Little by little, John is improving and is able to do a few more things for himself daily, and is making progress walking up the street each day. He is still tired and having a great deal of pain. We are concerned that his right shoulder may have been damaged during surgery as he has an inordinate amount of pain there. We see the surgeon and oncologist on Tuesday and hope we can get some guidance on this.
Pam's mom is healing up nicely and returned home early this past week. She was really only with us a scant five days. She is trying to take it easy and Pam really appreciates the folks who have carried in meals for them it is one less thing to be concerned about.
We appreciate all the nice cards of encouragement that come our way and especially the prayers. In addition to John's continued healing, Pam would really appreciate your prayers for strength and rest for both her and Audrey.
We want to give special thanks to our friends, Curtis and Cindy Reeves. They have been so supportive and call regularly and beg for things to do for us. Cindy is a great cook! God has blessed us with such great friends and they truly demonstrate the love of Christ.
A cheerful heart is good medicine. Proverbs 17:22
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Grace, grace, God's grace.
This past week has been a whirlwind!
John continues to improve slowly. He has substantial pain and although that hasn't abated a great deal, he is able to move around a little more each day and today he was able to walk about five houses down the street with a walker and some spotters.
The really good news is that there was no cancer in the bone. This was wonderful to hear along with the fact that the margins of the areas removed were clear of cancer. When we visit the oncologist in a few weeks, we will be able to ask if the actual tumors removed were dead tissue, and are certainly praying that is the case.
We also received Pam's mom from the hospital yesterday (Friday) and she is getting along quite well. She was really struggling in the hospital with nausea and vomiting, and although they were a little reluctant to send her home with the vomiting, she felt she would get better much faster if she could just "break out." Happily, the problem has disappeared and she is eating and resting well, and amazingly, getting along with just Tylenol as she doesn't tolerate strong pain meds well. She is pretty mobile and we're working on her breathing deeply. Happily also, the mass of cells in her heart were benign (I might have said that already). Dad pops in a out to visit and sometimes mow the lawn and I'm sure he'll be glad to have her back home soon.
We were without power (like much of Ohio thanks to Hurricane Ike) through about half of the time John was in the hospital and actually stayed an extra day because of that - and that he felt pretty miserable.
This weekend has been a bit busy with family in and out and we were scolded by John's visiting nurse for that. There is always a chore to do and we've had extra tasks with trying to get mom's things here and get all the right mix of elixirs to help everyone get regular after anesthesia and narcotics.
We are grateful to have John's brother, Jim, here from CA to help out until Monday evening. He has been very helpful and we have all enjoyed his visit - especially John. Happy to have JR here this weekend also. And, thank the Lord for Audrey!
We have enjoyed receiving cards of encouragement and ask for your continued prayer. I'm sure the only way I'm doing what I'm doing is through the grace of God.
Be kind to one another.
Pam
John continues to improve slowly. He has substantial pain and although that hasn't abated a great deal, he is able to move around a little more each day and today he was able to walk about five houses down the street with a walker and some spotters.
The really good news is that there was no cancer in the bone. This was wonderful to hear along with the fact that the margins of the areas removed were clear of cancer. When we visit the oncologist in a few weeks, we will be able to ask if the actual tumors removed were dead tissue, and are certainly praying that is the case.
We also received Pam's mom from the hospital yesterday (Friday) and she is getting along quite well. She was really struggling in the hospital with nausea and vomiting, and although they were a little reluctant to send her home with the vomiting, she felt she would get better much faster if she could just "break out." Happily, the problem has disappeared and she is eating and resting well, and amazingly, getting along with just Tylenol as she doesn't tolerate strong pain meds well. She is pretty mobile and we're working on her breathing deeply. Happily also, the mass of cells in her heart were benign (I might have said that already). Dad pops in a out to visit and sometimes mow the lawn and I'm sure he'll be glad to have her back home soon.
We were without power (like much of Ohio thanks to Hurricane Ike) through about half of the time John was in the hospital and actually stayed an extra day because of that - and that he felt pretty miserable.
This weekend has been a bit busy with family in and out and we were scolded by John's visiting nurse for that. There is always a chore to do and we've had extra tasks with trying to get mom's things here and get all the right mix of elixirs to help everyone get regular after anesthesia and narcotics.
We are grateful to have John's brother, Jim, here from CA to help out until Monday evening. He has been very helpful and we have all enjoyed his visit - especially John. Happy to have JR here this weekend also. And, thank the Lord for Audrey!
We have enjoyed receiving cards of encouragement and ask for your continued prayer. I'm sure the only way I'm doing what I'm doing is through the grace of God.
Be kind to one another.
Pam
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Whew!
What a whirlwind the last few days have been! I guess I'm one of those folks who feels like you need an advocate with you when you're in the hospital. Unfortunately, I've gotten to know my way around Kettering Hospital pretty well the last few years.
John is doing fairly well considering the extent of his surgery. He has a pretty high pain level. He was actually supposed to go home today but that was nixed because we have been without power since last Sunday due to Hurricane Ike. This afternoon, when we found out our power had come back on they let us choose if we wanted to stay and we decided staying would be best - especially with Pam's mom just down the hall.
