For You

John continues to gradually improve and he was able to skip the morning nap; however, he was definitely ready as soon as lunch was finished!

I probably already said that he will have the CT scan on August 5 and we will also see the thoracic surgeon on August 12. It is a little nerve wracking waiting these appointments.

Since we can't always make it to church we very much enjoy recording and watching Bayless Conley, John Hagee and Joel Osteen on tv when John feels like focusing on the message. So last night we were following along with our Bible's and I ended up in the wrong book. Anyway, what I read just struck me that we should also be an encouragement to you rather than receiving all the encouragement, so I pass this on to you.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:9

Blessings,

Pam

Not so hot but hopeful

As we expected, today isn't so hot but John is counting on this treatment being like the others with this being his worst day and gradually gaining strength throughout the week. Poor guy. He is sleeping quite a bit today when he isn't running to the bathroom.

Audrey and I are taking a break inside where it is cool. I finished trimming the shrubs today and she and I just thoroughly washed and waxed her car. I think that might be the last time we do that. It doesn't look so hot and we need to go back out and try to buff it some more.

More chemo

Saw the Dr. today before chemo. John will have two more treatments on Aug. 7 and Aug. 21. I guess this is not a surprise but still, it would have been nice to just have the four treatments rather than six. Sometime before the next chemo on Aug. 7, John will have a CT scan to check the tumors.

A thoracic surgeon will be calling us for a consult. Our oncologist surprised us a bit by saying that the surgeon will have to determine if he could operate. We asked him what if he says he can't, and his reply was that we would look for another surgeon. The oncologist did say that each lung would likely be operated on separately.

There will also be follow-up chemo after the surgery.

All in all, I guess I walked away a little down but John thinks that is just me. Physically, John is feeling as expected with this treatment.

Please pray for us. We know God is bigger than any cancer cell but this still just stinks.

On a lighter note, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! to John's mom, Joyce, in CA. We are so thrilled she is able to spend her birthday traveling in the motorhome!

Pam

Chemo tomorrow

Please remember John in your prayers. He will have his fourth chemo treatment tomorrow and, of course, is dreading it.

Sometime after this treatment, he will have another CT scan so your prayers that we will have another great report are needed! The Dr. will be making decisions about future treatment based on the scan so for now, we don't know what to expect.

He has worked part days each day this week and has been feeling pretty good. Hair is a bit thin but not terribly noticeable because he keeps it buzzed off.

Keep the faith

37 For in just a little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. 38 But my righteous one will live by faith, And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. Hebrews 10

John continues to enjoy a few days of feeling pretty well. His energy comes and goes but he has been able to do a few small jobs around the house and we were able to run a few errands together. It was nice to get out with him.

Have a wonderful day.

A good day

John has had a pretty good day. Did some desk work at home and has been alert and up all day. We went on a brief walk this morning and he is cracking some jokes which makes me happy.

I'm wondering if the zinc losenges and shitake mushrooms we're giving him are helping to build those white blood cells so that he is recovering faster? This is something we read about in a trial study of folks who were receiving chemo without a recovery drug.

Still very doubtful we will go to Pam's family reunion in Cincinnati on Sunday but we're hoping to make it to church on Saturday evening.

Not too hateful

John is managing very nicely. Pretty fatigued and occasionally nauseous but doing well. I did some tree trimming and burned some of the many dead limbs that fall from our trees yesterday afternoon in our "recreational" fire pit and John came out and sat in a lawn chair to supervise for a bit. It was great to have him outside with me!

It has helped him tremendously to adhere to his normal routine with dietary regimen and we attribute his having an easier time this go round to our decision to "maintain the norm." Without giving too many details, after John's original colon cancer and bowel resection, he takes three immodium per day and uses metamucil fiber twice per day. The Dr. advised to double his immodium and cut the fiber out to combat the affects of the chemo. However, this was a big mistake as John's body did not react to the chemo in the way expected. Needless to say, sticking to the routine has helped tremendously.

Some days are harder than others but we thank God daily for his mercy and compassion.

