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