Pet Scan Update

First, what a blessing it was to see Dr. K. again. The first comment she made was she was sorry our Steelers didn't make it to the Super Bowl. That speaks volumes when you realize she is a Cowboy fan!

Now, for the Pet Scan results: nearly all of the lymphomas are gone and most of the areas are clear. That is definitely a praise!

The rest of the news is we are not in remission.  The  mantle cell tumor/mass in Stew's colon is still present, and it is "worsening" not improving. Statistically, it will not remain contained in just that one area. Chemo again is a possibility, but there is a question as to what impact it would have.  Dr. K. will be consulting with the Mantle Cell Specialist at MD Anderson and a doctor at Baylor. In fact, she called the doctor at Baylor while we were there. Surgery is not a normal option for mantle cell, but that is being considered as well.

As we were leaving we reminded her of how thankful we are that she is our doctor and that there are so many who are  praying for her both from the blog site and our son's Prayer for Dad face book page. She was very touched and said thank you.

She encouraged us to "rest, enjoy each day, don't worry, and that she was with us all the way."
As we parted ways, she tossed a comment back and said with a smile, "Tell your son Virginia is a good name for a baby girl!" We both burst out laughing. It felt good!

We will see her again, after having another colonoscopy on the 9th, to discuss options.

Thank you for praying, encouraging, and being a blessing in our lives.
Stew and Deb

 Even in a cancer clinic you can be reminded of God's caring love. This was on Anna's desk as we made our final stop on the way out of our new oncology clinic. She said she put it there to remind her of its truth, but left it there for others to see as well. Wise lady!

We believe in memorials that remind us of God's goodness and faithfulness in times past, and since He never changes, His goodness and faithfulness in the present and days yet to come. It is why we have Scripture on the walls of our home in strategic places, photographs of special moments and special people, prayer and praise journals, etc.

Here are two of my "present" reminders that I wear. One a gift from my sis, the other a gift from a friend who wears the same bracelet and is fighting her own very painful battle of a different kind. 

All that to say, after some rejoicing over the good news, and a few tears for the journey yet to come, 

God still has this!

Psalm 103

 Tomorrow...

The time has arrived! Found out a little while ago that Stew has an appointment with Dr.K. tomorrow morning at 10:30. He has been feeling stronger the past couple of weeks with no chemo. Believing the pet scan results will confirm what we have all prayed.

Stew and Noah, our oldest grandchild.

Hearts filled with gratitude.
Spirits filled with hope.

Stew and Deb
(Three posts today.. Hope you haven't gotten weary reading them all. Promise...it's not the norm!)

You have been very faithful to pray with us these past several months. We are so thankful for you, and continually keep you in our prayers as we give thanks to the Father for you. We pray for His Will to be manifested in your life...on earth as it is in heaven.

But, we have a request for each of you. We want to be praying for you in the same way you are praying for us...for needs, healing, strength, relationships, wisdom, etc.

We hope you will give us the privilege and blessing to do so; to link hands and hearts with you as you have for us. 

Please text, call, email, or reply to this blog post. I have set it up so your request will not be seen on the blog site. We hope to hear from you.

With love,

Stew and Deb

stewanddeb@sbcglobal.net

214-491-9822

Again, I truly tell you that if  two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19-20

All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer. Acts 1: 14

And they continued steadfastly together in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.  Acts 2:42

Let's Just Dance...

Stew had his Pet Scan completed on Friday. Blessing! We know the results were to be at our new Cancer Clinic on Monday, but when we will get them? We don't know. No appointments have been scheduled for Dr. K. as of yet.😊

But, God is constantly reminding us that...

         Life doesn't stop while we are waiting. 

                 So, live it!

          Grab moments...
                    make memories
                              And, dance!!

On that note, what are Stew and I going to do while we wait?  We are going to take country dance lessons beginning next Tuesday evening for four weeks. If we make it through half a lesson, 3/4ths of a lesson, or an entire lesson...we will still be enjoying life and making moments.

You are a joy to us!
Stew and Deb

*A note about waiting that we hope will encourage anyone who is waiting for an answer about anything.

