8/20/1956 to 10/16/2007
We love you.
"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Bad times and better times
We began treating my cancer with two drugs; the infusions of Gemzar that we had already used, and 5FU, a new drug that is added to my TPN and is slowly delivered over a 24 hour period. At first, we were using a full dose (400mg) every day. that lasted for about two weeks until I grew so weak and depressed that I could no longer tolerate it. I began asking Cindy to lessen the dose to half and then finally to stop the drug altogether. Once the 5FU was stopped I began to regain my strength and my spirits improved.
We met with Doctor McElveen and we agreed that I should restart the 5FU, but just half a dose and do it every-other-day instead of every day.
We restarted the half dose (200mg) in my TPN bag again this past Friday evening. I was awaken Saturday morning at 3:00am with pain and nausea so bad that all I could do is sit up in bed and cry. Cindy got up and got me a Fentanyl patch and a Zopherin and was finally able to get back to sleep. Most of the pain was gone when the alarm clock went off later that morning, but I had pain and fatigue all that day. I am glad that it was only half a dose and that I don't have to do it every day!
My neighbor and fellow cancer fighter, Wayne Whitten died this past Friday afternoon. I will miss him very much, but am glad that his battles are now over and that he is at peace. His funeral service is this afternoon. We will attend that and then rush over to Oak Grove Elementary School to meet Lydia's 5K Teacher and some of her new classmates. Lydia is so excited about going to the "Big School". It is neat that Cindy, David (my oldest son), Jennifer (my oldest daughter) and Lydia will all attend Oak Grove Elementary School.
Well, that is all for now. I am doing much better now and am looking forward to cooler weather. Once we get back to nothing over 90 I will try to get out and go golfing. I think I could shoot 9 holes right now!
If any of my readers has dealt with 5FU I would very much like to hear from you about your experiences with that drug. I have had extremely dry skin on both hands, fatigue, body aches and nausea. Please let me know if you have had similar effects.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
We met with Doctor McElveen and we agreed that I should restart the 5FU, but just half a dose and do it every-other-day instead of every day.
We restarted the half dose (200mg) in my TPN bag again this past Friday evening. I was awaken Saturday morning at 3:00am with pain and nausea so bad that all I could do is sit up in bed and cry. Cindy got up and got me a Fentanyl patch and a Zopherin and was finally able to get back to sleep. Most of the pain was gone when the alarm clock went off later that morning, but I had pain and fatigue all that day. I am glad that it was only half a dose and that I don't have to do it every day!
My neighbor and fellow cancer fighter, Wayne Whitten died this past Friday afternoon. I will miss him very much, but am glad that his battles are now over and that he is at peace. His funeral service is this afternoon. We will attend that and then rush over to Oak Grove Elementary School to meet Lydia's 5K Teacher and some of her new classmates. Lydia is so excited about going to the "Big School". It is neat that Cindy, David (my oldest son), Jennifer (my oldest daughter) and Lydia will all attend Oak Grove Elementary School.
Well, that is all for now. I am doing much better now and am looking forward to cooler weather. Once we get back to nothing over 90 I will try to get out and go golfing. I think I could shoot 9 holes right now!
If any of my readers has dealt with 5FU I would very much like to hear from you about your experiences with that drug. I have had extremely dry skin on both hands, fatigue, body aches and nausea. Please let me know if you have had similar effects.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Lots of catching up to do
My ERCP demonstrated a gastric outlet obstruction. This explains why nothing was going through and why I was now dependant upon TPN infusions to supply me with nutrition. I was then directed to make an appointment to see my surgeon to see if a gastric bypass could be done to permit food in the stomach to resume its passage through my small and large bowels. If the surgeon would find more cancer beyond the gastric obstruction then a gastric relief system ( a drainage tube inserted into my stomach and extending through my abdominal wall to the outside to handle buildup of fluids in my stomach. ) If I got the gastric relief system I would still be totally dependant on TPN for my nutrition and would only be allowed liquids by mouth. That would permit me to taste certain liquid food items such as V8 juice, tomato juice, Ice cream, and so on. The thickness of these liquids would fall within a range of water up to tomato soup. Water in abundance is necessary to keep my stomach flushed so that I keep it debrised of built up bile, surgical debris and the like. I met with Dr, Mirra on Thursday and my surgery was planned for the following Monday afternoon.
By midday the next day I had gotten so ill at home that I had to call Cindy at work and we got me admitted to Palmetto Health Baptist late in the afternoon that Friday. Upon arrival an NG tube was inserted and connected to suction. Within the first two minutes that two liter suction container was completely filled with a blackish colored liquid. At first, I thought that it contained blood, but when the nurse dabbed a small amount of this liquid on a white paper towel we could see that it was green tinted indicating that the liquid was an very condensed bile solution.
A second two liter container was connected and within an hour and a half it too was filled, but the color was beginning to lighten up some. When the third container was connected I was permitted to drink water and the drainage very quickly lightened and my general health was vastly improved. The third container lasted the rest of the evening and into the next day. I was kept in the hospital over the weekend continuing the suction therapy right up to my surgery Monday evening.
Sure enough, when Dr. Mirra opened my abdomen he found a vast number of small lesions scattered throughout my small bowel beyond the mass that now caused my gastric outlet obstruction. His surgery on me was now abbreviated to installing the gastric relief system and putting me back together.
My recover following this surgery was SO much easier than my first surgery that there is really no comparison whatsoever. I was up walking the entire post surgical unit in multiple laps on day two post surgery. On day three I walked to the elevator and dropped down to the second floor and I went by to see my friends in the Cath Lab. I received comments from my surgeon and the nursing staff that they had never seen anyone recover so quickly from this type of surgery. I felt great! Once home I began doing choirs as I as able (probably more than I should have). I would begin to pay for this in the days that followed.
My incision runs along the same incision that was previously done back in last November, but only along the left half of that line. The line is stapled closed, and the gastric relief tube leaves through a hole below that line about an inch and a half lower than the line. The line is very clean, but is slightly swollen; more so in one area and less in others. The hole that the gastric relief system extends through is just slightly reddened and "weeps" a thick greenish tinted drainage. I wash these sites with Hydrogen Peroxide several times a day,. I also wipe the site clean with alcohol "prep" pads and then dress the site around the tubing with Triple Antibiotic ointment and sterile gauze that allows the drainage to be wicked away while protecting the antibiotic ointment to remain at the site.
Tomorrow, I go to see Dr. Mirra to have the staples removed, the site examined and to get clearance from the surgeon for the oncologist to resume my chemotherapy. This too has now bee enhanced; in addition to the weekly infusion of the Gemzar will be a continuous infusion, 24 hours a day, seven days a week of a drug called 5fu. The Gemzar is the focused drug to fight the pancreatic cancer, while 5fu is designed to handle those lesions that were found beyond that pancreatic mass. The hope is that by stepping up the Gemzar infusions to it's maximum dosage and adding in the 5fu that we can arrest these lesions or, if God is willing, to reverse their growth. If the later is accomplished I might be able to extend my life out and perhaps be a five-year survivor. If we simply arrest the cancer I still might make it out to five years ( I am now just over a one year survivor, placing me in a fortunate 3-4% group.
In all of this, I cling to the Word of God found in Matthew 6:25-34 Here Jesus says, 25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
By midday the next day I had gotten so ill at home that I had to call Cindy at work and we got me admitted to Palmetto Health Baptist late in the afternoon that Friday. Upon arrival an NG tube was inserted and connected to suction. Within the first two minutes that two liter suction container was completely filled with a blackish colored liquid. At first, I thought that it contained blood, but when the nurse dabbed a small amount of this liquid on a white paper towel we could see that it was green tinted indicating that the liquid was an very condensed bile solution.
A second two liter container was connected and within an hour and a half it too was filled, but the color was beginning to lighten up some. When the third container was connected I was permitted to drink water and the drainage very quickly lightened and my general health was vastly improved. The third container lasted the rest of the evening and into the next day. I was kept in the hospital over the weekend continuing the suction therapy right up to my surgery Monday evening.
Sure enough, when Dr. Mirra opened my abdomen he found a vast number of small lesions scattered throughout my small bowel beyond the mass that now caused my gastric outlet obstruction. His surgery on me was now abbreviated to installing the gastric relief system and putting me back together.
My recover following this surgery was SO much easier than my first surgery that there is really no comparison whatsoever. I was up walking the entire post surgical unit in multiple laps on day two post surgery. On day three I walked to the elevator and dropped down to the second floor and I went by to see my friends in the Cath Lab. I received comments from my surgeon and the nursing staff that they had never seen anyone recover so quickly from this type of surgery. I felt great! Once home I began doing choirs as I as able (probably more than I should have). I would begin to pay for this in the days that followed.
My incision runs along the same incision that was previously done back in last November, but only along the left half of that line. The line is stapled closed, and the gastric relief tube leaves through a hole below that line about an inch and a half lower than the line. The line is very clean, but is slightly swollen; more so in one area and less in others. The hole that the gastric relief system extends through is just slightly reddened and "weeps" a thick greenish tinted drainage. I wash these sites with Hydrogen Peroxide several times a day,. I also wipe the site clean with alcohol "prep" pads and then dress the site around the tubing with Triple Antibiotic ointment and sterile gauze that allows the drainage to be wicked away while protecting the antibiotic ointment to remain at the site.
