.  It may be a couple of days before that happens.

As always, we know that God is in control.  And Dad is content to follow God's plan, no matter how unenjoyable it may be.

What a week!

We waited several days to get the radiation treatment schedule but once we did, thinks started rolling.  We went in Wed. for a trial run (I know, what?, they already drew targets on my body, now they need practice?)  Anyway, I did not feel good this week and the trial run took over an hour.

Thurs.:  First treatment at 11:00 and it took about 25 minutes.  Boy, I came out feeling fine and thinking there's nothing to this.  Not so fast Buster!  In less than an hour after the treatment, I suddenly felt nauseous
but it passed quickly.  Then, I ate.  For the next 3 hours or so I threw up and felt terrible.  I rested ok Thurs. night but no eating.

Friday:  Treatment at 11:15 - still no eating and I looked and felt awful.  I asked for meds. for nausea but of course you have to wait an hour or so to see the Dr.  (treatment was quick again).  He did give me something while I was there which helped even though I still felt awful like I was going to throw up.  After we got home, I worked on drinking, eating some soup and sandwich.  That took until about bedtime, but it did stay down.  Dr. also gave me extended pain meds. which helped me rest well.

Today:  Still not great, but I've felt better today than I have for days - still working at eating and drinking.

I don't usually share all this information but several of you express interest in knowing and we appreciate  you wanting to "do something".  For now, your continued prayers and support are the best.

My dear friend Pat sends me cards from time to time and the last one included a thought that I make part of my prayer several times every day - Lord, help me to want what you want!  What a concept.  Thanks for all your encouraging thoughts, Pat.

Busy Sat.!

Chris, Gracie, and Isaiah came over to help me plant shrubs and fill the strip between sidewalk and driveway with dirt.  Mostly Chris did the work but Gracie moved a lot of dirt and Isaiah got a lot of dirt on him - everyone had fun.  Johnson showed up when most of the work was done (of course) but we let him join in some raking and cleaning up.

Then just before dark, these members of our Bible Fellowship Class (know to us as Sunday School) showed up to sing Christmas Carols.  What a great group.

Still another direction!

Part of what we learned today at the dr. visit I think we already knew - the cancer is growing.  Dr. Aklilu recommended a couple new directions.  1)  I go again Thurs. night for another of my favorites (MRI) in preparation for radiation treatment on my back.  There is a spot on a bone that they think is causing the pain and by treating it with radiation they think that will relieve the pain.  I'm all for that!  Radiation treatment has not yet been scheduled.  2)  He has recommended a clinical trial at Duke.  We have a consultative visit at Duke 12/19/11 to find out what is available and what is involved.  I don't care for the idea of going to Duke for anything, but I'm ok with their medical expertise and reputation - just don't try to take me to Cameron Indoor Stadium for treatment!

40 YEARS!

I can't believe it's been 40 years!  Our family helped Eleanor and me celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary this week.  I don't say it very often but it's always been true - God blessed me with a wonderful partner.  She is constantly thinking of and doing for me and others.

The pictures below represent a peek at a wonderful evening provided by our children (mostly Kelly and Jen) and grandchildren.  Our dining room was specially decorated with seating for just the two of us, we were escorted to the table by grandchildren, the ladies prepared a wonderful meal, and the grandchildren served the entire meal to us, then entertained us with singing.  We always go somewhere special to eat for our anniversary and this was by far the best!  The service was fantastic!

The wonderful waiter staff

Reserved seating

Special escort to seat

Other than the celebration, it's been a tough week.  Since our dr. visit last Mon., the mouth sores returned  

and I've had to discontinue the chemo again.  Almost suddenly, the sores exploded all over my mouth so eating, etc. is challenging.  I have been able to stay in bed all night most nights with medication.  Thurs. night, we had scans and finally got away from Bapt. hospital around 10:00pm.  We have another dr. appt. Tues. morning to get results.  Please continue to pray for results, dr. decisions, and strength for us to deal with whatever actions or changes may follow.