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
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21 comments:
Jack, It hurts to know you are in pain. Your blog updates have provided deep insight(s)into the journey you and Anita are on. I am so thankful for you, Jack, and like so many will continue to lift you and Anita up and ask for strength, healing, relief from pain, and peace from the one we all hold on to. Because of your witness, I am a stronger believer.
David Yeaman, Orlando
Jack -
I am so sorry you have had such a rough few days...but you should never be sorry for sharing the "less than positive" parts of this time. We are praying for you - loving you - no matter what each new day brings.
Take care - I hope tomorrow is better.
Love,
Laurie
Hey, cheer up Jack. You don't have to apologise about the "less-than-positive" news. Let me say that having such news is good news beacuse you still can share with us.
My good friend from the "big apple" always share with me:-
- Share your pains and sorrows when you are down
- Share when your happiness when are up
- Share when you have nothing good or bad and still be happy that at least you can still share.
We are all looking forward to hearing from you again and again so that we can be with you even in cyberspace.
Laugh and the world laugh with you. Cry and we will weep with you. But rejoice and laugh heartily when we get the chance to do so.
My smart alec nephew of six years, one day, caught me in my lowest moment and told me; "Uncle, my teacher was teaching us about the clock and times of the day. He said in the clock there is the long hand to show the minutes and the show hand to show the hours. So, when the short hand is at 2 and the long hand at 12, it means two o'clock. When he ask me if I had any question; I asked him 'sir, I know what you mean, two o'clock means long at 12 and short at two. What if the short is at 2 and the long hand keeps going round the clock without stopping?'"
I was baffled at the question and so I asked him so what did the teacher said. My nephew was laughing happily, proud that he had been one smart alec because the teacher couldn't answer. Well, me too, I could not answer and so I asked him to tell me.
"It's time to get a new clock!"
Take care Jack. Write again when you are slightly better.
Ed
Hi, Snells. I am so very proud of you for your strength to share things with others. I have learned from experence, that trying to shield others from your pain, just casues the pain to be worse. Worring in darkness is always more scarey then the truth.
I love you and am a better person from knowing you. One of the greatest leasons I've learned from you, is not to compare my insides to someone elses outsides. Your loving wisdom has helped me through many days of my life.
Love always, Sherri Howard Stratton
Hi, Jack and Anita.
I'm very sorry to hear of this rough patch you're going through, Jack, but reading your words of hope, and of how you find joy amidst the difficulties, is an inspiration. Thank you. You and Anita both continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
-Stretch Ledford
Jack you deserve some good days after those tough ones. I'm hoping you will get those and be able to enjoy them to the hilt.
Always thinking about you and praying for you here in Berlin.
Jim
Jack & Anita,
These bad days have to be so difficult on each of you, as you face the seeming helplessness that comes in the face of pain that is largely out of your control. I'm glad you have the oxycontin to put you at ease during those breakthrough moments. Now if only Anita had something to ease her agony! Oh, man. Y'all hang in there hour by hour, and know that you remain in so many hearts and minds prayerfully and thoughtfully.
Joel Hitt
Jack -- My heart aches for you. There are no words to express my love, concern, and sorrow that you are having to go through such agony. Just remember your own words from Easter Week -- you are in Gethsemane. All our love and prayers are with you. Julie and Bill Babcock
Jack - I have read, with interest, your daily 411 blog. I don't even know what a blog is. I think I studied that in biology...anyway you know I'm probably not as deep as some of your writers. I just wanted you to know that, from an old friend, I wish you godspeed.
There's nothing very pretty about what you are going through. I remember when we were both in our 20's at Avondale Estates 1st Baptist. You and Anita tried your best to keep me out of trouble, or at least quiet. Those were some great times.
A moment ago I was 20 and now I'm almost 60. I can't believe it. And now you're sick and I don't know what to say that will make it better. Just know that you are a good friend - never mind that I haven't seen you in 20 years - and that you and Anita will be in my prayers.
Sonny Miller
Americus, GA
Jack (and Anita!)
Know that both of you remain in my thoughts & prayers... and those of many, many others. I truly admire the courage that both of you have-- not courage as in not being afraid, but courage in that despite the fear and pain, you are carrying on and trying to get the very most out of life.
This quote from Rabbi Harold Kushner comes to mind: "God shows His opposition to cancer and birth defects, not by eliminating them or making them happen only to bad people (He can't do that), but by summoning forth friends and neighbors to ease the burden and to fill the emptiness." -- Harold S. Kushner
And I want to say thank you for being there for all of us in life's ups and downs. You have always gone above and beyond the call of duty-- including calling from sabbatical in England to check on my family after Grandpa's death in 1992 to express your condolences and to check on how we-- and espcially Daddy-- were doing. I also remember you being there for my parents during my own surgery in '81. Now that I am a mother myself, I appreciate that gift even more than I did as a young child.
