Lois Update – May 2, 2009

Thought you should know . . . Lois continued to experience symptoms that were strange even after the Doctors decided not to do Chemo this past Wednesday. Yesterday afternoon she had a growing awareness of pain which increased in intensity in the evening. She slept most of the evening.  Several times when I touched her forehead I wondered if she had a fever. About 11 pm she got up from the couch with the intention of going to the bathroom and then on to bed but she could hardly walk the pain was so intense.

We looked up some information and decided this was not normal – not even the “new normal” so we made the decision to go to the Emergency Room at the Sigourney Hospital. There we discovered she had a temp of 104, was dehydrated, the white cell count was high, the hemoglobin was down and the liver enzymes were out of whack. (That’s medical terminology!) The physical exam confirmed the area of the liver to be extremely sensitive – Lois recoiled when it was simply touched – and the liver is enlarged.

The Sigourney Hospital called the Oncologist on-call in Iowa City and together we decided that Lois should be transferred to the University Hospital so they can do tests to determine exactly what’s going on and suggest a possible treatment protocol. Lois got to ride in an ambulance since they wanted to keep her IV fluid drip going and manage the pain with morphine. Fortunately she didn’t have to go through the ER but was taken right to a room. She arrived in Iowa City about 3:15 am and I was an hour behind her since she gave me a list of items to pick up from home.

As I write this it is noon and she just had a CT scan. We expect them to do an ultra-sound and a chest x-ray within the next couple of hours. It’s still a challenge to stay ahead of the pain and keep the fever down – right now her temp is 103.1. She has waves of pain – she might have very little for a time but then it just rolls and tolls.

All the doctors who have examined her (and there have been many – this is a teaching hospital) seem to think the tumors in the liver are growing faster than anticipated. They are also very concerned about the fever. So now we wait for answers.

I was supposed to leave this morning on a six day trip but that is now cancelled and I’m working the phone and email to stay in touch.

We really appreciate your prayers on our behalf and ask that you join us in thanking God for the miracle that in 11 months, this is our first encounter with these kind of consequences from the cancer that is growing in Lois!

Watch for more updates as we learn more!

10 thoughts on “Lois Update – May 2, 2009”

  1. Dear Jim and Lois,

    I just read your update and wanted to let you know you are on my heart and I will be holding Lois and your family up before the Lord.

    In Him,

    Michelle Sonius

  2. Lois and Jim, we ache for you and are praying for you both. Love to both of you.

  3. Jim and Lois,you are on Woolson and Packwood’s prayer list and we will make a special note for us to be in prayer for you. Let me know where and when I can help.
    Eunice and Frosty

  4. Dear Friends, We’re so sorry to learn of the trouble you are encountering at this time! We know that God knows how best to make you well, and hopefully, you can trust Him even more as you walk this uncharted path, together with Him. We continue to “hug you in our prayers”! Blessings & Love to you & each of your family! Love to all! Mel & Judy

  5. Dear Jim & Lois,

    I couldn’t help but chock up and shed some tears for you both. A verse today made me think of you (even if taken out of context perhaps but true of both of you): Psalm 112:7&8a “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord, His heart is secure, he will have no fear;” The Message seems different except for this phrase, “…Heart ready; trusting in God, Spirit firm, unperturbed,…”
    You are in our prayers,
    Jerry & Esther Naylor

  6. Dear Jim & Lois,

    I couldn’t help but choke up and shed some tears for you both. A verse today made me think of you (even if taken out of context perhaps but true of both of you): Psalm 112:7&8a “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord, His heart is secure, he will have no fear;” The Message seems different except for this phrase, “…Heart ready; trusting in God, Spirit firm, unperturbed,…”
    You are in our prayers,
    Jerry & Esther Naylor

  7. DEAR JEM AND LOIS,

    WANT YOU TO KNOW YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS EACH DAY. IN OUR NON-SLEEP NIGHTS, YOU ARE THERE BEING LIFTED UP TO THE LORD.
    LOVE YOUR ATTITUDE ABOUT THIS ALL, KEEP GIVING HIM PRAISE, WE CAN ONLY IMAGINE!!
    BOB AND SHARON
    MIRACLE HILLS RANCH

  8. Jim and Lois,
    Our hearts, our thoughts, and most importantly, our prayers continue to be with you. We send you this beautiful verse to comfort and encourage you from Deut. 33:12 “Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.” He knows better than any of us what you are going through and He will carry you both in this. We love and appreciate you both~ Joe and Pam Arnold

  9. We continue to hold you up in prayer, and this morning, I put you on our prayer chain at church again, as well. We are thinking of you constantly.

    Roger and Staci

  10. Sending you both much love, keeping you in my thoughts and lifting you in prayer. I trust God to take care of you Lois,” I expect God to take care of this..” I also ask God to give your loved ones all the strength they need. Because HE lives!! Jean

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