Tomorrow, I go to see Dr. Mirra to have the staples removed, the site examined and to get clearance from the surgeon for the oncologist to resume my chemotherapy. This too has now bee enhanced; in addition to the weekly infusion of the Gemzar will be a continuous infusion, 24 hours a day, seven days a week of a drug called 5fu. The Gemzar is the focused drug to fight the pancreatic cancer, while 5fu is designed to handle those lesions that were found beyond that pancreatic mass. The hope is that by stepping up the Gemzar infusions to it's maximum dosage and adding in the 5fu that we can arrest these lesions or, if God is willing, to reverse their growth. If the later is accomplished I might be able to extend my life out and perhaps be a five-year survivor. If we simply arrest the cancer I still might make it out to five years ( I am now just over a one year survivor, placing me in a fortunate 3-4% group.
In all of this, I cling to the Word of God found in Matthew 6:25-34 Here Jesus says, 25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Or Romans 8:28 28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Please note that Paul did not add an asterisk indicating a caveat clause that excludes certain things such as cancer, but even these things are done for the good of those who love him. As a true believer in the Almighty God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I trust that even this is being done to benefit me and those around me. For me, this is my mantra and much more than that. For I know that the true prize is already secured for me. I know that I am a co-heir with Christ; called to him through God's eternal Word, joined to him in Baptism, and strengthened by him in Holy Communion. With all of these blessings I know that come what may in this life that I am already fully firmly at home in my next life - an eternal life in the wedding party of Christ to His bride, the Holy Christian Church, and nothing can shake me from that. Amen!
That's all for now. Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Monday, June 25, 2007
The good, the bad and the ugly
Over the last few weeks I have suffered with a stomach virus, which I believe, set me up for a bout with pancretitis. The pancretitis hit me about a week ago and has progressively worsened to the point that I have missed a few days from work. Most notably, last Friday when I was to host the most important meeting for our Cath Lab at PHB. Dr, Harrison took over my role and the meeting proceeded as planned, but I truly wish that I could have been there. While the meeting went on I was in the Emergency Room being treated with IV fluids, pain medicine, muscle relaxers and the like. I have not eaten a "meal" since last Thursday. Part of the treatment is to avoid food for a few days and allow the stomach and pancreas to heal.
While in the ER a CT scan of my abdomen was obtained which demonstrated that the mass that was seen on a CT scan done back in January which measured 1.6cm x 1.5cm was still there. This was missed on the MRI scan done in April. I cannot deny that this finding has diminished my joy that I felt when we thought that the cancer was gone. I do still revel in the fact that the cancer has not grown any since January. I thank God for this and ask for His strength as I continue to battle the cancer and pancretitis that now wrecks havoc on my life.
Tomorrow I am to meet with the GI Doc and discuss doing a ERCP to directly visualize the Villi which were the first indication that I had a problem. Now with the diagnosis from the CT scan I will have a different perspective on what will be shown on the ERCP. I was so hoping to find that my cancer was all but gone and my chemo treatments would soon be at an end. I now know that this is not to be. Still, I know that God is with me. I have nothing to fear. All will turn out as it should.
Keep me in your prayers. The war is not over.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
While in the ER a CT scan of my abdomen was obtained which demonstrated that the mass that was seen on a CT scan done back in January which measured 1.6cm x 1.5cm was still there. This was missed on the MRI scan done in April. I cannot deny that this finding has diminished my joy that I felt when we thought that the cancer was gone. I do still revel in the fact that the cancer has not grown any since January. I thank God for this and ask for His strength as I continue to battle the cancer and pancretitis that now wrecks havoc on my life.
Tomorrow I am to meet with the GI Doc and discuss doing a ERCP to directly visualize the Villi which were the first indication that I had a problem. Now with the diagnosis from the CT scan I will have a different perspective on what will be shown on the ERCP. I was so hoping to find that my cancer was all but gone and my chemo treatments would soon be at an end. I now know that this is not to be. Still, I know that God is with me. I have nothing to fear. All will turn out as it should.
Keep me in your prayers. The war is not over.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Back to work!
I started back to work on May 21st. The day began with my moving pretty slowly. I had been away for so long that I had to recondition myself to getting around that early. Plus, the Sunday before I had experienced an episode of weakness and fatigue that sent me home from Church. Tuesday was much easier.
I just got home from seeing the Nurse Practitioner at SCOA. My blood work was all normal and I am scheduled to begin another set of three chemo treatments next Tuesday. I asked her if I was one of the happy 4 percent that will enjoy as a five year survivor, but she said it would be to early to tell now. Ask her again in five years. I should have guessed that would have been her answer, but I do believe that I may very well be one of those folks!
I cannot begin to thank everyone for all of your prayers and acts of kindness. Going back to work and rejoining my friends has been the culmination of many of these prayers.
I will continue to add to this blog, but will likely be fewer and further between since my reports are so good. Unless my cancer "turns tiger" I doubt that I will face very many challenges to speak of. This is so unbelievable I just cannot say!
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
I just got home from seeing the Nurse Practitioner at SCOA. My blood work was all normal and I am scheduled to begin another set of three chemo treatments next Tuesday. I asked her if I was one of the happy 4 percent that will enjoy as a five year survivor, but she said it would be to early to tell now. Ask her again in five years. I should have guessed that would have been her answer, but I do believe that I may very well be one of those folks!
I cannot begin to thank everyone for all of your prayers and acts of kindness. Going back to work and rejoining my friends has been the culmination of many of these prayers.
I will continue to add to this blog, but will likely be fewer and further between since my reports are so good. Unless my cancer "turns tiger" I doubt that I will face very many challenges to speak of. This is so unbelievable I just cannot say!
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Back from camping trip
We have returned from our camping trip to Mt. Pleasant, SC. There is a KOA there that Cindy and I enjoy going to. It is about 3 miles from the Isle of Palms, so the beach is close by. On this trip we never got to the beach. We got there Friday afternoon and got the camper set up. Afterwards, we drove to Shem Creek for supper. We got a table on the porch facing the creek at R.B.'s. As we were being seated we noticed that dolphins were swimming around in the creek as well as pelicans. Lydia loved watching those and the boats motoring in and out of the creek.
We got back and got settled down for sleep. It took Austin a little while to settle down in his playpen we setup next to Lydia's bed at the rear of the camper. Cindy and my bed is a Pop-Out at the front. We had deliberately left this "un-Popped" until we got back from supper so that the air conditioner could easily handle to load of the warmth of the Friday afternoon air.
I had noticed a IHOP on our way back from supper and planned to return to it for breakfast on Saturday. We then made a quick trip to Target for some supplies before getting back to enjoy the pool at the KOA. While Cindy and Lydia went to the pool Austin and I took a quick nap. Once Austin woke up, we went to Jack's Cosmic Dogs for lunch. Then it was back to the KOA and running around the Playground until supper time. Supper was lunch meats and Cheetos.
Sunday we got up and got ready for Church. Our home congregation is Hope Lutheran Church in Irmo, SC. Pastor Jason Zahn's wife, Jesse has a brother who is the Pastor of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Summerville, SC. We attended service there on Sunday. Pastor Jon Hine delivered the Invocation and readings while the Vicar delivered the sermon. After service we went to Ruby Tuesdays for lunch. Then it was back to the KOA for more swimming and time at the Playground. The weather gave us a bit of consternation as a brief storm blew in. We took down our awning and huddled together in the camper reading children's books until it blew over.
After waking on Monday and eating a quick breakfast in the camper we began unhooking our camper and preparing for the two hour drive back home. I am so happy that our kids travel so well. The trip back was uneventful...Thank God.
We got home and called our folks to let them know we were back safe and sound. I noticed that the grass needed mowing and took care of that while Cindy took the kids down to a local playground. I thought that was a great segway for the kids back to "regular" life back home.
I thank God that he has given me the strength to enjoy trips like this as I continue the fight against my cancer. I have lost a few pounds and hope to gain them and a few more back. I will need them as I prepare to return back to work next Monday. I pray that God gives me strength and clarity of mind to discharge the duties of my job. Today I go in for another chemo treatment. I pray that these treatments continue to receive God's blessings and prove to be effective against the cancer in my pancreas, and that it does not spread to any other part of my body. If it is God's will, I pray that my cancer completely disappears and that I can resume a normal life once more.
Continue to pray for Susannah Zahn, the daughter of Pastor and Jesse Zahn. Pray that her Doctors are lead to a diagnosis and a treatment for her condition. Pray also for my Father-in-law, Don Laag. Pray that his PSA is lower than 2, and that his prostate cancer does not return. Pray also for Wayne Whitten, that his cancer treatments are able to control his liver cancer and that his general health returns. Pray that all of us are given an extra measure of the Holy Spirit, that our trust in God for all things is made strong and sure. May we always trust that God is doing ALL things for our good as His Word confirms as in Romans 8:28. Know that I also pray for all of you, that you continue to show yourselves to be Christ's disciples by loving one another. I thank God that the main lesson I have learned through this experience is that God IS love. I pray too that I have the opportunity to share that love with others in need.
That is all I have for now. I will make a new post after my first day back to work next week.
Yor brother in Christ,
Mack
We got back and got settled down for sleep. It took Austin a little while to settle down in his playpen we setup next to Lydia's bed at the rear of the camper. Cindy and my bed is a Pop-Out at the front. We had deliberately left this "un-Popped" until we got back from supper so that the air conditioner could easily handle to load of the warmth of the Friday afternoon air.