And now for that update...Marjorie's surgery went very well yesterday morning. The surgeon said it was a tricky and unusual surgery but she came through fine. She was moved from ICU today to John's unit (maybe a little early) and although her blood pressure is a little low and she is uncomfortable, she is doing ok.
Various family members have been in and out to help and Audrey has been keeping the home fires burning and her boyfriend, Caleb, doing lots of yard clean up. John's brother arrives tonight and once we get laundry rolling and the fridge gets cleaned out and restocked, we aught to be in pretty good shape.
Funny story - I think word is getting around the hospital that both John and mom are here as I've had total strangers working on the floor who have stopped me and asked if I was ok. I look at them and ask what they mean? They they explain they know about both family members and have wondered how I'm holding up. A few times I could only stammer, "God is good."
John is doing fairly well considering the extent of his surgery. He has a pretty high pain level. He was actually supposed to go home today but that was nixed because we have been without power since last Sunday due to Hurricane Ike. This afternoon, when we found out our power had come back on they let us choose if we wanted to stay and we decided staying would be best - especially with Pam's mom just down the hall.
And now for that update...Marjorie's surgery went very well yesterday morning. The surgeon said it was a tricky and unusual surgery but she came through fine. She was moved from ICU today to John's unit (maybe a little early) and although her blood pressure is a little low and she is uncomfortable, she is doing ok.
Various family members have been in and out to help and Audrey has been keeping the home fires burning and her boyfriend, Caleb, doing lots of yard clean up. John's brother arrives tonight and once we get laundry rolling and the fridge gets cleaned out and restocked, we aught to be in pretty good shape.
Funny story - I think word is getting around the hospital that both John and mom are here as I've had total strangers working on the floor who have stopped me and asked if I was ok. I look at them and ask what they mean? They they explain they know about both family members and have wondered how I'm holding up. A few times I could only stammer, "God is good."
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Improvements
Small improvements today. A little walking and sitting up in a chair. One chest tube removed and we're looking forward to the other one coming out tomorrow. The picture is of John with what he calls his "antlers," actually his chest pillow, and his glowing, red, oxygen sensor on his finger. He says he's Rudolph.
Our encouragement to you:
I Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Working Through It
Hard day for John. When I arrived at the hospital at 9:30 this morning (that is when ICU hours begin) he was bright eyed, sitting in a chair with zero pain. At noon, he was moved to the regular cardio unit.
Unfortunately, as the day went on, his pain increased dramatically and they were not able to control it. At 9:00 p.m. they called in the anesthesiologist and he checked the epidural to be sure everything was ok. All looked good to him so he doubled the epidural dosage and quadrupled the bolus dosage (an occasional blast of extra meds to control pain). This seemed to do the trick and John was able to drift off to sleep so I left about 10:00 p.m.
The encouraging news is that the oncologist visited. While we still have to wait for the pathology, he was not overly concerned about the bone issue and didn't feel that the tumors had invaded the bone. We're still very eager to get the pathology report but are encouraged.
Hope to get the chest tubes out tomorrow, which should make life more pleasant, as they are large boogers and invade the chest cavity on each side, going in about 8-10 inches. Looking at a Monday release date if all goes well.
Blessings and Praises (even when it is hard)
Unfortunately, as the day went on, his pain increased dramatically and they were not able to control it. At 9:00 p.m. they called in the anesthesiologist and he checked the epidural to be sure everything was ok. All looked good to him so he doubled the epidural dosage and quadrupled the bolus dosage (an occasional blast of extra meds to control pain). This seemed to do the trick and John was able to drift off to sleep so I left about 10:00 p.m.
The encouraging news is that the oncologist visited. While we still have to wait for the pathology, he was not overly concerned about the bone issue and didn't feel that the tumors had invaded the bone. We're still very eager to get the pathology report but are encouraged.
Hope to get the chest tubes out tomorrow, which should make life more pleasant, as they are large boogers and invade the chest cavity on each side, going in about 8-10 inches. Looking at a Monday release date if all goes well.
Blessings and Praises (even when it is hard)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Fear is the Opposite of Faith
Since it is quite late, I'll try to keep this pithy! Well...
John had surgery today. All went well. They were able to remove the large tumor in the lower left lobe, and orthoscopically removed two small areas in the left lung. They could not see anything more in the left lung.
The one area of concern (as if we didn't already have enough) is that the large tumor had attached itself to some ribs. They removed two ribs and those will be sent to pathology to see if the cancer invaded them. Based on what the surgeon said, we believe the oncologist will order a bone scan to see if there might be cancer in any bones and the ribs will be tested. This was a blow at first, but with encouragement from our daughter and our good friend, Cindy Reeves, we are considering it a good sign that the surgeon felt confident to move ahead with his plan and remove what he thought appropriate. He had told us before that if he didn't like what he saw he would close John up and not continue.
That said, John was very comfortable this evening with zero pain, thanks to an epidural, and our needs now are for you all to pray that a bone scan would reveal that absolutely nothing is present and that John would heal quickly.
