An act of hope and confidence

Sunday Update:!
Jack says that Saturday and Sunday have been much better days. The combination of anti-nausea drugs seems to be working thus far. He was able to attend the spring concert of the Atlanta Sacred Chorale Saturday night. His and Anita’s son, Charley, was the featured tenor soloist. Letting the music flood his soul, says Jack, was better than any medicine

Friday Update:
The Friday update from Jack is not quite as good as we had hoped. His Thursday chemotherapy led to a new round of severe nausea and additional abdominal pain. In fact, Thursday and Friday were among the most challenging he has faced. He spent much of Friday at the doctor’s office, receiving hydration and three different kinds of anti-nausea medications. Apparently the chemo has built up in his body to the extent that it has caused increased, nearly uncontrollable nausea. Join us in prayer that the medicines administered today will be effective and will give him some relief. (Read his own words - in the Saturday update below.)

Thursday update:
Jack WAS able to have his chemo today. Yay!! He's probably facing a rough weekend as a result of that, but "yay!" that his heart rate and other variables were satisfactory enough for another round. I'm sure no one wants to do cartwheels for chemo, but I do thank God that it's available and that his body's letting him continue it. I know you do too!


Wednesday:

I know you're like me, and you want to know every day how Jack is doing. He's reticent to post too much, but I've assured him we're all eager to hear. It helps us know how to pray, and it keeps us feeling in touch with him.

So what I can tell you today (Wednesday) is that he was looking good and sounding good. Now, he's lost some noticeable weight and he's not back up to par by any means. But he's successfully battled through another couple of days of severe pain and chemo naseau. Someone pointed out in Community Gathering yesterday that that kind of nasea isn't like any other that we'd have experienced. So I know we all feel for Jack.

The good news is, though, with two kinds of anti-nasea medications, continued pain meds, and something to stimulate his hunger, he is rallying. We're hoping and praying he is cleared to do chemo tomorrow, as a matter of fact. (Thursday.) He had a good night's sleep for the first time in many days, which, as you know, is a great blessing and comfort. He has a great sense of humor about it, as well as (as you know) a beautiful honest approach. Which we all appreciate, his letting us walk alongside him through this.

One last note - because I would like to have known it were I not able to see him personally - and that is to report this act of great hope and confidence: Jack signed a long-term contract with a cell phone provider today!! That act says alot about what his intentions are! Here's hoping he'll be forced to renew it!!

- Cindy

Saturday's Update

I'm sorry to report that the past thirty-six hours have been among my worse along the journey. I had my monthly evaluation with the oncologist on Thursday and, upon reviewing the blood tests, he gave approval to begin round three of my chemo treatment. Within twelve hours I was deathly sick from nausea and pain. To this point, the nausea has been controlled with Zofran, but not this time. I was up all night Thursday dealing with gut-wrenching nausea, accompanied by some pretty severe abdominal pain, unlike what I had experienced before.

Anita was able to reach the nurse Friday morning and she asked us to come to the office. We spent several hours there, talking with the nurses and taking various tests. They did an x-ray to see if my lung had collapsed (it hadn't). None of the other tests showed anything that could be causing the difficulty.

Apparently I'm at the stage in the chemo treatment where the buildup is causing the increased nausea. The abdominal pain, we assume, is caused by referred pain from the celiac plexus nerve oblation.

I was given some additional medication for nausea and encouraged to take additional Oxycontin for break-through abdominal pain. I'm happy to report that I had a relatively peaceful night and was able to sleep. I dropped ten pounds of weight in 36 hours, primarily because I wasn't able to eat or drink anything. I'm hoping to reverse this trend today!

I told Anita this morning that this is a new day! I'm feeling much better and have already had my early morning walk. The sun is shining and I am full of hope!

I'm sorry to share this less-than-positive news, but wanted you to know the latest in the saga. Thank you so much for your concern and for your prayers.

Jack

Post-surgery update from Jack

From Jack himself:

The surgical procedure last Friday went off without a hitch, but I was not prepared for the amount of pain engendered. Several weeks ago, when they did the nerve block, they infused the nerve bundle with a substance to deaden the nerves; hence I experienced little or no pain. In fact, I was back in the office that same afternoon. This time they infused the celiac plexus with a substance that literally “burned” the nerves, causing a great deal of pain. The regular pain medication that I’m taking kept the pain under control in large part, but I was very uncomfortable all weekend.

The doctor warned me that I must gradually wean myself off the Oxycontin. He said that my body is physically addicted to the medication and sudden withdrawal would be very traumatic. So, I will continue to take the full dosage for another week or so, gradually cutting back. Our prayer is that I can then exist on a much lower dosage and can regain some clarity of thought!

Another member of our Singapore church paid a visit yesterday. He is in the US for training and scheduled his travel to include a visit with us. He brought along some Chinese herbs to make soup which is supposed to provide energy and stamina. He also brought a supply of the infamous “Tiger Balm” and other ointments. I continue to be overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness of our friends.


It is impossible for me to respond to all the comments on the blog and the emails that you are sending. I wish I had the energy and time to write each of you. But I want you to know that I read and re-read your comments over and over and am greatly strengthened by them. I am fully convinced that your prayers and good wishes are what keep me going. Thank you so much.

I’m attaching another Along the Journey, growing out of my experiences of last week.

Surgery went well!!

Got a call from Anita around 2pm, saying that Jack's out of surgery and it went well. They won't know how successful it was for a bit - with all hopes, it will be such that it really relieves the pain for him.