I had noticed a IHOP on our way back from supper and planned to return to it for breakfast on Saturday. We then made a quick trip to Target for some supplies before getting back to enjoy the pool at the KOA. While Cindy and Lydia went to the pool Austin and I took a quick nap. Once Austin woke up, we went to Jack's Cosmic Dogs for lunch. Then it was back to the KOA and running around the Playground until supper time. Supper was lunch meats and Cheetos.
Sunday we got up and got ready for Church. Our home congregation is Hope Lutheran Church in Irmo, SC. Pastor Jason Zahn's wife, Jesse has a brother who is the Pastor of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Summerville, SC. We attended service there on Sunday. Pastor Jon Hine delivered the Invocation and readings while the Vicar delivered the sermon. After service we went to Ruby Tuesdays for lunch. Then it was back to the KOA for more swimming and time at the Playground. The weather gave us a bit of consternation as a brief storm blew in. We took down our awning and huddled together in the camper reading children's books until it blew over.
After waking on Monday and eating a quick breakfast in the camper we began unhooking our camper and preparing for the two hour drive back home. I am so happy that our kids travel so well. The trip back was uneventful...Thank God.
We got home and called our folks to let them know we were back safe and sound. I noticed that the grass needed mowing and took care of that while Cindy took the kids down to a local playground. I thought that was a great segway for the kids back to "regular" life back home.
I thank God that he has given me the strength to enjoy trips like this as I continue the fight against my cancer. I have lost a few pounds and hope to gain them and a few more back. I will need them as I prepare to return back to work next Monday. I pray that God gives me strength and clarity of mind to discharge the duties of my job. Today I go in for another chemo treatment. I pray that these treatments continue to receive God's blessings and prove to be effective against the cancer in my pancreas, and that it does not spread to any other part of my body. If it is God's will, I pray that my cancer completely disappears and that I can resume a normal life once more.
Continue to pray for Susannah Zahn, the daughter of Pastor and Jesse Zahn. Pray that her Doctors are lead to a diagnosis and a treatment for her condition. Pray also for my Father-in-law, Don Laag. Pray that his PSA is lower than 2, and that his prostate cancer does not return. Pray also for Wayne Whitten, that his cancer treatments are able to control his liver cancer and that his general health returns. Pray that all of us are given an extra measure of the Holy Spirit, that our trust in God for all things is made strong and sure. May we always trust that God is doing ALL things for our good as His Word confirms as in Romans 8:28. Know that I also pray for all of you, that you continue to show yourselves to be Christ's disciples by loving one another. I thank God that the main lesson I have learned through this experience is that God IS love. I pray too that I have the opportunity to share that love with others in need.
That is all I have for now. I will make a new post after my first day back to work next week.
Yor brother in Christ,
Mack
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Back to chemo, etc
After a two week vacation from chemo I have begun another three week session. During the time off I noted less pain, more energy and overall better spirits. Now that I am two days past my session the pain has returned, I feel less energetic and pretty much blah. In other words, nothing new.
I got my letter of medical release to return to work from Dr. McElveen and turned it in to Bob Cook. Bob was ecstatic to say the least. I am looking forward to getting back to work, too. It has been so long since I have used the gifts that God has given me, and I pray that I will do as well as I had done prior to my surgery.
Cindy and I have a brief vacation trip planned to Mt. Pleasant where we go to our favorite KOA. Afterwards, David and Carrie will be in town. This is great because we have a lot of work to do for Ionosoft's upcoming release of our cardiology reporting tool, Visual Cath Report in the near future. This is a project that we have been working on for the last four years. All of us at Ionosoft are looking forward to a successful release of our software.
There are a lot of fantastic things going on in my life. I thank God that He has restored my health to be a part of what lies ahead. My youngest kids are growing up so fast! Lydia will begin 5K this Fall. Austin is walking and trying so hard to talk. My two older kids lives are also very dynamic. Ionosoft is a company that is made up of Dr. Rodney Harrison, my son David and myself. My eldest daughter, Jennifer, is a fine mother and wife and a hard worker; both in her home and at her career. I am SO proud of all of them. I am most proud of my wife, Cindy. She has stood beside me in this difficult time without hesitation and is my pillar of strength. I know that I have not always shown my thanks to Cindy and haven't always been the most agreeable person to deal with. I am blessed way beyond my wildest dreams.
Please continue to pray for Suzannah Zahn. Her condition is still not defined and continues to be a problem for her. I pray that the Doctors will soon have a working diagnosis and effective treatment, and that the Holy Spirit continue to strengthen and console her parents.
More later. I'll make another post after our camping trip.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
I got my letter of medical release to return to work from Dr. McElveen and turned it in to Bob Cook. Bob was ecstatic to say the least. I am looking forward to getting back to work, too. It has been so long since I have used the gifts that God has given me, and I pray that I will do as well as I had done prior to my surgery.
Cindy and I have a brief vacation trip planned to Mt. Pleasant where we go to our favorite KOA. Afterwards, David and Carrie will be in town. This is great because we have a lot of work to do for Ionosoft's upcoming release of our cardiology reporting tool, Visual Cath Report in the near future. This is a project that we have been working on for the last four years. All of us at Ionosoft are looking forward to a successful release of our software.
There are a lot of fantastic things going on in my life. I thank God that He has restored my health to be a part of what lies ahead. My youngest kids are growing up so fast! Lydia will begin 5K this Fall. Austin is walking and trying so hard to talk. My two older kids lives are also very dynamic. Ionosoft is a company that is made up of Dr. Rodney Harrison, my son David and myself. My eldest daughter, Jennifer, is a fine mother and wife and a hard worker; both in her home and at her career. I am SO proud of all of them. I am most proud of my wife, Cindy. She has stood beside me in this difficult time without hesitation and is my pillar of strength. I know that I have not always shown my thanks to Cindy and haven't always been the most agreeable person to deal with. I am blessed way beyond my wildest dreams.
Please continue to pray for Suzannah Zahn. Her condition is still not defined and continues to be a problem for her. I pray that the Doctors will soon have a working diagnosis and effective treatment, and that the Holy Spirit continue to strengthen and console her parents.
More later. I'll make another post after our camping trip.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Thursday, April 26, 2007
More great news!
I am now covered by Cindy's insurance, Cigna. I can now continue my chemo treatments scheduled on May 1st. I'd like to send out my thanks to Jason Smith at PHB HR for his help in getting the certificates of insurability from ManageMed.
I am also headed back to work at PHB on May 20th. Thank you, Bob, for your confidence in me. I have been looking forward to this for a long, long time. I praise God for the healing that He has caused in me. The Doctors treat me, but it is God who heals me.
Recently, I took the opportunity of reading my own posts. I took note of the times that, due to the pain medications I take, so many words were misspelled. It also shook my memories of those times; the pain, the frequent trips to the Emergency Room and subsequent admissions, the fear that I might not live but a few more days, weeks or months. I now look back in grateful thanks to God for giving me the chance to continue my life. I also look forward to the day yet ahead that I will be taken to live in eternal glory with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Not because I deserve it, but because God loves me, and has sent His Son to be the perfect sacrifice for sin, even mine, which are the worst. If God has done that, what else can He do? Thank God that he has healed me.
I will continue to have chemo treatments for many more months, but I am certain that the grace of God and my continued improvement will help me through the rough spots. Chemo is tough. Nausea, pain, weakness, increased emotions and fatigue all play a part of these treatments. For what is gained I feel it is all worth it.
I know I don't have to ask, and I know that I will continue to be prayed for. Please also remember to pray for Wayne Whitten, my neighbor and fellow cancer fighter, for Tonja, Cindy's work freind who is taking chemo prior to her surgery, and for all who battle cancer in its varied forms. I also pray for Cindy, who has been tireless and strong throughout these times. I pray that she remains strong and that the Holy Spirit grants her an extra measure of hope that all is done for the benefit of those who love God.
That's all I have for now. I am so happy that I will be returning back to work and that my chemo treatments will continue with the benefit of insurnace coverage. I will continue to post the new chapters of my life here as they emerge.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
I am also headed back to work at PHB on May 20th. Thank you, Bob, for your confidence in me. I have been looking forward to this for a long, long time. I praise God for the healing that He has caused in me. The Doctors treat me, but it is God who heals me.
Recently, I took the opportunity of reading my own posts. I took note of the times that, due to the pain medications I take, so many words were misspelled. It also shook my memories of those times; the pain, the frequent trips to the Emergency Room and subsequent admissions, the fear that I might not live but a few more days, weeks or months. I now look back in grateful thanks to God for giving me the chance to continue my life. I also look forward to the day yet ahead that I will be taken to live in eternal glory with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Not because I deserve it, but because God loves me, and has sent His Son to be the perfect sacrifice for sin, even mine, which are the worst. If God has done that, what else can He do? Thank God that he has healed me.
I will continue to have chemo treatments for many more months, but I am certain that the grace of God and my continued improvement will help me through the rough spots. Chemo is tough. Nausea, pain, weakness, increased emotions and fatigue all play a part of these treatments. For what is gained I feel it is all worth it.
