Welcome to A Gravel Road Journey!

NOT SO LONG AGO, Dad RE-named his art studio, "A Gravel Road Studio", and so this seemed an appropiate title for his blog.

Why 'Gravel Road'? As Dad explains, "Gravel roads take us off life's busy highway and force us to slow down. When we slow down we have time - time to notice the things around us; the things that matter the most; life and breath, the flowers and the trees. Gravel roads allow us to taste the dust of our travel and give us time to breathe."

Since his studio is a place of quiet reflection and contemplation, we wanted to create a space for family and friends to do the same as we journey together down this new and unknown path. We also wish to keep family and friends updated on his diagnoses and treatment, so please check in often for updates and new information.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Treatments Have Begun!

Well, as the title says, Dad has started his treatments. He had his first one on Monday, and another again today. He'll be continuing radiation treatments Monday to Friday for the next few weeks, and will also be taking oral chemotherapy pills 7 days a week during this time. Treatments end on the 14th of October, but the side effects might last another few weeks after that. About 4-6 weeks after treatments are finished Dad will have another MRI done to check on the tumor's response to all the drugs. Hopefully it will be good news, but that's a long way off right now.

So far Dad hasn't had too bad of a reaction. He's been feeling a bit nauseous and food doesn't taste very appetizing to him anymore. But I think other than that, he is handling the medication pretty well. From what the doctors have said, though, it will only get worse, which is expected. Hopefully it's not too bad. For now we are all taking things one day at a time, and are constantly praying for healing, comfort and strength. It's so good to know that so many friends and family are praying right along with us.

Friday, September 19, 2008

The 911 Update

We are home from the hospital, and thankfully, I have good news to report. Dad had three seizures earlier - two at home, the second of which was a grand mal seizure, and a third in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. But he is now recovering very nicely at the Health Sciences.

When we arrived, he was unable to speak, and had limited mobility. He could communicate with the doctors and nurses by squeezing their hands or pushing with his feet. They gave him some anti-seizure medication and did yet another CT scan around 8:15 pm. After a trip to KFC/Taco Bell for some food, we were able to get back in to see him and he was sitting up in bed and able to talk to all of us. The CT scan showed that everything was normal (as normal as can be with a tumor!), and that the swelling around the tumor has actually decreased a little since the last scan earlier in the week. They are keeping him overnight for observation and will be sending him home tomorrow morning. Mom is staying overnight with him in the hospital, so I'm sure it will be another long night for her, but we're all very thankful for the outcome of this evening. I don't think I need to say that it could have been a lot worse - we are very thankful that it was not!

We were able to get a bit more information from Mom tonight about Dad's treatments we well. There was fear earlier this evening that the seizures would interfere with treatment, but everything is a go for Monday. Dad will be doing radiation treatments five days a week (Monday to Friday) for 16 days, and will also be taking oral chemotherapy pills 7 days a week during that time. They now know that it is a level 4 tumor, so my understanding is that the therapy will be pretty aggressive.

One specific prayer request right now is that Dad has a certain enzyme in his body that will respond well to the chemo. Mom briefly explained tonight that people either have the enzyme or they don't - and there's no way to tell, other than by how people react to the chemo. If they have the enzyme, it bonds well with the chemo and helps the radation to be more effective. If they don't have the enzyme, the radiation doesn't work as well. So we're praying that Dad will have the enzyme in his body so that the treatments can work as effectively as possible.

As always, thank you so much for your faithful prayers for Dad and for the family.

Dana

URGENT PRAYER NEEDED!

Hi everyone,

I wish I had more information, but we need some urgent prayers. We just got a phone call from Janis, and from what we gathered, Dad laid down to sleep earlier this afternoon and when Mom tried to wake him up a few moments ago, he wasn't responding. They called 911 and the paramedics arrived at the house just a few minutes ago. They're taking Dad to Health Sciences and we're leaving right away to meet the rest of the family there. We have no idea what this means, or what could happen, but please pray for us and especially for Dad!

I'll update once I know more!
Dana

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Team Planning Meeting

Hello again,

Got a phone call from Mom this afternoon, and they have word on the team planning meeting. It will be this Friday, Sept. 19th. She didn't mention a time. But the meeting will include Mom and Dad, the neurosurgeon, a social worker, and a whole host of other hospital staff. They'll go over treatment details and the pathology report from Dad's biopsy. Once this meeting is done, they will be able to start treatments, but I don't think they will start over the weekend, so I think Monday will be Dad's first day of radiation. I'm sure we'll know more after Friday's meeting.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Treatments Coming Soon!

Well, first of all, I will fill everyone in on the weekend. As of my last post, Dad's biopsy had gone well and he was recovering in the hospital. He was released on Saturday after a CT scan and he and Mom got home around 1 pm. Then, around supper time Dad had a clumsy moment (happens to the best of us!), and tripped on the stairs, bumping his head on the way down. Normally, not such a big deal, but when you've just had your head cut open, that's not exactly what you want to have happen! Thankfully, Dad told Mom about the incident and they made a trip back to the ER for yet another CT scan to make sure there was no swelling or bleeding. Thankfully, all was fine, and they were home again just after midnight. I haven't asked Dad yet if he's getting sick of all the CT scans....need to remember to ask him one of these days! Although I'm sure he'll have many more yet before this ordeal is done.

