nKurEdge

We continue to be amazed at God’s grace! He is answering prayer daily as we see Lois experiencing such a wonderful measure of health and strength in spite of the cancer and chemo drugs.

What a testimony to God’s faithfulness as each time we arrive at the Infusion Center, the nurses and medical techs marvel at how Lois’ body is responding to all the chemo drugs. The expected reactions and side effects are so light that it really is a miracle.

What else should we expect? God is working out his will in our lives no matter what. With cancer or without cancer we are committed to lives of humble obedience, waiting on His direction in all things. In all of this we are reminded of 1 Corinthians 1:7-9 from The Message:

Just think-you don’t need a thing, you’ve got it all! All God’s gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale. And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that.

We had a great time in Colorado and arrived home on Monday evening so we could spend one night in our own bed. Tuesday, Oct 28, we drove to Iowa City to stay the night since we needed to be at the hospital by 6:30 am on Wednesday. This was the appointment for the once-every-eight-weeks check-up, evaluation, and consultation as well as Chemo Infusion #9.

All the results of the lab work were encouraging.  Although Lois’ hemoglobin is on the low side of normal, the Dr wasn’t concerned. The CT Scan showed the tumors in the liver looked the same as they did the first week of September – when she had the last Scan. The tumors have not grown but have not shrunk. The biggest one in the liver looks black which they say is a good sign. The spot on the lung has not changed.

Based on all this, the Oncology team decided to change the “chemo cocktail” for the next four infusions. The Oxaliplatin is being subtracted and “put back in the arsenal” so they can use it again if the tumors begin growing. This is the drug which has caused Lois to be extremely sensitive to cold – especially touching cold items and eating/drinking cold food. It has also been the source of the slight neuropathy she has experienced in her hands and feet. We are especially thankful that Lois can be off this during the cold months!

We will continue to travel to the University Hospital every two weeks for infusions of Avastin and Leucovorine. Since Lois is no longer on the Oxaliplatin they were able to double the dose of Leucovorine. Lois will also continue the “fanny pack pump” infusion of Fluorouracil, which is also called 5FU, which is started at the hospital after the other infusions are done and then runs for 46 hours at which time a home-health nurse comes to our house to disconnect. (We joking say that Lois is “deported” every two weeks!)

Both of us are confident that God is working miracles. Every day is a miracle! The results of this Scan and the accompany lab work continue to increase our hope for the future. We were hoping the tumors would shrink but know that God is in control.

Many thanks for praying for Lois and me and our whole family.  We continue to be overwhelmed by your friendship.

On Wednesday, October 15, Lois received the eighth infusion of Chemo drugs. We received another miracle in the continuous flow of answered prayer as there were no unusual reactions.

The cooler weather is causing some challenges with the extreme sensitivity to cold that comes with one of the drugs but Lois is coping. In fact, she is doing so well that we are leaving after church tomorrow, Oct 19, and will have supper with her brother and his wife in Omaha. We will then travel on to Colorado and spend Tuesday evening and Wednesday with my Aunt Harriet in Montrose before driving to Colorado Springs where I will attend the CareGivers Forum and Lois will spend the days with her sister, Beth. We’ll arrive back home on Monday night, October 27.

On Wednesday, October 29 we begin the day of tests, evaluations and consultations at 7 a.m. in Iowa City. We are trusting the Lord to give the doctors continued wisdom in planning further treatments.

Thanks for praying!

Lois and I feel as if we are living in a miracle. That was confirmed again on Wednesday, Oct 1, when Lois had Chemo infusion #7 and, as in the past, she experienced no serious reactions! That is a miracle!

At one point, as the infusion was taking place on Wednesday afternoon, there were four nurses standing at the door mostly incredulous that Lois is holding up so well. All the medical professionals are smiling when they see us and comment often about Lois’ positive attitude, increasing strength, and capacity for dealing with the slight neuropathy she does experience in her hands and feet.

We repeatedly give God credit for the miracle we are living.  What a privilege to represent Him to people who become so jaded with suffering and death.

