December 23, 2009

Merry Christmas to each one of you! Paul and Paula had a doctor's visit Monday with Dr. Saba, Paula's oncologist from Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. Dr. Saba reviewed her PET and CAT scans and talked to them about the results and the blood work that was done that same morning. The blood work continued to show Paula's counts going up in minute increments. Dr. Saba told them that he would like to wait two months and retest Paula with a CAT and PET scan and see what was going on. He said with the way her blood work looked, he felt confident she would be fine to wait that long. Due to the past treatments, Paula's body is just not up for any evasive chemo or radiation, and any treatments from this point on will need to be less destructive on her body. Paula was able to have her catheter removed from her jugular this week, as her kidneys are functioning on their own and in a positive manner. All the dialysis machines and supplies have removed from Paul and Paula's house, what a true blessing from above. Dr. Saba recommended that Paula continue with trying to get her hip surgery, so that is the next step for her. This is by far the major cause for her pain, and the hip surgery will be a welcome procedure for Paula as everyday brings more and more pain and continued trouble walking.
Please remember to pray for Paula's situation, and specifically for the possibility of having her hip repaired in the near future. We also leave nothing impossible for God to fix, and we are praying for God's intervention in her cancer and look forward to the wonderful work He will do on her body before the next round of tests.
This message offers many wishes for a memorable and heart changing holiday season for each and every one of you , along with your families. Know that you are loved and appreciated beyond words!
Merry Christmas and Happy 2010!

December 13, 2009

We think about the fact that Jesus got beat beyond recognition... for the glory of God! We all have downfalls, losses, trials, disappointments and hurts; and as long as God can get some glory out of it, we can deal with it. Just when things look as if they are the worst thing in the world, we need to remember that God can get some glory out of it at some point. It isn't about us anyway, it's about him.
With all that to consider, we have had a big disappointment. Paul and Paula went to Moffit this week to get the results of her tests. The results were not what we were hoping for. The tests show that the recent treatment Paula has gotten has not been successful. The cancerous cells have not shown any signs of shrinking, and a couple of them had actually enlarged. This is devastating news and it brings us back to the drawing board for getting this cancer back into remission. Paul and Paula will be visiting the oncologist on Monday, December 21 to discuss what, if any, further treatments are available.
The other doctor's visit this week was to the kidney specialist and it brought opposite news. The kidney specialist said that Paula's kidney function is still in the normal range and has even gotten a little better since the previous visit. She ordered the dialysis machines and supplies be removed from the house and Paula will not have to go back on the dialysis. The doctor is in awe of Paula's reversal of needing dialysis, and says she never would have thought this would happen. We definitely give this glory to God!
Paula's hip continues to be the central cause of Paula's pain. The hip is excruciating and limits Paula in so many ways. She is so grateful for the motorized cart that she was lent, without it she would not be able to get around much at all. What a blessing it has been! The hip surgery is still on hold at this point, but we are still hoping that the new year will bring a chance for Paula to get this surgery and get on her way to walking normally again.
Please continue to pray for Paula's hip pain and for the doctor's visit on Dec. 21. We are not limiting God on what he can do in this situation, and we are without a doubt giving him all the glory in everything that happens! Thank you seems like such an understatement for all the support each of you have given through your prayers, cards, calls and etc. But it comes to you with sheer appreciation for all that you have done!
Merry Christmas to each of you and your families!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

