Memorial Day Update

(From Jack)

I’m happy to report that we are back home from the hospital. What we thought would be a day or two of hospitalization turned into a five-day stay. In fact, when we went to the doctor’s office, we had no idea I would be sent to the hospital. For those of you who like the full picture, here it is! For others, the bottom line is that I’m home, feeling much better, and filled with happiness for the gift of another day of life! Now, you can delete the rest!

Since our return from M.D. Anderson, my pain and nausea levels have risen, pretty dramatically. Last Wednesday night I was up all night, fighting both. A new kind of pain was present. Anita and I decided that the pain was primarily from the growth of the tumor (pressing on other organs) and perhaps some blockage. We had been warned that one of the things we needed to be alert to was the occlusion of the major bile duct.

After a brief visit with the doctor, he sent me to the emergency room at Saint Joseph’s hospital. I remained in emergency from mid-afternoon, Thursday, until nearly 11 p.m. before I was moved to a room. However, they were able to ease the pain and the nausea.

After a series of tests on Friday, the doctor concluded that the common bile duct was blocked causing the gall bladder to be greatly distended. The bilirubin count was extremely elevated almost to the point of sepsis. The doctor said the preferred treatment was to open the blockage through the placement of a stint in this duct, but because of the size and location of the tumor, this might not be a possibility. This would mean that a drain with an external bag would be installed. He said that I would then have to deal with the bag until the end, thus the preferred route would be the stint. So, we went into surgery, uncertain about the outcome.

The procedure was done under sedation, but I was not “put to sleep.” They used a long needle/catheter and went in through the liver, through the common hepatic bile duct, all the way to the small intestine. The doctor was able to insert a stint and open up the entire common bile duct, all the way from the liver, the gall bladder, the pancreas, to the small intestine.

The pain management folk have altered the regimen for pain control, including using a “patch” as well as other goodies including a medicated lollipop. All of my doctors have told me that their main goal is to keep me as pain-free (and nausea-free) as possible, and I join them in this quest!

I don’t think I realized, until the last few hours, the severity of my condition over the past few days. With the blockage of the bile duct, the greatest danger was that sepsis would set-in and I would be hard-pressed to fight it off.

Once again, your prayers have made a huge difference in my struggle. I rejoice in your friendship, celebrate the goodness and faithfulness of God, and look forward to the wonderful future that is unfolding!

Sunday Update

I talked with Jack on the phone and he says the stint is working well. He's staying in the hospital for another day or two while they get the pain and nausea under control and guard against infection.
- Karyn Hurry

Successful surgery

Friday 4:00
Dad is out of surgery and it went extremely well! They were able to insert a stint, which is what we were hoping for. Finally some good news!!!!
-Steph


Update as of 2:30 pm Friday:
Dad has just gone into surgery. The doctor is actually going to attempt to put in a stint 1st, but if that doesn't work, they'll go back to plan A with the drain (which is much more complicated to deal with and care for). So, keep sending the positive thoughts, prayers, and energy toward Atlanta and the surgeon, hospital staff, and Mom and Dad. We'll know something this afternoon.
Stephanie Snell

Surgery hasn’t happened yet

Some of you’ve been emailing wanting to know the outcome of this morning’s procedure. Jack actually hasn’t had it yet – they are working him in to the schedule, so he’s prepped and ready and waiting for an open slot. They still think it’ll happen today and he may even go home as early as this evening. We’ll update the blog as soon as we can! Thanks for your good thoughts and prayers!

Getting some relief at St. Joseph's

Jack's been admitted to the hospital this afternoon, so he and Anita can use our prayers.

Most likely he'll go home around noon tomorrow, and will want rest, but I'm sure he'll appreciate your comments and emails when he's well enough this weekend to read them.

It was sort of sudden - Anita hasn't even had the chance to tell all their family members yet - in fact, as of 8:00 tonight, they're still being treated in the ER while they find him a room.