We also rejoice in the miracle of new life. Natalie Jean was born September 25th to our daughter Kari and Jeremy Hamilton. She joins her big sister, Sarah who just turned two a few weeks ago. Natalie weighed 6 lbs 8 oz and was 20 inches long. On September 30 she was already back to her birth weight! Kari was able to deliver naturally even though they induced labor. Everyone came home on Saturday, Sept 27.

Yesterday, September 17, we had Chemo infusion number six. Everything went very well. Lois’ blood pressure is down – that’s a definite answer to prayer. The Dr still wants to see the BP closer to “normal” but we were all relived to know that prayer (and the medication) is working.

Lois had no discernable side effects to the infusion. She does get an IV bag of minerals (we laughingly call them her “rocks”) and she eats two Tums every hour to boost her calcium. At least once per hour (the infusion takes a little over four hours) Lois grabs the “tree” holding all the bags of fluids and drugs and goes for a walk. The Drs and nurses are amazed that she isn’t experiencing side effects. It’s another opportunity to give God credit.

On the way home (an hour and 45 min drive) we stopped to see my Mom, Clarice, who is doing better than we expected at the Manor House Care Center in Sigourney, IA. Lois kept moving once we arrived home and is doing well this morning.

We respond with a personalization of Philippians 1:18-21 from the Message:

“So how are we to respond? We’ve decided that we really don’t care about the cancer; whether mixed, bad, or indifferent. Every time the subject comes up, Christ is proclaimed, so we just cheerfully go on!

And we’re going to keep that celebration going because we know how it’s going to turn out. Through your faithful prayers and the generous response of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, everything he wants to do in and through Lois will be done. We can hardly wait to continue on this course. We don’t expect to be embarrassed in the least. On the contrary, everything happening to Lois in this cancer journey only serves to make Christ more accurately known, regardless of whether she lives or dies. Cancer hasn’t defeated us! Alive, she’s Christ’s messenger; dead, she’s his bounty. Life versus even more life! We can’t lose.”

Thanks for praying for and with us!

“And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.” 2 Corinthians 1:7

Wednesday, September 3, started off with lab work and then a 90 minute wait for the CT scan. Unlike many of the patients around us, Lois didn’t struggle with drinking the “glow juice” but the area was crowded and we ended up sitting on a window ledge for a long time. At 11 am we found a cafeteria serving baked potatoes with all the fixins’ and Lois was relieved to be able to eat something.

“Hurry up and wait” seemed to be the word for the day as we waited in the oncology clinic for another 90 minutes.  Both Drs. Iyengar and Halfdanarson walked into the exam room at different times and started with similar words: “Finally we have some good news!”

The CT scan showed the tumors have not grown and some of them even look smaller.  It shows the liver is smaller and in the physical exam it definitely feels softer. That, combined with best numbers yet on the lab work, is evidence that the cancer is no longer increasing.  For us – and you – it is evidence of answered prayer!

Once again, a suspicious spot showed up in the lower lobe of the right lung but even if it is cancer, the chemo treatments should be attacking it as effectively as the cancer in the liver and the Drs. are not overly concerned.  If the spot is still visible when the next CT scan is done, there will be more discussion about what to do.

The Oncology Drs. sent us right to the Infusion center for another round of Chemo. For the next four infusions there will be no change in the Chemo cocktail.  The infusion process took until 5:30 pm and Lois had no reactions this time. Another answer to prayer!

We waited to leave the Infusion Center until everyone was comfortable and Lois was all hooked up to the fanny pack chemo pump which will continue to push drugs into her system for 46 hours.

Going to Iowa City will remain on our calendar every-other week for the foreseeable future.  On October 29 Lois will have another marathon day of testing and the combination of Chemo drugs will be re-evaluated.

Because you have so wonderfully shared in the tough news we have dealt with since May, we wanted you to also share in our comfort. God is in control. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow but we rejoice in His presence and help today.  Again, thanks for praying!

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1Corinthians 2:9

We are experiencing the truth of 1Corinthians 2:9 in our lives.  Although we would not choose for Lois to have cancer, we are amazed at what God is doing – both physically and spiritually – as we walk day-by-day with Him.

Yesterday, Aug 20, Lois and I traveled to Iowa City for her Chemo treatment number four. It was just the two of us for the drive there and back and we enjoyed our time together.

