Hi Friends!
Joyce probably had her best night sleep in many days last night. And as a result, so did I :-)
She's having a calm, pain free morning so far. And her thinking is a lot clearer as well.
Again, I can't thank all of you enough for continuing to pray for us thru these crazy days!
In His Arm's, Pat
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
Friday nite 6-15
I don't think I could begin to fully describe the emotional roller coaster the past couple of days have been! In brief, Wednesday nite, as I was beginning my prep for a colonoscopy Thursday, Joyce began hurting again and it only worsened thru the nite. We were up all nite and she was still hurting and out of it when Pastor Richard picked me up to take me to the clinic for my procedure. I was exhausted and numb and just begged for God's mercy on Joyce. Her faithful sister, Nancy, stayed with her while I was gone. The day was also hard on Joyce but slowly we started getting a handle on her pain.
I got home around 1pm and was pretty zonked from the sedation they gave me prior to the scope - which didn't go very well. The doc encountered a mass of some kind that prohibited him from doing the complete scope of the colon. I have to get a CT scan next Friday and then meet with a GI surgeon - whatever it is it probably needs to go - so we have this to deal with.
Today was a better day in some respects and rougher in others. Pain wise Joyce was doing much better - but she was also very disoriented couldn't put her thoughts together. The hospice folks were over this morning as well and they were trying to orient me to end of life issues - which was just ripping me up inside. But later in the afternoon, after a long deep sleep, Joyce woke up and, tho still a little loopy, was up with us for the rest of the evening, took a shower, had dinner watched some TV with Noelle, our daughter, and had a very calm and pain free time. I'm about to crash now and pray we both can sleep thru the nite without incident.
God bless all of you as you continue to lift up me and my family - we appreciate your love and care beyond words. Stay close to Jesus and keep serving one another - that's what our spiritual family is all about!
In His Arm's,
Pat
I got home around 1pm and was pretty zonked from the sedation they gave me prior to the scope - which didn't go very well. The doc encountered a mass of some kind that prohibited him from doing the complete scope of the colon. I have to get a CT scan next Friday and then meet with a GI surgeon - whatever it is it probably needs to go - so we have this to deal with.
Today was a better day in some respects and rougher in others. Pain wise Joyce was doing much better - but she was also very disoriented couldn't put her thoughts together. The hospice folks were over this morning as well and they were trying to orient me to end of life issues - which was just ripping me up inside. But later in the afternoon, after a long deep sleep, Joyce woke up and, tho still a little loopy, was up with us for the rest of the evening, took a shower, had dinner watched some TV with Noelle, our daughter, and had a very calm and pain free time. I'm about to crash now and pray we both can sleep thru the nite without incident.
God bless all of you as you continue to lift up me and my family - we appreciate your love and care beyond words. Stay close to Jesus and keep serving one another - that's what our spiritual family is all about!
In His Arm's,
Pat
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Tuesday, 6-12 - late
Thanks for all the kind and supportive comments and encouraging emails. Each day, since we decided to stop Joyce's chemo and switch over to hospice care, has been a challenge. Joyce has had several episodes of severe abdominal/pelvic pain and they have been exhausting both for her and I. Her nurse upped her morphine again this morning and she had a painfree but pretty zoned out day today. It's a fine balance we're learning between effective pain control and clear thinking. We both have had moments of emotional crumbling when her pain is bad - please pray that I might have extra strength in those times - and that the Lord would put His arm's around her.
And right in the middle of all this, I had to see my heart doc today and have to fast tomorrow and drink some gross chemicals in prep for a colonoscopy on Thursday - no stress here :-)
I think Switchfoot had a line on one of the songs from "Beautiful Letdown" : "...my fears have worn me out!" Not completely, but I'm being taken deeper in my faith than ever before to trust that He has not given me a spirit of bondage again to fear - but of power and love and a sound mind!