With Greek meanings included...
Matthew 28:20- And, behold (see, know, consider, be aware, understand) I am with you always (at all times, in every when, daily, in every way, in every whatsoever and whosoever) to the end of the age.
Psalm 119:114-You are my hiding (covering, keep close, protection) place(standing, locality), and my shield (my protector, defender)
I hope(wait, be patient, stay, trust) in Your Word (answer, command, name, promise, message, power, provision, purpose, report).
Whatever we are waiting for, God is reminding us over and over again that it is not man's answer we are to be waiting for, and putting all our hope. This is true whether it is about a decision we face, a job applied for, a prayer prayed, a test taken, or a sickness we are fighting. Man's answer can help us, encourage us, and even discourage us. Ultimately though, it is His answer we are waiting on. Nothing on earth determines our now or our future. Only our Father...
When we look to Him as our place to stay, our place of hope, our place of trust, and yes, our  place of shelter where we wait patiently...look at what is ours:
an answer
a command
a promise
power
provision, and
purpose.

It's not always pleasant to wait and sometimes it is a continuous battle to do so,  but with our God it is always worth it! He is worth it!
"Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen."
           

Praise!

These are the words Stew and I wake up to each morning on our bedroom wall. It is interesting though how our view of a miracle has changed over the past few months.

It is seeing God's hand do something that no man could ever do. It is a miracle that He changes our hearts, gives strength beyond any that we could have on our own, and sees us as we are and completely, abundantly loves us more than we could ever imagine. It is a miracle that we have one single breath of life, because without Him it would never happen! 

And, sometimes it is an answered prayer! We are still getting everything lined up paperwork and referral wise, but today we found out that the Oncology Center where Dr. K will begin working in February will take Medicare with our military insurance as a secondary. We get to continue with Dr. K! Feeling so very thankful!

Stew is scheduled for a Pet Scan tomorrow, as long as everything is in place in the morning. We won't get to see her till sometime in February for the results, but it's okay. The tests are a report of Stew's progress...but they are not the answer. Waiting is sometimes a good thing. It reminds you of Who is.

Thank you! This victory, this answer to prayer is a shared one with each of you because you have added your prayers to ours!

Love,
Stew and Deb

Samuel

One afternoon, Stew and I stopped to pick up a few groceries on our way home from an appointment. Stew was feeling tired, but decided to go in the store anyways.

While choosing some bananas, I heard a voice behind me say, "Here, let me help you with that." I turned around and there was a tall, slightly stooped gentleman with a produce bag in his hand. He was holding it open for me to place the bananas inside.

Resting atop his head was a Veteran's ball cap, on his hands were plastic gloves, and lighting up his entire face was a big, gentle, smile. I dropped the bananas into the bag while saying "Thank you."

Noticing the emblem on his hat I asked him when he had served and he shared briefly about his time in the military.When I shook his hand and said "thank you/God bless you for your service" a glimmer of tears pooled in his eyes. I mentioned that my husband had served in the military 24 years and had been in Vietnam. Samuel had been there as well.

We talked for a few minutes more. I left to find Stew so I could introduce them. There was just something different about this gentle man...gentleman.

Stew came around the aisle as I was walking away, and patiently returned with me to Samuel. He didn't fully understand how much I wanted them to meet. I didn't myself.

They shook hands and shared a few words. We told Samuel what a blessing it had been to meet him, and that God had brought him as an encouragement to our day. He smiled.

And, then God!

Samuel looked intently at Stew while gently pointing his finger and said, "You take good care of her." Turning his face to me he whispered softly, "You take really good care of him, he needs it." Then he spread out his arms quietly declaring, "And, God will take the best care of all of us."

Stew had tears in his eyes, I had tears falling down my cheeks, and Samuel was beaming. He let me give him a hug.  While doing so I whispered to him that my husband had cancer, and I was so thankful to God for letting our paths cross.

He responded with a "Uh-huh" as if Stew having cancer was no surprise to him. After a moment's pause, Samuel bowed his head a little and shared that he had cancer as well and was currently in remission, but God had been with him through everything in his life and God was with us, too.

Since then, every time we go to that store, we look for Samuel just to share a hug and a hello. Sometimes we go in just to see him. We know now that he is 80 years young, goes to church on Sundays, is still in remission, believes God will continue causing him to bear fruit in older age, and his heart hurts because people don't smile anymore. He so wants to bring a smile to each person's face.

He definitely did that for us, and continues to do so.

Samuel-God's smile maker.

God-the center of every story in our lives.

Love and prayers,

Stew and Deb

Questions Part 2

How has does the news of cancer impact your relationship with others?


 It changes them. Or, maybe it simply reveals relationships as they really are. Not everyone is going stay with you for the long haul or, as a friend described it, for the marathon.

There are those who have physically, prayerfully, and emotionally been a part of this cancer battle from day one. Those who remained for a short season. Others who pop in and out with an occasional encouraging text when thoughts of us cross their mind. Some who never mention the subject even though our paths intersect at times. And, a few who backed off  almost immediately with no further contact.