It was probably painful to watch - turns out, Anita says, they had to keep him awake during the procedure! So I'm sure he's GLAD that's behind him.

He's being kept overnight, mostly to monitor his heart and things like that. But his heart rate did well throughout the surgery, in the 50's and low 60's - so that's GREAT news. Your prayers are mighty powerful, Friends of Jack!

We'll see if we can update this weekend as he comes home, too.

- Cindy

YOUR words are beautiful

I just wanted to take an editorial moment, because Jack's fixing to go into the hospital for his nerve block procedure, so he's not here to stop me. That is, to say how much I appreciate not just his wonderful words - I have come to expect them. But YOUR wonderful words as well.

Reading your comments to the entries below, and in the Along the Journey entries, has been moving. From Father Morgan's sermon response, to the Haneys and Byers and Laraine and Laurie and Karen, all the way across the globe from Edward Tan -- I don't know any of you sweet souls, but I feel like I do, because of your lovely words about my friend. I know your words mean alot to him, as well, but I wanted to take this opportunity, while we're all encouraging each other to pray, praising God for the gifts thus far, and waiting with hope, to say "Thank you."

- Cindy

Happy News

During the time in our community gathering today (Wednesday, April 11) when we share praises and celebrations, Jack offered up a fact that we are ALL extremely grateful for. He shared with us that tomorrow it makes three months ago that he was first diagnosed, with an expectation of having three to six months. And here it is, three months later, bright among us. That is a praise! We hope – and pray – there are many more such months to come!

I was touched with what a pastor he is, offering up comforting words in honor of someone among us who has just lost her father. And this week, in several meetings, when we as a group are planning events and actions for the near and distant future, how engaged and passionate he is in the planning. When others might be feeling overwhelmed or daunted by the tasks ahead of us, he offers such a great perspective of living out our mission – he’s inspiring and passionate about what we do. He’s a life force that can’t be stopped and I’m so grateful for the last three months and the next ones to come.

Here are words from Jack himself on what the next couple of days have to offer. (I'll post the outcome on Friday afternoon, as soon as I get a word from them.)

God continues to give us opportunities to use our difficult journey to share a word of faith with others. Today we spoke at the Lunch Encounter at Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church. We had expected fifty people, but 150 showed up! We shared, as honestly as we could, the challenge of dealing with a terminal illness—the practical implications, the emotional turmoil we struggle with, as well as the role our faith has played. I was overwhelmed at the response of those in attendance. I don’t have all the answers, but I am willing, as one pilgrim on the journey, to share with other pilgrims some of the lessons we have learned and the challenges we face.

Tomorrow is my “off week” from chemo. I go in for blood work. The good news is that I am scheduled for the celiac plexus ablation procedure this Friday. I go to the hospital at 10:30, so the surgery should begin about noon. I will stay overnight in the hospital. Please pray that the low heart rate and blood pressure that caused the procedure to be scrubbed last week, will be normal enough to allow us to move forward this time!

Easter Update

What a glorious Easter Sunday in Atlanta. Spring has temporarily turned back into winter, but the sun is out and the promise of new life abounds!

I’m feeling a little better on this Easter. After a week of lows, I’ve had a couple of better days. I’ve learned to give thanks for every day of health.

I’m off to church to celebrate the most significant aspect of our Christian faith—the Resurrection which validates the claims of Christ and gives hope for the future. Never before has Easter had so much significance for me as this year!

I've shared a few words in another "Along the Journey" column.

Have a glorious day.

Jack

Maundy Thursday Update

I just finished today's chemo. Here is a brief update:

The chemo treatment today (Thursday) went off without a hitch. The blood counts were sufficient for us to move forward. I also received an injection of Procrit to stimulate red blood cell production. Tomorrow I receive a similar injection to stimulate my white blood cell production. Today's treatment was the last of round two. I have next week off and, if I regain some of my strength, I plan to schedule the celiac plexus ablation.

These have been difficult days. No appetite, along with feelings of weakness and nausea, sap life of its zest. But I keep moving forward, day by day, and God supplies the strength to do so. I continue to receive assurances of your love and prayers and these are what keep me going.

During this Holy Week, I find myself at Gethsemane. I've tried to express what that means for me in a new posting of Along the Journey. As we move toward Easter, remember that without the cross, there is no crown; without death, there is no life.

Jack

Chemo and some rest days

Jack did manage to have chemo last Thursday, which is a good thing. But it rather sapped him, which is not so good. The cardiologist says his slow heart rate shouldn't keep him from the treatments or the pain surgery, but they're choosing to wait til he feels more up to it.

Here's an update in Jack's own lovely words.... and he promises an "Along the Journey" soon!

I went in for chemo in Thursday, but my heart rate was again slow (as it was when I went in for the nerve procedure on Tuesday). The oncologist postponed the chemo until I saw the cardiologist (I had an appointment scheduled later that day).

The cardiologist did an EKG, noted the slow heart rate and some PVCs, but said he didn’t see anything to cause him concern. So, he cleared me for the chemo (which I subsequently had on Thursday afternoon), and also cleared me for the celiac plexus nerve ablation.

I have had four or five of my worse days, feeling-wise, which I attribute to the beginning of my second round of chemo. Anita and I have decided to wait until I feel a little better before going forward with the nerve procedure.

All of this comes on the heels of experiencing ten very good days. Again, I have lost my appetite and am losing weight, and I’m feeling depleted of strength and rather queasy most of the time. I’m looking at this in a positive light, hoping it means that the chemo is doing its job!

Thanks so much for your continued prayers.