Anyway...Sunday was a nice relaxing day at home for everyone, and today it was back to the hospital for Mom and Dad. Dad got fitted for his radiation helmet and has been told that treatments will be starting either later this week, or early next week. We're hoping for later this week, but they need the pathology report from the biopsy before they can start treatments. So that is what we are waiting for right now. As always, we ask for continued prayer, specifically that the report from pathology would come back by the end of this week.

And I also want to say a huge thank you thus far for the out-pouring of love and support that has been shown by friends, family, and acquaintances. As I read all of your comments, it never ceases to amaze me how faithful God is in providing people in our lives to uplift, encourage, and inspire us when we need it the most. On behalf of our entire family, THANK YOU! from the bottom of our hearts!

Dana

Friday, September 12, 2008

It's Gonna Be a LOOOONG Night for Mom!

Well, we went to visit Dad at the hospital tonight (around 7:30 pm) and he was doing very well. Aside from the small strip of missing hair and the staples in his head, you'd never know he'd just had surgery! He was, however, a little disappointed to learn that he had been having Tylenol intravenously. Turns out he's not quite the macho man he thought he was. But we still love him!

Mom, however, has a long night ahead of her. She is staying overnight with Dad, but since it's in the step-down unit, there was no bed for her. Just a couple of padded chairs, which didn't look very comfortable! We're hoping they're able to bring in a recliner or something for her. I guess we'll find out in the morning how well she slept! Thankfully, it will only be for one night, as Dad will be getting out sometime tomorrow.

We did find out that Mom and Dad are meeting with the neurosurgeon and a whole team of other support staff (radiologists, oncologists, etc.) early next week. (Most likely Monday or Tuesday). Dad will get fitted for his radiation helmet at that time, with the hope that treatments will start by the end of the week (they're thinking Friday). As I type this, it still all feels a little bit surreal - almost like it's not quite happening. It was so good to see that Dad was doing so well tonight, and especially that his sense of humor is still intact! It feels good to still be able to laugh and joke around and enjoy life, even in the midst of all the turmoil.

Anyway...here are a few pics of Dad from this evening. He has to wear a wonderful pair of white compression stockings to help with the circulation in his legs. We joked that he's keeping in touch with his feminine side! And of course, I have to include a picture of the staples, which surprisingly don't look all that bad.

He hadn't had a ponytail in all day, so the hair's a little messy. :P


The wonderful white stockings!


The staples! We didn't count how many there are....


Dad's Out of Surgery

Hi Everyone,

Just got a call from Mom, and Dad is out of surgery from the biopsy. He's in recovery and doing well. They're just waiting for a bed to open up and he'll be moved to the step-down unit. Thank you all so much for your prayers. We are very thankful that the procedure went well and hope to get the results so that Dad can start treatments early next week.

Thanks from all of us!
(Dana)

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Biopsy's Been Moved Again

Just got an email from Mom and Dad's biopsy time has been changed. It's been bumped up from 11:30 am to 7:30 am tomorrow morning (Friday, the 12th). Mom will be staying overnight with Dad in the hospital, as it's considered major surgery, and they'll be home sometime on Saturday. Please pray that everything goes well!

Thanks!
Dana

Monday, September 8, 2008

Some Encouraging Words from Friends

I wanted to post this yesterday, but we didn't get home until late...and then wanted to post the update on the tests before I forgot the details! :P But either way, yesterday was a very encouraging day for us. We (Jared and I) went to church with Mom and Dad in the morning and an announcement was made to the congregation regarding Dad's tumor. It was hard to have to hear it out loud like that...and hard to endure all the hugs afterwards. But in a good way! It's so nice to know that there are so many people who love and care for all of us and are supporting us throughout this whole ordeal.

After church we went to Mom and Dad's for some family time and then we went to Kildonan Park to take some family pictures. It was a beautiful day for it, and I'm hoping to share a few of the pics here once I get a chance to go through them all....I only took over 200 pictures, so it may take a day or two! :P

Anyway...after pictures Jared and I had a meeting with our small group and filled them all in on the details of Dad's journey thus far. We all cried together and our friends prayed over us and for us. And then Andrea mentioned the words to a song that God had placed on her heart for us to hear, and it's such a beautiful and fitting song for all of us right now that I wanted to share it with everyone reading along:

You Never Let Go (by Matt Redman)

Even though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle
of the storms of this life
I won't turn back
I know you are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

(Chorus:) Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming
for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We'll live to know You here on the earth

(Chorus) Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

(Chorus 2x's)

Steve got out his guitar and we sang it together as a small group. It was very encouraging and very uplifting. We serve such an awesome and powerful God. He's greater than any tumor or sickness that we face. And it's very comforting to know that even if God doesn't answer our prayers to heal Dad, that He is here with us carrying us through this time. He never lets go!

Oh, the Run Around!