The good news is that he's having a procedure done in the morning that should provide more relief from the pain. They're installing a billiary duct; the tumor has grown so they can't do a stint. This will be an external kind of drain to relieve some of the problems. He does have some infection, but isn't septic, as they had feared. (Medical minds - know that I'm not one, so my spelling and reporting might not be quite accurate.)

He has had a great deal of pain the last couple of days, so it's good that they're taking some steps to relieve the symptoms for him.

Anita thinks they'll go home by noon tomorrow. It's hard for her to receive and make telephone calls right now, but instead, she appreciates your caring comments and good wishes. I'll try to make sure this site gets updated as soon as I know news. . . saying he'll go home at noon still means it'll be quite a bit later until she can get some time to notify us. So this site might not be updated just as soon as things happen, but as soon as I know anything new.
- Cindy (cindyabell@gmail.com)

Without a break let your prayers continue to be made.
-- Ballentine

Encouraged by your outpourings

This past week was a week of ups and downs, of anticipation and disappointment. The last great hope for further treatment was the proton therapy at MD Anderson. But as you have read, that didn’t pan out. The involvement of the blood vessels and duodenum precludes the use of this powerful treatment.

In addition, I have had several pretty severe episodes of nausea, vomiting, and increased pain. My assumption is that as the cancer grows, the pain level is increasing. That, along with the heavy dosages of pain killers, lead to the nausea. But, in addition to these increasing episodes, I have had some pretty good days, for which I give thanks.

We currently are attempting to check with all our doctors about any further treatment. MD Anderson suggested I try conventional radiation therapy, but we are still not convinced that the results will merit the down-side. Pray with us for wisdom.


One happy occurrence this week was the visit of Dr. Stephen Tam, the Dean of the Asian Baptist Graduate Theological Seminary (ABGTS).

This is a consortium of nine Baptist Seminaries throughout Asia that offers doctoral programs. Stephen’s office is in Hong Kong and he played an important role in introducing us (and CBF) to Baptists in Asia. My last two years in Asia, I served as consultant for doctoral students for ABGTS and Anita and I arranged for two CBF Affiliates (David and Rita Mashburn) to set up and administer the Dean’s office.

Stephen said that without CBF’s involvement, they would never have gotten the office off the ground. Stephen had been instructed by the ABGTS board, at a recent meeting, to bring to us a resolution they passed, thanking Anita and me (and CBF) for our partnership in training the future Baptist theological leaders in Asia. As you can imagine, we were heartened both by Stephen’s visit and by the generous words of the ABGTS board.

I continue to be buoyed by your comments on the blog and your email and cards. I’m not able to respond to these many outpourings of love, but I am greatly encouraged by them. Continue your prayers. God is not finished with us yet!


Go to today's Along the Journey entitled "Kindness."

Update from Texas

We spent Monday at M.D. Anderson, going through various tests – blood tests, x-rays, and CT scans. Tuesday we met with Dr. Crane of the Proton Division of the Department of Radiation Oncology. We spent nearly an hour with him and his associates. The bottom line is that I am not a candidate for proton therapy. Because the cancer has involved the superior mesenteric arteries, proton therapy is not an option. The heavy dosage of radiation cannot be given because of the damage it would do to the duodenum and the arteries.

So, once again, the door has been closed to what we felt was a promising option. Dr. Crane suggested that we consider traditional radiation in Atlanta. The radiologist whom we saw in Atlanta, back in February, did his training at M.D. Anderson and Dr. Crane speaks highly of him. We considered this option early on and decided against it because of the residual effects on surrounding tissue and organs. We will, once again, look at this option, but I’m not sure we’ll go there unless we are convinced the potential benefits outweigh the risks.

Thanks you for you prayers. Even as we face the fact that there are few, if any, options left, we continue to hold on to our faith and to the promise of God’s love and care. Your prayers and assurances of love are daily reminders of those promises.

- Jack

Along the Journey. . . .

Jack has given us another chance to go Along the Journey with him. (Click here to access it or go to
http://alongthejourneywithjack.blogspot.com.)