I know I don't have to ask, and I know that I will continue to be prayed for. Please also remember to pray for Wayne Whitten, my neighbor and fellow cancer fighter, for Tonja, Cindy's work freind who is taking chemo prior to her surgery, and for all who battle cancer in its varied forms. I also pray for Cindy, who has been tireless and strong throughout these times. I pray that she remains strong and that the Holy Spirit grants her an extra measure of hope that all is done for the benefit of those who love God.
That's all I have for now. I am so happy that I will be returning back to work and that my chemo treatments will continue with the benefit of insurnace coverage. I will continue to post the new chapters of my life here as they emerge.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Great news!
I got the good news from my scans yesterday. My cancer has not spread to any other organs, and is smaller now than before. In fact, the MRI had "great difficulty in determining any mass or lesion." The visual acuity of the MRI is about 3 millimeters. Therefore my cancer is that small or smaller. The scan went on to say that all is not normal, but now knowing that it has not spread and has responded well to the chemo treatments is fantastic news! I was told that I could return to work in Mid-May. I called Bob Cook, my director and let him know. Now we'll wait and see. I trust that God will provide for me the best answer for a way for me to provide for my family. Dr. McElveen felt that the extra time out would be helpful to me as I continue to build my endurance up.
We are now up in Ohio at Shorty and Alan's house. Thanks for the use of the PC, Alan! We had a great trip up. Both kids travel very well! We got in after midnight, but Lydia was so wound up that she had a hard time getting to sleep. So did I, but for different reasons. We'll head back to town on Monday. I was scheduled for a chemo visit on Tuesday, but due to the changing of my insurance, I decided to reschedule that set of three visits to begin on May 1st. I am hoping that the extra week will allow for the paperwork to be processed at Cigna and my trip will be covered.
Once I have more news about work and/or insurance I'll make another post to this blog. I want to thank everyone for all of your prayers lifted up in my name. I also thank God for giving us a foretaste of heaven by graciously answering our prayers with a loud, "Yes!". I am so joyful of this good news and feel charged (both energized and brought to a level of responsibility) to go head strong forward with the rest of my life. God has opened His hand of grace and permitted me to continue to live. Now I must live it to the fullness that I am able. There are great things I can accomplish, both career wise and personal wise. Leading my children in the paths of righteousness is one of those, and by far the greatest. I thank God that He has agreed to let me do just that.
Thank you all again, and again!
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
We are now up in Ohio at Shorty and Alan's house. Thanks for the use of the PC, Alan! We had a great trip up. Both kids travel very well! We got in after midnight, but Lydia was so wound up that she had a hard time getting to sleep. So did I, but for different reasons. We'll head back to town on Monday. I was scheduled for a chemo visit on Tuesday, but due to the changing of my insurance, I decided to reschedule that set of three visits to begin on May 1st. I am hoping that the extra week will allow for the paperwork to be processed at Cigna and my trip will be covered.
Once I have more news about work and/or insurance I'll make another post to this blog. I want to thank everyone for all of your prayers lifted up in my name. I also thank God for giving us a foretaste of heaven by graciously answering our prayers with a loud, "Yes!". I am so joyful of this good news and feel charged (both energized and brought to a level of responsibility) to go head strong forward with the rest of my life. God has opened His hand of grace and permitted me to continue to live. Now I must live it to the fullness that I am able. There are great things I can accomplish, both career wise and personal wise. Leading my children in the paths of righteousness is one of those, and by far the greatest. I thank God that He has agreed to let me do just that.
Thank you all again, and again!
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Friday, April 13, 2007
Separation - Continued
Today I spoke with Jason Smith in HR at Palmetto Health Baptist. He gave me a lot of good information and all is not as bad as I thought it could be. My health insurance expires on April 21st, so my scans that will be done on Monday the 16th and my next Doctor's visit on the 20th will all be covered. The question is, my next chemo visit is scheduled for the 24th of April; will I have coverage from Cindy's insurance for that visit? At $3,600/visit we would soon run through our savings. I pray that the transition will go smoothly.
We get to keep our account with the Credit Union at work. I am SO happy about that. Those folks do an excellent job and all of our finacial stuff is wrapped up with them. If we would have had to get new accounts and move our loans we'd be in very bad shape.
My disability payments are to transition to full disability now that I am six months out. I am also eligible for Social Security payments and Medicare coverage if I draw Social Security. I will decide whether to act on this after meeting with Dr. McElveen on the 20th. Since the information I will have from that visit will impact so many things I just have to wait and see. Likewise, I have money in my retirement account that I might get to use, but only if the word from the Doctor is that my cancer is still not cured and I will require months more treatment, or that my cancer has not responded to treatment and that I have only several months left to live would I then get those funds.
So many unsure things spinning around, but I find my rock and my anchor in the Lord. I am calm and certain that all of this will sort itself out. There is still a fairly good chance that I could return to work in a few weeks. All of this I leave to God to determine and I trust in Him.
I will let you all know more after my Doctor's visit on the 20th. We are headed up to visit with Alan and Shorty on the 20th as soon as we get out of the Doctor's office, so the post will be made from their house on the 21st. Keep me in your prayers and trust that God will give the answer that is best.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
We get to keep our account with the Credit Union at work. I am SO happy about that. Those folks do an excellent job and all of our finacial stuff is wrapped up with them. If we would have had to get new accounts and move our loans we'd be in very bad shape.
My disability payments are to transition to full disability now that I am six months out. I am also eligible for Social Security payments and Medicare coverage if I draw Social Security. I will decide whether to act on this after meeting with Dr. McElveen on the 20th. Since the information I will have from that visit will impact so many things I just have to wait and see. Likewise, I have money in my retirement account that I might get to use, but only if the word from the Doctor is that my cancer is still not cured and I will require months more treatment, or that my cancer has not responded to treatment and that I have only several months left to live would I then get those funds.
So many unsure things spinning around, but I find my rock and my anchor in the Lord. I am calm and certain that all of this will sort itself out. There is still a fairly good chance that I could return to work in a few weeks. All of this I leave to God to determine and I trust in Him.
I will let you all know more after my Doctor's visit on the 20th. We are headed up to visit with Alan and Shorty on the 20th as soon as we get out of the Doctor's office, so the post will be made from their house on the 21st. Keep me in your prayers and trust that God will give the answer that is best.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Separation
I was contacted today and told that I am now separated from Palmetto Health Baptist. In other words, I am no longer employed by PHB. This will have an impact on my insurance coverage. Cindy got word that I will be able to continue my coverage under her employer. We are not sure how that transition will occur or whether there will be any lapses in coverage. My chemo infussions cost about $3,600/visit. I am scheduled for my next chemo visit on April 24th. I will know more about my insurance coverage from PHB tomorrow. Likewise, I will learn more about my disability benefits and how I might be able to transition to Social Security benefits. I might even be able to qualify for Medicare coverage. I don't know this for sure, but it sort of makes sense to me, but we are talking about the Federal Government, too.
I was told that I would be re-hired when I was able to return to work. I hope that this will not be a long time. As my overall condition continues to improve I find myself being bored staying here at home. There is just so much History Channel a man can watch before going a little bonkers. The weather is getting better and I try to get outside during the day and putter around the house. I think this is good for my job rehabilitation as I find what my limitations are by doing labor around the house. From what I have been able to gather so far I think I can put in about a 6 hour/day at minimal physical output. Physical overload causes me abdominal pain. I still rely on the Dilaudid and as such my my mental faculties suffer from the use of this narcotic. I hope that the use of the Dilaudid will decrease as my condition continues to improve. Time will be the judge of this.
Well, I leave all of this at the throne of the Almighty. He has kept me safe and alive through this entire ordeal and I have no doubt that the best answers to all of my concerns will be fulfilled by His gracious hand. I am fully confident of this.
I will update this post tomorrow when I know more.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
I was told that I would be re-hired when I was able to return to work. I hope that this will not be a long time. As my overall condition continues to improve I find myself being bored staying here at home. There is just so much History Channel a man can watch before going a little bonkers. The weather is getting better and I try to get outside during the day and putter around the house. I think this is good for my job rehabilitation as I find what my limitations are by doing labor around the house. From what I have been able to gather so far I think I can put in about a 6 hour/day at minimal physical output. Physical overload causes me abdominal pain. I still rely on the Dilaudid and as such my my mental faculties suffer from the use of this narcotic. I hope that the use of the Dilaudid will decrease as my condition continues to improve. Time will be the judge of this.
Well, I leave all of this at the throne of the Almighty. He has kept me safe and alive through this entire ordeal and I have no doubt that the best answers to all of my concerns will be fulfilled by His gracious hand. I am fully confident of this.
I will update this post tomorrow when I know more.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Finally, a new post
I must apologize for not having more posts for you all to read. Besides Austin's Birthday there hasn't been a whole lot to write about. It is neat to see him walking now.
I just had my last of three chemo treatments and will go for a CT scan of the chest and a MRI of the abdomen on April 16th. Then I have a Doctor's office visit on Friday the 20th to go over the results and see what will be next. If it is possible, I might be released back to work. This will depend on the chemo schedule as it continues to debilitate me for a couple of days afterwards. I am continuing to improve, but still have periods of pain, nausea and weakness that concern me that I would be very limited in what I could do. Currently, it takes me a couple of hours each morning to get up to speed. In the past, I prided myself that I could wake up at 5:30 in the morning and be at work at 6:30; fully awake and ready to go. I am sure that over time I will be able to improve my morning readiness, but even that has me worried now. I surely want and need my job. I feel I still have much to offer and miss everyone there at Palmetto Health Baptist. There is also a time constraint. HR has let me know that my six months expires on April 12th. This means that my job will no longer be guaranteed to me. I have been assured that there are no plans of filling my job, and have every trust that God will provide for me and my family, just as He has done since my conception and birth. I am not sure when I will be able to return but feel with certainty that I will.
