August 25, 2009

I’ll apologize first, for the late arrival of this update.  You have all been so nice to call, send cards, emails, notes, etc and I am sorry to be so late in getting back to you.  Everyone is so kind and considerate to reach out to me so often and I do thank you.  I will tell you that I had just an awful week last week after the surgery and that is why it has taken me so long to get back to you. 

As you saw from Kevin’s email after the surgery we were not able to do the TALC procedure because my left lung would not inflate.  So, Plan B, insert a catheter that has to be drained every 2 days.  Kevin has taken on this task admirably!  (I must admit - managing this process certainly takes “high maintenance” to a new level!)  Adjusting to this catheter has been a real, REAL struggle for me, aside from just the soreness from the surgery and the disappointment over the situation I find myself in - hence my difficult week last week. 

So we set out for our appointment at UNC today a bit undecided as to what we needed to do.  After all the tests were in the team decided on a new chemotherapy they offered to start today and we had looked at a few other treatment options and wanted to discuss those with my doctor.  I was still feeling pretty puny and wasn’t sure I was ready for it on that basis alone.   We asked God to order our steps and after the discussions with the doctor decided to go ahead and start the chemo today.  I am due for another esophagus dilation soon and we were trying to schedule around that too, which ultimately got scheduled for Sept 1.   The new chemo is said to have easier side effects than the last ones were I had and the hope is it will kill the final cancer cells and my body will recognize no need for fluid production and then the catheter can be removed.  We’ll do this chemo 1 time every 3 weeks for 4 treatment cycles and then reevaluate my condition.  We feel very blessed to have such highly acclaimed medical care right here at us and feel like we made a good decision to stay at UNC and begin therapy today. 

So, I got one behind me today!  It was a long day, we got there at 9:00 and got home at 6:30.  My wonderful Mom and my neighbor extraordinaire Brenda, kept things moving at home. 

As for specific prayer requests:

1. That we would glorify God in all we do.  We always ask God to help us with this as we are so challenged by this but know this is what we are meant to do and what we want to do, regardless of the outcome. 

2. Peace and comfort for Andrew and Kevin.  Their lives have been so disrupted only to have to confront this again so soon.

3. Complete healing and restoration of my health!  We are asking God for a miracle.

4. NO MORE FLUID! 

5. Vein health – it took 4 sticks today to get my IV started  (due more to operator error than vein health I think)

6. Good health during therapy – this particular therapy is prone to decrease my blood count levels more than the last one and the risk of infection is great, particularly with this catheter in place.  You all prayed me through this last time with my blood levels never getting too low to receive my treatments.

Thanks again for your notes – I’ll get back with you all as soon as I can.  Thanks too for your prayers which I always feel as I head over to UNC, update email or none.  You guys have been awesome!

“Reach out and touch the Master’s Throne, there’s healing for your mind, your body, and your soul”  from Broken But I’m Healed by Byron Cage

Kay and family

August 12, 2009

Hello all,
I'm sending this update out to let you all know Kay's surgery was completed this afternoon. The lower lobe of her left lung did not expand back to normal size under inflation by the surgeon, so they did not do the talc procedure. Instead, they inserted a catheter in her side which we will use to drain the fluid from between her lung and pleura every 2-3 days. The surgeon explained that there are some patients whose lungs reinflate on their own after 2-3 months. If that should occur and the fluid stops being produced, then they will take the catheter out, is my understanding. However, the fluid is most likely being produced by malignant cells, so that has to be brought under control also.

This development should not interfere with her next line of treatment, and we were told that if the results from the testing of her biopsied cells returns this week, she will most likely start chemo next week. Thank you for your continued support and prayers, we couldn't ask for better friends and family. Love to all.

Kevin

Romans 5:3-5 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

August 11, 2009

Thank you all for the kind emails, cards and phone calls you have been sending me.  I appreciate every one and they are a real encouragement to me. 

I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow (8/12) at 3:00 pm at UNC.   This surgery is designed to drain the fluid in my lung and perform a “TALC” procedure to prevent the fluid from returning.  The final test results are not in yet from my original biopsy, so there has been no decision on how to treat the cancer once we get past this surgery.   And they do want me to recover some from the surgery tomorrow  before starting a new treatment.  Given the late start of the surgery tomorrow,  I’ll likely not come home from the surgery until Saturday. 

A number of you have asked how you might pray for us specifically.  Thank you for being so considerate – here are the specific requests:

1. Andrew – that he will be comfortable and “worry-free” while he stays with my sister during my hospitalization.

2. Kevin – for his stamina as he tries to care for me and keep up with work, home, etc.

3. That the medical team would work with a Divine precision tomorrow.  That the surgery would be a success, the fluid would remain gone and my lung would re-inflate.  That I will be able to endure this surgery both mentally and physically. 

4. The doctors – that God would guide their steps as they determine the best course of action to treat the cancer going forward.

Our needs seem so great, but we remain convinced that God is able to do abundantly more than we can ever imagine in this situation.  Thank you for continuing to stand with us. 

Psalm 3:4  “I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me…”

Kay and family