Friday, October 31st
Hello again.
This morning we drove back to Zanesville for Michele's PET scan. Just to review; a PET scan is where she receives an infusion of radioactive sugar water, then, an hour later they take a scan of her body and the cells that are the quickest to metabolize the sugar show up illuminated. Lymphoma cells are hungry little devils, so they suck up most of the sugar and show up brightly.
We had some soup at Tim Hortons on the way home, then parked in the living room to rest up. A few minutes ago the Oncology office called to tell us the results of the PET scan. The tumor above her heart did not show up at all! The Lymphoma on her spine is greatly reduced. All in all, this was a great report. It means the treatments are doing what they are supposed to do, and slowly but surely the Lymphoma is being eradicated.
It's nice to go into the weekend with some good news under our belts. It's also reason to buck up for the treatments that lay ahead, starting Monday. So keep praying and together we'll see this through to the end, because you are an integral part of our journey. Don't forget it. And thanks!
Tim and Michele
Friday, October 31, 2014
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Greetings,
Praise the Lord, Michele is indeed home! The blood work on the relative Methotrexate level came back incredibly low this morning, so she was released around noon. The hospital pharmacist was very surprised, and almost sent us home without any Lucovorin, but decided there was no harm by taking four doses at home, so that's what we came home with. They actually cancelled the prescription they had phoned into the pharmacy before seeing the blood test results.
Tomorrow she will get another PET scan, as previously discussed, then back on Monday for RCHOP #4. The only change from the proposed plan I wrote about yesterday, is that the Methotrexate injection into her spinal fluid will occur on November 24th. Here's a new medical term for you: The procedure is called "Intra Thecal" Methotrexate. Here's another tidbit to help understand why she can spend four days in bed and come home exhausted: she documented her urine elimination to make sure she was being cleansed of the poison, and she went to the bathroom 28 times in 36 hours, and passed almost 5 liters of fluid. Incidently, she was tethered to an IV machine, which had to be unplugged and dragged into the bathroom with her each time. Sounds like the basis for some new reality show, if you ask me.
The down side, at the moment, is the effect that the hospital stay and treatment had on her left arm. It is very stiff, and had become swollen from the IV fluids. Please pray that she quickly regains freedom of movement and removal of pain in that arm. You could also ask the Lord to provide a technician at the imaging facility who would have the expertise to allow the use of her port for the infusion of the chemical for the PET scan. I was told that they don't typically use infusion ports because they require flushing, and they are not staffed for that. I asked if they couldn't try to accommodate Michele to spare her from further poking in her right arm, and they said they would try. We'll see. God has answered a host of specific requests already, so I'm hopeful.
We are, as always, grateful for your concern and prayer support. Many blessings upon you!
Tim and Michele
Greetings,
Praise the Lord, Michele is indeed home! The blood work on the relative Methotrexate level came back incredibly low this morning, so she was released around noon. The hospital pharmacist was very surprised, and almost sent us home without any Lucovorin, but decided there was no harm by taking four doses at home, so that's what we came home with. They actually cancelled the prescription they had phoned into the pharmacy before seeing the blood test results.
Tomorrow she will get another PET scan, as previously discussed, then back on Monday for RCHOP #4. The only change from the proposed plan I wrote about yesterday, is that the Methotrexate injection into her spinal fluid will occur on November 24th. Here's a new medical term for you: The procedure is called "Intra Thecal" Methotrexate. Here's another tidbit to help understand why she can spend four days in bed and come home exhausted: she documented her urine elimination to make sure she was being cleansed of the poison, and she went to the bathroom 28 times in 36 hours, and passed almost 5 liters of fluid. Incidently, she was tethered to an IV machine, which had to be unplugged and dragged into the bathroom with her each time. Sounds like the basis for some new reality show, if you ask me.