A literal journey is ahead of them on Sunday as well - Jack and Anita are traveling to Houston, investigating proton therapy options at M.D. Anderson. Our prayers go with them!

For those of you not physically around, I'll tell you that Jack has been looking good, ducking into the office for a few hours throughout the day, working and attending meetings and - to his great pleasure - visiting with his college roommate! Art Christmas, who is a pastor in Evansville, Indiana, and Jack haven't seen each other in 20 years. Jack says his visit added a great deal of joy to his day.

Travelling mercies, Jack, and let us know how it's going in Texas!

. . .but not discouraged .

(Monday evening)

Our oncologist just called (5:45 p.m.). The surgeon has not yet called, but the oncologist wanted us to know what the report said. The report is not good. The tumor has not responded to the chemo. Rather than shrinking, it has grown (from 4.3 cm to 5.3 cm). There is slight necrosis in the center of the tumor, which might mean that the tumor is dying, but most likely it is because the tumor has reached the size where the blood vessels can no longer supply sufficient blood. There is no sign that the tumor has spread to the liver (which is the only surrounding organ the MRI scanned).

There was a slight chance that if the tumor has shrunk, I would be a candidate for resection, but the oncologist said that, in his opinion, that is not the case and surgery is not an option.

Our plans are to go to MD Anderson next Sunday for a Monday appointment with the radiologist. He will do tests to see if I am a candidate for proton therapy.

Continue your prayers. We are disappointed, but not discouraged.

Jack

Vigil for Jack and Anita

What a gift we are given to be allowed to pray for each other!

So many have given a wonderful gift to Jack and Anita to pray for them in such a focused, intentional, and community way these past 24 hours. The gifts they have given to us are to have allowed us this opportunity and to pray for us in return.

Our Christ, who intercedes for each of us, hears our prayers of heart and word. We plead veni Sancte Spiritus and the Spirit does, and helps us with our utterances. Out of the depth of God's grace and the wideness of God's mercy, our prayers are answered.

Jack told us early on that his faith did not depend upon a miracle but even in this Vigil, I believe that miracles have occurred. You are invited to share your experience of prayer with us. Thank you for your focus during this vigil and for your continued prayers for our beloved Jack and Anita.

- Constance McNeill

Quick Friday Update

Jack is back from the MRI, Anita says. The reading and interpretation of the results won't be til Monday or later, but a number of you have asked how he is today. He's tired out from the day, but buoyed by your overwhelming response in prayer over the past 22 hours. Two hours left and people are still asking to be added!

One person, who had an early,early morning time slot, said it was a wonderful experience for her, praying for Jack and Anita, and she felt like she was carrying them around in her heart for the rest of this day.

Many of us feel that connection and are enjoying sharing our Vigil experiences with one another - through the posts and some people have just shared them in person or on the phone. If you'd like to post, are unable to post, allow me and I'll do it for you -cindyabell@gmail.com

Peace! - Cindy

Prayer Vigil begins at 7

“This is overwhelming.”

That was Jack’s response this afternoon when he got into the office and saw the schedule for the Prayer Vigil starting tonight.

It’s also a particularly “wonderful time for this,” he said.

Today they’ve been facing the daunting tasks related to insurance companies’ coverage and strategy. They also met with the oncologist, opting not to do the last of the 9 chemo treatments. Instead, they are turning their minds to tomorrow’s MRI. At 8:30 Friday morning he’ll have an MRI, the results of which will guide the decisions for the next steps in care. (Probably no results til Monday, though.)

It is overwhelming - that people from all over the globe – China to Missouri – are on this list below and will be offering up prayers to the Lord on behalf of Jack and Anita, starting tonight at 7:00.

It’s not too late – it’s never to late! – to pray. You can still sign up for times. Or you can pray at a time, and then report back to us that you did it. We’ll keep the list as up to date as we can.

Thanks to all of you, for filling every slot so beautifully, so that it truly will be 24 hours of constant prayer being lifted up for our friends. It’s a beautiful community, the family of Christians, as Jack said earlier today. I also want to say a special thanks to Connie McNeill for organizing this Vigil, and Amy Morris for tending to the schedule with such care.

