I would like to share something that happened to me today at the Sam’s Club gas pumps in Wichita Falls. I left the hospital to come home and decided to go by Sam’s and get some stuff we needed at the office. Upon my arrival at Sam’s, I saw that gas was $2.40 and since it was as cheap as it was I would fill my Jeep. I pulled up to one of the gas pumps, and noticed an older gentleman outside his car but wasn’t putting gas in it. He walked back to my vehicle and said he had spilled some gasoline and was waiting for it to evaporate or make certain it was safe to leave it. He advised me that he thought I would be better off to go to another pump to get gas of which I did. I went around the gas pumps and pulled up on one side of the pump and there was another man pumping gas on the other side of the pump. When I got out, he spoke and made a comment about the weather and then asked me if I had had a good Christmas. I told him yes, but that it was not the type of Christmas that our family had had in the past that the best part of it was being able to bring my son Michael home from MD Anderson in Houston after 9 months of treatment. He asked me about Michael’s cancer, his age and how he was doing. He said he could say a lot of things but that anything he said would not be something that I hadn’t already heard or experienced. When he finished filling his car, he walked around the gas pump and introduced himself and wanted to know my name and Michael’s name so he could put them on his church’s prayer list. He took my hand and said the only thing he could do for us that would help would be to pray for Michael and me. He offered the sweetest prayer and we visited for a few more minutes. As we were standing there in Sam’s Club Parking Lot, the attendant from the little hut walked up and said she had noticed us praying and that she would like to pray for whatever we were in prayer for. So again, we held hands and prayed once again for Michael. The young woman told me that she had become a Christian after her life was not what God wanted it to be and He finally got her attention and drew her unto Him.
You know, I cannot remember the names of these two people, but names are not that important when God is involved, because He knows who these two folks are and how much they blessed this mother’s life by taking the time to pray for me and my son. God Bless you both.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Greetings from the Big O. Hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and ready to start a New Year. We certainly are ready to end this year and start another one. . . . . hopefully won't be on such a roller coaster as 2009 has been. God has blessed Michael and I in so many ways this year. If it had not been for the trials in our lives, God would not have grown us into the people He has molded us to be. There have been times during the past year that I thought God had turned loose, but you know, we look back on the past year and realize God has never turned loose, it was us that had turned loose of His loving hands. I thank God that He was never too far from us for us to take His hand and hold on again.
Christmas didn't come around to our household with all the decorating and such that it usually gets. But you know, I think this is the kind of Christmas that Christ intended. It's not all about decorations and finding that perfect gift. We have been given so many gifts this year (some material) but most of all the gift of blessings throughout 2009. You cannot purchase the gifts that have become real to us this year in a store. We have seen the gift of love, life, good news, gift of prayers from our friends and family, and the gifts of comfort to a mother who has just been told her only son has an aggressive cancer growing in his body, and then the gift of miracles (healing). We have seen the power of prayer in Michael's life. We serve an AWESOME GOD. We have prayed for our doctor at MD Anderson to seek God in his life and we were told at our last visit that he and his family had attended church the week before. Praise God. . . . . . and that is an answered prayer in itself. Keep praying for Michael as this battle is won, but the fight is not over. We love each and every one of your. May God bless you and yours in 2010.
Michael is a patient at United Regional Hospital in Wichita Falls as I type. He is undergoing this week of chemo as a inpatient since the weather was so unpredictable and will be coming home on Friday. We saw our new doctor, Dr. Reddy at the Texoma Cancer Center on Monday, and since they were going to be closed on New Years day, he felt it would be in Michael's best interest to do the chemo at the hospital. This was to keep from missing a day on Friday. We will be going to Wichita Falls for 1 hour a day chemo beginning next Monday for 5 days. and then back to Houston in a couple of weeks after chemo is completed for our next PET Scan and Chest X-Ray.
Christmas didn't come around to our household with all the decorating and such that it usually gets. But you know, I think this is the kind of Christmas that Christ intended. It's not all about decorations and finding that perfect gift. We have been given so many gifts this year (some material) but most of all the gift of blessings throughout 2009. You cannot purchase the gifts that have become real to us this year in a store. We have seen the gift of love, life, good news, gift of prayers from our friends and family, and the gifts of comfort to a mother who has just been told her only son has an aggressive cancer growing in his body, and then the gift of miracles (healing). We have seen the power of prayer in Michael's life. We serve an AWESOME GOD. We have prayed for our doctor at MD Anderson to seek God in his life and we were told at our last visit that he and his family had attended church the week before. Praise God. . . . . . and that is an answered prayer in itself. Keep praying for Michael as this battle is won, but the fight is not over. We love each and every one of your. May God bless you and yours in 2010.
