A WEEK OF SKIRMISHS

In view of the greater battle against the bone destroying cancer, this weeks series of jousts seemed to tilt in our favor. The worst enemy by far in the litany of individual daily difficulties is nausea. Our champion lady would rather endure anything, including pain levels that would stagger a rhinoceros, instead of suffering the horrors of the endless, queasy, roller-coaster of nausea.

Our hero this week was the arrival of Hospice Nurse Cathey, who deduced from our accounts of Betty's history with pain medications, the regimen of remedies she has tried recently, and the subsequent results, that the mega-patch she was wearing for pain - a 72 hour time release whopper - was the likely culprit. She boldly over-ruled the doctor on that prescription, ripped off the offending narcotic disc and, behold, in 12 hours, the waves of discomfort were quelled. An alternate combination of proven pills was recommended and so far they seem to be both more effective and more flexible to our rapidly changing social landscape.

I will defer any further commentary for now because I want you to visit our daughter's blog for her beautiful account of last night's Christian community "therapy". I should let you know before you click on her URL that we have both throughout our lifetimes enjoyed gathering with others to sing the great old hymns of the church. In the respect, last night was truly a preview of heaven.

Among other talents, Patty is a wonderful writer and her account is more eloquent today than mine would be because I do not write well through a curtain of tears, but she does. Please enjoy this interlude in our saga.

Go to www.clayinkpot,blogspot.com or click on "Patty's Blog" at the right.

WELCOME TO HOSPICE

I hope my readers understand that it just is not possible to address this blog every day; however, I do hope to continue to keep everyone informed of anything significant or remarkable along our journey.

The course of radiation originally scheduled is behind us. It was terminated before completion partly because of several missed sessions due to the machine breaking down, but there were other reasons too.

First, further discussions with the oncologists about the various recent scans helped us to understand the significance of the findings. For purposes of review, here a few way points. (1) A CAT scan prior to the hysterectomy did not reveal more than a faint shadow of metastasized cancer except for a spot in the upper sternum. That was the target of the subsequent radiation series. (2) An MRI scan done to assess the cause of her back pain caused by a fall also revealed multiple cancer sites in her spinal vertebra and more. (3) The PET Scan, done with radioactive isotopes of fluoride which gravitates into the tumor sites showed the cancer had invaded virtually all the bone. Meanwhile all the pathological reports identified a Grade 3 cancer (the most aggressive) at stage IV-B (the most advanced). There were only seven weeks between the CAT scan and the PET scan, also suggesting a rapid advance.

Since Betty has elected to not undergo chemotherapy, there was little reason to continue radiation on just one small location. Basically, there was no purpose to it.

Today we began the process of transitioning from direct care by her oncologists to the care provided by Hospice which becomes the doctors "eyes" at home. Although we all feel it is a bit soon to need all of the services Hospice can provide, it was expedient to get into the system for purposes of the coverage and the equipment they can immediately provide. Thanks to a visit from the Admit Nurse today, their care is now available to Betty on an “as needed” basis.

Actually, Betty has been doing well over the past week. She has had some nausea associated with beginning stronger pain medications, so she is still trying to rely on Advil and resting. We have had wonderful company for several days; a special Christian sister from Boise, dear friends from Alaska, our son David from Kennewick, and a few other drop-ins. Other friends have brought meals or joined us for meals here at our house. Betty’s mobility is limited, but she can navigate around the house somewhat, and she was able to attend Sunday morning worship services and visit a precious friend who is in the hospital. Of course these efforts were quite tiring, but she did accomplish them.

She still feels well much of the time and enjoys visiting, and working on jigsaw puzzles, and skyping with the grandsons in Alaska. Too many of our friends and family are also in medical or personal crisis or other discomfort, and Betty spends considerable time keeping up with them and being an encouragement wherever she can. Mail-call is often the highlight of the day, as are phone calls and e-mail messages.

More than ever, we solicit your continued prayers for God’s Mercies and Compassion and for comfort and successful management of her daily condition. We have absolutely no way to know now what the length of this journey will be, nor what will be its degree of difficulty. For the moment, we know that God is good, and we are having a chance to include our family and friends in preparing for both the reality of coming days and for solidifying our confidence in an eternal future. Please join us in those hopeful activities.

MEDICAL IMAGING VS. BEING THE IMAGE OF CHRIST

The results of recent CAT, MRI, and PET Scans have revealed that Betty’s cancer has invaded most of her bones. Upcoming meetings with the oncologists will explore potential treatments to manage pain and maintain mobility. Betty deeply appreciates the kind words and expressions of love in the many cards and calls she has been receiving.

Both Betty and John believe this passage, in which Paul refers to himself, also expresses their thoughts. In that light, they hope it will encourage you:

“What then? Only that in every way,
whether in pretense or in truth,
Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice,

Yes, I will rejoice,

For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance
through your prayers
and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
according to my earnest expectation and hope,
that I shall not be put to shame in anything,

But that with all boldness,
Christ shall even now,

As always,

Be exalted in my body,
whether by life or by death.

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:18-21

DOING BATTLE ON MULTIPLE FRONTS

Recovery from the recent surgery is going well, although the five laparoscopy scars are still prominent. Radiation treatments are underway most weekdays. CAT Scans and EKGs and a host of other tests are behind us, the spinal MRI has been done and we will meet with the Orthopedic surgeon tomorrow to see what repair may be possible on Betty's back injury, and we go to Portland tomorrow for a full-body PET Scan (from halo to both soles)to check all her bones for other possible sites where the cancer may be trying to seed a new start. Her recent shoulder injury from straight-arming a wall at tip-toe speed is also healing gradually; she is not even wearing the arm sling all the time now.

Having to sit still and not be active is causing some general weakness and instability in her legs and to her balance so she has been trying to get up and move about more frequently. There is still considerable pain, especially upon lying flat on her back, but just getting up and down from a chair is seeming to be a bit easier over the past few days.

Your precious calls, cards, letters, and thoughtfulness are a special balm for which there is no substitute. They make each day pass more easily, each a salve as it were administered with your love and tender words. Messages have come from folk locally and from all over the USA. We actually look forward to the mail each day for a change.

Once we get past the present situation of seeing a doctor, doing labs, submitting to tests and scans and other diagnostic procedures every day, we will try to restore some normalcy to our usual routine and pick up with some activities that we have not been able to give full attention. (Don't give up, Senior Saints!!)

Please accept our thanks and know we are grateful for the meals and remembrances we have received, the visits to dust and help, and to provide other timely services, and advice or guidance especially concerning transition to her new computer. (The latter particularly will reduce a mountain of daily frustration of coping with the relic she was trying to coax along. Well done, kids.)

As always we want to testify that God, Our Father, is the source of our confidence and our healing and it is to Him that we give our first thanks and devotion. Please continue to direct your prayers in Betty's behalf to our Loving God of Mercies and Infinite Compassion. We already are seeing answers to your petitions.


PS on 9-7-11 Through some extra x-rays Wednesday, we learned that some of Betty's back pain is due to a broken or cracked lower rib near her spine. Nothing can be done but to wait for natural healing which takes a couple of months or more.