The down side, at the moment, is the effect that the hospital stay and treatment had on her left arm. It is very stiff, and had become swollen from the IV fluids. Please pray that she quickly regains freedom of movement and removal of pain in that arm. You could also ask the Lord to provide a technician at the imaging facility who would have the expertise to allow the use of her port for the infusion of the chemical for the PET scan. I was told that they don't typically use infusion ports because they require flushing, and they are not staffed for that. I asked if they couldn't try to accommodate Michele to spare her from further poking in her right arm, and they said they would try. We'll see. God has answered a host of specific requests already, so I'm hopeful.
We are, as always, grateful for your concern and prayer support. Many blessings upon you!
Tim and Michele
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Wednesday, October 29, 9 PM
Hi Again,
Yesterday the Oncologist spent some time with us laying out a "road map"
for future treatment options for Michele, based on the results of her spinal
tap. Today the results came back from pathology. The amount of Lymphoma cells in
Michele's spinal fluid is greatly reduced, but not eliminated. Progress, but not
the end. This is not discouraging news. It means the treatment is going in the
right direction, but will be adjusted accordingly.
If Michele comes home tomorrow, she will go back for another PET scan on
Friday. That will show what progress has been made on the tumor on her lymph
nodes above her heart. The Oncologist is inclined to think the tumor is gone,
but we want to know for sure, and the PET scan will do that. There are multiple
contingencies in play here, so try not to get confused. If she comes home
tomorrow, gets the PET scan Friday, then she will have another RCHOP treatment
on Monday, November 3rd. If all of that occurs, a week later, November 10th, she
will have a procedure where chemotherapy chemicals are injected directly into
her spinal fluid to deliver a knockout punch to the remaining cancer there.
Whew! Good thing she is from tough German stock!
Michele is still doing very well, even though she has had some trying
moments. Most of the annoyance in the hospital stems from the fact that there is
nothing to do but observe the failures of the staff. It effects me as well while
I am there. The patient and family is there because of high priority
circumstances in their (our) lives, so there is an expectation that alarms will
be responded to immediately, medications will be given on time, meal orders will
actually arrive, etc. But the staff works there, spending most
of their lives waiting on sick people. They have a pretty good handle on which
one of their patients is close to death, and which ones can wait ten minutes.
Reminding ourselves of that when we are the ones waiting is often difficult.
Please notice that I include myself in that assessment, because I'm the annoying
family member who goes to the front desk to see what the holdup is.
Bottom line is that the hospital staff is as attentive as they can be,
but Michele is ready to come home. Please pray to that end, if the Lord should
see fit. We will continue to report events as they unfold, just like Huntley and
Brinkley. If you don't know who that is, you're too young :-)
With love,
Tim and Michele
Monday, October 27, 2014
Monday, October 27, 7:45 PM
Hello,
Let me start at the back half of the day. Most of you know why:-)
I came home from the hospital 13 hours after leaving this morning and was stunned to find someone had been in the house! There was a "Happy Birthday" banner strung up in the kitchen, a slew of birthday cards spread out on the counter, and a birthday cake in the oven. As if that wasn't enough, the mailbox was filled with more birthday cards. All together, I can confidently say that I have received more birthday cards today than all previous adult birthdays put together! Many, many thanks to all of the coconspirators! A big "Thank You" to my beloved wife for planning ahead for this day, even when she knew she would be in the hospital being pumped full of noxious chemicals when I got home to see it.
More "Thank You's" are due for the prayers that were evident by today's events. Michele was very tense about today, right up to the point where she discovered her favorite chemo nurse, Holly, would be the one starting her day for her. Holly is the perfect combination of gentle sweetness and technical proficiency. Best of all, she was Michele's first chemo nurse, so we feel like we know her personally. Michele began to relax immediately.
When it came time for the Lumbar puncture, another male nurse, Rob, took over. Rob is a big teddy bear of a guy with an infectious smile and confident demeanor. He wheeled Michele into the capable hands of Doctor "D". Doctor "D." has a last name that I haven't mastered, but she is of German extraction. Michele reported that she did such a great job, that no anesthetic was needed beyond the local variety, and Michele never felt a thing.