Well, Mom called me this morning to tell me that Dad had an appointment for the MRI and the biopsy...and then her and Dad stopped by this afternoon to say that they've been bumped on the list. :( Apparently there is a little girl that needs emergency brain surgery tomorrow, so Dad's biopsy has been postponed. Of course, our thoughts and prayers go out to the little girl and her family - we hope her surgery goes well!

But now we have to wait until Friday for Dad to get his biopsy. Such is life, right?!?!?! Anyway...the MRI is still a go for tonight. It's scheduled for 9:00 pm, and the biopsy has been moved from tomorrow at 11:30 am to Friday at 11:30 am. I'm sure Mom and Dad are becoming increasingly familiar with the hallways and inner workings of the Health Science Center by now. Thankfully we only live about a block away so if they need a break, they can easily stop by our house.

Anyway...as always, we ask that you continue to pray for us and for the results of all these tests!

Dana

Saturday, September 6, 2008

News from the Neurosurgeon

Well, as the title says, the news on Friday from the neurosurgeon was not what we were hoping to hear. Mom and Dad had to be at the Health Sciences Cancer Care ward at 10:00 am on Friday and after a short wait, they met with the neurosurgeon. They reviewed Wednesday's CT scan, and were told that it is for sure a cancerous tumor. It's called a 'butterfly' tumor, since it is on both hemispheres of his brain. Dad also underwent an EKG and more blood work on Friday.

So it's been a rough week, to say the least. Just when we think we'll finally find out all there is to know as far as treatment and what to expect, we find out there's even more tests needed in order to get it all figured out. Dad will be back at the hospital again on Monday to see an anesthesiologist. We're not 100% sure what they'll be doing. And hopefully on Tuesday he will be receiving a full-body MRI to check for cancer elsewhere in the body, as well as have a biopsy that afternoon on the tumor in his brain. If they can't fit him in on Tuesday, then the MRI and biopsy will most likely be on Friday. It's a lot take in! Once the MRI is finished and they have the results of that, then it sounds like we will finally have a concrete plan as far as treatment goes. Until then, we're hoping for the best, and trying to take things one day at a time.

It's hard to keep functioning normally when this is hanging over our heads. I think we're all feeling emotionally drained, and trying to figure out what exactly our new 'normal' is going to be. Mom has decided to use up her sick days at work, and starting on Monday she'll be taking the next three months off in order to help take care of Dad. The rest of us are still trying to juggle work and school, while spending as much time together as we can.

As far as how Dad's feeling, he says that he doesn't really feel different at all. He doesn't quite have as much energy as he did a few weeks ago, and he's been having lots of hiccups - a side effect from the cranial pressure on his brain. Who knew that pressure on your head could cause hiccups?!?!?

Anyway....please continue to pray for our family as we await more news of treatment and the results of the MRI. Until then...

Dana

Thursday, September 4, 2008

A Shocking Revelation

It all started about three weeks ago when Mom and Dad got home from their trip to BC. Dad's energy level wasn't what it usually is, and his sleep habits changed. He'd stay up till all hours of the night, and then sleep away the morning. He seemed to be going through a bit of a 'funk'. Mom tried not to worry about it, but as the weeks went on, he began to get worse. He was confusing things, not remembering things clearly, or at all. It was all very strange. So on Monday, Septemeber 1st, Mom tried calling a few friends and got ahold of Aunty Wendy, who used to be a nurse. Finally, she called Health Links to confirm what Aunty Wendy had said - that Dad should be taken to the ER. He went very reluctantly, but after a bunch of tests, chest x-rays, and a CT scan, they came to our place (Dana and Jared's) where the rest of us were gathered to celebrate Jared's birthday.

After some birthday cake, they broke the news to us. Dad has a brain tumor. Our initial reactions were ones of shock. How could this be? What does this mean? Is he going to be okay? None of our questions were answered that night. The only things Mom and Dad knew were that the tumor is located at the very front of Dad's brain (apparently the best place for it to be if surgery is needed), and that there were no spots in his chest, which is sometimes where these sorts of tumors originate. Dad was given a prescription for some very strong steroids to shrink the tumor and they were to return to the hospital on Wednesday for a second CT scan, with a follow-up appointment with a neurosurgeon at the end of the week.

Well, Wednesday rolled around and Dad spent most of the afternoon at the hospital undergoing another CT scan while Mom waited around. They figured they'd be done and could come home once the test was done, but instead, were asked to please stay to talk to the doctors before going home. The news was not good. The tumor is showing 'cancer-like characteristics', which we can only assume means it is a cancerous tumor. We will know more for sure once Mom and Dad meet with the neurosugeon on Friday.

It's all a little bit scary right now. Fear of the unknown is not a good thing, so we are all anxiously awaiting Friday's meeting so we can find out more about what exactly we are facing and how it will be treated. Please keep us all in your prayers over these next few days. Pray for healing in Dad's head, and strength for the family. We know that God's timing is not our own, and we have to trust that He knows what He's doing....but boy this sure feels like rotten timing with kids going back to school, Mom heading back to work....It's been stressful to say the least.

Anyway...we want to thank you in advance for your love and support during this time. Please check back on Friday, as I'll be updating as soon as I hear any news.

On behalf of the entire Folkerts family,
Dana