Sorry for the delay of updates via both email and the blog...I received the below update from my mom this afternoon and wanted to share it before tomorrow's next steps on this journey. Thank you for your continued prayers and for checking in. Your emails, flowers, visits, prayers, phone calls, notes etc. etc. have and continue to cheer my mom on as she slowly puts one foot ahead of the other on this seemingly long road. May your hearts be blessed!
It has been a few weeks since our last update, and while there are no major milestones, God is walking these "baby steps of progress" with me, every step of the way and day. Last week I was relieved of a major "thorn in my side"...as my J-tube or feeding tube was removed. Since I have never been able to tolerate tube feedings, instead getting my supplemental nutrition intravenously via my port and I had been battling an infection at the tube site, my surgeon decided to pull the tube a couple of weeks early. A major answer to prayer as every breath and every twist of my torso caused a knife-like pain. The site is healing well, the infection is resolved, and I no longer have an imaginary knife in my side. I am having a great deal of difficulty consuming enough food to keep my calorie intake high enough for my body to heal. Currently I eat about half of what I need and get the rest via my port. The reintroduction of food has been very challenging. Basically I eat or drink, only to get a stomach ache, and since I have to eat six times a day, and drink 4 ounces once or twice between each "mini-meal" I have a nearly constant upset stomach which leads to my first prayer request. I cannot glorify God with a whiny attitude, and so I am in need of a major attitude readjustment. A friend said that I am now in the trenches, the period of time where improvement is slow to happen, and setbacks are a common occurrence. Would you pray with me for renewed energy, relief from the intestinal discomfort, and an attitude that brings glory to God?
Tomorrow I am supposed to resume chemo. The current plan is to do 6 months, 20 infusions of Gencitabine on a four week cycle; three weeks of chemo followed by one week off. They tell me that often platelets do not recover by the third week, necessitating a 2 week on/1 week off schedule over 7 1/2 months. Neither plan allows for the completion of chemo before J's wedding, but of course I look forward to this part of the journey being over as soon as possible. The most common side effects are flu-like body ache and fever in the 24 hours following the infusion, edema/fluid retention in the arms and legs, some nausea and diarrhea. I would appreciate your prayer against those side effects. My biggest fear, which I am praying to let go and trust God with, is the very small risk of pulmonary fibrosis, a serious, life threatening complication. I am to let my doctors know if I develop any breathing issues or cough of any kind. In this cold and flu season, I feel as if I often have a cough so this is concerning. But.....I believe that God has this covered, He has walked every step of this journey with us, He has answered our prayers with a miraculous healing, and He will continue to be ever-present, protecting me and providing all of my care-givers with wisdom and discernment to make the best decisions and provide the best care possible.
Once again, I stand in awe of your commitment to pray for me. Our God is a mighty and powerful God who is faithful and desires the very best for His own. My prayer is that you will be blessed, as you have blessed me. Thank you so much for your prayers, your concern, your encouragement, your love. Each of you is truly a very special gift.
Relying on God,
Annie
On a minor note...my head is now covered by a very fine coating of "peach fuzz"! My 10 month old granddaughter has more hair than me, but I praise God for notable milestones! I have been told that while growth may be slow, I should not lose my hair with Gencitabine.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Quick Update
Thank you for your continued prayers for patience and healing.
At this point there isn't a whole lot to update ...both a praise and a prayer. We are grateful because my mom hasn't experienced any major set backs...and praying for progress as it feels like she has been stuck in a holding pattern for the past few weeks.
Most days are still spent at home on the couch with my dad and Bay as company. She jokes that she has most of the HGTV shows memorized and is enjoying a good book. She has been able to get out for a few short visits to our various homes and on really good days has enjoyed building Lego towers with some of her youngest cheerleaders:).
As for a digestion update, her digestive system is still quite sleepy as she is still receiving the majority of her nutrition via her port line. She gets 'hooked up' about 5pm each evening and the pump runs through the night which allows her 'freedom' and increased mobility throughout the day. She has begun to introduce 2-3 bits of things like white rice, cream of wheat and plain white bread but has been encouraged to hold off on much more until her doctor's appointment next week. Her tummy is hungry, as we have all grown to giggle when it growls and we all pray that that might mean it is ready for some good substance here in a few days.
Our big prayer request this week is for wisdom and discernment for her oncologist, Dr. B, as she makes the decision as to what chemo regimen my mom will begin to receive. My mom is praying that she will be able to receive the strongest regimen possible, on the off chance that there are any single cancer cells remaining. If that is the case, we pray that the regimen chosen would obliterate the cells over the next several months and put each of our hearts at peace as she moves forward through recovery.
Thank you for all of the beautiful cards, flowers and sweet visits...each are a salve to her heart and healing body. Thank you for your continued prayers.
Be blessed.
At this point there isn't a whole lot to update ...both a praise and a prayer. We are grateful because my mom hasn't experienced any major set backs...and praying for progress as it feels like she has been stuck in a holding pattern for the past few weeks.
Most days are still spent at home on the couch with my dad and Bay as company. She jokes that she has most of the HGTV shows memorized and is enjoying a good book. She has been able to get out for a few short visits to our various homes and on really good days has enjoyed building Lego towers with some of her youngest cheerleaders:).
As for a digestion update, her digestive system is still quite sleepy as she is still receiving the majority of her nutrition via her port line. She gets 'hooked up' about 5pm each evening and the pump runs through the night which allows her 'freedom' and increased mobility throughout the day. She has begun to introduce 2-3 bits of things like white rice, cream of wheat and plain white bread but has been encouraged to hold off on much more until her doctor's appointment next week. Her tummy is hungry, as we have all grown to giggle when it growls and we all pray that that might mean it is ready for some good substance here in a few days.
Our big prayer request this week is for wisdom and discernment for her oncologist, Dr. B, as she makes the decision as to what chemo regimen my mom will begin to receive. My mom is praying that she will be able to receive the strongest regimen possible, on the off chance that there are any single cancer cells remaining. If that is the case, we pray that the regimen chosen would obliterate the cells over the next several months and put each of our hearts at peace as she moves forward through recovery.
Thank you for all of the beautiful cards, flowers and sweet visits...each are a salve to her heart and healing body. Thank you for your continued prayers.
Be blessed.
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