I’m sure Jack (and the rest of us!) would love to hear reports back on the blog, after Friday, about how and what you did as you participate in this lovely and powerful day of prayer. Feel free to share in the comments below, or email me and I’ll post them for you.

Prayerfully,
Cindy

Scroll down a few screenfuls to view the updated list . . .

Prayer Vigil for Jack and Anita

> Thursday 7 PM - Friday 7 PM
> May 3 – 4
> 15-minute intervals
> Sign up here for a scheduled time

Join the Prayer Vigil. For all of us who’ve said, “Let me know if there’s something I can do,” now there’s a perfect opportunity. A prayer vigil is being planned specifically for Jack and Anita. You are welcomed and encouraged to participate.

Blocks of prayer time in 15 minute intervals are being scheduled. Beginning this Thursday night (tomorrow) at 7 and going round-the-clock til Friday night at 7, the vigil will have someone praying at all times for Jack and Anita. Everyone is needed, every prayer important. Please agree to a scheduled time by:
- replying in the “comments” below with your preference
or
- emailing me with your preference (cindyabell@gmail.com)

How to sign up. I know using the “comments” below can be a bit cumbersome, but it will allow others to see right away what times you prefer, so they may choose another. So use it if you can! If you can’t, though, send an email directly to me and I’ll get you signed up. I will compile the list and post it here so you will know when your time is. If anytime is okay with you, please indicate that and I'll schedule you where you're most needed. (Please send me the NUMBER associated with the block of time - that helps alot.)

What to pray for. Jack and Anita both need our prayers, in many different ways. You pray in the way you feel is needed and effective. Suggestions might be around these lines:

- Jack has an MRI on Friday that will judge how well chemo’s been working. This is an important milestone. A good report will allow doctors to pursue another exciting new option, proton therapy.
- Hard decisions continually must be made, such as continuing chemo versus the debilitating effects it has on the body: nausea, dehydration, risk.
- Health care professionals often find it systematically difficult to work together across system lines; communication among them and collaborative strategies are key.
- Anita faces much stress: many new tasks, concern for her husband, pain as she sees him struggle, being primary communicator to everyone, decisions. Community of care around her and spiritual nurturing, as well as the practical concerns of every day, are all important items to pray about on her behalf.
- You may have special ways you find to pray – would you be willing to share them (below) in comments? or email them to me to post?
- Of course, we pray for outcomes that are miraculous, pain to be assuaged, God’s comforting spirit to be present, courage, peace, stamina, - all with continued faith and hope.

Where to pray. If you are in or near the CBF Resource Center in Atlanta, a special, quiet place will be set aside – most likely the vacant room next to Jack’s office. Otherwise, use any spot you find around the globe that is good for you to communicate with God.

Times to choose from. Below is the day, broken into 15-minute intervals in Eastern Standard Time. Those of you around the world who wish to participate, please convert your time zone into EST when you make your request. The times are numbered so you can just give the number associated with your block of time. Thursday (tomorrow, May 3) at noon we will begin to compile the list and will post it as soon after that as possible. It will be posted here on the blog, or ask me and I can email it to you individually.

Thanks so much for participating, for encouraging others to participate, and for your continued prayer and love for Jack and Anita. Check back here Thursday afternoon and evening for your "assignment!"

Thursday, May 3
1 __ 7:00 – 7:15 PM Joe McDade, Yoo Yoon, Jack & Faye Shaw
2 __ 7:15 – 7:30 PM Anne Hitt, Ameilia Zeigler Paulk
3 __ 7:30 – 7:45 PM Mich and Pat Tosan, Henry and Irene Green, Charles Qualls
4 __ 7:45 – 8:00 PM Terry Walton, Ally, Shelby, Cleo
5 __ 8:00 – 8:15 PM Ellen Burnette, Allison Tennyson, Gwen Cottrell, Kay Echelberger
6 __ 8:15 – 8:30 PM Rick Burnette, Isabel St. Gaudens
7 __ 8:30 – 8:45 PM Jean Willingham, Gene & Lonya Scarborough
8 __ 8:45 – 9:00 PM Carla Wynn & Todd Davis