I know we're not the only one's hurting in the church. We know of many who are also battling cancer and other illnesses and need His comfort and our compassion and care. Help us all Lord to be Your hands and arms and words to those in need around us in these days.
Blessings! Pat
And right in the middle of all this, I had to see my heart doc today and have to fast tomorrow and drink some gross chemicals in prep for a colonoscopy on Thursday - no stress here :-)
I think Switchfoot had a line on one of the songs from "Beautiful Letdown" : "...my fears have worn me out!" Not completely, but I'm being taken deeper in my faith than ever before to trust that He has not given me a spirit of bondage again to fear - but of power and love and a sound mind!
I know we're not the only one's hurting in the church. We know of many who are also battling cancer and other illnesses and need His comfort and our compassion and care. Help us all Lord to be Your hands and arms and words to those in need around us in these days.
Blessings! Pat
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Sat. June 9
Well I need to give you all an update. In a nutshell, Joyce decided to stop all chemotherapy this past Wednesday and I agreed with her. After reviewing the results of her recent scans and tests we were told the present chemo she is on is no longer effectively acting against her cancer.
The statistical chances of any other chemo being effective were less than 15% and the side effects of the other treatments would likely be worse because of her weakened condition already. Also, further treatment, would not, even if it worked, extend her life more than a few months and she would probably be very sick during that time. Without any treatment the doc said she statistically had 4 to 6 months left - maybe 8 tops - given the amount and types of chemo she has had and the advanced stage of the cancer. We know God may have another timetable!
So after a couple of days of reflecting and talking and praying we decided to change course and switch from paliative care to hospice care. It's really kind of a relief to move ahead now and see what God may do. We are thankful for all the treatment and care she recieved over the past three and a half years and we have peace that we did everything possible medically and now it's time to focus on quality of life. Thru hospice she will still have the same nurse and doc we had in the paliative care program and she will continue to recieve all the medications and care she needs to help keep her as comfortable as possible.
She is not bedridden and though she has periods where the pain is really bad, it usually doesn't last more than a few hours, and then she's OK and able to be up and doing things - like shopping :-). I took her Thursday and Noelle took her yesterday. She had a rough evening last nite but slept good and is ready to get her hair done this afternoon! We're just praying that her body will have some time to rid itself of the toxins from all the chemo and that she'll be able to enjoy life for a while.
Again we want to thank all of you who continue to be so faithful in praying for us - we feel very much loved and cared for!
In His Arm's,
Pat
The statistical chances of any other chemo being effective were less than 15% and the side effects of the other treatments would likely be worse because of her weakened condition already. Also, further treatment, would not, even if it worked, extend her life more than a few months and she would probably be very sick during that time. Without any treatment the doc said she statistically had 4 to 6 months left - maybe 8 tops - given the amount and types of chemo she has had and the advanced stage of the cancer. We know God may have another timetable!
So after a couple of days of reflecting and talking and praying we decided to change course and switch from paliative care to hospice care. It's really kind of a relief to move ahead now and see what God may do. We are thankful for all the treatment and care she recieved over the past three and a half years and we have peace that we did everything possible medically and now it's time to focus on quality of life. Thru hospice she will still have the same nurse and doc we had in the paliative care program and she will continue to recieve all the medications and care she needs to help keep her as comfortable as possible.
She is not bedridden and though she has periods where the pain is really bad, it usually doesn't last more than a few hours, and then she's OK and able to be up and doing things - like shopping :-). I took her Thursday and Noelle took her yesterday. She had a rough evening last nite but slept good and is ready to get her hair done this afternoon! We're just praying that her body will have some time to rid itself of the toxins from all the chemo and that she'll be able to enjoy life for a while.
Again we want to thank all of you who continue to be so faithful in praying for us - we feel very much loved and cared for!