Keep me in your prayers that I contiune to improve and that I am able to return to work soon.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
I just had my last of three chemo treatments and will go for a CT scan of the chest and a MRI of the abdomen on April 16th. Then I have a Doctor's office visit on Friday the 20th to go over the results and see what will be next. If it is possible, I might be released back to work. This will depend on the chemo schedule as it continues to debilitate me for a couple of days afterwards. I am continuing to improve, but still have periods of pain, nausea and weakness that concern me that I would be very limited in what I could do. Currently, it takes me a couple of hours each morning to get up to speed. In the past, I prided myself that I could wake up at 5:30 in the morning and be at work at 6:30; fully awake and ready to go. I am sure that over time I will be able to improve my morning readiness, but even that has me worried now. I surely want and need my job. I feel I still have much to offer and miss everyone there at Palmetto Health Baptist. There is also a time constraint. HR has let me know that my six months expires on April 12th. This means that my job will no longer be guaranteed to me. I have been assured that there are no plans of filling my job, and have every trust that God will provide for me and my family, just as He has done since my conception and birth. I am not sure when I will be able to return but feel with certainty that I will.
Keep me in your prayers that I contiune to improve and that I am able to return to work soon.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Milestones
Over the next few days I will have reached some important milestones. Today I had my 12th chemo session. Next week I get the week off and will be celebrating my youngest son's first birthday. After my next three chemo sessions I will undergo a scan (presumably a P.E.T. scan) to determine how effective all of these chemo trips have been.
For the last few days I have felt better than I have felt since my surgery back in November of 2006. When I look back over the last few months I can see the progress I have made. I now feel that I have a very good chance to make a good recovery; something I would have bet against three months ago. I know that I have so many people praying for me, and believe that not prayer, but the One we pray to, has the power to heal. It is, however, our prayers that God wants to hear and out of His perfect love send healing.
I want to thank those great and loving people from Hope Lutheran Church who come to my house and spend time with me after my chemo sessions. I have enjoyed our time to talk and getting to know one another better, and would like to put together a Bible study for us along with Pastor Zahn. As you know, Pastor Zahn's daughter is improving from a yet unknown illness that hospitalized her for a full month. Even now, she continues to have bouts of the illness that raises her blood sodium levels and affects her hormones in bizarre ways. Please continue to hold her up in prayer as her Doctors continue to do tests to determine the cause of her illness and decide on it's treatment.
During my week off I will go to Palmetto Health Baptist to drop in on my friends in the EKG Department and Cath Lab. I pray that they continue to do the great job they have done for their patients. I look forward to spending time with them in my visit and hope to rejoin them at my post as soon as it is possible.
Well, that's all the gab I have for now. God bless you all!
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
For the last few days I have felt better than I have felt since my surgery back in November of 2006. When I look back over the last few months I can see the progress I have made. I now feel that I have a very good chance to make a good recovery; something I would have bet against three months ago. I know that I have so many people praying for me, and believe that not prayer, but the One we pray to, has the power to heal. It is, however, our prayers that God wants to hear and out of His perfect love send healing.
I want to thank those great and loving people from Hope Lutheran Church who come to my house and spend time with me after my chemo sessions. I have enjoyed our time to talk and getting to know one another better, and would like to put together a Bible study for us along with Pastor Zahn. As you know, Pastor Zahn's daughter is improving from a yet unknown illness that hospitalized her for a full month. Even now, she continues to have bouts of the illness that raises her blood sodium levels and affects her hormones in bizarre ways. Please continue to hold her up in prayer as her Doctors continue to do tests to determine the cause of her illness and decide on it's treatment.
During my week off I will go to Palmetto Health Baptist to drop in on my friends in the EKG Department and Cath Lab. I pray that they continue to do the great job they have done for their patients. I look forward to spending time with them in my visit and hope to rejoin them at my post as soon as it is possible.
Well, that's all the gab I have for now. God bless you all!
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
After a week off of chemo
Monday ended my week off from Chemo treatments. The week off helped me gain 6 pounds (Up to 168 now!) and added to my hemoglobin (12.6mg/dl). I used my days off to go and visit my friends at work in the EKG Department and Cath Lab. I am looking forward to the time that I will rejoin those folks, but for now must continue to take my treatments and pray that God will bless me with a total remission from my cancer.
I met with Dr. McElveen yesterday before my Chemo treatment and discussed my coming back to work. after laying it all out on the line, we agree that now is not the time to consider it, but after April, when we have more scans done and a better idea of how I am doing we could reconsider the matter.
Otherwise, I am doing pretty good! I am able to attend Bible Study and Worship every Sunday. I was able to attend the Men's Bible Group this past Monday evening. I do continue to suffer pain, I am still plagued with constipation, and I tire easily. In all, I think I'm improving day by day. I thank God for this, and your prayers to Him from you on my behalf.
Susannah Zahn, the three year old daughter of Pastor Jason Zahn, remains hospitalized at Palmetto Health Richland with what is now an undetermined diagnosis. The virus has come and gone, but she remains feverish and the source has not yet been determined. Also, her kidney function remains slightly less than normal with her body accumulating sodium. Her family stays at her bedside 24/7 while the hospital staff come in to do the necessary, but likewise painful tasks that are part of her treatment. I pray that the specialist that are now a part of Susannah's diagnostic team quickly find the source of her fever and are able to treat her accordingly. I also pray that God grant healing to Susannah and that she is quickly sent home fully cured of this disorder, or given a course of treatment that will keep her fever free from this source. I also pray that God grant strength and patience to Pastor and Jesse Zahn as they continue their vigil at their daughter's bedside and know that while they await their daughter's recovery that so do we along with them.
Thank you, my friends and family, for your prayer support for me and for Susannah Zahn.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
I met with Dr. McElveen yesterday before my Chemo treatment and discussed my coming back to work. after laying it all out on the line, we agree that now is not the time to consider it, but after April, when we have more scans done and a better idea of how I am doing we could reconsider the matter.
Otherwise, I am doing pretty good! I am able to attend Bible Study and Worship every Sunday. I was able to attend the Men's Bible Group this past Monday evening. I do continue to suffer pain, I am still plagued with constipation, and I tire easily. In all, I think I'm improving day by day. I thank God for this, and your prayers to Him from you on my behalf.
Susannah Zahn, the three year old daughter of Pastor Jason Zahn, remains hospitalized at Palmetto Health Richland with what is now an undetermined diagnosis. The virus has come and gone, but she remains feverish and the source has not yet been determined. Also, her kidney function remains slightly less than normal with her body accumulating sodium. Her family stays at her bedside 24/7 while the hospital staff come in to do the necessary, but likewise painful tasks that are part of her treatment. I pray that the specialist that are now a part of Susannah's diagnostic team quickly find the source of her fever and are able to treat her accordingly. I also pray that God grant healing to Susannah and that she is quickly sent home fully cured of this disorder, or given a course of treatment that will keep her fever free from this source. I also pray that God grant strength and patience to Pastor and Jesse Zahn as they continue their vigil at their daughter's bedside and know that while they await their daughter's recovery that so do we along with them.
Thank you, my friends and family, for your prayer support for me and for Susannah Zahn.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Friday, February 16, 2007
Something to cheer about
I just copied the following from Pastor Zahn blog about Susannah:
Today is another day of God's grace and another day for which we have some very obvious blessings for which to give thanks. Susannah is no longer in need of oxygen assistance to sustain her blood oxygen levels. She is being weaned off of morphine and adevant (sp?). The medical team is trying to get her off of those drugs as quickly as they can - but they also do so with caution so as not to worsen her withdrawal symptoms. So far - so good. She has "the shakes" from time to time but for the most part seems to be doing well. She is drinking fluids this morning. The next step is to get her to eat something by mouth. She also received a suppository this morning to help her bowels move again. Odd that we brought her in because we couldn't get her bowels to stop and now we won't be taking her home until we can get her bowels to start!
We've been told that she has reached the point that she'll be assigned to a regular pediatric room. We're just waiting for that transfer to take place. The doctor also said that if she starts eating, her bowels start up again, and she is weaned off the morphine, she'll be ready to go home. To me that sounded like a lot of things that wait on - but he said that we could be headed home with her in a day or two! Amazing. We can't wait (and neither can Susannah from what we she's telling us).
It's so wonderful to post the updates on her amazing progress. My fingers can't keep up on the keyboard with all the things that I want to say (and for your sakes that's probably a blessing so that this update doesn't become a novel). Words cannot express the gratitude and the anticipation and the excitement we feel. In a way it's like Susannah has been born to us all over again. The same eagerness to return home from the hospital and so looking forward to enjoying the simple stuff of everyday life together with her reminds me of what we were feeling when we brought her home from the hospital the first time!
We'll continue to keep you posted on her progress. Know that our words cannot begin to express the immense appreciation we feel toward all of you for your prayers, your care, your concern, and your love. Yes, so many reasons for us to thank our good and gracious God for his many blessings!