Michael is a patient at United Regional Hospital in Wichita Falls as I type. He is undergoing this week of chemo as a inpatient since the weather was so unpredictable and will be coming home on Friday. We saw our new doctor, Dr. Reddy at the Texoma Cancer Center on Monday, and since they were going to be closed on New Years day, he felt it would be in Michael's best interest to do the chemo at the hospital. This was to keep from missing a day on Friday. We will be going to Wichita Falls for 1 hour a day chemo beginning next Monday for 5 days. and then back to Houston in a couple of weeks after chemo is completed for our next PET Scan and Chest X-Ray.
Happy Birthday Michael! it is hard to believe my son will be 25 years old on Christmas Eve. What a hidden blessing God gave us 25 years ago.
We are so blessed to live in Olney, TX . Arrived home last night about 11:00pm and Michael was soooooooo surprised to find his tree with gifts under it. He is still trying to figure out how someone got in our house to put up our tree. Our babies were so glad to see us.....Amanda stood in the living room and bard and howled like she was saying, "Look everyone, look whose home!" That wasn't enough, she then went outside and stood in the yard and did the same thing. Aren't dogs amazing....they love you even if you have deserted them for nine months! We are home for an undetermined period of time. Michael will be getting his treatments in Wichita Falls beginning next week. Hallelujah! We will be going every day for 14 days (1 1/2 hours a day) and then blood work here in Olney twice a week during the last 7 days of the 21 day cycle. God is so Good. This treatment is a trial to see how low a dose of chemo we can get as a maintenance dose to keep the cancer from activating itself again. It is a very aggressive cancer and don't want it to come out of hibernation.
Bet yet, Dr. Ravi gave Michael a "release to go back to work"....he is just ecstatic.....Will be working on Monday through Friday. Dr. Ravi told him he had to pay attention to his body...when it says, "I'm tired" he needs to obey. Hopefully we can keep him true....
We would like to thank every one for you continued prayer support and encouragement. We could not have made it the past 9 months without our Lord and Savior helping us through all this horrible disease. God is good and we are seeing miracles happen in my son. Hoping we have him many more years to keep his momma on her toes. Love to all and Merry Christmas.
We are so blessed to live in Olney, TX . Arrived home last night about 11:00pm and Michael was soooooooo surprised to find his tree with gifts under it. He is still trying to figure out how someone got in our house to put up our tree. Our babies were so glad to see us.....Amanda stood in the living room and bard and howled like she was saying, "Look everyone, look whose home!" That wasn't enough, she then went outside and stood in the yard and did the same thing. Aren't dogs amazing....they love you even if you have deserted them for nine months! We are home for an undetermined period of time. Michael will be getting his treatments in Wichita Falls beginning next week. Hallelujah! We will be going every day for 14 days (1 1/2 hours a day) and then blood work here in Olney twice a week during the last 7 days of the 21 day cycle. God is so Good. This treatment is a trial to see how low a dose of chemo we can get as a maintenance dose to keep the cancer from activating itself again. It is a very aggressive cancer and don't want it to come out of hibernation.
Bet yet, Dr. Ravi gave Michael a "release to go back to work"....he is just ecstatic.....Will be working on Monday through Friday. Dr. Ravi told him he had to pay attention to his body...when it says, "I'm tired" he needs to obey. Hopefully we can keep him true....
We would like to thank every one for you continued prayer support and encouragement. We could not have made it the past 9 months without our Lord and Savior helping us through all this horrible disease. God is good and we are seeing miracles happen in my son. Hoping we have him many more years to keep his momma on her toes. Love to all and Merry Christmas.