The final satisfying surprise came when Michele was taken to the 7th floor and placed in the care of Rebekah, the same Christian sister that tended to her during her previous Methotrexate treatment. Michele was still receiving the Methotrexate when I left her at 7 PM, but all things considered, it couldn't have gone much better.
Please continue to pray for a good report from the pathologists, regarding the spinal fluid. If it is free of Lymphoma cells, she will not need another Lumbar puncture. Also pray for minimal side effects from the treatments. When this one is behind her, she will be past the halfway mark.
With much love, gratitude, and blessings,
Tim and Michele
Hello,
Let me start at the back half of the day. Most of you know why:-)
I came home from the hospital 13 hours after leaving this morning and was stunned to find someone had been in the house! There was a "Happy Birthday" banner strung up in the kitchen, a slew of birthday cards spread out on the counter, and a birthday cake in the oven. As if that wasn't enough, the mailbox was filled with more birthday cards. All together, I can confidently say that I have received more birthday cards today than all previous adult birthdays put together! Many, many thanks to all of the coconspirators! A big "Thank You" to my beloved wife for planning ahead for this day, even when she knew she would be in the hospital being pumped full of noxious chemicals when I got home to see it.
More "Thank You's" are due for the prayers that were evident by today's events. Michele was very tense about today, right up to the point where she discovered her favorite chemo nurse, Holly, would be the one starting her day for her. Holly is the perfect combination of gentle sweetness and technical proficiency. Best of all, she was Michele's first chemo nurse, so we feel like we know her personally. Michele began to relax immediately.
When it came time for the Lumbar puncture, another male nurse, Rob, took over. Rob is a big teddy bear of a guy with an infectious smile and confident demeanor. He wheeled Michele into the capable hands of Doctor "D". Doctor "D." has a last name that I haven't mastered, but she is of German extraction. Michele reported that she did such a great job, that no anesthetic was needed beyond the local variety, and Michele never felt a thing.
The final satisfying surprise came when Michele was taken to the 7th floor and placed in the care of Rebekah, the same Christian sister that tended to her during her previous Methotrexate treatment. Michele was still receiving the Methotrexate when I left her at 7 PM, but all things considered, it couldn't have gone much better.
Please continue to pray for a good report from the pathologists, regarding the spinal fluid. If it is free of Lymphoma cells, she will not need another Lumbar puncture. Also pray for minimal side effects from the treatments. When this one is behind her, she will be past the halfway mark.
With much love, gratitude, and blessings,
Tim and Michele
Friday, October 24, 2014
Friday, October 24, 2014
Hello again.
Thank you for praying about Michele's Occupational Therapy evaluation. The evaluator was very encouraged by Michele's progress, and believes that one more month of therapy will maximize the effectiveness of the treatments. I should have explained a little about what kind of therapy Michele has been receiving. Treatment is geared toward restoring nerve connectivity and rebuilding muscle in her left arm and hand. She has gone from barely moving her fingers, to being able to pick small objects out of clay. Also, sensation is slowly returning to her arm and hand. Often the sensation is a painful one, but that means the nerves are connecting, so it's tolerated as a good sign.
Next Monday, October 27th, will be Michele's second Methotrexate treatment. The Oncologist is also ordering a Lumbar Puncture to check her spinal fluid for Lymphoma cells. The cells were present in her last sample, please pray that they are gone, or greatly reduced in this sample.
Another point of prayer is the need for peace of mind for Michele. Now that she knows what to expect, the anticipation is causing heightened anxiety. As you can imagine, even when things go super smooth technically, the process is nightmarish emotionally and physically. It would really help her to have the experienced nurses that she has come to trust, but we don't know that she will. That does not mean there are incompetent nurses on staff, just that familiar staff will be soothing for her state of mind.
I will post updates next week as I am able, but Monday will be a long day and I may not have time to post until Tuesday evening. So keep praying! We know in our hearts that God will oversee all these events, but sometimes the head has a hard time reconciling our desires, versus His purposes.
Gratefully,
Tim and Michele
Hello again.