Jay
I wanted to share with you this successful news to bolster you in your life of prayer to demonstrate what can be accomplished by bringing your requests before the throne of grace to be heard by the Mighty and Meciful God Almighty. I know and have felt His hand of mercy in my own life and live today only through that mercy. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."(Hebrews 11:1) By seeing the effectiveness of prayer God gives us a glimpse of the certainty to which we cling. I share this with you to strengthen you and to make you certain that what you do is both meaingful and powerful. Keep up the good work!
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Today is another day of God's grace and another day for which we have some very obvious blessings for which to give thanks. Susannah is no longer in need of oxygen assistance to sustain her blood oxygen levels. She is being weaned off of morphine and adevant (sp?). The medical team is trying to get her off of those drugs as quickly as they can - but they also do so with caution so as not to worsen her withdrawal symptoms. So far - so good. She has "the shakes" from time to time but for the most part seems to be doing well. She is drinking fluids this morning. The next step is to get her to eat something by mouth. She also received a suppository this morning to help her bowels move again. Odd that we brought her in because we couldn't get her bowels to stop and now we won't be taking her home until we can get her bowels to start!
We've been told that she has reached the point that she'll be assigned to a regular pediatric room. We're just waiting for that transfer to take place. The doctor also said that if she starts eating, her bowels start up again, and she is weaned off the morphine, she'll be ready to go home. To me that sounded like a lot of things that wait on - but he said that we could be headed home with her in a day or two! Amazing. We can't wait (and neither can Susannah from what we she's telling us).
It's so wonderful to post the updates on her amazing progress. My fingers can't keep up on the keyboard with all the things that I want to say (and for your sakes that's probably a blessing so that this update doesn't become a novel). Words cannot express the gratitude and the anticipation and the excitement we feel. In a way it's like Susannah has been born to us all over again. The same eagerness to return home from the hospital and so looking forward to enjoying the simple stuff of everyday life together with her reminds me of what we were feeling when we brought her home from the hospital the first time!
We'll continue to keep you posted on her progress. Know that our words cannot begin to express the immense appreciation we feel toward all of you for your prayers, your care, your concern, and your love. Yes, so many reasons for us to thank our good and gracious God for his many blessings!
Jay
I wanted to share with you this successful news to bolster you in your life of prayer to demonstrate what can be accomplished by bringing your requests before the throne of grace to be heard by the Mighty and Meciful God Almighty. I know and have felt His hand of mercy in my own life and live today only through that mercy. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."(Hebrews 11:1) By seeing the effectiveness of prayer God gives us a glimpse of the certainty to which we cling. I share this with you to strengthen you and to make you certain that what you do is both meaingful and powerful. Keep up the good work!
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Thursday, February 15, 2007
A rough morning
I have been having some indigestion / constipation problems since my chemo treatment this Tuesday. After taking a fiber laxative on Tuesday evening and a good result late that night I began to notice that I was developing a lot of gas on my stomach which required me to sit upright to expell the "burp". That night I got very little sleep because of this. The condition continued right through Wednesday and as I got up on Thursday morning I noticed additional nausea. I took one of the Zofran melt-in-your-mouths and expected to get relief, but within 30 minutes became more nauseated and finally vomited. This provided me with the greatest relief - finally. Since then, I have had little to no problems with indigestion or nausea. My pain continues today, but is bearable with the Dilaudid.
I am expecting David to come by today and help me move my desktop computer from my youngest son's bedroom into an anwar we put together in the living room. He leaves for Brooklyn tomorrow and I am looking forward to spending what time this trip allows with him before he leaves.
Next week is my "off" week and I am looking forward to not taking a chemo treatment and regain my strength, etc. I hope to use one of those days to make a trip into work and visit my friends at Palmetto Health Baptist - Columbia. It has been awhile since my last visit there and I miss those guys very much. Their prayers, along with those of Hope Lutheran Church and many many others, and the grace of our Eternal and merciful Lord are the very reason I am still here. I cannot begin to thank all of you for your support for me in prayer. It is the work of the Holy Spirit both in you for your prayers and in the grace that now enjoy. We hold these in faith; also the working of the Holy Spirit. Kinda neat, huh?!?
I, and I know you, continue to hold Susannah Zahn in prayer as her condition continues to improve. Both I and her parents thank you for your support. I hope to be able to report to you soon on her latest improvements.
May God our Father bless and keep you. Your brother in Christ,
Mack
I am expecting David to come by today and help me move my desktop computer from my youngest son's bedroom into an anwar we put together in the living room. He leaves for Brooklyn tomorrow and I am looking forward to spending what time this trip allows with him before he leaves.
Next week is my "off" week and I am looking forward to not taking a chemo treatment and regain my strength, etc. I hope to use one of those days to make a trip into work and visit my friends at Palmetto Health Baptist - Columbia. It has been awhile since my last visit there and I miss those guys very much. Their prayers, along with those of Hope Lutheran Church and many many others, and the grace of our Eternal and merciful Lord are the very reason I am still here. I cannot begin to thank all of you for your support for me in prayer. It is the work of the Holy Spirit both in you for your prayers and in the grace that now enjoy. We hold these in faith; also the working of the Holy Spirit. Kinda neat, huh?!?
I, and I know you, continue to hold Susannah Zahn in prayer as her condition continues to improve. Both I and her parents thank you for your support. I hope to be able to report to you soon on her latest improvements.
May God our Father bless and keep you. Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Updates
Susannah Zahn's condition continues to be serious. She is no longer on dialysis, but remains on the ventilator and is beginning to get bed sores. She might be weened off of the ventilator as soon as tomorrow, but then will need to treat the pneumonia that has developed in her right lung. I pray that God lifts up His mighty arm and heals her quickly. Amen.
Today I go in for another chemo treatment. I get next week off to recover; I really like those weeks off! The additional IV fluids taken at home continue to work well with me. I experience less pain and less constipation using them. I have had pain for the past three days and feel that they are related to the constipation. I will begin aggressive treatment of that condition; regularly taking a laxative with each meal.
I know that you continue to keep me in your prayers, but I have greater concern for Susannah Zahn's health than I do for my own. Please continue to keep her in your prayers and be sure to include her parents that they remain strong and able to face the days ahead with confidence that everything they face is for their own good. Romans 8:28 I too rely on that promise to face each day.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Today I go in for another chemo treatment. I get next week off to recover; I really like those weeks off! The additional IV fluids taken at home continue to work well with me. I experience less pain and less constipation using them. I have had pain for the past three days and feel that they are related to the constipation. I will begin aggressive treatment of that condition; regularly taking a laxative with each meal.
I know that you continue to keep me in your prayers, but I have greater concern for Susannah Zahn's health than I do for my own. Please continue to keep her in your prayers and be sure to include her parents that they remain strong and able to face the days ahead with confidence that everything they face is for their own good. Romans 8:28 I too rely on that promise to face each day.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Something else to pray about
I have appreciated your prayers and know that they are effective, but I have something new I want you to consider and add to you list.
Susannah Zahn, the daughter of Pastor Jason Zahn of Hope Lutheran Church, is suffering from complications from a bout with rotovirus and dehydration. She has undergone dialysis and her kidneys now appear to be responding. She is heavily sedated and is on a ventilator. Her doctors are now trying to balance the fluids in her tissues with those in her bloodstream. I know that you will keep her in your prayers and I will keep you all updated as news of her condition comes to me.
As for me, I underwent another chemo visit after meeting with Dr. McElveen yesterday. I have one more treatment scheduled next week and then wil take a week off. Then we take three more treatments. On my off week I go in for office visits and we will do another scan in April unless I have another spell of great pain. I lost 5 pounds last week and find my appetite fluctuating. Hopefully I will gain those 5 pounds and a few more in the coming weeks.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Susannah Zahn, the daughter of Pastor Jason Zahn of Hope Lutheran Church, is suffering from complications from a bout with rotovirus and dehydration. She has undergone dialysis and her kidneys now appear to be responding. She is heavily sedated and is on a ventilator. Her doctors are now trying to balance the fluids in her tissues with those in her bloodstream. I know that you will keep her in your prayers and I will keep you all updated as news of her condition comes to me.
As for me, I underwent another chemo visit after meeting with Dr. McElveen yesterday. I have one more treatment scheduled next week and then wil take a week off. Then we take three more treatments. On my off week I go in for office visits and we will do another scan in April unless I have another spell of great pain. I lost 5 pounds last week and find my appetite fluctuating. Hopefully I will gain those 5 pounds and a few more in the coming weeks.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Friday, February 2, 2007
IV fluids are working
I am happy to report that the IV bags are working to reduce the problems I have had following my chemo treatments. I have had pain, but much less nausea. Tonight Cindy and I will be going out to eat at San Jose. Something I wouldn't be able to do otherwise.
Next Tuesday I will learn what Dr. Mcelveen has planned for the rest of my treatments. He may go ahead and do three more in a row or decide to skip a week. Either way will work for me. I will also ask about when he plans to do the P.E.T. scan to determine the efficacy of my treatments.
I hope that all is going well with all of you.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Next Tuesday I will learn what Dr. Mcelveen has planned for the rest of my treatments. He may go ahead and do three more in a row or decide to skip a week. Either way will work for me. I will also ask about when he plans to do the P.E.T. scan to determine the efficacy of my treatments.
