Some of you may understand the stubbornness that can be in ones spirit. This week while I was able to attend the Thursdays nursing consults and doctors visits, I saw the glint in Gary's eyes. Their words to him were most people are on feeding tubes at this stage of his treatment so we want more follow-up visits and oversight. Gary said no he was not taking a feeding tube. Gary said he does not need to return to Philly on Thursday for an extra appointment. He is determined to get nutritional food in his body to offset the effects of the treatment on his body. This morning breakfast was warm milk and toast, two eggs, oatmeal, water, milk and tea.
I commented to him, "May the records in the Doctors Journals record the results of one who has a different path of recovery."
Family ..be Blessed...Love deeply...Trust in God....Always forgive......Tricia
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Great News!!!
Hello all~
On Thursday, Dad's radiation oncologist (who funnily enough looks like Mr Bean) declared that his tumor is "virtually gone". Last week he also got the news that he is responding so well they are reducing his radiation dose daily. He will be done in six more radiation treatments and one more round of chemo. He has received amazing medical care by a wonderful team of world-renowned doctors (Drs Ridge, Mehra, Gupta and Nicholeau) at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. As hard as the treatment has been on Dad, thankfully we never had to worry about the quality of his care. I cannot stress how much everyone's thoughtfulness has buoyed my parents over these past few months. We are so grateful!!
Once he is finished with radiation his mouth will start to heal and hopefully he will be able to eat easier. He is able to eat some solid food now, so his swallowing functioning is on the mend. We are looking forward to him gaining weight. He is also regaining his ability to speak which is a huge blessing! I am looking forward to the day when I can call him on the phone and chat about something else other than this cancer. It has been a long time!
Darline has been able to spend some quality time with my parents as of late. Due to her recent loss of her husband it goes without saying how gracious she has been. We cannot thank her enough for her giving of her time and of her heart.
Mom and Dad will be winging West for some rest and relaxation once this nightmare is over. Will post where and when when I have details.
On Thursday, Dad's radiation oncologist (who funnily enough looks like Mr Bean) declared that his tumor is "virtually gone". Last week he also got the news that he is responding so well they are reducing his radiation dose daily. He will be done in six more radiation treatments and one more round of chemo. He has received amazing medical care by a wonderful team of world-renowned doctors (Drs Ridge, Mehra, Gupta and Nicholeau) at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. As hard as the treatment has been on Dad, thankfully we never had to worry about the quality of his care. I cannot stress how much everyone's thoughtfulness has buoyed my parents over these past few months. We are so grateful!!
Once he is finished with radiation his mouth will start to heal and hopefully he will be able to eat easier. He is able to eat some solid food now, so his swallowing functioning is on the mend. We are looking forward to him gaining weight. He is also regaining his ability to speak which is a huge blessing! I am looking forward to the day when I can call him on the phone and chat about something else other than this cancer. It has been a long time!
Darline has been able to spend some quality time with my parents as of late. Due to her recent loss of her husband it goes without saying how gracious she has been. We cannot thank her enough for her giving of her time and of her heart.
Mom and Dad will be winging West for some rest and relaxation once this nightmare is over. Will post where and when when I have details.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Fall is here - Giving Thanks
Hello Family,
I know a lot of you are praying for my Dad and he is in your thoughts. I thought I would take a minute to share how his community has responded and is lifting up Mom and Dad daily.
A local pastor's wife, Marcia, has taken over a ride log so Dad has a ride every day down to his treatments and Dr appointments. Mom has started a new job this summer and has been unable to accompany him. She has coordinated the whole thing and not once has Dad had to drive himself. God is good. The local pastors, part of a multi-denominational group called One Voice, have been predominantly the ones to drive him. His sister Darline will be in town tomorrow and will start driving him for two weeks or so.
Also, his worship pastor, Hal Ferguson, has led a widespread fund-raising effort to cover any medical costs associated with his treatments. So far over $33,000 has been raised. This has mostly come from local churches in the Lehigh Valley, people from Our Father's House (Dad's church) and from other pastors who have mentored or have been mentored by Dad. This is truly a testament that God will provide in a time of need. He has literally used the network of believers to remove the financial burden this disease placed on my parents. This is a testament to Dad's calling to unify the local churches regardless of ideology.
Last Sunday a local Baptist church organized a community-wide concert and fundraiser. They raised over $2000 and over 40 individuals wrote Dad notes on how he had touched their lives in a gratitude offering.
He has finished 4 weeks of a 7 week treatment course. He has battled through pain and nausea. He has lost ~50 pounds. But he is fighting and the tumor on his tongue is shrinking. Today, for the first time in weeks, he was able to eat a small amount of regular food. We are blessed that some of his normal tongue function (speech and swallowing) is seemingly returning. That was a huge unknown. Thank you, thank you, thank you for every thought, every prayer, every note and card. We are blessed to have such wonderful family and friends.
I know a lot of you are praying for my Dad and he is in your thoughts. I thought I would take a minute to share how his community has responded and is lifting up Mom and Dad daily.
A local pastor's wife, Marcia, has taken over a ride log so Dad has a ride every day down to his treatments and Dr appointments. Mom has started a new job this summer and has been unable to accompany him. She has coordinated the whole thing and not once has Dad had to drive himself. God is good. The local pastors, part of a multi-denominational group called One Voice, have been predominantly the ones to drive him. His sister Darline will be in town tomorrow and will start driving him for two weeks or so.
Also, his worship pastor, Hal Ferguson, has led a widespread fund-raising effort to cover any medical costs associated with his treatments. So far over $33,000 has been raised. This has mostly come from local churches in the Lehigh Valley, people from Our Father's House (Dad's church) and from other pastors who have mentored or have been mentored by Dad. This is truly a testament that God will provide in a time of need. He has literally used the network of believers to remove the financial burden this disease placed on my parents. This is a testament to Dad's calling to unify the local churches regardless of ideology.
Last Sunday a local Baptist church organized a community-wide concert and fundraiser. They raised over $2000 and over 40 individuals wrote Dad notes on how he had touched their lives in a gratitude offering.
He has finished 4 weeks of a 7 week treatment course. He has battled through pain and nausea. He has lost ~50 pounds. But he is fighting and the tumor on his tongue is shrinking. Today, for the first time in weeks, he was able to eat a small amount of regular food. We are blessed that some of his normal tongue function (speech and swallowing) is seemingly returning. That was a huge unknown. Thank you, thank you, thank you for every thought, every prayer, every note and card. We are blessed to have such wonderful family and friends.
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