Know that you both are loved and are not in this alone.
-Elisa Hanson Casey
Dear Jack & Anita, How I want to hug both of you and make it better. If only I could. Just attended my 50th high school reunion and the 153rd birthday of the church I grew up in. Jack, I thought of you so much on Sunday since we grew up in the same religious environment. Wish I could share observations of the day and get your wonderful wisdom on why some of it affected me the way it did. I can substitute previous wisdom you have shared with me and get some comfort in that. Guess that's what troubles me the most is that you and Anita have given so much to me and I am helpless to give back at at time when your needs are great. What I can do is pray and hurt with you. That I do on a daily basis.
With much love and concern,
Miss Dixie
Dear Jack,
Thank you for sharing with us your journey on your blog. Barry and I remember you often in our thoughts and prayers and were just talking this weekend with Jack and Shirley Brimer about you and getting the latest update. Please be assured that prayers are flowing for you from Pensacola, Florida.
Amanda Howard
Jack, I am so impressed that you are taking the time and energy to communicate about your journey in such a forthright manner. It is very helpful on several different levels. Pastors are typically placed in a category which does not allow for transparency or honesty about real feelings. I think it would be ok if you just ranted and raved everyday if that is how you happened to feel. God would understand. Know that although some of us are not checking in all the time we are checked in with how you are doing. Thanks for allowing us that opportunity. You are in my prayers Jack. Peace, Randall Ashcraft, Leesburg, Virginia
Darlings -- I love you.
Julie Mason
Jack--Miss you today here in Jacksonville. Thought about you at Rotary today. We all did. Julie is still nursing her "loose" hip joint until replacement surgery in Gainesville on May 31. Unfortunately I have to go on my Port Authority trip this week. Visiting CEOs of JaxPort customer shipping corporations in five countries in five days---- Denmark, Sweden, Holland, Norway and Finland. Home next Saturday. Not much fun but needs to be done.
Please know that I am remembering you all day every day. Especially remembering all the good times we spent at all points from England to Monteray and back again. Especially at the Ostrich Inn in the Forest of Dean. I laugh remembering the night we explored the deserted church across the street from the Inn. Have some great photos to remember that occasion. Hope you sleep well tonight. I'm remembering you when I turn off my light.. Bill Mason
Dear Jack,
Thankfully we can now read your blog. I am glad you had a good walk this morning. Jonathan and I keep you and Anita in our Prayers. We also send you greetings from Selena Chua in Singapore. We had dinner with her last week.
Love,
Tina Bailey
Jack,
We continue to journey with you and Anita in prayer as you journeyed with us so many years. You both continue to be an inspiration to us and a reminder that God is with us.
Strength and peace, Friend,
Steve Johnson
Dear Dr.Jacksnell
Finally I got a channel to know your updated information via the newsletter from the BTS. Yes, I do doubt why God allows this thing happen on you but the only answer that I can get is "Trust into our Lord". I will keep praying for you and ask God to take away your pain and let you feel refresh everyday. I believe it is not easy for Anita too, May our Lord also gives her strength and peace to take care of you. You know when my kids watched the DVD that I recorded for them one day, I saw you in the DVD and you shared message in Kay Poh Road Baptist Church. I can't remember that I recorded your sharing too. You are such a good teacher, preacher and you are a blessing to our Christians in Singapore
In Him
Celing fr Singapore
I thank the Lord for the ministry of Jack and Anita among our Asian Baptist Theological educators, and Jack is a good fellow among us.
I thank the Lord for Jack's friendship with me, we know that there is no boundary in Christian brotherhood.
I thank the Lord for Jack's openness so that our institution has support when we have needed it most.
I pray the Lord will take care of you both, and give you strength and comfort in all the difficult times to come.
May the good Lord bless and keep you, and May His light shine upon you, so that you would not lose heart.
In Christ we serve,
Stephen Tam, Dean
ABGTS
(Hong Kong)
You remain often in my thoughts and prayers, those of my wife and those of her family, including Jack Pace and others....We hate what is going on, but i have always and always will admire you for your strength and gentle manner. There aren't many people like you in this old world. And thanks again for marrying me and Julie over 10 years ago....still going strong with 2 fine kids and many memories in which you and your wife share a prominent part...I haven't given up on you in this life, by the way, and have no intention of doing so...don't you either....I fully intend to see you again one day ON THIS EARTH...We love you, Phil and Julie Brown - Macon
Jack
Every time I read your blog or hear about you from others, I am reminded of how God uses you to demonstrate his love and his way. I am so blessed to have you for a friend. I pray for you and the rest of the Snell family. Thank you for being who you are.
God Bless You
Mark
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