I hope that all is going well with all of you.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Monday, January 29, 2007
End of a good week
Today is Monday. Since I skipped my Chemo treatment last week today is the last "good" day for awhile. I go back tomorrow for my treatment and to find out if I get to skip next week or go on for three more in a row.
It was really nice having last week off. I felt great all week and was able to go shopping, attend a meeting with Ionosoft, go out to eat twice and helped clean the house. To help the days after my next treatment I will be taking IV bags home and infusing myself. I believe that I suffer more pain due to dehydration. At the very least I will either confirm this theory or disprove it this week.
It was nice having David back in town, too. I ask my prayer warriors to include Carrie Ford, David's Fiance', in your prayers. She goes in today for an Ultrasound test. I pray that all goes well with her and that her Doctors are able to discover and relieve the source of her discomfort. I also include a list of those I pray for along with their medical conditions:
Wayne Whitten - Recurrence of cancer after years of remission.
Mike McFate - Renal failure and is on dialysis. Mike is the same age as David.
Don Laag - my Father-in-law. Don's prostate cancer has returned and he goes back for chryotherapy next week.
Mary Ellen Peters - heart failure and recent implant of pacer/defib.
Cindy Hamiter - For strength and peace as she cares for me and our two children.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
It was really nice having last week off. I felt great all week and was able to go shopping, attend a meeting with Ionosoft, go out to eat twice and helped clean the house. To help the days after my next treatment I will be taking IV bags home and infusing myself. I believe that I suffer more pain due to dehydration. At the very least I will either confirm this theory or disprove it this week.
It was nice having David back in town, too. I ask my prayer warriors to include Carrie Ford, David's Fiance', in your prayers. She goes in today for an Ultrasound test. I pray that all goes well with her and that her Doctors are able to discover and relieve the source of her discomfort. I also include a list of those I pray for along with their medical conditions:
Wayne Whitten - Recurrence of cancer after years of remission.
Mike McFate - Renal failure and is on dialysis. Mike is the same age as David.
Don Laag - my Father-in-law. Don's prostate cancer has returned and he goes back for chryotherapy next week.
Mary Ellen Peters - heart failure and recent implant of pacer/defib.
Cindy Hamiter - For strength and peace as she cares for me and our two children.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Good lab results
I just got back from SCOA and my labs looked great! My white count went from 1.5 to 10.5, and my hemoglobin went from 9.4 to 11.6. I have this week off from Chemo so all of these should continue to improve. My next Chemo visit will be next Tuesday.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
No treatment today
Today I was scheduled for my 7th of 7 treatments, but my white blood count was too low. Instead, I was given medicines to raise both my hemoglobin and white blood count. Tomorrow I go back to have blood drawn to see if these indicies are responding. If so, my next treatment will be next Tuesday. Otherwise, I guess I will be given more blood.
I feel fine. I still tire easily, but I have better control over my pain and have adopted the plan to take dilaudid before my meals. Also, Dr. Mac agreed that I should run in IV fluids for three days following my treatments. Next week I will be taking home five one-liter bags of normal saline. I will run one/day on the day after, and two a day for the next two days.
David and Carrie will be coming to town this weekend! I am so happy that they both will be able to come this time. I am also happy that this weekend should be a good one since I will be skipping this week's treatment. Cindy has been looking forward to a "good weekend" for a long time. Since these post-treatment weekends seem to have become worse I too look forward to a weekend with less pain and nausea.
I will drop in another post tomorrow after I learn the results of the lab tests. So stay tuned; same bat time. Same bat channel!
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
I feel fine. I still tire easily, but I have better control over my pain and have adopted the plan to take dilaudid before my meals. Also, Dr. Mac agreed that I should run in IV fluids for three days following my treatments. Next week I will be taking home five one-liter bags of normal saline. I will run one/day on the day after, and two a day for the next two days.
David and Carrie will be coming to town this weekend! I am so happy that they both will be able to come this time. I am also happy that this weekend should be a good one since I will be skipping this week's treatment. Cindy has been looking forward to a "good weekend" for a long time. Since these post-treatment weekends seem to have become worse I too look forward to a weekend with less pain and nausea.
I will drop in another post tomorrow after I learn the results of the lab tests. So stay tuned; same bat time. Same bat channel!
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Monday, January 22, 2007
Back in the Hospital already
After just getting out of the hospital on Friday I had to return early Sunday morning. After supper Saturday evening I began having pain and nausea. Despite treating it with multiple doses of Dilaudid the pain became so great that I had to get to the ER and be treated with IV meds. Cindy called her brother and soon Kyle, Lynn and Hunter were at our house to watch our kids while we drove to PHB. After a two hour wait I finally got 2mg of IV Dilaudid and began to return to normal again. The ER Doc had spoken with the Oncologist on call and I was to be admitted. Dr. McElveen was on vacation this weekend and would be back at work on Tuesday. Until then I was to receive IV fluids, rest up and treat my pains as they came along. Tuesday I am scheduled to get the last of the first seven treatments of Gemzar. I don't know at this point whether I will get that here at PHB or be released in time to get it at SCOA.
There are a couple of theories on what the cause of my pain might be. One is that since the pseudocyst is sealed and there is no place for the alamase and lipase to go that pressure is building up in the pancreas and is causing pancreatitis type pain. Another is that there is adhesions that is causing the pain. And I have also postulated that I am dehydrating down to the point that there isn't enough fluids left in my gut and I am getting constipated. I like the last on best and will be asking Dr. McElveen about running a liter of saline every day for three days following my Chemo sessions. I have also noticed that I have pain following a meal, so I will begin premedicating myself before a meal to help avoid this.
Well, it is Monday evening and I hope to be home tomorrow. Dr. Mac will decide what time I get out of here, but I am more interested in how we will be handling my pain. I think between Dr. McElveen and I we can come up with a good plan that will keep me out of the hospital.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
There are a couple of theories on what the cause of my pain might be. One is that since the pseudocyst is sealed and there is no place for the alamase and lipase to go that pressure is building up in the pancreas and is causing pancreatitis type pain. Another is that there is adhesions that is causing the pain. And I have also postulated that I am dehydrating down to the point that there isn't enough fluids left in my gut and I am getting constipated. I like the last on best and will be asking Dr. McElveen about running a liter of saline every day for three days following my Chemo sessions. I have also noticed that I have pain following a meal, so I will begin premedicating myself before a meal to help avoid this.
Well, it is Monday evening and I hope to be home tomorrow. Dr. Mac will decide what time I get out of here, but I am more interested in how we will be handling my pain. I think between Dr. McElveen and I we can come up with a good plan that will keep me out of the hospital.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Friday, January 19, 2007
Let us all together praise our LORD
I am home again and my drain has been removed! I know that so many prayers have been lifted up for me for this reason and now we can rejoice together and thank God through our Savior Jesus Christ that He has placed His healing hand upon me and granted me this relief. Amen
While in the Hospital I was given two units of whole blood. The Chemo had knocked my hemoglobin down to 8.5 (Normal is around 12 to 15). I feel MUCH better now! I also was able to have a Chemo session while in the Hospital so I am still on schedule for this seven part treatment. Next Tuesday I go for the last of the seven treatments, take a week off, then resume with three more treatments. The week off is to give my body a break and regain the blood components damaged by the Chemo drug. Practically every valuable measurement of your blood is damaged by the Gemzar; hemoglobin, White blood count, platelets, etc. Since I just received two units of blood I will probably be in really good shape after my week off, comparably.
I also want to thank those that have given fiancially to help me and my family. I wish that I could meet each of you and thank you face-to-face as many of you that gave a gift I have never had the pleasure of knowing. Today I know of you not so much for your gifts, but for the loving kindness with which it was given. God bless each of you! You have my thanks and that of my family.
I feel that I have turned a corner in my cancer treatment now that the drainage has stopped and the drain that had so changed my life has been removed. I don't know what is ahead of me, other than the sureness that I go ahead with your prayers and in the grace of our LORD. Therefore, I go ahead bravely.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
While in the Hospital I was given two units of whole blood. The Chemo had knocked my hemoglobin down to 8.5 (Normal is around 12 to 15). I feel MUCH better now! I also was able to have a Chemo session while in the Hospital so I am still on schedule for this seven part treatment. Next Tuesday I go for the last of the seven treatments, take a week off, then resume with three more treatments. The week off is to give my body a break and regain the blood components damaged by the Chemo drug. Practically every valuable measurement of your blood is damaged by the Gemzar; hemoglobin, White blood count, platelets, etc. Since I just received two units of blood I will probably be in really good shape after my week off, comparably.
I also want to thank those that have given fiancially to help me and my family. I wish that I could meet each of you and thank you face-to-face as many of you that gave a gift I have never had the pleasure of knowing. Today I know of you not so much for your gifts, but for the loving kindness with which it was given. God bless each of you! You have my thanks and that of my family.
I feel that I have turned a corner in my cancer treatment now that the drainage has stopped and the drain that had so changed my life has been removed. I don't know what is ahead of me, other than the sureness that I go ahead with your prayers and in the grace of our LORD. Therefore, I go ahead bravely.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Back in the Hospital
Well...I'm back in the hospital again. After my ER trip this Sunday my pain returned and was nearly as great as it had been on Sunday on Tuesday. When I arrived for my Chemo visit my temperature was 100.2. Dr. McElveen met with me and said he wanted to admit me. I told him that the drain had stopped and my thought was that the drainage might be building up somewhere inside my belly causing the pain. "Dr. Mac" thought it might be peritenitis. I went to the hospital and the CT Scan was repeated. It was the same as the one done last Friday, so the drainage really had stopped. I think the pain is from the pressure inside the pancreas. Today I am pain free. I will have my Chemo session here while still admitted.