Thank you for praying about Michele's Occupational Therapy evaluation. The evaluator was very encouraged by Michele's progress, and believes that one more month of therapy will maximize the effectiveness of the treatments. I should have explained a little about what kind of therapy Michele has been receiving. Treatment is geared toward restoring nerve connectivity and rebuilding muscle in her left arm and hand. She has gone from barely moving her fingers, to being able to pick small objects out of clay. Also, sensation is slowly returning to her arm and hand. Often the sensation is a painful one, but that means the nerves are connecting, so it's tolerated as a good sign.
Next Monday, October 27th, will be Michele's second Methotrexate treatment. The Oncologist is also ordering a Lumbar Puncture to check her spinal fluid for Lymphoma cells. The cells were present in her last sample, please pray that they are gone, or greatly reduced in this sample.
Another point of prayer is the need for peace of mind for Michele. Now that she knows what to expect, the anticipation is causing heightened anxiety. As you can imagine, even when things go super smooth technically, the process is nightmarish emotionally and physically. It would really help her to have the experienced nurses that she has come to trust, but we don't know that she will. That does not mean there are incompetent nurses on staff, just that familiar staff will be soothing for her state of mind.
I will post updates next week as I am able, but Monday will be a long day and I may not have time to post until Tuesday evening. So keep praying! We know in our hearts that God will oversee all these events, but sometimes the head has a hard time reconciling our desires, versus His purposes.
Gratefully,
Tim and Michele
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Hello,
On Monday Michele had her third RCHOP treatment. Once again, everything went very well. Thanks for praying! Michele had a hamburger for lunch during the treatment, a small serving of ice cream on the way home, and ate grilled chicken with a sweet potato and salad for supper. Yesterday we went back for her Nulasta shot and she had enough energy for a stop at the mall to buy a new pair of shoes.
This morning she was very excited by renewed neural activity in her left hand and arm. She was having sharp pains in her hand before bedtime and was worried that she might not be able to sleep, but she did sleep pretty well, and had this new increase in feeling when she awoke. Our opinion is that the chemo is doing what it's supposed to, and shrinkage of the tumors means more return of function. We'll know more after the results come in from her Lumbar puncture on the 27th.
Some of you may know that we are members of Samaritan Ministries, a Christian healthcare association, through which we are paying the medical bills. When you have a medical need to be paid, Samaritan Ministries assigns a portion to other members, who write a check directly to you. Likewise, each month we send a check to someone who needs help paying their medical bill. Well, this month S.M. assigned our need to 345 members, so our mailbox has been pretty full lately! I've been making deposits at the bank almost daily. I'd like to know what the tellers think :-) If you'd like to know more about Samaritan Ministries, visit their website at: www.samaritanministries.org
Tomorrow a person from the home therapy company is coming to evaluate Michele's progress and make a recommendation as to whether or not we should continue therapy. We would appreciate your prayers on our behalf regarding this decision. Since we are self-pay clients, there is no insurance company to mandate how many treatments she is 'allowed', but we don't want to abuse the system, since the visits aren't exactly cheap. Obviously, we don't want to stop them prematurely, either.
Many thanks for your love, concern, gifts, and prayers.
Tim and Michele
Hello,
On Monday Michele had her third RCHOP treatment. Once again, everything went very well. Thanks for praying! Michele had a hamburger for lunch during the treatment, a small serving of ice cream on the way home, and ate grilled chicken with a sweet potato and salad for supper. Yesterday we went back for her Nulasta shot and she had enough energy for a stop at the mall to buy a new pair of shoes.
This morning she was very excited by renewed neural activity in her left hand and arm. She was having sharp pains in her hand before bedtime and was worried that she might not be able to sleep, but she did sleep pretty well, and had this new increase in feeling when she awoke. Our opinion is that the chemo is doing what it's supposed to, and shrinkage of the tumors means more return of function. We'll know more after the results come in from her Lumbar puncture on the 27th.
