December 5, 2010

During the Thanksgiving break, Paul and Paula went to Moffit for Paula's regularly scheduled chemo treatment. While there the doctor told them that he had looked over the recent PET/CAT scan that Paula had had and that the treatments had not be productive in treating her lymphoma. In fact the cancerous tumor in Paula's chest had actually grown. They sent them home and told them they would be in touch the following Monday. That Saturday after Thanksgiving Paula went on a local Christmas shopping trip with her mother and sisters. After a bite to eat for dinner, Paula began having trouble breathing and started feeling really bad. Once she made it home, she was having severe pains in her neck, having great difficulty breathing and started vomiting. Paul and Shelli took her to Moffit that evening and the tests began. After a hard night of uncertainty, it was determined that Paula's problems were due to the large tumor in her chest. It was putting pressure on her lungs, heart and nerves and causing life threatening issues. The doctors determined that radiation was necessary. After a few days of staying at Moffitt, Paula came home with the plan of doing radiation treatments every day for 4 weeks. So she has begun making daily trips to Tampa to do these. The oncologist feel strongly that this radiation will destroy the tumor in the chest and eliminate the problems she was having. After these treatments Paula will have to return to her primary oncologist and discuss possibilities for treating the remaining lymphoma. Please pray for Paula as she is making daily trips to Tampa. A big thank you to the family and friends who have volunteered to assist in taking her to Tampa for these treatments so that Paul can be at work as much as possible.
As this holiday season is upon us, Paul and Paula would like to wish each of you the Merriest Christmas ever and new year filled with God's love and blessings. It is because of dear family and friends like each of you that Paul and Paula have so many good memories to fill their hearts with smiles. Remember that it is because of the dear Baby Jesus coming to earth, that each of us have received that greatest gift of all in our eternal life that is waiting for us in Heaven above. Merry Christmas and God Bless you all!

September 23, 2010

Paula has completed the first cycle of her chemo treatment. This treatment several people have volunteered to take her to Tampa on Tuesdays and to stay at the house with her so that Paul could be at school as much as possible. It has also been a huge blessing having several friends and family members contribute by bringing meals for Paul and Paula.
Paula's biggest problem has been that the neuropathy has returned and it is hard to control this pain with medication and the doctors tell her it could get even worse. Paula cannot not take to much medication for the neuropathy, because it could do damage to her kidney and cause her renal failure again. They did reduce the amount of the chemo that they are giving her because of this. Paula has been battling this lymphoma for over 14 years, and thus there is no previous documentation for the doctors to use to develop and treat her cancer. Paul has told Paula that she is writing a new book for Moffitt and that her situation will be beneficial for others in similar situations as hers in the years ahead. What a blessing that should be!
Paula started cycle 2 of the treatment which consists of three treatments, one week apart. She will have a Doctor’s visit on Sept. 27 and from there it is possible that he will set up a CAT scan sometime in October to see what is happening.
Paula does feels better than she did a month ago, still having some issues with the wheezing, breathing and some pain in the chest, but it has improved a lot since she started the treatments. She continues to try and exercise with a short swim each day.
As always, Paul and Paula covet and appreciate all your prayers. Thank you in advance for continuing to ask God's hand in Paula's life.

August 22, 2010

We are way over due on a blog update, so here goes. Paula is continuing to progress and heal from her second hip replacement surgery. It is a long process but it is a blessing to have the new hips in place. Paula has been struggling with her breathing over the past couple of months. The doctor felt she was in need of sinus surgery. However, a week or so before the surgery was to take place her calcium levels were high. The doctor would not agree to perform the surgery until her levels were reduced, and the ok was given by her oncologist at Moffitt. So Paula was admitted into Moffitt to be given some medications to lower these levels. After a few days in the hospital, her calcium was lowered and she was able to come home. However, her inability to breathe continued to get worse and after the weekend she returned to Moffit for blood work, this was last Monday, August 16. About an hour after getting home from Tampa, Moffitt called and said her calcium levels had risen once again and they wanted her to be admitted back into the hospital as soon as a bed was open. Paula was then readmitted to Moffitt on the 16th. While there, her endocrine system was given a thorough check, and all was clear there. So they ordered a CAT scan. The results showed the mass in her chest cavity had grown since her last scan 6 months ago and is closing off her windpipe, thus the explanation for why she is struggling to breathe lately. The doctor had stressed the importance of starting some form of treatment to slow the growth of this mass and Paul and Paula will be meeting with her primary oncologist, Dr. Saba at Moffitt on Monday, August 23. Because of her kidney failure and damage, there are not many treatment options. We are asking for your prayers during the next couple of days for a clear picture of which treatment (if any) will be best for Paula. And without fail, our prayer is for a divine healing and shrinkage of this mass as soon as possible.
"I am the Lord that heals you" Exodus 15:26