I got to see many of the folks that have been hard at work praying for me and I need to apologize for not mentioning the folks in the EKG and Echo departments. These guys have done so much for me personally and for my family and I don't want their contributions to go unrecognized. Thank you!!!!
I go home tomorrow. I hope that my next trip here will be for visiting - not as a patient. I do hope that my drain will be removed soon and I will be able to return to work soon. Thank you all for your prayers. God bless each and everyone of you.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
I got to see many of the folks that have been hard at work praying for me and I need to apologize for not mentioning the folks in the EKG and Echo departments. These guys have done so much for me personally and for my family and I don't want their contributions to go unrecognized. Thank you!!!!
I go home tomorrow. I hope that my next trip here will be for visiting - not as a patient. I do hope that my drain will be removed soon and I will be able to return to work soon. Thank you all for your prayers. God bless each and everyone of you.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Sunday, January 14, 2007
A minor setback
Following this last Chemo treatment I experienced a prolonged period of queasiness. This all got worse as pain accompanied the nausea. This pain was at least as bad as any I had ever experienced and I was also vomiting. Cindy called the on-call Doctor for oncology and we were directed to go to the ER. If you have seen the movies "Alien" I will compare my pain with that of those unfortunate souls in the movie that have one of those critters coming out of their bellys. The bad part was that I couldn't keep the pain medications down to treat the pain. Elaine Senn, one of Cindy's work buddies, was called in to take care of Lydia & Austin while we went to the Hospital.(Thank you!)
We arrived at PHB ER at 1:45am and while Cindy filled out paperwork I writhed in agony. We finally got into the treatment area around 2:30am. Once the IV Dilaudid was administered I got the relief I needed. They also gave me 3 liters of Saline because I was so dehydrated. This is something I need to take better care of.
We left the hospital around 8:00am and relieved Elaine. I am still having some pain, but the nausea has subsided. I think I may have allowed myself to become dehydrated enough to cause a slight impaction. This is an easy thing to do with the pain meds, Chemo meds, and anti-nausea meds all being constipating. Another thing I have observed is that I become "burned-out" on beverages after awhile. The challenge becomes having enough variety so as to avoid the burn-out.
For now we're back home and doing better and armed with better information and with a better plan for my maintenance. My prayer warriors are asked to keep up the good work. I too am keeping each of you in my prayers, and I know that God hears and answers our prayers.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
We arrived at PHB ER at 1:45am and while Cindy filled out paperwork I writhed in agony. We finally got into the treatment area around 2:30am. Once the IV Dilaudid was administered I got the relief I needed. They also gave me 3 liters of Saline because I was so dehydrated. This is something I need to take better care of.
We left the hospital around 8:00am and relieved Elaine. I am still having some pain, but the nausea has subsided. I think I may have allowed myself to become dehydrated enough to cause a slight impaction. This is an easy thing to do with the pain meds, Chemo meds, and anti-nausea meds all being constipating. Another thing I have observed is that I become "burned-out" on beverages after awhile. The challenge becomes having enough variety so as to avoid the burn-out.
For now we're back home and doing better and armed with better information and with a better plan for my maintenance. My prayer warriors are asked to keep up the good work. I too am keeping each of you in my prayers, and I know that God hears and answers our prayers.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
On the rebound
Today I had another Chemo session. During the weigh-in I learned that I have gained about 4 pounds! I owe much of this to the enzyme that I am now taking. Since the stuff that my panreas is making is not entering my gut the enzyme does the work of breaking down the fats in my food. Fat gets an undeserved negative conotation in relation to a healthy diet. You need a certain amount of fat and since my cancer's metabolism has eaten up what I had on reserve the added pounds is a very good sign.
My hemoglobin was also slightly improved at 10.4. The Aranesp injections and the Slow-Fe likewise seem to be working.
I want to thank everyone who has raise up their voice in prayer for me. It is obvious that none of these improvements could have occured without the blessing of our LORD and savior, Jesus Christ. Please continue to bring your requests before the throne of grace with every confidence that He will answer.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
My hemoglobin was also slightly improved at 10.4. The Aranesp injections and the Slow-Fe likewise seem to be working.
I want to thank everyone who has raise up their voice in prayer for me. It is obvious that none of these improvements could have occured without the blessing of our LORD and savior, Jesus Christ. Please continue to bring your requests before the throne of grace with every confidence that He will answer.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
Friday, January 5, 2007
What lies ahead
We met with the surgeon yesterday and reviewed the information from the trip to MUSC. I will have the drainage catheter relocated under CT guidance on the 12th. Then we wait and see.
Today is the first day after Chemo and my tummy is realy messed up. Likewise, my taste buds are limited to a narrow band of flavors. Jack Ballentine, a member of Hope Lutheran Church, will be by today to keep me company. He and Linda, his wife, have volunteered to do this during my worst days at home. I think I'll send him out to pick me up some ice cream and a Big Mac for lunch.
Dr. Hawes had prescribed an enzyme that will help breakdown the fats that my pancreas would normally take care of. I have had tummy trouble related to the amount of fats left in my stool and I am hoping that this new medicine will relieve this. I also hope that I get the nutrional benefits and possible weight gain from this, too. I now weigh 160lbs. While David was in town everyone commented how much we look alike, and with my now gaunt appearance I agree.
I stopped by the Cath Lab yesterday for a brief visit and to thank everyone for the amazing Christmas gifts given to us. They even came by on Christmas Eve and assembled those gifts that needed assembly. Lydia and Austin were in hog's heaven Christmas morning! Thank you so much!
Today is the first day after Chemo and my tummy is realy messed up. Likewise, my taste buds are limited to a narrow band of flavors. Jack Ballentine, a member of Hope Lutheran Church, will be by today to keep me company. He and Linda, his wife, have volunteered to do this during my worst days at home. I think I'll send him out to pick me up some ice cream and a Big Mac for lunch.
Dr. Hawes had prescribed an enzyme that will help breakdown the fats that my pancreas would normally take care of. I have had tummy trouble related to the amount of fats left in my stool and I am hoping that this new medicine will relieve this. I also hope that I get the nutrional benefits and possible weight gain from this, too. I now weigh 160lbs. While David was in town everyone commented how much we look alike, and with my now gaunt appearance I agree.
I stopped by the Cath Lab yesterday for a brief visit and to thank everyone for the amazing Christmas gifts given to us. They even came by on Christmas Eve and assembled those gifts that needed assembly. Lydia and Austin were in hog's heaven Christmas morning! Thank you so much!
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Dealing with depression
We had looked ahead to January 2nd and the visit to the Medical University Hospital at Charleston with much anticipation. Dr. Hawes, the noted expert of endoscopy, had been touted as the Guru that could correct the pseudocyst that continued to drain now months past my attempted Whipple. I have now worn a drainage bag that collects the amalase secreted from the pseudocyst for over a month. You may remember that the bags needed to collect this drainage were donated by Marty Bridges (Thank you, again!)
Well, the visit to Charleston was much less than expected. I have undergone four ERCPs and an EGD, so I am familiar with endoscopic procedures. At this facility I was not anesthetized deeply enough and vainly tried to communicate this to the team. The result was a very uncomfortable experience that I do not want to undergo again. Afterwards, Dr. Hawes met with Cindy and I and told us that rather than he fix anything that he felt that time might be a better healer, or at least create something that really needed to be fixed, such as an infection. He felt that since the pseudocyst had shrunk in size that it would likely continue to do so and perhaps moving the drain might be the only intervention needed at this time.
What I had expected was not to be; I would go home with that damned bag attached to me. The golden nugget in it all is that the pseudocyst is getting smaller. I pray that in time that it stops draining. For now, it drains about 100-125ccs/day. Dr. Hawes said that if it gets down to 30-40ccs/day the drain could likely be removed. I look forward to that day with every fiber of my being.
Tomorrow I go back for more Chemo, so I'll likely have a rotten Friday and Saturday. I hate being in this funk, but that's life with pancreatic cancer sometimes.
Well, the visit to Charleston was much less than expected. I have undergone four ERCPs and an EGD, so I am familiar with endoscopic procedures. At this facility I was not anesthetized deeply enough and vainly tried to communicate this to the team. The result was a very uncomfortable experience that I do not want to undergo again. Afterwards, Dr. Hawes met with Cindy and I and told us that rather than he fix anything that he felt that time might be a better healer, or at least create something that really needed to be fixed, such as an infection. He felt that since the pseudocyst had shrunk in size that it would likely continue to do so and perhaps moving the drain might be the only intervention needed at this time.
What I had expected was not to be; I would go home with that damned bag attached to me. The golden nugget in it all is that the pseudocyst is getting smaller. I pray that in time that it stops draining. For now, it drains about 100-125ccs/day. Dr. Hawes said that if it gets down to 30-40ccs/day the drain could likely be removed. I look forward to that day with every fiber of my being.
Tomorrow I go back for more Chemo, so I'll likely have a rotten Friday and Saturday. I hate being in this funk, but that's life with pancreatic cancer sometimes.
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