The flip side is, no one battling anything can fairly expect others' lives to change because theirs has. Not friends, not family. Just be thankful for who is with you.


How do you feel about the changes in relationships?

From Stew: "People will only do what they want to do or feel they can do. I am thankful for those who are standing with us."

From Deb:  So thankful for those who are standing with us! I don't know how we would make it without them. We definitely need their love, prayers, encouragement, active presence, and strength in our lives. Yet, I have no expectations from those who may have found it too difficult or are unable to stay in the fight for whatever reasons. Initially there was a bit of sadness for some relationship changes, but too much of life goes on to stay in that sadness for very long. People have their own lives to lead and it is a sacrifice to stay in a long battle with someone."


Have you received a lot of input from others as to what you should and shouldn't do? 

This question made Stew and I smile. It was the topic of a discussion I "overheard" at the chemo center among a few cancer warriors the first time Stew and I were in the open area for treatment. (Though he actually slept through it:-) Some were sharing how almost immediately, when some of their friends/family members found out about the cancer, they wanted to "fix them" by giving them books to read, videos to watch, foods to eat and not eat, reasons to take chemo, reasons to not...and the list went on.

From the cancer warriors' perspective that day, they knew that all the "fix it" ideas they received were intended to be helpful, but instead they were overwhelming.

It was one more decision to make. More information to try and understand. And, one more thing they were expected to do, when they hadn't even begun to navigate their way through the foreign and unexpected word of  "cancer".

In the conversation it was shared that when they truly needed encouragement and hope because of  necessary information overload about their condition from their doctor they were receiving, it felt like they were receiving even more information overload from those whom they needed to simply be there.  One even commented that she felt more like a "project" to one person in her life, because the only texts she received from them were about things to do and not do. No questions like, "Hey, how are you doing today?"

Stew and I actually experienced a little of the same. We appreciated the caring behind all suggestions and still do. ( I, Deb, am a prayerful researcher.) Some suggestions we have incorporated into our daily lives, and some not. Yet, in the process it has taught us a few lessons that we hope to hold on to.

1 It is all about timing and caring. Before sharing the "to do-s" listen to the "this hurts" whether spoken or unspoken.  Give the person whose life has just been torn upside down time to come up for air... to breathe. Allow them to come to terms with the sense of loss and pain that has entered in their lives. At that beginning moment it is not about opinions. It is not about what you know.  It is about heart. It is about them.

2. People don't care as much about what you know, or even how much you know, until they know you care. Pray for ways to show you care before you share all you know.

3. Think before telling someone to do or not do chemo; whether you are sending that message directly or indirectly. Give your experience and your thoughts if asked, but remember it is their life that is being impacted. Their death they may be facing. They are the ones who live the decision out. Trust them.

4. Pray and be a "burden-lifter" not a "burden-adder." There will be a time to share most of the information you feel is of benefit. Just wait for it. Don't rush it. At the right time, they will want to know.

Learning from those who have walked the path before you is invaluable. Information is needed and hopeful. 

Those giving it just need to remember to wrap it in caring, God's timing, and prayer. 

Those who feel they are hearing it so soon, need to simply give grace. Tell the person with love that it is a bit too much right now, but you will get back to them/check it out when you can breathe again. And, be very thankful that someone cares.

What is Mantle Cell exactly? 
Mantle cell is a lymphoma cancer. Lymphoma occurs when the cells of the immune system, lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, grow and multiply out of control. It is a very rare B-cell non- hodgkins lymphoma that appears to affect more men than women and mostly those over the age of 60. Only 4-6 % develop this form of cancer. Some studies indicate a connection (not the only one) between mantle cell and Agent Orange which was used during the Vietnam war. (Stew was there) In December 2016 it was reported that there were only 15, 000 cases of mantle cell in United States.

Most of the time when mantle cell symptoms begin to present themselves the disease is already in the advanced stages. Stew is considered Stage 4. Statistics show that it is one of the few lymphomas that can cross over to the brain. There is usually good response to the initial chemo for a season, but after chemo there is a very high relapse rate and quick progression of the disease. Each relapse is more difficult to treat, and occurs more quickly. Right now 5 year survival rate estimates vary...anywhere from 30% to 50% when the disease is advanced.

Disclaimer: We know the statistics but they are not our truth! We know the possibility of a more battles to come, but believe that victory will be seen. We know that new ways of treatment are being discovered all the time, but our ultimate Healer is God! We are not a statistic. :-)

 Hope this is helpful in some way.

Thanking God for you upon every thought of you...which is often.:-)
Stew and Deb