The Journey Continues: An Update and How Cancer has Changed My Husband

I haven't posted an update in a while and several people have asked me for an update.  Richard is doing well.  He did have an endoscope last month and will have another follow up one.  They found that he had swelling and ulcers on his esophagus.  They had no idea why he was not in pain.  They did start him on treatment and he is supposed (emphasis on the supposed) to be eating blander food. His counts have been good and his appointment with his cancer doctors are every two months.   His immunoglobins still run low  and about every three months he gets hooked up for an infusion.  He acts like he feels better and has been cooking like crazy.  I am trying to ignore the cookies, coconut and banana cream pies that keep calling my name.  I have had my limit of pie for the rest of the year in the last two days!

There have been many changes since Richard's cancer diagnosis and I am going to tell you about one of them today.  Before cancer sometimes my husband was just a tad impatient with me when I would get sick.  He would be good for maybe the first day or two but after that I could tell by his tone of voice or his body language that it was time for me to get well.  The way that he would do dishes or sweep the floor was far louder than any word he might have spoken.  Don't misunderstand me, I am not saying that he was mean to me but impatient.

This is how something that is bad can become a blessing.  The way cancer has changed my husband has had many good side effects.  I am not saying that he doesn't get impatient, mad or frustrated but there is a change.  I have not really been sick since November 2012.  I have had two virus' that did not last long.   I did not have to see a doctor and I didn't miss work but they just made feel yucky for a few days.  The second time that I didn't feel well is when I saw something that cancer had changed in him.  He was very concerned and kept asking me how he could help me.

On the second or third day of feeling yucky this is what he said to me when I came into the living room after getting dressed for the day.  He said that he had prayed for God to give my affliction to him.  What an amazing change that God has brought forth in my husband's life through this journey with cancer.

God can change you too!  God can help you with your afflictions!  Just give Him your heart and see what can happen!

John 3:16-17New International Version (NIV)

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

The Journey Continues:ONE of the best updates EVER!!

For the first time today since the diagnosis of cancer Richard and I heard some words and read some words on a report about last weeks pet scan that reported No evidence to suggest local recurrence or distant disease at the current time.  Can I hear a GIANT AMEN!!!

It did show the fluid that was surrounding his lungs and a small gallstone.  Today they went in and extracted about one and a half pints of fluid.  That is the total together from both lungs.  The Dr. that extracted the fluid said it looked good though it is being sent to lab to be tested.

We were almost home when I heard the song that I heard every time that I got in the car when I been told that Richard was probably going to die.  Thanks for all the prayers that have went up and will still go up on our behalf!

You Never Let Go lyrics
by Matt Redman

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won't turn back
I know you are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

(Chorus:)
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We'll live to know You here on the earth

(Chorus)

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

The Journey Continues:A quick update 01/24/2013

So many of you are still praying 3 years and 4 months later.  Thanks so much!!  I don't know how people can manage to go through cancer or any other life changing event without the prayers and support of others!!  We are so BLESSED!!

Richard's chemotherapy yesterday was uneventful.  It did leave him feeling tired.  He has already headed to work this morning after eating breakfast.  He is so strong but that is because of the Lord.  His strength is from HIM!  His white blood counts were down yesterday so the chemo has wreaked it's havoc.  The good thing is that by this point on the other chemo regiments he would have already had to have taken shots to bring his counts back up.  His counts are still within the normal range at 5900!!


Thanks again for the continues prayers!!

Psalm 118:23-25

New International Version (NIV)

²³ the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes.
²⁴ The Lord has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad.

²⁵ Lord, save us!
    Lord, grant us success!

The Journey Continues:Update on Options

The weird thing about this Doctor's visit was that we thought we were going down to hear options and that we would than choose what was the best option.  Well the decision was already made for us which made it very easy.  The Doctor came in and said  okay this is the plan.  Richard will be started on a chemo called Bendamustine.  It is a chemo that is specifically used for lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myelomas and macroglbulinemia patients that have a failed transplant.  The doctor also mentioned that they would be in contact with the bone marrow donor to see about getting some more cells.  They will not do another transplant but will give the cells through IV, which is how he got them before, but they will not be killing his immune system.  The hope is that this time the cells will attack any cancer cells.

Richard will be doing chemo every three weeks and whatever day that is on he will also see the Doctor or  a PA on that day.  The Doctor was very optimistic and said that probably after two treatments another pet scan will be performed to see the progress if any and decided what to do from there.  He did mention that Richard could have chronic Hodgkin's Lymphoma and some have lived many years with it.

Thanks again for the prayers!!

1 Thessalonians 5:18

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.


I also thought that the verse of the day on Bible gateway was a great one!

Psalm 119:143

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴³ Trouble and distress have come upon me,
    but your commands give me delight.

The Journey Continues:Options

The results are in from the biopsy.  It is positive for cancer.  Richard and I will meet with the doctor Wednesday at three(blood work at two) to figure out our options.  We had already been told about three different chemo treatments that are available and have showed good results.  It is good to have options and we will have many questions.

Now Richard told me that I didn't have the option to cry.  I beg to differ, unbidden tears spring to my eyes just writing this.  I am a cryer and I really don't have any options but to cry.  I cry when I am happy, sad and sometimes for no reason.  I will try to have options on when I cry.  I will try to not cry in front of my husband and mainly in private but there is no guarantee.  I have told many people that I am not strong despite my tears but because of my tears.  I believe that God gave me the gift of tears.  Somehow no matter how tough things seem I feel better after a good cry.  Maybe my husband could learn from that.

Richard is very strong and he is determined.  He will fight to victory and if you know him you know that he knows that victory is in whatever happens.  Whether he is cured or whether he ends up in heaven that will be his victory.  He is not worried about that but about his family.  His journey with cancer started in 2009 and he has fought for every victory.

Richard's fight with cancer and graft/vs/host reminds me of the fight we struggle with daily.  Just as his cancer  decided to keep coming back so does satin in our spiritual fight.  We make strides and then setbacks.  We struggle daily to defeat the devil.  I need to remember that God is the one to turn to daily.  I can't do this on my own or I don't win.  The devil does.  Remember we all have options!  What about you?  What are your options?

God has given us another gift. The prayers!  Many of you pray daily for us.  Thank-you from the bottom my heart!!

Proverbs 3:5-6

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.^[a]

The Journey Continues:Biopsy

Just a quick update to let you know that Richard will have his biopsy tomorrow.  He has been okay most of the time though he does still tire easily.  Yesterday he felt like his head was full of congestion.  His face was very red and it looked like a rash to me.  I think that graft/vs/host is still going strong in his body.  I am not sure when we will get the results of the biopsy.  They will do the biopsy at one.

Thanks again for all the prayers that have been going up for Richard!!!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.