Hello All!
Been meaning to update all week - but the closer it gets to Christmas, the busier life seems to become, and it's hard to find the time to do all the 'extra' things I need to get done in a day! Thankfully Jared will be done school for the semester in a couple weeks and then he'll be able to help out around the house a bit more.
Anyway...Dad had his MRI on Friday. We haven't heard anything to the contrary, so I am assuming that it went well. I think we're all hoping this week goes by quickly, as we have to wait until this next Friday, Dec. 5th to get the results back. From this we will have a better idea of how Dad's tumor is doing and if it responded at all to his radiation and chemo treatments. We will also get news on a possible second round of treatment, which will most likely involve much heavier doses of chemo than the last time around. But until Friday, we don't know anything for sure.
I can tell you a few things that have been going on around Mom and Dad's house this last week, though. On Monday Mom had a hospital bed delivered for Dad. Because he has been sleeping so much, and because he is such a big guy and it's getting harder and harder for Mom to help him get up out of bed, she went ahead and ordered the hospital bed for him. It has been set up in the family room and so far, it seems to be working well, although I don't think Dad cares for being on the main floor much. But this is a lot better than having him collapse while walking up the stairs!
Mom has also had to install some other safety measures around the house, including rails on the toilet to help Dad get up. One of Mom's sisters and her husband visited earlier in the week and brought along four canes for Dad. They also have a walker and a wheelchair, so there is no shortage of ways to get him up and about when he needs it!
However, with the installation and arrival of all of these things, comes the realization that Dad is becoming increasingly ill. We were told after the first round of treatments that Dad would be almost back to his normal self for a few months, but unfortunately, that has yet to happen. While he has been feeling better the last few days than he has for the last few weeks - he's been awake and more alert than he had been - he is still not bouncing back from the first round of treatments like we thought he would. So, we continue to hope and pray for miracles of healing and of strength for Dad. And no matter what, we continue to believe that God is in control of this situation and that He continues to walk beside us down this bumpy gravel road.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Disappointing News for Dad
Well, Mom and Dad were supposed to make a trip to Edmonton this upcoming weekend, and unfortunately, it has been called off. Dad's last board meeting at King's University College is this weekend, along with an art show that Dad really wanted to see, but he hasn't been feeling very well lately, and so the trip has been called off. He is very disappointed, but the doctor's (and Mom!) feel it is best that he not travel that far right now. He's been sleeping 18-20 hours a day the last few weeks, he's been throwing up, and his sense of balance continues to be off. He's also had a very mininal appetite, so between that, and the getting sick, we are starting to notice him losing some weight. Mom is also looking into getting Dad a cane to help with his balance. She looked at a few stores, but so far, none of them have sold canes that will be tall enough for Dad, so she will have to try a medical supply store.
It's so very hard to watch Dad going through all of this. Some days are better than others, but the bad days are especially tough. To see him struggle to do things that we all take for granted is not an easy thing to watch - things like changing the channel on the tv, or checking our email. Going through this ordeal just reaffirms how fragile life is, and reminds us that we need to cherish every moment we have with our family and friends. It's also a great reminder of how awesome and powerful our God is. That even in our weakness, we can still seek Him and He will be there for us. We sang the song in church on Sunday that I quoted on here a while back, "You Never Let Go" by Matt Redman. That song continues to provide us comfort and hope, knowing that God hasn't let us go throughout this whole journey. He continues to guide us and hold us in the palm of His loving Handm, providing the comfort we seek, and the strength to keep on going. I pray that we continue to feel His presence as the days go on and our journey continues.
It's so very hard to watch Dad going through all of this. Some days are better than others, but the bad days are especially tough. To see him struggle to do things that we all take for granted is not an easy thing to watch - things like changing the channel on the tv, or checking our email. Going through this ordeal just reaffirms how fragile life is, and reminds us that we need to cherish every moment we have with our family and friends. It's also a great reminder of how awesome and powerful our God is. That even in our weakness, we can still seek Him and He will be there for us. We sang the song in church on Sunday that I quoted on here a while back, "You Never Let Go" by Matt Redman. That song continues to provide us comfort and hope, knowing that God hasn't let us go throughout this whole journey. He continues to guide us and hold us in the palm of His loving Handm, providing the comfort we seek, and the strength to keep on going. I pray that we continue to feel His presence as the days go on and our journey continues.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
We Have a Date for the MRI!
Hello Everyone!
It feels like I haven't updated much on here lately, and I guess that's because there hasn't been a whole lot going on. Each day brings its own set of challenges, but for the most part, life has settled into a sort of routine. Especially for Jared and I, who are no longer living at home, life seems almost normal most days. Work and school continue, and we are constantly busy with the kids. Life at Mom and Dad's has been a little more hectic, though. Brendan is busy with school and volleball. Jesse is busy with work and coaching volleyball. Janis is busy with homework and school. And Mom is very busy with Dad. His energy levels have continued to decline, and it can take hours to get him up and out of bed in the morning. He has also been throwing up lately, which is an unfortunate side effect of his pills. And his cognition is not what it used to be.
We are hoping and praying, however, that we get good news after Dad's MRI. The date has finally been scheduled, and it will take place on November 28th. The follow up appointment where we get the results will take place on December 5th. No matter what we receive for news that day, we know that God is in control of this situation. Even when we don't understand it, or like what it may mean, we have to keep trusting in our Saviour that He knows what He's doing. It's hard some days to remember that, but I'm so very thankful we have Him to rely on through all this.
Thank you once again to everyone for your continued prayers and support. Words cannot express how much we love and appreciate each and every one of you!
Until next time...
Dana
It feels like I haven't updated much on here lately, and I guess that's because there hasn't been a whole lot going on. Each day brings its own set of challenges, but for the most part, life has settled into a sort of routine. Especially for Jared and I, who are no longer living at home, life seems almost normal most days. Work and school continue, and we are constantly busy with the kids. Life at Mom and Dad's has been a little more hectic, though. Brendan is busy with school and volleball. Jesse is busy with work and coaching volleyball. Janis is busy with homework and school. And Mom is very busy with Dad. His energy levels have continued to decline, and it can take hours to get him up and out of bed in the morning. He has also been throwing up lately, which is an unfortunate side effect of his pills. And his cognition is not what it used to be.
We are hoping and praying, however, that we get good news after Dad's MRI. The date has finally been scheduled, and it will take place on November 28th. The follow up appointment where we get the results will take place on December 5th. No matter what we receive for news that day, we know that God is in control of this situation. Even when we don't understand it, or like what it may mean, we have to keep trusting in our Saviour that He knows what He's doing. It's hard some days to remember that, but I'm so very thankful we have Him to rely on through all this.
Thank you once again to everyone for your continued prayers and support. Words cannot express how much we love and appreciate each and every one of you!
Until next time...
Dana
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