How fitting that at this time of Thanksgiving we recognize the many things that we have to be thankful for. First and foremost in our gifts of Thanksgiving is the realization that God is with us no matter what the situation or time of need. Secondly, is each and every one of you. Your prayers, cards, phone calls, and kind words are without a doubt one of the richest blessings in our lives. We are truly grateful for each one of you and for all the prayers that you have lifted up on Paula's behalf. Also in our minds has been the gift of a "Go Car" , a motorized scooter for Paula to use around the house. She is able to conserve some of her energy along with hopefully conserving the current attachment of her hip. The hip situation has quickly gotten a whole lot worse. Paula is in some very severe pain from her hip and the pain medications are not a help. She is not able to sleep comfortably, if at all. Moving from room to room in the house is painful and tiring. It is scary to think of how close her hip is to totally collapsing. It has been 9 weeks since the radio immune therapy that Paula had. Our hope was that her "counts" would recover and rise sooner than this. As of this week, they have not started their climb back to normal. As you might remember, it is vital that these counts recover as quickly as possible in order to get the hip surgery. So our request at this time is your prayers for her counts to rise quickly and for her to be able to have this surgery before it is to late.
During this time of Thanksgiving please remember how grateful our family is for your place in our lives. You are truly dear to each of us and most especially to Paula. We hope you each have a wonderful time with family , friends and loved ones.

Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart!

October 13, 2009

Here is a much needed update for Paula's Blog. The last week or so has brought mixed reports, some good some not so good. A visit to the kidney specialist brought some really encouraging news. Paula's kidney counts came in and they were really good. So much so that the Dr. told her she didn't have to do dialysis for another 2 months. She will go back in December to reevaluate. They also learned that the fistula that was built up in Paula's arm to use for dialysis had reached usage capability and that her catheter could be removed. If Paula is to have more dialysis in the future they will be able to use the arm fistula as opposed to a catheter. What a relief! The removal of the catheter was set for this Thurs. Oct. 15, however, blood work was done this week and the results showed much lower results than before and there for she is unable to have any type of surgical procedures. All of Paula's blood counts were much lower, but her platelet count had dropped to 22. She has noticed a lot of back pain the last several days, and this is probably the bone marrow working to compensate for the low platelet count. The news of cancelling the catheter removal was very devastating to Paula, as she was really looking forward to getting it out. It has been in over 8 months and a typical catheter is usually in for 3-4 months. There is concern that the catheter could develop an infection after being left in that long. Paul continues to have to flush it regularly and it gets harder and harder to do so as it is sitting dormant now and the blood doesn't want to come through. Paula's hips are continuing to cause her a lot of pain, and a need for increased pain medication for it is becoming inevitable. The biggest prayer concern at this time is for a rise in her platelet count. This need for rebuilding platelets is vital for the removal of the catheter and for the continuation of Paula's hip surgery. Please continue to pray for Paula's rebuilding of blood counts and strength to withstand the hip pain. God Bless each and every person that reads this blog and lifts Paula up in prayer, you are all such a big part of Paul and Paula's lives. Thank you in advance for your support and prayers!

September 10, 2009

Today was the day...... Paula returned to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa to do the larger dose of the radio immune therapy to treat her lymphoma. Paul took the day off from work to take her over and they left at the wee hours of the morning. The treatment was given throughout the day and they were able to head home at around 3:00. The doctor that was in charge of administering the treatment expressed to Paul and Paula how shocked he was that the insurance agreed to cover this treatment. Apparently, it is not typical to have this happen and he was amazed. We just look at it as another answer to many prayers. When Paul and Paula asked the doctor what he felt the outcome of the treatment would be, he stated that he felt very strongly that this would work very well on Paula with regards to her age, health and condition and that Paula's body would tolerate the treatment positively. There is not a lot of research on this drug due to its age, and thus we are not certain what to expect. The majority of the severe reactions that occur with this particular treatment happen during the beginning of the treatment (which was last week for Paula), so we are prayerful that this is the case for Paula and that there will be just minimal side effects. It is however, typical with this treatment for reactions and side effects to be more delayed and they are not really expected for 4-5 weeks. During this time the one that is the most critical is the dropping of the blood counts. From here on out, Paula's blood counts will be frequently monitored. In two months the doctors will test to see how the cancer has responded to the treatment. We are positively looking ahead with the hopes that once the tests are complete that Paula will be able to have the hip surgery. This is getting increasingly important as the pain and the mobility for her is decreasing noticeably each week. In the meantime, we are praying fervently for two things, one that the cancer is put to rest for a long, long time and secondly that Paula's hip will remain dormant in its deterioration for as long as it needs to for the cancer to be put to rest. You are all critical lifelines for us and we pray that each of you are blessed for your willingness to add Paula to your daily prayers. We continue to need and appreciate these prayers, and as Paula is so quick to respond and "To God Be the Glory!"