The Oncologist continues to be encouraging. The blood work “numbers” look good, the liver seems to be softer, and Lois is feeling good.  Although her blood pressure was high, they were willing to concede that the stress of anticipating another reaction to Chemo might be the cause. (They did send us home with instructions to take Lois’ BP everyday at different times.)

The Chemo infusion took over four hours and Lois started to have a reaction but sensed the symptoms and we took action. First of all, she got up and moved around. Second, she took an extra four TUMS to increase calcium. Third, we prayed.  In answer to prayer, the reaction never went beyond the initial symptoms. God gets all the credit!

” . . . no mind has conceived what God has prepared . . . ”

On a more personal note: Due to the very gracious gift from a family member-by-marriage who won a contest at a Christian Radio station, we had an unforgettable 33^rd Anniversary celebration! On Friday night, Aug 15, along with 15 friends and family, we were treated to a private suite at Principal Park to watch an Iowa Cubs baseball game.  Then, on Saturday, we had 20 entrance tickets to the Iowa State Fair and enjoyed a wonderful day, again, with family and friends.  We still have to schedule a day at Blank Park Zoo – twenty tickets for that were also included.

Friday, Aug 22, Lois should be “deported” from the fanny pack pump about 1 pm and she is planning to go with me to Missouri Christian Union Council.

Thanks for praying!

In Psalm 90:12 Moses pleads with God: “Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!” (The Message) That is our prayer and plea, “Lord, teach us to live!” It would be so easy to just shift into neutral and coast but that is not what we choose!

On Wednesday, July 30, Lois and I drove to Bloomington, Indiana to visit friends and the church we were part of for over ten years. Lois stayed with Tim and Kathy while I attended Indiana Christian Union Council on Friday and Saturday. It was good to worship at Evangelical Community Church again and greet so many people we rarely see. The fellowship and prayer times we shared were precious. I think that’s what Moses had in mind when he asked God for life lived “wisely and well.”

Thanks to some generous gifts Lois was able to make this trip with me and then take a flight from Indianapolis to Des Moines on Tuesday, August 5 so she could be at her third Chemo infusion on Wednesday. The flight and all the connections went well but Lois’ one piece of luggage was mauled in a conveyor belt. Although none of the contents were missing, the suitcase was destroyed. The airline did replace the suitcase!

On Wednesday, Aug 6, Joy and Tony took Lois to Iowa City where her blood work came back with the best numbers we’ve seen! That’s an answer to prayer. The Chemo infusion was proceeding normally until the Eloxatin was finished. Lois wanted to walk to the restroom and couldn’t get her legs to work. The Drs. injected a clot buster and within forty minutes everything was back to normal including her blood pressure. They kept her for an extra hour and sent her home with a stronger blood pressure medication and the now familiar “fanny pack pump.”

On Friday, August 8, a home healthcare nurse came and unhooked the pump and checked all the “vital signs” and found no problems. Once again, prayer and the nausea meds and pain pills controlled all the side effects. Lois is tired when all this is going on and for a couple of the following days but is really doing well.

After putting Lois on the plane in Indianapolis, I went onto the Ohio Christian Union Council and arrived home August 11 late in the evening. This is a very busy “season” for Christian Union and not being with Lois for her third Chemo was hard but obviously part of choosing to “live wisely and well.”

This is what the LORD says – he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams. Isaiah 44:2-4.

Lois and I – and the whole family – have certainly experienced the blessing of God’s presence like water poured out on dry ground! We fully recognize the great value of faithfully praying friends. Thanks.

On Friday, July 11, Lois finished the IV pump chemo we took home with us from Iowa City. Although the nausea medicine made her drowsy, there were no other side effects. We drove to the North Kansas City area on Saturday, had supper with a pastor and his wife and attended two different churches on Sunday before beginning set-up for camp.

We had a great week at camp. The Lord was so good to Lois as she was able to do a lot more at camp than any of us expected. She did go to our room and rest or nap several times per day; and everyone did their best to make sure she didn’t have to walk too much by giving her rides on the golf carts. The reaction from alumni staff and campers was almost overwhelming.