In His Arm's,
Pat
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Wed. 6-6
The news from Joyce's oncologist wasn't what we hoped for. She is not having chemo tomorrow. We're gonna need a few days to evaluate her options. I'll probably miss a couple days on Proverbs. I'll fill in more over the weekend. Love to all! Pat
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Tues. 6-5; Prov. 5
Quick update. Just got home a couple hours ago after spending most of the day in the ER at Kaiser in San Diego. Joyce again woke early, around 5am. with severe abdominal pain that didn't let up all morning despite all her pain meds - nothing touched it. Our palliative care nurse thought it would be best to get her evaluated in the ER. After 6 hours and a couple of tests that were inconclusive as to the direct cause of her pain which finally let up mid afternoon, the doc said she could go home if she wanted to - which she did. He gave her some antibiotics because of a slight bladder infection they found - but he didn't think that was the cause of her pain. She's sleeping soundly right now, 9pm, and I'm pretty wiped out. Wasn't able to even look at Proverbs 5 til right now.
Suffice it to say that the whole chapter is about avoiding immorality - which in our day we all need to ponder and act according to the wisdom of God revealed here, and not forget that: the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He ponders all his paths. Prov 5:21
Thanks for your prayers! Pat
Suffice it to say that the whole chapter is about avoiding immorality - which in our day we all need to ponder and act according to the wisdom of God revealed here, and not forget that: the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He ponders all his paths. Prov 5:21
Thanks for your prayers! Pat
Monday, June 4, 2007
Mon. 6-4; Proverbs 4
Joyce had a rough night last night - lot's of pain in her hips mostly. She sleeping well this morning but could you take a moment and just lift her up to the Lord today?
In Proverbs 4 we have a compact strategy for avoiding temptation and particularly for navigating thru the flood of immorality all around us today.
6 actions in these 2 verses if practiced, will see you thru.
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on.
1. Don't enter the path (don't go thru the door) Don't even start in the direction of the way of the wicked.
2. Don't walk in the way; give no appearence of evil; don't allow your lifestyle to be associated in any way with evil.
3. Avoid it! Pretty simple but so difficult for many. Don't bring it into your house; don't go out of your way to find it; and if it pops up in front of you - flee from evil.
4. Don't travel upon it - not even once in a while;
5. Turn away from it! Guys especially - it's that look of lust that opens the door and starts you down the path of sexual sin. Guard your eyes. Starve your eyes from looking and your mind won't dwell on it. Bounce your eye's - turn away from the pretty girl who is not your wife! Remember this fellows - sexual sin is getting a "buzz" from any woman or depiction of a woman other than your wife. Wisdom says turn away - if you do you'll guard your heart.
6. Pass on. Don't linger around the evil way. It calls out to you - you pass right on by.
We're all confronted with evil every day - try putting into practice these "power verses' from Proverbs 4 today and walk in the right, good way!
In His Arm's, Pat
In Proverbs 4 we have a compact strategy for avoiding temptation and particularly for navigating thru the flood of immorality all around us today.
6 actions in these 2 verses if practiced, will see you thru.
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on.
1. Don't enter the path (don't go thru the door) Don't even start in the direction of the way of the wicked.
2. Don't walk in the way; give no appearence of evil; don't allow your lifestyle to be associated in any way with evil.
3. Avoid it! Pretty simple but so difficult for many. Don't bring it into your house; don't go out of your way to find it; and if it pops up in front of you - flee from evil.
4. Don't travel upon it - not even once in a while;
5. Turn away from it! Guys especially - it's that look of lust that opens the door and starts you down the path of sexual sin. Guard your eyes. Starve your eyes from looking and your mind won't dwell on it. Bounce your eye's - turn away from the pretty girl who is not your wife! Remember this fellows - sexual sin is getting a "buzz" from any woman or depiction of a woman other than your wife. Wisdom says turn away - if you do you'll guard your heart.
6. Pass on. Don't linger around the evil way. It calls out to you - you pass right on by.
We're all confronted with evil every day - try putting into practice these "power verses' from Proverbs 4 today and walk in the right, good way!
In His Arm's, Pat
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