September 2, 2009

Today was the start of Paula's cancer treatment. She went to Moffitt at 6 a.m. on Tuesday to do the radio immune treatment. The treatment went smoothly and Paula did not have any reactions. Time will tell if her body accepts the treatment and doesn't show any signs of allergic response. Paula will be going back on Thursday and Friday to have imaging done to make sure the treatment is attacking the correct spots and battling the cancer. Then on Tuesday, September 8 she will go back for the mega-dose of the treatment. Please pray for continued acceptance of the treatment from Paula's body and for the success of the treatment. With the risk of repeating myself too many times, thank you for all the support in the many ways you show your love!

August 27, 2009

Finally, we received word that the treatment for Paula's cancer is ready to start, and boy are we glad about that. Considering the fact that we have never waited this long after realizing the lymphoma has returned to get treatment, it has been right at 8 weeks since we received that word. Paula will go in next Tuesday, September 1 for the first dose of this outpatient treatment. To refresh your memory, they are doing a fairly new treatment called Radio Immune Therapy and it is a one round treatment. She will finish the treatment on Sept 10, with the last dose, which will be a very intense visit. In between there will be more doses and even a scan to make sure the therapy is attacking the right spots. This treatment has side effects just as devastating as chemo, and is comparable to it. Again, her blood counts will drop drastically and especially her platelets. The inability to regain or rebuild platelets is one of the scariest possibilities with this treatment. After about 10-12 weeks if the treatment goes well and there are no adverse side effects, we hope that Paula can have the much needed hip surgery. As you can imagine, she is extremely nervous about doing the treatment, while chemo is not a friend, it was a road that she had been down so many times, the fear was not like this. Please pray specifically for safety for Paula and whomever is taking her over and back to Moffitt for these treatments. Also, we are asking that you pray specifically that there are no severe reactions to the medicine and that it is able to "tackle the beast" and put her into remission in order to allow for the hip surgery. You continue to amaze us all with your diligence in prayer, your faithfulness in support and most of all your belief in fact that with God all things are possible. Thanks over and over again!

August 20, 2009

What good news we have.... Paula's counts have continued to be positive and her kidney doctor ordered a four day break from dialysis for last Thurs. - Sun. On Sunday, Paula did a complete urine collection and returned it to the doctor on Monday along with doing blood work. The call came yesterday that her counts were not only positive, but they were really, really good. She was told to take an ENTIRE month off from dialysis treatments. What a complete blessing! With school starting back for Paul, the treatments were having to be postponed each day until late in the afternoon when he got home from school. So that makes for a long day..... this break is a huge relief for both Paula and Paula. Paula's arm continues to heal from the surgery. Cancer treatment has continued to be a struggle with the insurance and hospital getting all the paperwork to each other and processed. We are still waiting for some answers for whether the treatment will be covered and when it can get started. Thank you very much for the prayers.... God has again answered them for Paula in the form of a break from dialysis. Your continued prayers for answers to the insurance dilemma and guidance to the doctors for correct treatments. We don't know what we'd do with you all....you are the best!