Other drama has been brewing. As many know, Pam's mom had some pre-op testing for a knee replacement and a problem with her heart was discovered. She had some tests, came home for a few days and went in this past Wed. for a heart cath. That all went peachy, but she does have a benign mass in her left ventricle. Needless to say, the knee surgery was canceled but she will have open heart surgery on Monday. We're grateful for pre-op testing as undiscovered, this could have been a big problem by causing a major stroke.
I'm very grateful for sister, Vickie Nicholas, from Columbus, for coming down to look after the folks. She was pretty busy.
Also grateful for friend Cindy Reeves who showed up at he hospital to sit all day, comfort us, and bring a cooler of healthy, nutritious food!
Thanks to Audrey's boyfriend, Caleb Roe, for grass cutting and some other chores, encouragement and words of wisdom like, "Fear is the opposite of faith."
Our kids and family have been great with gathering close and prayer support. We are very grateful to have daughter Audrey home and all she contributes, and son John's prayerful concern and visits.
John had surgery today. All went well. They were able to remove the large tumor in the lower left lobe, and orthoscopically removed two small areas in the left lung. They could not see anything more in the left lung.
The one area of concern (as if we didn't already have enough) is that the large tumor had attached itself to some ribs. They removed two ribs and those will be sent to pathology to see if the cancer invaded them. Based on what the surgeon said, we believe the oncologist will order a bone scan to see if there might be cancer in any bones and the ribs will be tested. This was a blow at first, but with encouragement from our daughter and our good friend, Cindy Reeves, we are considering it a good sign that the surgeon felt confident to move ahead with his plan and remove what he thought appropriate. He had told us before that if he didn't like what he saw he would close John up and not continue.
That said, John was very comfortable this evening with zero pain, thanks to an epidural, and our needs now are for you all to pray that a bone scan would reveal that absolutely nothing is present and that John would heal quickly.
Other drama has been brewing. As many know, Pam's mom had some pre-op testing for a knee replacement and a problem with her heart was discovered. She had some tests, came home for a few days and went in this past Wed. for a heart cath. That all went peachy, but she does have a benign mass in her left ventricle. Needless to say, the knee surgery was canceled but she will have open heart surgery on Monday. We're grateful for pre-op testing as undiscovered, this could have been a big problem by causing a major stroke.
I'm very grateful for sister, Vickie Nicholas, from Columbus, for coming down to look after the folks. She was pretty busy.
Also grateful for friend Cindy Reeves who showed up at he hospital to sit all day, comfort us, and bring a cooler of healthy, nutritious food!
Thanks to Audrey's boyfriend, Caleb Roe, for grass cutting and some other chores, encouragement and words of wisdom like, "Fear is the opposite of faith."
Our kids and family have been great with gathering close and prayer support. We are very grateful to have daughter Audrey home and all she contributes, and son John's prayerful concern and visits.
Friday, September 5, 2008
When It Rains
James 1:2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
So there is a possibility we'll have two folks recuperating from thoracic surgery at the same time.
12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
This week had its share of trials. Although John continues to gain strength, Pam's mom has endured some tribulations. She was to have a knee replacement on the 9th and went in last week for pre-op tests which revealed a problem with her heart. Seems there is a benign mass in the left ventrical and after a few days in the hospital getting it checked out, she was sent home today but will return next Wed. for a heart cath which will be followed by heart surgery.
We are grateful it was discovered before more severe problems occurred, as the Dr. feels it caused her TIA last year.So there is a possibility we'll have two folks recuperating from thoracic surgery at the same time.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Surgical Consult
We had John's surgical consultation this morning. All went well and as expected with surgery scheduled for September 11. Hospital stay will depend on the procedures performed but we're thinking about five days.
The plan is to perform a thoracotomy on the right lung and a visual laparoscopic thoracotomy on the left lung. There is a chance that they would change the program and open him up on both sides, but they're hoping not to do that and fairly certain that won't be necessary.
Also, there is a slight chance when they get into the lungs, things will look worse than they expected and they will close things up but the Dr. is not expecting this - and let's pray this doesn't happen!
We ask for continued prayer for John's healing and prayer for the surgeons, Drs. Pavlina and Borsody.
We are grateful and happy, but also sad, to have Audrey home from college. She left for school on Sunday the 24th but felt a real pull to be at home. After giving it some serious thought and consulting with some trusted folks there, she withdrew from Taylor University and returned home on the 28th. She has enrolled at Wright State University, which is close to home, with a full load of classes. She will reconsider her plans over the coming months as to where she will finish her education. We appreciate her love, dedication and help.
We enjoyed a visit this weekend from several folks! Son John and girlfriend Mindy came up from KY for a few days. John's Aunt Diana, her husband David, daughter Allison and her husband Michael and son Owen all came from Indiana to visit. Owen is a delightful, four year old who loves to play ball! Pam's brother, Steve, stopped by with daughter Allison and son Ben, and Ben's girlfriend. Very busy time but good for John and he held up well!
Our prayer lives continue to grow as does our faith. We have much to be thankful for.
Lift up holy hands in prayer, and praise the Lord.
Psalm 134:2
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