Catch up time....December 18, 2009
Sorry I have been so unattentive to keeping the blog up to date, but there has not been a whole lot to blog about this week. Monday and Wednesday we had blood work done and all our counts were GREAT! Nothing has dropped like it has when we had the three aggressive chemos. Wednesday I went to a class to learn to take care of Michael's catheter line under his collarbone since we have opted to leave it in this time rather than having it removed. Had a report class on Thursday. Thursday was a very good day in that we met our friend, Andrew Moritz at the hospital and went to Southwell's for lunch. Had a very nice visit and heard about the good report that Andrew had received from his PET Scan from the day before. Also enjoyed meeting his brother in law, Tyler who had flown to Houston with him for his test and results. That is one proud daddy and uncle. Said our goodbyes to them after lunch and came back to the house to work. Friday morning, we went back to the hospital and I had to "prove" my learning from the two days before that I could flush and change Michael's dressing. Yeah, they said I was certified.....but that was not what Michael said. ......He said I was a lot rougher than they were....but hey, you can't take the professionals home with you......and we want to go home.
Michael was suppose to go play cards today, but we are still at the house. I asked him to please go to bed soon when I went to bed, but I got up at 3:00am and he was still up.....so momma is being momma today and did not wake him up to play cards. He is one upset big boy....he needs his sleep and rest to fight this terrible stuff and he thinks he is made of iron.....oh well! Maybe next time he will remember today! He still lives under my roof and I am one tough momma sometime. We have been here nine months and you can't keep up the fight with no rest! He is planning to work this week at the store. It is wonderful to be pain free for the past 9 months.....and if my son was just a little stronger, he would be back to his normal energetic self....Thank you Lord for the miraculous healing this year in our lives.
Michael was suppose to go play cards today, but we are still at the house. I asked him to please go to bed soon when I went to bed, but I got up at 3:00am and he was still up.....so momma is being momma today and did not wake him up to play cards. He is one upset big boy....he needs his sleep and rest to fight this terrible stuff and he thinks he is made of iron.....oh well! Maybe next time he will remember today! He still lives under my roof and I am one tough momma sometime. We have been here nine months and you can't keep up the fight with no rest! He is planning to work this week at the store. It is wonderful to be pain free for the past 9 months.....and if my son was just a little stronger, he would be back to his normal energetic self....Thank you Lord for the miraculous healing this year in our lives.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Well, when we thought the end of chemo was finished, we just found out that we will be coming back after the first of January for another round. Thought this momma was finished going to school, but have to go the class tomorrow to learn how to take care of Michael's Central
Venous Catheter that is in his chest while we are home for the holidays. Will let you know more after Monday of next week regarding our future in 2010.......wow! Michael is feeling wonderful and has realized that his work may be put off longer than expected since we are going to have more chemo......He is down tonight somewhat because he was hoping to go back to work after New Years......hang in there son.....it will happen one of these days.
Venous Catheter that is in his chest while we are home for the holidays. Will let you know more after Monday of next week regarding our future in 2010.......wow! Michael is feeling wonderful and has realized that his work may be put off longer than expected since we are going to have more chemo......He is down tonight somewhat because he was hoping to go back to work after New Years......hang in there son.....it will happen one of these days.
Friday, December 11. 2009
We are nearly finished with chemo this round....one more day after today. This has been a great round.......just hope it is doing what it is suppose to do. Michael and I are going out tonight with family to enjoy a good Mexican Dinner. His uncle, lady friend, her daughter and son in law, uncle's son and daughter in law will all be there. Family is a wonderful experience. I am so thankful Marc had family to enjoy.
By the way, if you talk to Michael ask him about the photo he took yesterday on the way to the hospital of the homeless man sleeping on the street......it is quite a photo. Poor guy, know he must have been freezing!
Counts are great.......platelets are 91, wbc is 2.7, hemoglobin is 10.9, creatinine is 1.2.......great numbers!
By the way, if you talk to Michael ask him about the photo he took yesterday on the way to the hospital of the homeless man sleeping on the street......it is quite a photo. Poor guy, know he must have been freezing!
Counts are great.......platelets are 91, wbc is 2.7, hemoglobin is 10.9, creatinine is 1.2.......great numbers!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Just looked at our calendar and it has been updated. Looks like we will see Dr. Ravi on Monday morning, December 21 and probably will be released to go home that day. Our appointment was set for December 28, so looks like they are going to try and get us out of here earlier. I think they are trying their best to get everyone home for Christmas and New Years that they can. Michael is doing wonderful No side effects from this chemo other than a little loose bowels once in a while but Imodium takes care of it. Chemo will be finished on Saturday of this week and then all we have next week is blood work on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Hopefully we won't have to have blood or platelets during this round. Everyone stay warm ....temperature here tonight is 42 degrees. Forecast is for it to be 32 by morning.....Houstonians are freezing.......