August 12, 2009

Yesterday was a day of mixed feelings. Paula went to have a "procedure" on her fistula in her arm and ended up having to have surgery. The doctor was not able to do what him needed to do, and in the process a very, very large hematoma developed in her arm. So he had to do surgery to go in and fix the hematoma and finish the procedure. He did tell her that the fistula, which will hopefully serve to use for her dialysis as opposed to the one in her neck, is flowing really well and should be able to be used very soon. This will be a great thing, as eventually that will allow for the one in the jugular to be closed up and Paula will again be able to do all the things that involve water that she has been so limited with (washing hair, taking baths, swimming!)So that pain was Paula having this surgery. But it was a day of good news with the fistula being so productive and the possibility of using it soon a reality. But the good news didn't stop there. Not long after returning from the hospital, the phone call came that said the Bone Marrow Extraction test had come back, and it showed that the cancer had not been found in Paula's bone. Praise God! That was such a big relief to all. Then a time later the phone rang again, and this time it was Paula's kidney doctor. They proceeded to tell us that Paula's kidneys are doing great and they would like run some labs and see if they are starting to function properly. This meant that Paula will get a 4 DAY BREAK from dialysis. Which is a great break for Paul also. They will test her urine and blood when she takes it in on Monday and it is a possibility that she will get to cut back to doing 3 treatments a week, and there is strong possibility that her kidneys may begin to work on their own. This from the doctor's point of view, is nothing shy of unbelievable. However, we know better. It is definitely an answer to many prayers for us and all of you. For that we say thank you, thank you , thank you! With God all things are possible. We are still in the waiting game, to see if the insurance will cover the cost of the type of treatment that Paula needs for her cancer treatment and waiting on word on what to do about the hip surgery. Although today Paula was in a lot of pain due to her arm, she feels the presence of God working in her body and the hope for better days is not far from reach. Please continue to pray for the refunction of Paula's kidneys and the answers to treatments for her cancer and surgery. What a blessing your prayers have been....God is good!

August 1, 2009

Yesterday we received a phone call from the doctor's office confirming that the masses that were checked through the biopsy done last week in Paula's throat, to indeed be Lymphoma. We will be going to Moffitt Cancer Center on Monday to meet with Dr. Saba, Paula's oncologist, to discuss treatment options. Your continued prayers for the correct treatment to put this cancer back into remission would be greatly appreciated. Also, Paula's hip has continued to increase in pain, making the need for this cancer to be put into remission crucial. If her hip gets too bad and actually crumbles the hip surgery will not be possible. Your encouragement and prayers are very special to us and we can't tell you how thankful we are for these every single day! God bless each of you and your families.

Psalm 25:5
"Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long."

July 14, 2009

Today we visited Moffitt Cancer Center and met with Dr. Saba (oncologist). Dr. Saba did a complete evaluation and examination and was, for lack of a better word, baffled. His exact words were "the report does not match the patient". He said the spots that show up on the reports are large enough that they should be able to locate them, especially the one located in the jaw area, and he just couldn't find them on Paula. He said her blood work is very good and he just did not feel starting to treat this was the right step at this point. He referred her to two specialists at Moffitt that are going to give a second opinion on these masses that show up in the report. If the masses are located and determined to be substantial then Dr. Saba would like to do a biopsy to verify that they are malignant and not benign. If he does not get clarification that they are indeed cancerous matter, he is going to recommend that Paula go ahead with the hip surgery. Hopefully more answers will come within the next week or so as Wednesday is the day she meets with the first specialist! So overall today, there was no new news, but it could be considered good news. Paula said she felt like her body was a mystery to Dr. Saba yesterday, but that she felt like it was God working in his mystical and miraculous way. Please continue to pray for these doctors as they continue to search for exactly what is taking place in Paula's body and what is the correct process for treatment. "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

Friday, July 10, 2009

It was decided on Thursday that the hip surgery needs to be put off for awhile until the cancer is under control. Both the oncologist and the hip surgeon agreed to that fact. This hip surgery will have to be done once the oncologist gives the clearance. Dr Saba, Paula's oncologist, is going to meet with Paul and Paula on Monday to lay out the plan for her treatment. She will be doing a fairly new radio immune drug . The infection she had in her body was determined to be ecoli.... and had nothing to do with her kidneys or the dialysis. They took her off the Cipro, and on Thursday she went in for a two hour antibiotic drip to clear the infection up.
What a blessing it has been to encounter two different doctor's office's nurses that are followers of Christ and urge you to seek God's plan through prayer. Thank you again to all those who came out to pray with Paul, Paula and the family on Tuesday. Please continue to pray for correct treatment implementation as decisions are being made in the next week or so about when and what to start doing for treating the cancer.