June 1, 2010

Paula had her hip surgery two weeks ago today. The surgery went as expected, and they were able to give her another new hip. This surgery went a lot better than the first one, and I am sure Paula is thankful to only have two hips, so she doesn't have to do this again! She was able to leave the hospital on time and come straight home. There was no need to go to the rehab center this time, and thank God for that! Paula is continuing to do her "daily therapy" exercises and is seeing strength and mobility improvement each day. She is hopefully to be able to get into the pool and so some therapy there as soon as she is cleared by the doctor. For now she enjoys watching the grand kids at play with Papaw on these hot afternoons and days.
Paula has been taking some medications for her nerve damage for several years and recently the doctors have cut this medicine in half, and we are hoping this will have a positive impact for her in the months to come. Paula will be going to Moffit in Tampa in June to talk about what is going on with this cancer.... our prayer is that it is in Remission! She is feeling pretty good and just needs to get stronger in hopes to make a trip to Ohio this summer to spend time with family... especially the youngest grandchild, Riley!
Your continued prayers for a positive report from Moffit that Paula's cancer is in remission will be greatly appreciated! We can never underestimate the healing powers of the our Creator.

May 6, 2010

"When you come to the

end of your rope,

tie a knot and hold on!"

~Franklin D. Roosevelt

If ever a statement is true this is it. Paula has visited several of her doctors lately. She received good news once again from her kidney specialist, that her kidneys continue to function properly and she continues to be able to refrain from having dialysis. Hallelujah!

Her "new hip" as we call it, is healing pretty much as expected. It continues to progress through water therapy in the pool and walking, but it is unable to reach all of the desired functions because of the deterioration of her "old hip". The "old hip" has been diagnosed in stage 4 avascular necroses, which means that it is worse than the other hip was before it was replaced. It is causing her a lot of pain, and is continuing to increase in pain daily. She will having hip replacement once again on May 18th. Of course, Paula is dreading this operation. After having been through it once, she knows what is to be expected, and that is not something to look forward to. Paula said just this week, she is so tired of being in pain, and just wants to get this over with and behind her.

Immediately around the corner is her next visit to the oncologist at Moffitt, and this will take place on June 21, if all goes well with the hip surgery.

Paul and Paula are asking for you to please prayer for upcoming surgery and the healing of both of her "new hips" along with prayers for her next visit to the oncologist in June.

Please know that never a day goes by that your prayers, cards, phone calls and visits are not truly a blessing to Paula and the family. They know that all that has been done and is yet to come in regards to Paula's body healing is done through prayer and blessing from God! He is our maker, creator, sustainer, and healer!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Paul and Paula visited Moffitt Cancer Center yesterday for the results of the PET and CAT scans Paula had taken last week. The oncologist affirmed that Paula's lymphoma was still present and not in remission at this time. It had grown a small amount since the last set of scans. How thankful we are that this lymphoma is one of the slow growing nature and not the vengeful, rapid growing type she has had in the past. They also shared some reports that had been taken from a lymph node count and the number there did not show noticeably large amounts of lymph nodes, which is good. The doctor would like for her to continue rehabilitation from her hip surgery and come back for more scans during the middle of June, unless there is a change in her physically that would require her to come back sooner, (i.e. significant weight loss, feeling worse, discovering nodes or lumps, etc).This time of recovery will give Paula a chance to grow physically stronger, while also allowing her blood counts to raise. When she returns in June they will compare the two scans and note the changes, while deciding if any treatment options are available at that time.
Paula has progressed to walking with a cane only, and is moving at a pretty good speed! The pain level in her hip has decreased some what, with of course, some days being much better than others. With this new found mobility, her hopes are to get to some of Clay and Chelsea's ball games really soon!
At this time we are continuung to practice patience, which is difficult at best, and to trust that God is in control at all times and that His will is best!

"But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

With continued love and admiration for all your support, love and prayers we continue to ask for you to lift Paula up and pray for her healing and her strength! What a mighty God we serve!