9 __ 9:00 – 9:15 PM Marion Aldridge, Sheryl & Chuck Gates
10 __ 9:15 – 9:30 PM Helen Phillips, James Garrison
11 __ 9:30 – 9:45 PM Bill Turnage, Bertha Sharp, David & Ann Wilson, Marianne & Paul Gruzlewski
12 __ 9:45 –10:00 PM Tom and Beth Ogburn, Winford & Carol Hendrix
13 __ 10:00 – 10:15 PM Dub Pool, Margaret Gibson Gene Brymer
14 __ 10:15 – 10:30 PM Rob Nash, Gwen Colwell
15 __ 10:30 – 10:45 PM Gwen Colwell, Becky Matheny, Ray Higgins, Debbie Barnes

16 __ 10:45 – 11:00 PM Susan Stewart, Dean & Karr La Dickens, Marion Watson
17 __ 11:00 – 11:15 PM Charlotte Taylor, Sam Henderson, Carolyn Crumpler, Damon Ratterree
18 __ 11:15 – 11:30 PM Elizabeth Barnes, Larry Hovis, Paula Settle
19 __ 11:30 – 11:45 PM Hazel Snell Littlejohn, Peggy Pemble, Chubby Bass
20 __ 11:45 PM – 12:00 AM Lori Irons-Crenshaw,
Carol Campbell, Leonora



Friday, May 4
21 __ 12:00 AM – 12:15 AM Brent Huss, Matt Sciba, Bud Strawn, Jean Bass
22 __ 12:15 – 12:30 AM Jack Glasgow, Nick Skipper, Dianne(Ratterree) Dixon
23 __ 12:30 – 12:45 AM Pam Stiles, Aaron & Stephanie Glenn
24 __ 12:45 – 1:00 AM Ray Johnson, Sara Powell
25 __ 1:00 – 1:15 AM Cindy Ruble, Philip Barnes
26 __ 1:15 – 1:30 AM Don Pittman, Tiffne Whitley
27 __ 1:30 – 1:45 AM Craig & Susan
28 __ 1:45 – 2:00 AM Bob & Janice Newell
29 __ 2:00 – 2:15 AM Tammy Stocks
30 __ 2:15 – 2:30 AM Becky Smith
31 __ 2:30 – 2:45 AM Jim Smith
32 __ 2:45 – 3:00 AM Gennady Podgaisky, Susan & Scott Christie, Don & Karen Barnes, Charles & Carolyn Horton, Macarena & Eddie Aldape

33 __ 3:00 – 3:15 AM Jeremy Lewis
34 __ 3:15 – 3:30 AM Rick & Martha Shaw
35 __ 3:30 – 3:45 AM Katrina Salter
36 __ 3:45 – 4:00 AM Elisa Casey
37 __ 4:00 – 4:15 AM Dianne & Shane McNary, Jeff Rogers
38 __ 4:15 – 4:30 AM Jeff Rogers, Michael Johnson
39 __ 4:30 – 4:45 AM Charlotte Taylor
40 __ 4:45 – 5:00 AM Judy Nyoike
41 __ 5:00 – 5:15 AM Clarissa Strickland, Ludmilla Teterina
42 __ 5:15 – 5:30 AM Charles Ray, Julie & Bill Babcock
43 __ 5:30 – 5:45 AM Jane Riley, John Wikman, Jan Moore
44 __ 5:45 – 6:00 AM Tamara Tillman, Keri Gage