Love, Pam

So far, so good

So far, this chemo is very similar to the treatment two weeks ago. John felt rather puny receiving chemo at the Dr's office and getting hooked up to the two-day pump on Thurs., but didn't feel too bad yesterday and I drove him to a short sales appointment. If the trend continues, we expect he may begin to feel pretty yucky this afternoon; however, we are making dietary and med. adjustments and are hoping this helps. There are periods of trial and error to see what works best to combat the nausea and keep his digestive system on an even keel.

Everyone is doing well though.

A shout out to the Somheil family who will be having their reunion today in Brazil, Indiana. Wish we were there and hope you all have a great time. We'll miss seeing you.

"Don't tell God how big your storm is; tell your storm how big your God is."

Love, John and Pam

Fabulous News

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! We were thrilled to have the Dr. tell us this morning that John's tumor marker has dropped from 55 to 22!!! He said that was a very good drop and the staff seemed very pleased too.

We can't begin to tell you how happy we are and how we feel that the Lord is hearing our (and your!) prayers. So please keep praying and praising God for healing, strength, and the ability to make it through the treatments!

1 Chronicles 16:36
Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,who lives from everlasting to everlasting! And all the people shouted “Amen!” and praised the Lord.

Love, John and Pam

Chemo tomorrow

Chemo is scheduled for tomorrow so please pray that John will tolerate this well. The two previous treatments have really kicked his tail and typically, chemo has a cumulative effect. So...your prayers are paramount!

Thanks for your calls, cards and comments. They are needed and appreciated.

Thanks also to Marc Dupont for giving us his book, Healing Today. We have really been enjoying it and are learning many things.

John and Pam

God is faithful

We are thankful for John's returning stamina. We were able to attend church on Saturday evening (and go to the grocery). Had a good time of prayer with Marc Dupont, a pastor on staff at our Dayton Vineyard who travels extensively with a healing ministry. On Sunday John felt like his tumor areas were achy. Hmmm. We see the Dr. on Thursday for a quick check before chemo (yuck!) and wouldn't we LOVE to hear that his tumor marker is normal!

We are drawing near to God and feel our spiritual relationship deepening and growing. In spite of the circumstances, we are thankful for so many things.

Psalm 41: 1-3
Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble. The Lord will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes. The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness.

Psalm 138
I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; before the "gods" I will sing your praise. I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted. May all the kinds of the earth praise you, O Lord, when they hear the words of your mouth. May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great. Though the Lord is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch our your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever - do not abandon the works of your hands.

Love, Pam

Slow progress

We'd really love to be telling folks that recovery has been miraculous but in truth it is very slow. John is still very tired and needs to rest often. He woke up feeling really refreshed yesterday and decided to drive himself for some blood work, to a job site and the office but returned shortly after exhausted and hadn't made it to the office. Unfortunately, he is now plagued with heartburn and insomnia each night.

Blood work was to check his tumor marker and although we don't know the results yet, your prayers that it will be significantly lower are appreciated as this indicates the chemo is working.

Although this whole mess stinks, we know there are positive things happening spiritually for various folks as a result. So that is something to be thankful for.

It is nice to have John and Mindy here for a few days and Mindy and Audrey are really helpful in the kitchen.

Happy 4th.

Kinda down

We're a bit down today. John is still struggling with fatigue and although he seems somewhat improved, he has no plans to leave the house for now. It is hard to feel like we're doing everything we possibly can to make him comfortable but it isn't enough. I know many of you are not unfamiliar with this feeling.

Good news is, he sold a roof to our neighbors so that only involved a few trips across the street and some phone calls. I have turned into his sales assistant when I'm not at work.

Oh, and in addition to the air conditioning going out in Audrey's car, our internet service is kaput so just a few more ridiculous things to mess with. Yesterday, my mom had a bad misstep on an already very sore knee which resulted in a Dr. visit, using a walker, and being out of commission. Fortunately, she had good improvement in the night and is able to hobble with the walker today with less pain.

So today is kind of a down day and your prayers for strengthened bodies and renewed spirits would be appreciated.

We have really appreciated your words of encouragement.

Love, Pam