Monday, March 8, 2010

The old saying that "no news is good news" could possibly be the case here. You haven't received an update on Paula's test results because the truth is she hasn't had them. The PET and CAT scans were rescheduled for Monday, March 15 and Tuesday, March 16! She will also have a return visit to the Hip Surgeon to check on her healing process. Currently she is doing Water Rehabilitation at Life Care Center in Winter Haven. Please continue to pray for the healing of Paula's hip and for the tests that will be taking place next week at Moffitt. There is nothing that is impossible through prayer.
"LORD my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me!" Psalms 30:2-3

February 22, 2010

Following Paula's hip sugery, she spent some time at LifeCare Center in Winter Haven in order to build her strength and to do some physical and occupational therapy. Finally, last Friday, February 19, Paul was able to bring her home, and it was a welcome trip. After being away for over two weeks, it was great to have her home. Last Wednesday, Paula had some post-op x-rays and an evalutation from the hip surgeon. The results showed that everything was in good order for healing. Paula is having a lot of pain, but the surgeon said that is normal and to be expected. This could continue for the several months. This week she is continuing her home rehabilitative therapy and they are hoping that she will being to so the physical therapy on an out-patient basis starting next week. This therapy will be more strenuous and rigorous. We are hoping she will also be doing some water therapy soon. It has been a tough time for Paula, going through this hip surgery, but progress with having her able to walk is continuing to encourage her to be more mobile.
The next step will come next week when Paula will return to Moffitt for her PET and CAT scans to check the status of the cancer. It will take approximately two weeks for the results of those tests to come back. This will be a trying time, so your prayers for peace and strength would be so much appreciated.
The good news is, although there was a lot of effort needed, and great pain endured, Paula was able to attend church the last two Sundays, and is she is so thankful for that! A little dose of God's word delivered through Pastor Bob always seems to make her feel a little better!
Once again, and without wanting to sound redundant, your thoughts and prayers are coveted greatly and are the life line for our family at this time. We all our love!

February 4, 2010

Monday Paula had her hip surgery at Florida Hospital at Celebration Health. The surgery went well and took less time than expected. As of today she is still in Florida Hospital. She was scheduled to come home today, however, due to her condition recovery hasn't been as easy as expected. She has been extremely tired and lethargic, and virtually unable to speak. She began having diarrhea Wednesday, and because of it has not been able to keep her potassium up. They will be checking for infection also due to this abnormal bowel activity. Needless to say, she will not be able to come home today. In fact, if everything continues the same in the next 24 hours she will be released from Florida Hospital Friday, Feb. 5 and sent to LifeCare Center in Winter Haven where she will stay and receive rehabilitation and care. Paula has been with her around the clock since she arrived and has been functioning with virtually no sleep. He is a little fatigued, although won't admit it. Shelli will be heading up again today, but this time will stay and allow Paul to come home and try to catch up on some sleep at home in a bed tonight. Hopefully we will be taking her to Winter Haven tomorrow if the potassium levels can be stabilized and there is no positive infection results. Florida Hospital is a wonderful facility but we are not sure they knew what to expect in a patient in Paula's condition receiving a hip replacement. Please continue to pray for strength and energy for Paula. Also for renewing of her blood and other counts. There is a long way for her to go to recover, but hopefully the worst of it is passes. God Bless!

January 31, 2010

By the time most of you read this, Paula will be on her way to Celebration, FL for her hip surgery. What a blessing this will be! With this in mind, that is the biggest area of concern right now, and the main prayer request we have at this time. Please pray for God to guide the surgeon, nurses, hospital workers and everyone involved in her operation today. Paula's platelet count is not as good as we would have hoped with her going into this surgery, so we are praying for no complications because of this. The surgery will take place Monday around noon time. She is expected to stay in the hospital for a few days. Paul of course will be staying with her while in the hospital and hopes to bring her home on Thursday, February 4. Once Paula returns home there will be daily physical rehabilitation that she will do along with visits to do physical therapy in Winter Haven several times a week.
On another note, the visit to the kidney doctor this week once again showed that Paula's kidneys continue to be functioning well. What a true miracle this has been and God has proven himself yet again in Paula's life this way.
The week of February 15 Paula will be going for her PET and CAT scans. The test results from this scan will be discussed with the doctor the first week of March.
As expected, the next few weeks will be very trying for Paula. Please pray for God's hands on her as she goes through surgery, rehabilitates and prepares for the tests. You are all appreciated beyond words!