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August 24, 2005
Some good news
We’ve just returned from the Kaiser Interstate clinic where I saw both a physiotherapist and my oncologist. Christie, a member of our church, was the one to show Dave and me how to do a variety of massage motions to reduce the lymphedema (fluid retention) in my right arm, and Gwen gave advice on other aches and pains (tendonitis in my left arm and bursitis in my left hip; interestingly Dave has the same two complaints)! I was also shown exercises to gradually regain strength in my right arm, so it was a profitable hour.
Dr. Panutich had sent me the results of the blood tests done last Tuesday, so already on Friday we were encouraged that those results showed that the liver function was back in the normal range after two readings that were high. Then today he showed us the results of the CAT scan which show no change in the size of the tumors in the liver. More good news, since last time they had grown. He explained that the Femara won’t kill the cancer cells, my body has to do that, but it is inhibiting their growth and we may see them shrinking by the next time I have a scan. He is suggesting dropping the blood tests to every two months and the scan to every three months or even longer unless I am aware of some change in my body. It was also encouraging to hear that even if the Femara stops working, there are other medications we can try before needing to consider chemotherapy. I’m certain that God is using the Femara, and vitamin and mineral supplements I’m taking, but attribute this good report to God answering the prayers of friends all around the globe who I know are praying for me. He is a God of miracles and I’m delighted that for now He has chosen to let my life be a testimony to His healing power. HALLELUJAH!! This also allows us the freedom to make plans more than a couple of weeks ahead.
We weren’t exactly sitting with our feet up while Wil was at camp last week. Dave and I probably worked more hours than we should have bringing order out of chaos in the house. But our labors have resulted in a very attractive home (at least we think so!) and places for most of our belongings. The guest room is still a shambles, but we were happy to welcome Dave’s cousin Ruth and her husband Peter Dow as our first overnight visitors. We have a hide-a-bed sofa in the living room and they assure us it’s very comfortable! The outside is looking more inviting thanks to five big pots of petunias out front and a huge fuscia on the deck at the back. Friends who are going to be traveling for the next two months thought we might like their annuals and we are trilled to have them to enjoy.
Wil was delighted in all the ‘loot’ he brought home from camp. They had a carnival on Friday night and won tickets for playing different games. Five tickets got him a pair of shoes, two a pair of shorts or T-shirt, etc. He came home with FOUR pair of Adidas shoes, two pair of slacks and two shorts, a sweatshirt and about four T-shirts! Apart from collared shirts and socks, he has all he needs for starting school! He also got a very nice haircut (nothing extreme this year!) and manicure. He made new friends and enjoyed time with kids he’d met before, so all in all it was a good week for him. Dave and I were able to spend a night at the coast before collecting Wil on Saturday morning. We stayed at a friend’s cottage as we’d done two years ago, and enjoyed long walks on the beach. There was a full moon, so a very low tide, and we saw thousands of starfish and sea anemones on the exposed rocks in the morning, and migrating sandpipers the evening before. What a treat! So all in all our hearts are overflowing with praise to our awesome God, and thanks to all of you who have been praying us along each step of this journey.
Posted by David at 7:43 AM
August 18, 2005
We've moved
Life has been more chaotic than usual for the past ten days, hence no word from us since we returned from the OMF US headquarters in Colorado on August 7th. We thoroughly enjoyed the time in Littleton. God is doing exciting things all around the world, and we loved hearing first hand reports of His work in China, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, as well as the Philippines. Sharing in small groups, as well as talking individually with different mission leaders was extremely helpful. We have a tremendous support team in Littleton, and I think I came to appreciate them more this time than ever before. We took a bit of a detour on our way back west, traveling first to Grand Junction, CO to see Brent and Kim Burdick and their four kids. You’ll remember that Wil stayed with the Burdicks when we had to leave ahead of Wil in May. They are now on home assignment, based in South Carolina, so it was wonderful to be able to see them while they were visiting Brent’s parents in Colorado. The next day we played tourist for a few hours, visiting The Arches National Monument. The red sandstone formations of pinnacles, arches, petrified sand dunes and balanced rocks were spectacular. We hiked around for several hours, until Wil turned his ankle! Then we headed back to Salt Lake City to spend another night with Peggy. There needs to be a word beyond hospitality to describe a friend who not only gave up her bed for us, but took Wil to a movie when we were ready to crash!
Another 13 hour drive got us back to Portland, grateful to step into familiar surroundings and drop into familiar beds. From Monday to Friday we worked on getting our things into our new home on Wiese Road. The new floors looked lovely, especially when Dave got new baseboards in, and other finishing touches completed. Though easy to write about, that chore took Dave almost a week! We were able to sleep here by Friday night and finished moving things out of the other house so that another missionary couple from our church could move in on the 15th. We now have beds, sofas, table and chairs, and are figuring out where to put things. The kitchen is reasonably well organized now and today Dave got the washer and dryer into the utility room. I’m sitting now in the guest room / office, the last room to get organized. We’re really happy with the look and feel of the house and hope to welcome many friends here. The electric kettle, teapot, and cups are out and already getting put to good use.
On Sunday after church we drove Wil to Camp Ukandu on the Oregon Coast. He and Ben went to this camp together two years ago and he is again sharing a cabin with Robert who he got to know there then. Robert has the same type of leukemia that Ben did (AML) and underwent a bone marrow transplant last September. He has had a really rough time since with severe graft versus host disease. It’s a miracle he made it to camp this year. Please pray this will be a good week for him, and that he and Wil will be able to reconnect despite the major changes in both their circumstances. What drew them together initially was their love for the Lord and we’re praying they will be able to minister to each other and to others this week. It’s a unique privilege for Wil to be with kids who all either have cancer or have someone in their family who does.
It’s cool today after weeks of hot weather. We aren’t complaining about needing to wear sweaters! When we took Wil to camp the temperature there was 40 degrees cooler than in Portland!! So I hope they aren’t freezing when the temp. here is only 69. Yesterday Dave and I both had doctors appointments, and tomorrow I’ll have another CAT scan of the liver. Then I see my oncologist on Tuesday the 23rd to learn the results and know how to plan for the coming months.
We don’t yet have a phone line or internet connection, so need to go elsewhere to check and send emails. The cable internet connection should be connected in another week.
Posted by David at 11:34 AM