Another Delay

We just returned from my appointment at Stanford and my suspicions regarding the bone marrow biopsy done here in town 2 weeks ago were accurate – it was inadequate. So, my doctor is ordering another bone marrow biopsy that will have to be done at Stanford this time. I will know by the end of this week when that is scheduled. Then it will be at least two more weeks following the biopsy when I will see my doctor for the results. Treatment is suspended until my doctor has the results of the bone marrow biopsy and can decide what is next.

There was some improvement in my blood counts and there was significant improvement with the neutrophils. This is a good thing since the neutrophils make up 50-70% of your white blood cells and are the first cells to arrive at the site of an infection. They are an important part of the immune system and are watched closely in all cancer patients receiving treatment. In my particular type of cancer, monitoring their numbers is critical since they are already below normal and often below the allowable number for treatment.

This delay, with the biopsy and not knowing what is ahead, just gives God another opportunity His wonders to perform in my life and with my health. I have been planning for and believing that I will be able to return to choir full time this fall. However, this delay does leave me a bit in the air not knowing what the outcome will be regarding possible treatment. Even though there was clearly malignant cells still present in the inadequate biopsy, that doesn’t mean God isn’t at work and the next biopsy could still be normal. We continue to pray and believe for His healing. My faith has grown since experiencing supernatural energy the weekend of the wedding.

Thank you for your continued prayers!

Post Wedding

My blood counts last Friday, 2 days before the wedding, were the worst numbers I’ve had. They were lower than when I was diagnosed a year ago. I should have been almost non-functional. There were many times when I got fatigued and had to keep going that I would feel like I was on the verge of getting sick, but the antibiotics protected me and provided me with the protection I needed for being around so many people with such low resistance to any illness. But, thanks to all my prayer warriors, my energy level over the weekend was an absolute miracle and I didn’t get sick! There was so much to do and so much of it on my shoulders to do or delegate and yet I was able to function at the level of a healthy person, not someone with cancer and in treatment. The wedding was beautiful and things went smoothly after all the work at re-arranging for a new location.

On Monday, I completed the 6th cycle of this treatment plan. On Wednesday, I had my bone marrow biopsy, the results of which will determine the next course of treatment. My Stanford doctor agreed to let me have it done here in Redding. We were so grateful that we didn’t have to drive down to San Francisco early Tuesday morning. However, the pathologist had a difficult time getting any marrow and had to drill twice to get even a little bit for all the tests that need to be performed. Please pray that the bone marrow sample will be adequate and another one will not be required in the immediate future. I was quite sore yesterday, but doing better today as long as nothing touches or puts pressure on the location.

I continue to live one day at a time with the strength the Lord provides. He is my source and my strength. Don’t ever doubt the effectiveness of your prayers! I experienced supernatural energy when I needed it this past weekend.

O Canada!

Thank you for sending your big Martin Mars water tanker airplane to help us with our fires! It lands on Shasta Lake approximately every 25 minutes and scoops up enough water to soak 3-4 acres at a time. The lake is still open to boaters, but they are warned to stay away from certain areas to leave the space open for the plane. Although some containment has been made, there are still many fires in our county that are un-staffed.

The smoke continues to be a problem, worse some days than others. Consequently, Jen’s wedding has been moved indoors and into town. We had to cancel out on the outdoor ranch setting in the foothills. We’re hoping to create an “outdoor” atmosphere at the reception hall in Redding where the wedding and reception will now be held. We are so grateful we could find such a nice location on such short notice. However, it’s been just a little stressful the last few days getting postcards mailed and phone calls made to notify our guests of the change. Although we’ve thought through many details, there are still a few things to figure out and it’s going to take another visit to the location before we have peace that we’ve got everything covered.

My weekly blood test shows my neutrophils continue to be low. Not much change from the previous week. My white blood cells and red blood cells seem to do a little jig every week – when one is up a little the other is down and visa versa. However, I am continuing in treatment with caution so I stay healthy. I am being scheduled for a bone marrow biopsy, which they are anxious to get done and the results back before my doctor leaves on vacation the first of August. That means they are trying to squeeze me in on July 15. Now doesn’t that sound like fun? A 500-mile round-trip drive in the car so I can have someone go boring into my hip two days after the wedding?!

Please continue to pray with us for healing and health for my body.