On Wednesday evening, Tim Smelcer, our speaker, used Lois as an illustration in talking about trusting God in even the most difficult circumstances. He led the campers in prayer and anointed Lois with oil as all the pastors present (about laid their hands on her. That was especially moving. We took every opportunity to remind anyone who would listen that we, too, are believing God for a miracle but will still trust Him no matter what happens.

Today we were at the University Hospital in Iowa City for “round two” of chemo. The initial blood work indicated no major changes so we’ll move forward with the chemo plan agreed upon two weeks ago.

It took just under four hours to infuse the three chemo drugs and hookup the fanny pack pump Lois will wear for the next 46 hours. Lois did just fine until we got out to the car. She tried to remind me to take the stamped parking ticket out of my pocket before I sat down in the car and the words wouldn’t come out right. Her hands were trembling and she said her tongue, fingers and feet felt “funny.”

We walked back into the infusion center and described what was going on and were inundated with nurses and Drs. Lois’ blood pressure was high (191/101) but that is somewhat normal after one of the drugs and given the stress of the situation. They checked her over and had her relax in the recliner for the next 90 minutes before giving the OK for us to drive home. We were warned to watch for signs of a stroke and told to check her blood pressure often.

As I write this Lois is sleeping on the couch. The combination of chemo drugs and the nausea meds make her really drowsy.  We’ll do our best to keep everyone up-to-date.

This is what the LORD says – he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid . . . Thanks for praying

Trust in the Lord. A simple statement with incredible implications. It’s actually quite easy to trust the Lord when life is smoothly cruising along without any bumps or sharp curves or accidents or cancer. But when the tough times come, trusting the Lord is an act of the will. It’s not easy. It doesn’t feel good. Trusting the Lord in crises demands our full attention and complete obedience.  In those times we are held accountable to our commitment to God. Will we trust him completely even when . . . ?

We arrived at the hospital at 7:35 Wednesday morning for a day of tests and procedures and the first infusion of Chemo drugs. The first item on the agenda was lab work. Lois’ hemoglobin is 10.5. A little lower than optimum but a huge improvement from the 5 Lois was at on May 19.

Then it was on to Interventional Radiology where they surgically inserted a port into Lois’ upper right chest that gives easy and comfortable access to deliver drugs and draw blood. No more pokes in the arms for lab work.  As soon as Lois shook off enough of the grogginess from that procedure, they had her drink the grape flavored liquid to make her glow for the CT Scan.  Trust in the Lord.

Finally, after being at the hospital for six hours, we walked down to the cafeteria and ate lunch at 2 pm – the first food for Lois since Tuesday night at 10. Of course, when we got up to the Clinical Cancer Center, it was back to hurry up and wait to see the Dr.  The news was not what we wanted to hear. Trust in the Lord.

The CT Scan revealed growing tumors in the liver. The original three, which were found on May 21, have grown significantly and now there are many more tumors in the liver although they are mostly small. We could see the shock on the faces of the two Doctors who told us. Trust in the Lord.

Previous plans for the Chemo cocktail were abandoned and in 90 minutes a new combination of the same drugs in stronger amounts was finalized and prepared. The cocktail includes Avastin, which we weren’t scheduled to begin until July 23 but the Oncologists strongly recommended that we set aside caution and attack the cancer as aggressively as possible.  We agreed – but our trust is in the Lord. (Normally they wait at least 10 weeks after a major surgery to use Avastin since it greatly decreases the bloods’ clotting factor.)

The Infusion Center started the first drip at 4:20 and finished at 8:25. Then we had the fanny pack pump hooked up for a 46 hour delivery of one of the drugs. We arrived home at 10:10 pm and Lois slept as well as possible considering she had the pump hooked up and was sore on the right side where they inserted the port.  She is taking a low dose of pain medication and the meds to prevent nausea.

Home Health Care will come at 6:30 pm on Friday to unhook the pump and flush the port. We plan to leave about noon on Saturday to drive to Liberty, MO, just north of Kansas City. Sunday afternoon we begin set up for Tri State camp which begins on Monday afternoon and wraps up at noon on Saturday the 19th.

The words of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego keep echoing in our hearts. (See Daniel 3:16-18) We know that God is able to heal Lois and take away all the cancer, but even if He does not, we will still trust Him; worship Him. That is our mutual commitment: Trust in the Lord.