First Day of Spring

Good Day Everyone,

I hope each of you have been enjoying this beautiful first day of Spring. As I have traveled this week I have noticed the trees and flowers budding and blooming...all signs of the new growing season, and the return of green and growing things. This is one of my favorite times of the year. I am hoping that Cindy is going to feel like getting out this weekend, and enjoying some of this nice weather.

We have had some ups and downs since I last posted on March 9. Cindy has finished her radiation treatment, and it does appear that the area in her back that was irradiated has decreased in size, but she has still been having quite a bit of pain that has not seemed to be diminished by the radiation. We are continuing to tweak her medication, and she has had some tough days (and nights) and some better days. Tuesday and Wednesday night of this week were particularly difficult. Pain was an issue, and she was restless and not sleeping well. We have an oxygen concentrator here at the house, and she continues to use the oxygen 100% of the time, but gets winded easily when she is moving around. She has not been out of the house for any extended period since she finished her radiation Friday, March13, and is spending most of her time upstairs. We do have some tanked oxygen, so when she feels like it we can go outside. We were planning to go to Charlotte over the weekend and get scans on Monday, but Cindy has decided that that may be too much right now, and we are postponing that trip. We may get scans here and send to the doctor in Charlotte. It seems that the best thing for Cindy now is getting plenty of rest, and keeping up with her meds. We do so love to have company, but at this point in time we are having to manage visitations somewhat so that Cindy can get the rest she needs. It takes some time to get her morning things done, and it is usually mid-morning before she has finished her meds. She typically takes a nap in the early afternoon. I know that there are many of you who would like to visit, and we would like to see you, but for right now it is probably a good idea to call before you come by.

Cindy's Mom has been here with us much of the last couple of weeks, and Cindy's sister has been here some also. Shirley continues to be such a blessing to us during the weekdays, assisting Cindy with anything she needs. Kelly, Cindy's hospice nurse, comes nearly every day and/or calls. Her visits have been particularly beneficial in monitoring Cindy's medication, and making suggestions in that regard, and in other comforting ways. Our friend, Jannet is filling in for Cindy and Rebecca in their Daniel bible study, and has helped us some here at the house. Rebecca has had knee surgery this week, and we are certainly wishing her well. Other neighbors and friends have provided foodstuffs including Pam, Jean, Christy, Carol and Frank, Janet S., Jannet K., Jeff, Ann S. and Betty Jo, Judye and Marleen, and Diane. Mrs. Fetterman has supplied beautiful camellia blossoms several times that we have placed all around the house, and Amy, Ann, Dr. Ed, and Anthony and Sheila have all provided us with some beautiful flowers. And the many cards, emails, and other well-wishes have served to remind us that we are in the thoughts and prayers of so many. And we thank each of you so much!

We continue to put one foot in front of the other, and are looking to our Lord and Saviour to be responsible for the results. Your prayers mean much to us, and we are truly grateful. "Now, this is what the Lord says....'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.'" Isaiah 43:1. "My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:2. May each of you enjoy a wonderful weekend, and take time to marvel at the annual Spring rebirth of the Lord's creation.

Dan

Update

Good Day Everyone,

A lot has happened since I last posted, and for those with much interest I apologize for my tardiness in producing a new post. A number of you we have seen in person or talked to on the phone. We want to keep you updated, but we also want to keep others informed who we may talk with only occassionaly, or those who are receiving updates on Cindy from those we correspond with directly.

Cindy has been receiving radiation treatments on her back for the past 2 1/2 weeks in an attempt to alleviate the pain she is experiencing in this area, and she is scheduled to receive 4 more treatments this week. Up to the present time she reports little change in the amount of pain she is feeling. In fact, it seems that her pain has increased, and we have had some major changes in her pain medication. Through orders from her medical oncologist in Charlotte we have enlisted the aid of a local hospice group to assist with palliative needs, pain and medication monitoring, and other needs as they arise. Hospice has been involved for about a week and a half now. Our primary nurse is one of Cindy's former students, which of course pleases her immensely.

This past week, particularly Wednesday and Thursday nights Cindy had a lot of difficulty with the pain, and on Wednesday decisions were made to alter her medications beginning on Thursday. The transistion has not been an easy one, and we lost a lot of sleep, particularly those two nights. She apparently has some fluid build-up in her lungs, and has also been experiencing some shortness of breath. When the hospice nurse came on Friday morning, Cindy's blood oxygen levels were low, so they put her oxygen, and she is currently using that 100% of the time. She has a concentrator here at home, and portable tanks when she goes out. We have been getting more rest the last few nights, but when she wakes up after sleeping for a period of time without medication, it takes a while to get her med levels back up to the point she is comfortable.

Yesterday a week ago, Cindy had rested to the point she was able to get out, and go to Jeff and Sara's on Sunday afternoon where our Sunday School class had a pot-luck lunch, which was very tasty. It was really good to see everyone. Cindy's mom has been here with us for several days, and Cindy's brother came from Alpharetta, Ga yesterday as did her sister from Wilmington, NC. And of course our precious angel, Shirley has been with us on the weekdays, and any other time we need her. My friend and co-worker, Sylvia came on Saturday, and brought us a delicious lunch, and our friends from Wilmington, Roger and Jannet and their daughter, Sarah and her husband, Travis from Richmond, Va came yesterday. Jannet had also been here earlier in the week, and spent the night. She is planning to assist Cindy and Rebecca with their bible study, since Rebecca is to have knee surgery soon. Our friend, Leigh came by a couple of times this week, as did Pat. We also had the nicest note from Nikki in Iowa, who learned about Cindy through my friend and co-worker, Nelson and his sister, Adrianne. Nikki, we thank you for your very kind thoughts and words, and we appreciate your prayers. Kelly, we appreciate your help more than you know.

At this juncture, we do not know where this road will take us. Cindy requires more rest now than she has previously, and with the medication she is on now she typically requires some assistance making sure she is taking the proper amount at the proper time, and she is sleepy a good bit of the time. We thank you all for your support, and continue to solicit the prayers of all of our friends, relatives, co-workers, and those like Nikki, who are friends of friends. Our prayers continue to be for the relief of pain and that God continues His will and work for Cindy and our family. "Praise be to...the God of all comfort, ....who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." II Corinthians 1:3-4. Please do not hesitate to share this blog page with those you know who may be interested. Who knows what miracles may yet be brought about by a loving, forgiving, and all-powerful God. "The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth." Psalm 145:18. May each of you have a blessed day!

Dan