Yay! Jack's made it safely and well, here to our nation's capitol.
He and Anita checked in a little while ago, and felt well enough to walk to dinner. He's bound to have to make up for all that effort tomorrow, with hopes of being in good condition to see all of you on Wednesday.
He's been given a scooter, so that he can conserve energy between the hotels and the confvention center. So if you see someone speeding along, my advice is to get out of the way. Anita has told him to think of it as his motorcycle, with just one extra wheel, I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad one. His practice session with Ged in the hall this evening almost wiped out a couple of librarians here for the librarian convention.
I asked him who he's especially looking forward to seeing, and once the list hit about 300 names, I steered him to another topic. He really does consider himself blessed to be a part of this family reunion and gathering of Baptists. He spent a good bit of time telling me all about the very first commissioning of field personnel, something that always means so much to him. I am so thrilled, as I know you are, that he gets to be here for this one.
He looks so forward every day to the emails you send him, to the comments posted in the blog, to the cards and letters he's received, getting back in touch with some of you after so long and hearing updates from so many of you whose lives have crossed his over the years. And is excited about getting to see you in person now.
Thank you for the prayers and the grace that's gotten us here thus far . . .
- Cindy
Monday, June 25, 2007
Friday, June 22, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Father's Day Update
(Scroll down for Wednesday update, below.)
The past few days have been another roller coaster ride for us.
Last week was a good one with many more good days than bad. The new pain regime seemed to be working. Our children were with us for Father’s Day. We thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company as we reminisced, as we laughed and cried!
We were even able to attend church together for Father’s Day on Sunday.
We made dozens of pictures. . . What a good looking family!
Things started downhill Sunday afternoon and evening. The pain has intensified; the nausea began. By late Sunday night, both the pain and nausea were out of control. Nothing helped. The on-call doctor at Hospice directed our efforts through the night and sent a nurse out about 7 am. But still there was little relief. If felt I was at death’s door, so plans were made to check me into hospice’s inpatient facility.
We have been treated royally and the pain regime has been totally revamped. I’m finally feeling better and my vitals are stable. Whereas I was on several kinds of pain medication, Hospice has put me primarily Methadone. Adjusting this is a carefully timed process and that’s why were’ still here in the inpatient facility.
I hope to be home in another day or two, getting ready to celebrate General Assembly. Yes, I haven’t given up my plans to be in Washington next week for CBF’s annual gathering. I am scheduled to speak commissioning our new missionaries, and I genuinely look forward to that. In addition, if I’m able to attend, it will give me time to reach some closure with some folks whose lives have touched mine in significant ways. So please pray I’ll be up for the trip.
I’m attaching another version of Along the Journey, growing out of Father’s Day. Click here to read it.
- Jack
__________________
WEDNESDAY:
I just talked to Anita to see if Jack's made it home yet. They want to regulate the amounts of the methadone first, for 72 hours, before they'll cut him loose. They're thinking if it's regulated correctly, he may be released tomorrow.
Anita told me he's been eating some, and so anything he thinks he craves, they've been making for him. He's been hankering for things he had growing up - like hominy! Who craves hominy!? But she's been cooking for him anything he thinks he would like to have. She even had to go buy an ice tray so she could freeze Kool-Aid. (Not to editorialize, but I'm thinking that's not from his childhood, but from his kids'!) The kids are with him tonight and Anita too - I guess they can all enjoy hominy and frozen Kool-Aid together! Maybe our prayers should include not getting a tummy ache!
Thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement - the family was reading the comments on the website when I called.
On another note, I think Blogspot was having some issues yesterday and today, some of you couldn't access the site. And in fact, I couldn't access it from one of my computers either. Hopefully it's getting worked out - but please feel free to email me if you're getting the update notices but can't access the site itself. We may have to make a switch if this continues.
But, for now, I'll update this as soon as I know they've gotten the meds worked out. And we'll keep an eye on the working/not working of this site. Thanks for your input and always, for your prayers and words of encouragement. - Cindy
The past few days have been another roller coaster ride for us.
Last week was a good one with many more good days than bad. The new pain regime seemed to be working. Our children were with us for Father’s Day. We thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company as we reminisced, as we laughed and cried!
We were even able to attend church together for Father’s Day on Sunday.
We made dozens of pictures. . . What a good looking family!
Things started downhill Sunday afternoon and evening. The pain has intensified; the nausea began. By late Sunday night, both the pain and nausea were out of control. Nothing helped. The on-call doctor at Hospice directed our efforts through the night and sent a nurse out about 7 am. But still there was little relief. If felt I was at death’s door, so plans were made to check me into hospice’s inpatient facility.
We have been treated royally and the pain regime has been totally revamped. I’m finally feeling better and my vitals are stable. Whereas I was on several kinds of pain medication, Hospice has put me primarily Methadone. Adjusting this is a carefully timed process and that’s why were’ still here in the inpatient facility.
I hope to be home in another day or two, getting ready to celebrate General Assembly. Yes, I haven’t given up my plans to be in Washington next week for CBF’s annual gathering. I am scheduled to speak commissioning our new missionaries, and I genuinely look forward to that. In addition, if I’m able to attend, it will give me time to reach some closure with some folks whose lives have touched mine in significant ways. So please pray I’ll be up for the trip.
I’m attaching another version of Along the Journey, growing out of Father’s Day. Click here to read it.