Some of you may know that we are members of Samaritan Ministries, a Christian healthcare association, through which we are paying the medical bills. When you have a medical need to be paid, Samaritan Ministries assigns a portion to other members, who write a check directly to you. Likewise, each month we send a check to someone who needs help paying their medical bill. Well, this month S.M. assigned our need to 345 members, so our mailbox has been pretty full lately! I've been making deposits at the bank almost daily. I'd like to know what the tellers think :-) If you'd like to know more about Samaritan Ministries, visit their website at: www.samaritanministries.org
Tomorrow a person from the home therapy company is coming to evaluate Michele's progress and make a recommendation as to whether or not we should continue therapy. We would appreciate your prayers on our behalf regarding this decision. Since we are self-pay clients, there is no insurance company to mandate how many treatments she is 'allowed', but we don't want to abuse the system, since the visits aren't exactly cheap. Obviously, we don't want to stop them prematurely, either.
Many thanks for your love, concern, gifts, and prayers.
Tim and Michele
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Hello,
Thanks to all who prayed for Michele after our last update/prayer request. Her arm did improve, and her spirits were bouyed as well.
We had a good visit with the neurosurgeon this past Wednesday. He is pleased with Michele's progress, so much so that he will not need to see her for six months. That's a milestone behind us in this journey. Now that we are confident in the progress of the nerve and muscle regeneration in her arm, we can focus on the eradication of the cancer.
Monday, October 13th, Michele will receive her third RCHOP treatment. She is in good spirits, but aware that resumption of treatments means return of fatigue. Small price to pay, in the big scheme of things, but still unwelcome. When she is admitted for her second Methotrexate treatment on October 27th, they will do another lumbar puncture to see if the treatments are moving in the right direction. An absence of Lymphoma cells in her spinal fluid would be good news indeed, so please pray toward that end.
Have a blessed Sunday. We'll report in a few days to let you know how the treatment went.
Gratefully yours,
Tim and Michele
Hello,
Thanks to all who prayed for Michele after our last update/prayer request. Her arm did improve, and her spirits were bouyed as well.
We had a good visit with the neurosurgeon this past Wednesday. He is pleased with Michele's progress, so much so that he will not need to see her for six months. That's a milestone behind us in this journey. Now that we are confident in the progress of the nerve and muscle regeneration in her arm, we can focus on the eradication of the cancer.
Monday, October 13th, Michele will receive her third RCHOP treatment. She is in good spirits, but aware that resumption of treatments means return of fatigue. Small price to pay, in the big scheme of things, but still unwelcome. When she is admitted for her second Methotrexate treatment on October 27th, they will do another lumbar puncture to see if the treatments are moving in the right direction. An absence of Lymphoma cells in her spinal fluid would be good news indeed, so please pray toward that end.
Have a blessed Sunday. We'll report in a few days to let you know how the treatment went.
Gratefully yours,
Tim and Michele
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Thursday, October 2nd,
Hello,
As you know, Michele's condition started with problems with her left arm and hand. The surgery that she had in July was to remove tumors that were squeezing the nerves to her arm and hand. Since the surgery she has been in therapy to regain the use of her left arm. Some degree of motor skill and sensation has returned, but her upper arm sensation has not returned as hoped. She also has pain in her elbow and inside forearm, and her hand goes cold from poor circulation.
We are scheduled to see the neurosurgeon next Wednesday (Oct 8th), but that seems a far way off considering her discomfort. Please pray for God's intervention in restoring sensation to the upper arm, better circulation in the arm, and removal of the pain.
Thank you for interceding with the Great Physician!
Tim
Hello,
As you know, Michele's condition started with problems with her left arm and hand. The surgery that she had in July was to remove tumors that were squeezing the nerves to her arm and hand. Since the surgery she has been in therapy to regain the use of her left arm. Some degree of motor skill and sensation has returned, but her upper arm sensation has not returned as hoped. She also has pain in her elbow and inside forearm, and her hand goes cold from poor circulation.
We are scheduled to see the neurosurgeon next Wednesday (Oct 8th), but that seems a far way off considering her discomfort. Please pray for God's intervention in restoring sensation to the upper arm, better circulation in the arm, and removal of the pain.
Thank you for interceding with the Great Physician!
Tim
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