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Well, thought I had better update the blog....been a while since I had. Been updating face book and chatting with friends and family, and forgot the blog. Everything is going as planned in Houston. Started our 6th day of chemo this afternoon. Platelets and hemoglobin was down yesterday, but Dr. said we could go ahead with the 6th day. Hopefully, we will get to finish this round before we leave for Christmas. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Houston and at the hospital. Dr.'s wives came in last week and decorated the hospital and it looks awesome. No lights on the trees, just a lot of decorations. It is amazing what artificial limbs and other little trinkets do to make a tree beautiful. I have taken some photos....Michael is feeling great....no down time so far. We are going to miss all the Christmas parties back home....wish we were there. But then don't need all the sweets and good food......We look forward to being there next year.....Hope everyone has a great week and remember two folks in Houston love each and every one of you.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2009
THANKS LORD FOR A GREAT DAY! MICHAEL IS IN GETTING HIS THIRD DAY OF CHEMO FOR THIS ROUND. SO FAR SO GOOD WITH NO SIDE EFFECTS. HIS SHOULDER IS FEELING A LITTLE BETTER, BUT STILL SORE TO THE TOUCH. NICE NOT HAVING TO SPEND FOUR TO SIX HOURS AT THE HOSPITAL EACH DAY. WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR YOUR CONCERN FOR HIM YESTERDAY....WAS A TRYING DAY. LOVE YOU ALL AND THANKS FOR CHECKING ON HIM.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Today has been a day that we really don't want a repeat of....Michael had his catheter line put in his chest this morning at 8:00am. Went from there to have an x ray done to make certain it was in the vein.....sure 'nough they had not got it through his chest but it had turned and went through his neck......back to the room for another surgical procedure to remove that one and put in another one. Finally finished in about 2 hours for a procedure that should have taken 30 minutes.....I finally went to check on him as I was afraid they had punctured his lung....Thank God for small miracles....He is suffering pretty much after the second insertion from all the working in his collarbone area....Finally wanted a pain pill....maybe that is all he will need....Waiting for second day of chemo......Finally got the bills printed....sorry folks, but thought I needed to keep my job......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1 , 2009
WE ARE PRAYING THAT TODAY IS A MUCH BETTER DAY THAN YESTERDAY. DECEMBER 1, 2009 - TUESDAY: WE SAW THE NURSE AT 10:00 AM FOR CHEMO TRAINING ABOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THE NEW CHEMO. NO INTERNET SERVICE AT THE HOUSE SO WE WENT TO BORDERS BOOKS SO I COULD WORK ON THE BILLING FOR THE CITY. WE HAD HARDLY ARRIVED AT BORDERS AND GOT OUT OUR COMPUTERS...LOOKED AT THE SCHEDULE FOR MD ANDERSON AND THEY HAD US SCHEDULED AT 1:30 FOR AN INTERVIEW ON THE CATHETER THEY ARE INSERTING RIGHT NOW. BY THE TIME WE FINISHED THE INTERVIEW IT WAS 3:00PM AND OUR CHEMO WAS SCHEDULED AT 4:00PM. STILL CANNOT GET ON THE OFFICE COMPUTER REMOTELY FROM MD ANDERSON DUE TO A BLOCK THEY HAVE ON THEIR SYSTEM. STILL NO WATER BILLS CALCULATED. STARTED CHEMO AT 5:00PM AND FINISHED AT 7:00PM. WENT TO BORDERS AND STAYED UNTIL 10:00 WORKING ON BILLS....NEARLY READY TO CALCULATE. OH YES, I HAD PURCHASED A $100.00 PREPAID PARKING PASS AND WHEN I GOT TO THE EXIT IN THE PARKING GARAGE THE MACHINE KEPT MY PARKING CHIP. THAT WAS A WHOLE 'NOTHER STORY....WASN'T ABOUT TO LET IT GO SINCE I HADN'T USED IT BUT ONCE SINCE PURCHASING IT. WE WILL BE BACK THIS AFTERNOON FOR CHEMO AT 4:00PM....IT WILL ONLY TAKE ABOUT 1 1/2 HOURS THIS CYCLE...EACH DAY. HOPEFULLY BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS......
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