The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“The Monster in Aisle 9”

Tuesday Update May 12, 2015

I want to tell you that there’s a monster in aisle 9. It is a horrible monster. Horrible I tell you! I will write more about that in a moment.

Karen is just beginning to come out of the sickness of her Friday chemotherapy. It is such an amazing medicine. However, it does leave the patient more than just a little sick. The shot of Neulasta surely is working. She still is dealing with much pain in her legs and feet. It hurts to walk and makes her unsteady as she makes her way along.

We are rejoicing that she has completed her third round of heavy “big gun” chemotherapy. Our oncologist explained that after her fourth round of chemo on May 29th, she would then go on maintenance chemotherapy every twenty-one days. He assured her that she would be feeling better with this level of medicines. He even gave us the good news that if the maintenance level didn’t accomplish what we wanted it to be doing, that we had other options. This is wonderful news.

We have much for which to be thankful. Karen receives a note or two every day from people who love her. We are blessed beyond anything we ever deserve. Our supporters stand with us, our friends love us and are traveling on this journey with us, and our great God blesses us richly.

Oh yes. You’re wondering about the monster in aisle 9?

I had a quick errand to run this morning so I took a quick break from my writing and corresponding. On the way home I stopped at the grocery store to pick up just a couple of items. Karen of course is not well enough to be out. So of course, I was alone. Things went well in aisle 1. Things went all right at the deli where I picked up a little sandwich meat for lunch. Aisle 7 was great. Then I came to aisle 9. Monsters lurk there. Before my very eyes the sweet roll monster struck again. A horrible battle took place. I tried to escape but the cinnamon rolls monster tried grabbing me as well. I fled with the sweet rolls before any other monster grabbed me. Whew! Battling monsters is hard. I’m glad to be back to my writing where the biggest monster is grammar.

It’s A Rough Day. God Is Still Very Good!

Monday Update May 11, 2015

Yesterday after Cleveland’s excellent last second win (sorry if you don’t like basketball) our refrigerator decided that it had enough. We had a vivid illustration of the church at Laodicea. Everything in our appliance started its journey on being lukewarm. I made a mad dash to the appliance store at the end of our street this morning. The Lord is so good to us. I had to go without my sweetheart. But the very color she hoped for and the size refrigerator that would fit in the space in our kitchen was on sale. The owner even pulled two men from the warehouse to bring it to us. Thank you so much Stewart Appliance.

Today is a hard day for Karen. The results of the shot I had to give her on Saturday as well as the effects of the maximum dosage of chemo-therapy are really hitting her. She insisted on helping to clear out some of the things from the old fridge. It’s hard to see someone that you love in pain and feeling miserable. But she and I know that this is necessary for her to fight this wretched mass.

Thank you for praying for her. Please pray about the pain in her shoulders, legs, and feet. The shot on Saturday is designed to boost the bone marrow production for her blood count. It’s hard for her to walk, sit, or stand. So she is having a challenging time right now. Hopefully in the next few days this will improve. Karen is going to try a little supper. The doctor does not want her to lose any more weight. I’m hoping that she can eat a little tonight.

We really do believe that our great God can be trusted in every situation. Having our twenty-year refrigerator stop right now may not have been the best in our schedule. But we are sure that our Heavenly Father knows exactly what He is doing. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart” (Proverbs 3:5) is so good for each of us. Isn’t it?

“There’s Giggling Across the Fruited Plain” Saturday Update May 9th, 2015   From all across the nation, there comes a muffled noise. Tis the giggling of my friends I can hear their joyful voice. For old shaky fingers struck at the 2:30 appointed hour. Just before he aimed the needle He sensed a special power. […]

“She’s Exhausted! Guess What Tomorrow Brings?

Friday May 8th, 2015 Update

Hello dear friends. We are home. Karen’s numbers were so good that she was once again able to have the absolute maximum dosage of the three infusions of chemotherapy. What an amazing day in which we live. The Lord has allowed researchers to discover so many wonderful medicines that fight cancer. We have much for which to thank the Lord. We are so thrilled that round three is finished.

Earlier today we met with the oncologist and were encouraged with his report. He called Karen “a model patient.” Our doctor indicated that he knows that our faith is very important and he encouraged us that Karen is being used of the Lord. He also told us that he couldn’t be happier with her results. So thank you for praying today. The infusions were given through her port. WOW! Was it so much easier and less painful than six hours of infusion through her veins.

Guess what comes tomorrow?

Oh dear friends. Tomorrow at 2:30 I have to give Karen the shot of neulasta again! PLEASE PRAY FOR DR. SHAKY FINGERS and his dear patient. Set your alarm clocks for 2:20 in the afternoon. This is the call for our friends to be praying.

I will give you an update tomorrow afternoon after the shot!

The Lab Numbers Are Very Good

Thursday May 7th, 2015 Update

We Are On For Round Three Tomorrow Morning

You dear friends are wonderful indeed. I am so sorry that this post is coming so late. This is the first chance I’ve had this evening to get this word to you. Karen’s lab results are very good. We have a big day tomorrow and will thank you ahead of time for praying.

We will arrive at the Cancer Center tomorrow morning at 8:00. Somewhere between 8:00 and 8:15 we will see our oncologist. Then somewhere around 9:00 Karen begins round three of the really, really big gun chemotherapy. We get into the infusion bay sections among the first of the patients. Folks who arrive with us leave within an hour or so. New patients arrive and leave after about an hour or so. It is now after lunch late in the afternoon and Karen is now the only patient left with the oncology nurses. She is their all day patient.

We are so blessed. I am allowed to stay with her all day long. Karen has been given a beautiful quilt to bring with her to chemo. She gets very cold and the beautiful quilt is so helpful to her. We will appreciate your prayers once again dear friends. Oh and by the way. ON SATURDAY I HAVE TO GIVE HER THE SHOT AGAIN. YOU KNOW HOW MUCH PRAYER I NEED!