Challenges and Fun along the Way

Our daughter Sarah from Cumberland, Maine signed up to run in her first Triathlon early in February. It was a fund raiser for the Maine Cancer Foundation. The very next day, I was diagnosed with colon cancer!

August 15th, Sarah along with over 900 others swam in the ocean 1/3 mile, biked 15 miles, and ran 3 miles. Sarah finished in the upper 10% of competitors. Please see the pictures of why she ran. This race raised over $900,000 for cancer research. Thank you Sarah for your effort for Mom and others.


This past week, with a bit more energy most likely because I had to stop one of the chemo drugs, we have experienced some wonderful adventures.

First was to the Tall Ship Festival at Chicago's lake front. 19 masted ships with an unbelievable amount of ropes, rigging, and masts. We were able to board several of the ships-schooners. The quarters below were tiny. We had to bend over in the living quarters. That's where over 24 hammocks sleep some of the crew, Claustrophobia for me! From the depths of the ships to climbing up the rigging to the high sails. Life on the water is challenging. That life is not for me, but they were delightful to visit.

The next day was a visit to The American Girl Place. What a wonderland for little girls. It is fun to see. Annika, our 9 year old granddaughter, LOVED it. We celebrated her returning to Mongolia with our visit and lunch.

Mark, Cinda, Annika, and Toby return to Mongolia on September 5th traveling through Seoul, Korea and on to Ulanbataar, Mongolia.

Hope - and another treatment

Earlier in the week, someone gave me a rock etched with one word.....Hope. Reading in a devotional on Wednesday morning, the topic was "When I need Hope".

We had blood drawn in the morning and met with the Dr.

We knew the results of the blood counts would determine whether further treatment would be given or stopped after 10 cycles.

The devotional went on with: "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassion's never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:21-23

We waited, we prayed and hoped we could continue, and we waited. After several minutes, the Dr. came with the word "Come on back, we can give you another treatment."

The ANC - Neutrophil count was the highest almost ever! One of the drugs, Oxaliplatin was stopped due to an increase in side effects which could be permanent. The other two chemo drugs, Leukovorin and 5-FU were continued.

The devotional went on..."The foundation of my hope is Christ's resurrection and the strength of my hope is His presence and power."

For praying, THANK YOU. No one has more profound thanksgiving than Don and I. God's grace is overwhelming. Don wrote the following: It was a fast rule when I operated that I reminded myself and all in the O R.....you have one chance to beat cancer, and this is it. We would then put our hands on top of each other and say, Let's beat cancer. It is my solemn prayer every day.

with JOY and HOPE

# 10 I am getting another treatment

While counts were up last week, they were again down this week with the possibility of stopping any further chemotherapy. Ideally, I still have three treatments to complete the protocol of 12.

ANC - Absolute Neutrophil Count was again 1..0. Not high enough for treatment with that alone.

After talking the Dr., a hand count of a specific sub-set of white blood cells was done. My heart was willing to accept whatever the Lord had prepared. (But I sure wanted all the treatment possible.)
It almost seemed like it came down to one number. That is not a truth as many, many factors enter into the decisions of chemotherapy.

Returning with the hand counted results of the sub-set put me up to 1.7. I was cleared for another round. #10 is infusing as I write. I will be disconnected from the pump on Friday afternoon.

Thank you again to so many who encourage me and most of all pray for all aspects of this illness.

Reading from another blog this eveing, I was directed to Psalm 119:14 "You are my refuge and my shield. I have put my hope in your word, Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live." Repeatedly later in the chapter are further words of petition. "Look upon my suffering and deliver me, renew my life according to your promise, preserve my life, O Lord. v. 175....Let me live that I may praise you."

Praise be to God!

Rejoicing over increased blood counts

Wednesday, I had additional blood work done.

With much gratitude, my blood showed low, but improved blood counts. While my Hemoglobin has never been so high and my platelets never so low, my Neutrophil count of infection fighting cells had eased up from the previous week. I have no signs of bleeding or infection.

Think that the time in Michigan with family, the sun, and the beach was good. However, the prayer intercession of so many of you has been the real key.

To God be the Glory. He is Faithful

Hurdles and Difficulties

With a week delay in treatment # 9, my blood counts did NOT show any improvement. My ANC remained the same while a slight increase in platelets and white blood count. It is risky to be given chemotherapy at this level. Figuring in other cells, although immature at this time, #9 treatment is being given. I will be disconnected from the pump this afternoon about 5 pm.

Much discussion went in to how to proceed after this. Because of the slow response of my bone marrow, further treatments might have to be stopped. I would love to have the recommended number of treatments to maximize effectiveness. I will be followed by blood work next week followed by reevaluation on August 4th.

Pray with us that the response would be in a range that further treatment could be given and for wisdom for the Dr in decisions.

Don and I did enjoy four wonderful days with our ENTIRE family....all 22 of us. This was the first time ever to be altogether. Will post some pictures ...lots of food, water, sand, kids, fun and more.

Another Delay

Well...with great anticipation of # 9 this morning, my blood counts were again too low to be given chemo. There is a response in my bone marrow, but not enough mature white cells to sustain another cycle. Chemo is producing varied effects on different systems.

Now...with disappointment, # 9 will be delayed another week. Hopefully, by then, I will have reached a level where I again can have chemo. I felt so good yesterday, Don and I were guessing what the numbers would be. Feeling good does NOT equate to adequate blood counts.

With Don's BIG birthday today, Mark & Cinda's 15th Wedding anniversary, and just plain summertime, our entire family is assembling in Michigan for celebrations. This is the first time that everyone will be together. That will be 22 people in all! Twelve adults and ten grandchildren from age 11 to 1. Logistics from food to sleeping arrangements are interesting. More about that later.

Again, we are reminded that our timings are not necessarily of our making. May the Lord continue to give direction and oversight as HE has in the past. Deuteronomy 31:8
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." We again claim HIS promises.

#8 and Storms

It is Friday evening July 2nd. I was disconnected from my pump about 5 hours ago now, having completed Chemo Treatment # 8. While my blood counts were still on the low side, they were adequate for me to be treated. That is a huge praise!

It is nice to not be tethered to the pump, but it has become so much a routine, that I am not bother with it, asleep or awake.

Each treatment seems to have its unique aspects. This time, only one IV bag was infused initially rather than two. It seem that Leukovorin is not available at this time in the United States. There is no supply to obtain this drug. While it is not an actual chemotherapeutic drug, it does potentiates the effects of the other two. There was a manufacturing 'glitch' which cause the supply to be depleted. Glaxo, Smith, Kline feels they will be able to supply more by the end of July. Interesting.

Two weeks ago, on Friday, a huge storm came through. We lost power in Western Springs for about 8 hours. However, the next day it again went out.....and this time stayed out for over three days. 78+ hours. We ran a generator to supply our refrigerator and freezer, light candles and flashlights, and went to bed at 8:30 at night. Even with the generator, we lost over half the contents of our freezer.

Mark and Cinda were up in Michigan. Power went out there as well for about three days. Our area in Michigan sustained extensive damage with many old, large tall trees uprooted. While we lost trees, there was no damage to our house. Our neighbor, however, had two trees and an limb go into his roof. One really had to see to believe.....thus will share some pictures.

The power of nature is awesome. Our God is in control.