45 __ 6:00 – 6:15 AM Joyce Page, Ken Meyers
46 __ 6:15 – 6:30 AM Jim Page, Glen Foster
47 __ 6:30 – 6:45 AM Lynn Rogers, Arville Earl, Dennis Foust
48 __ 6:45 – 7:00 AM Jim & Judy Strawn, Sheila Earl, Sally Lott
49 __ 7:00 – 7:15 AM Vickie Traynum, Carole and Herman Fauss
50 __ 7:15 – 7:30 AM Larry Eubanks
51 __ 7:30 – 7:45 AM Jeanie McGowan, Cynthia Holmes
52 __ 7:45 – 8:00 AM Connie McNeill, Marty Bennett, Vicky Fendley, Matt Norman, Becky B. Green, Raymond Shepley, Joel & Nannette Avery

53 __ 8:00 – 8:15 AM Beth Fogg, Sandi, Randall Ashcraft
54 __ 8:15 – 8:30 AM Beverly Greer, Juanita Adams, Karen Morrow
55 __ 8:30 – 8:45 AM Susan Settle & Amy Morris
56 __ 8:45 – 9:00 AM Jonathan Ivy, Jim & Barbara VanHoose
57 __ 9:00 – 9:15 AM Phill Martin, Rebecca Dean
58 __ 9:15 – 9:30 AM Mart Gray
59 __ 9:30 – 9:45 AM Candice Young
60 __ 9:45 –10:00 AM Greg Magruder, Mary & Don Langford
61 __ 10:00 – 10:15 AM Brenda Lisenby, Colleern Beatty, Helen Ratterree and Daniel Dixon, Bill and Michelle Cayard

62 __ 10:15 – 10:30 AM Rick & Joyce Snell
63 __ 10:30 – 10:45 AM Chuck & Sheryl Gates
64 __ 10:45 – 11:00 AM Libby Senterfitt
65 __ 11:00 – 11:15 AM Sally Saffer, Melin & Ron Green
66 __ 11:15 – 11:30 AM Lisa Morrison
67 __ 11:30 – 11:45 AM Richard Philips
68 __ 11:45 PM – 12:00 PM Timothy Wood

69 __ 12:00 AM – 12:15 PM Dub and Joy Steincross
70 __ 12:15 – 12:30 PM Velma Porraz
71 __ 12:30 – 12:45 PM Victoria Whatley
72 __ 12:45 – 1:00 PM Linda Caveness, Aubrey Owens
73 __ 1:00 – 1:15 PM Chuck & Amy Morris, Virginia Owens, Estelle Foster
74 __ 1:15 – 1:30 PM Julie Mason
75 __ 1:30 – 1:45 PM Bill Mason, Scott Conner
76 __ 1:45 – 2:00 PM Jimmy Lewis
77 __ 2:00 – 2:15 PM Adam Scott
78 __ 2:15 – 2:30 PM Carole and Herman Fauss, Leslie Burkhalter
79 __ 2:30 – 2:45 PM Greg Walters, Larry Hurst
80 __ 2:45 – 3:00 PM Mary Carol Day

81 __ 3:00 – 3:15 PM Don & Betty Williams
82 __ 3:15 – 3:30 PM Melissa & Wes Browning
83 __ 3:30 – 3:45 PM Kenny Park, Tara Johns
84 __ 3:45 – 4:00 PM Kevin & Susan Rogers
85 __ 4:00 – 4:15 PM Kathy Smith
86 __ 4:15 – 4:30 PM Darrel Smith, Daniel Vestal
87 __ 4:30 – 4:45 PM Mary McCoy, Courtney & Jurelle Stanton, Tina Bailey, Anne Birchfield
88 __ 4:45 – 5:00 PM Kay Searcy

89 __ 5:00 – 5:15 PM Laurie McDonald, Ann Carter
90 __ 5:15 – 5:30 PM Milton & Maryanne Womack, Judy Burge
91 __ 5:30 – 5:45 PM Jacquelyn Franklin
92 __ 5:45 – 6:00 PM Clay Hudson
93 __ 6:00 – 6:15 PM Lois Smith, Flo Shepley
94 __ 6:15 – 6:30 PM Jan, Rosanna & Elizabeth Hurt
95 __ 6:30 – 6:45 PM Miss Dixie (Norma Hagan)
96 __ 6:45 – 7:00 PM Grace Powell Freeman