Three Down... Three to Go!

Yesterday was my third chemo treatment and it went wonderfully.  Much quicker and so much less anxiety than with the other two.  I guess I am just becoming a pro at it. (not sure I want to be a pro but oh well)

The medicines they give to me to counteract the effects of the chemo really make me feel good... and hungry. Gonna have lunch today with all the staff guys at Grace Baptist to celebrate my birthday which was back on the 7th during "snowmageddon" here in the 'Quah.  It will be good to fellowship and catch up.

Now that I have had the third treatment, we have begun to see what the pattern will probably be throughout. Chemo day will make me feel pretty good for about three days, then when it wears off the nausea will begin for at least a couple of days but if I stay on top of the oral meds they give for it the nausea can be controlled pretty well (I haven't had to call "EARL" yet during this whole treatment for which I am very, very thankful.... Anna says I have only puked about 5 or 6 times during our entire 29 years of marriage and I don't want to start now). Then I begin to feel mostly normal, although I can tell things are going on in my abdomen, which I am believing to be the tumors shrinking, Praise God!.  When I look in the mirror my tummy is much smaller than it was two months ago. I receive injections of a drug called Neupogen (helping my bone marrow continue to produce white blood cells killed by the chemo) for 4 days after my chemo session.  It does it's job but about 8 or 9 days after chemo by blood levels usually tank out and I have to be quarantined to my house and wear a mask and gloves if anyone comes by so as not to pick up anything that my body couldn't fight off. But then, the drug and my body do their job and about 4 to 5 days later my blood count is back up and stays up until the next chemo. So I have over a week of feeling normal before I do it all again.  Really, not too bad so far. 

Since August, I have lost about 85 pounds. Whoa! That is about the same weight as carrying a child around on my back. Nice to not be so heavy, but man I want a little bit of insulation on these bones to help keep me warm this winter. Trying to eat about every time I feel hungry to build myself up a little.  My doctor says I should drink a shake from Braums every day but it is just so sweet! Still haven't lost all my hair. The buzz cut even seems to be a bit longer than it was and my facial hair keeps growing although my goat tee seems to be going completely white in time for Christmas.

Anna and I got to go out to the Martin's for a Christmas party Sunday night with the young married's class and had a great time in fellowship. Had to wear my mask most of the time except while eating the wonderful snacks ( I can't resist those little smokies wrapped n biscuits... heaven on earth).

We are blessed to have everyone of you praying for us.  THANK YOU!  We count it a blessing and know that this journey would not be what it is without our hope in Christ.  May God bless you during this Christmas season.

Wow!

I truly wish I could express the feelings I have but the words just seem inadequate. As someone who is usually the one to go and help it is humbling to be the recipient of so much love from the hands of those around me. Such as, coming home to find the dead trees in my yard trimmed neatly to the ground and the freshly cut and split wood stacked on my porch,or the huge dead tree dangerously hanging over my house suddenly taken safely to the ground. Men showing up with more saws and log splitters and creating stacks of wood by my shed for the cold days ahead. The siding on the front of my house being completed in hours while I was being tested at the hospital, Meals showing up on our doorstep either ready for the freezer or for my family to consume. A shower of food for the guys at home while Anna attended my bedside in the hospital for over a week,  individuals taking on more than their load or stepping up out of the comfort zone to cover the classes that I was unable to complete, my sons being errand boys on short notice to my needs, faithful friends to see that the worship at Grace continues in my absence from the platform, even through adversity, Knowing the prayers being offered to th Father on my behalf throughout the day and night. Encouragements from friends out of the blue, cards, letters, songs, phone calls from old friends... WOW!  I am a truly blessesd man.THANK YOU LORD!

Chemo number 2...down and done

After many hours at the infusion center, chemo number 2 is behind me. Infusion is so strange as the apprehension turns to a form of excitement knowing they are injecting chemicals aimed at those hungry cancer cells. For some reason, both treatments made me feel like Superman. Enjoyed a wonderful steak dinner afterward with Anna, Ryan, and Micah. Probably ate more in one meal than in the previous three or four days. But they did say that red meat helps with my red blood cell production, so I guess you could say the steak was under doctors orders...oh yeah.

Oh what a week!

Chemo number one nearly did me in. White blood count dropped so low that I could fight off nothing. Seemed to be going ok until Friday night the 15th. Temperature spiked to 102.6 and quickly rushed to the emergency room at TCH. Admitted to MICU and spent the next week battling. So thankful for the prayers of those fellow believers who continually petitioned For my safety and health. Came home on Saturday and was never so happy to be there. These cold days have been spent mostly in front of the fireplace with my sweetie by my side. Feeling stronger each day and trying to get out in the fresh air as much as possible.

Todayis my second chemo and am a bit apprehensive as the time approaches. Praying and hoping for less adverse reactions. 

Oh yeah, my boys had to trim my hair down to an "army cut".Since it seems to be leaving me quickly these days.  I look like a lean, mean, fightin' machine.

Not so good news

In late July, after returning home from a wonderful time on our Advanced Photography tour to Seattle, I began experiencing some "tummy troubles". Having always been a healthy person I didn't  think much of it. Then discomfort continued to a point where I finally made an appointment with my physician in late September. He felt a CAT scan was needed to see what was going on. On October 1st, after a CAT scan revealed tutors in my abdomen I was quickly diagnosed with lymphoma. CANCER! Me, the healthy guy, now has cancer. Quite a shock to say the least.

All the uncertainty and mystery of the diagnosis was overwhelming to say the least. However, I knew...we both knew...that Our sovereign God is trustworthy and true. "and Your purposes shall stand , You shall do all that You please. From ancient times 'til now, You've stood by your decrees, to pour out Your love, Your mercy and Your peace!... So I will sing praise to You Lord!"

And so it starts...

Beginning a journey I did not choose, nor would have chosen, but this path has been laid before me and I shall persevere. "You are God! There is no other. You are God, there is none like you!"