August 2nd, 2010

Mom's battle continues . . . she had her first visit to the ER last week (Sunday, 7-25) with a pain in her lower back, left side. After a shot of Dilaudid in her port, we were grateful that the pain left immediately. A CT scan was done, the ER dr. thought he saw a possible bulging disc and asked that a follow up be done with Dr. B the next day. Dr. B ordered an MRI that was done Thursday at the West Clinic. Mom had no pain. She had her maintenance treatment on Friday. The research nurse said the preliminary report on the MRI said "no bulging disc evident". Mom tried to talk her into cancelling the follow-up at the Semmes Murphey Spine and Neurology Clinic. Dr. B felt it best to see a specialist, Dr. Jason Weaver, and make sure nothing was missed in the diagnosis. Mom took a CD of all the tests and reports today to that appointment which lasted about 2 hours. After reviewing everything from day of diagnosis to most recent CT scan and MRI, the specialist ordered more tests of views from a different angle which will be done in 2 weeks at Semmes Murphey Clinic. The prayer is for nothing new to show up. We know how BIG God is and we continue to be amazed at all the prayer warriors that are continuing to lift us up.

Mom and Ken had dinner with a good friends from church last night. One of the men, Paul Phillips, works with ACORN, Accelerated Community Oncology Research Network. Mom was expressing sympathy for a mutual friend who is experiencing several very unpleasant side effects from her recent chemo treatments. Paul asked Mom, "Do you realize how unusual it is for you to have NOT experienced these side effects?" He works with the numbers showing reports from patients participating in Clinical Trials. Mom responded saying to him: "YES! You see numbers and percentages -- I've been at the Clinic almost on a weekly basis for 10 months, and I SEE the patients, and HEAR their stories of pain, suffering, hospital visits, inability to take care of themselves, etc. I want to fall on my knees immediately and thank God that the only limitation I experience is tireness." It's a daily reminder to our family how merciful God has been in the face of such a shock in the diagnosis: Stage 4 Lung Cancer - so scary, but we are definitely fighting the battle courageously, and feeling God is blessing us abundantly in the way we feel our faith is growing.

Also, we are starting to seriously look at the calendar for dates and tickets out to Phoenix to meet Erica and Michael's new addition. We are very excited about meeting the little fellow but I will leave the official announcement to Erica with the name they have selected.

Haidyn went to see GiGi and Grandaddy tonight for an hour or so. She has been spending most days in the bigger nursery at school so she is extra tired at the end of every day. Thankfully she was a "joy" as mom described her. She displayed her walking talents. Grandaddy hadn't seen this yet so he was especially anxious to see her skills. When we came to pick her up, for whatever reason she decided she wanted to walk back and forth the floor between us all. It was difficult to keep Mom and Ken's attention in conversation because neither wanted to miss a single step. It has been fun for me to see their excitement weekly since she honestly learns something new every week at this age. It is certainly good therapy for us all to see her beaming, slightly toothy grin under that honey brown hair with those big browns. We are all in anxious anticipation to see what that little face with all those expressions will have to say soon.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for faithfully keeping healing for mom at the top of your prayer lists. We know that he gives and takes away. This has been a humbling season in all our lives and we are marveled at the wisdom of our God. He is good!