- Jack
__________________
WEDNESDAY:
I just talked to Anita to see if Jack's made it home yet. They want to regulate the amounts of the methadone first, for 72 hours, before they'll cut him loose. They're thinking if it's regulated correctly, he may be released tomorrow.
Anita told me he's been eating some, and so anything he thinks he craves, they've been making for him. He's been hankering for things he had growing up - like hominy! Who craves hominy!? But she's been cooking for him anything he thinks he would like to have. She even had to go buy an ice tray so she could freeze Kool-Aid. (Not to editorialize, but I'm thinking that's not from his childhood, but from his kids'!) The kids are with him tonight and Anita too - I guess they can all enjoy hominy and frozen Kool-Aid together! Maybe our prayers should include not getting a tummy ache!
Thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement - the family was reading the comments on the website when I called.
On another note, I think Blogspot was having some issues yesterday and today, some of you couldn't access the site. And in fact, I couldn't access it from one of my computers either. Hopefully it's getting worked out - but please feel free to email me if you're getting the update notices but can't access the site itself. We may have to make a switch if this continues.
But, for now, I'll update this as soon as I know they've gotten the meds worked out. And we'll keep an eye on the working/not working of this site. Thanks for your input and always, for your prayers and words of encouragement. - Cindy
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Home at last!!
We have just arrived home from a successful stay at St. Joseph’s Hospital. I’m feeling relatively well and the new pain regimen seems to be holding things in check thus far. We had a long meeting with the doctors this morning. The procedure that they used yesterday (once again to attempt to kill the nerves) seems to be working much better.
The Radiology and Anesthesiology (Pain Management) departments worked together creatively on my case. The doctor who was scheduled to do the procedure had heard of another procedure that is seldom used but offers much more accuracy and he wanted to try it. In fact, he doesn’t even do this procedure himself but got another doctor who had more experience to play the lead role. It looks like the first effort at killing the nerves many weeks ago was thwarted by some scar tissue and the alcohol never got to the proper place. By using the CT scan he was able to adjust the needles and got a good spread to the proper places so that it alleviates much of the pain in that area.
I am now officially entered into care with Hospice Atlanta and everything is in order. My care will be covered by Medicare Part A in which everyone over 65 is automatically enrolled. The home health nurse will come by this afternoon to assess any needs and will take over all pain management. It will be good to have only one team and it gives me great comfort because now, anytime day or night, I will have someone I can call if I get in trouble with pain or with other issues.
We were blessed throughout our stay by the excellent care at St. Joseph’s. I was even able to get some work done with their great wireless internet cafe.
It is good to be Home!
Thanks for your support and concern.
The Radiology and Anesthesiology (Pain Management) departments worked together creatively on my case. The doctor who was scheduled to do the procedure had heard of another procedure that is seldom used but offers much more accuracy and he wanted to try it. In fact, he doesn’t even do this procedure himself but got another doctor who had more experience to play the lead role. It looks like the first effort at killing the nerves many weeks ago was thwarted by some scar tissue and the alcohol never got to the proper place. By using the CT scan he was able to adjust the needles and got a good spread to the proper places so that it alleviates much of the pain in that area.
I am now officially entered into care with Hospice Atlanta and everything is in order. My care will be covered by Medicare Part A in which everyone over 65 is automatically enrolled. The home health nurse will come by this afternoon to assess any needs and will take over all pain management. It will be good to have only one team and it gives me great comfort because now, anytime day or night, I will have someone I can call if I get in trouble with pain or with other issues.
We were blessed throughout our stay by the excellent care at St. Joseph’s. I was even able to get some work done with their great wireless internet cafe.
It is good to be Home!
Thanks for your support and concern.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Good outcome!
Stephanie reports:
Hello from Stephanie -
I'm in the hospital with Dad right now, and am happy to report that his surgery today went very well. The doctors were able to use a better procedure than the last one used (the prior nerve block), and it looks as though this might provide some much needed relief.
They used a CT scan that gave them a much more accurate view and the doctors said that it was a great success. Also, we got some good news about Hospice and getting the services and people we will need, so we are happy about that. Charley, Mom, and I are all here with Dad and enjoying being together.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support!
When Grace left the hospital a little while ago, Charley, Stephanie and Anita were all there having supper with Jack - who actually had an appetite! Charley described him as "chipper." And says that, though he'll have some pain from the procedure that was just done, he was already feeling the good effects from the nerve block with relief from pain.
Hello from Stephanie -
I'm in the hospital with Dad right now, and am happy to report that his surgery today went very well. The doctors were able to use a better procedure than the last one used (the prior nerve block), and it looks as though this might provide some much needed relief.
They used a CT scan that gave them a much more accurate view and the doctors said that it was a great success. Also, we got some good news about Hospice and getting the services and people we will need, so we are happy about that. Charley, Mom, and I are all here with Dad and enjoying being together.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support!
When Grace left the hospital a little while ago, Charley, Stephanie and Anita were all there having supper with Jack - who actually had an appetite! Charley described him as "chipper." And says that, though he'll have some pain from the procedure that was just done, he was already feeling the good effects from the nerve block with relief from pain.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Good signs
Word from Anita - and from Jack too - today is that he'll spend another day at St. Joseph's. Tomorrow (Wed) they'll do another nerve block on him, I think on another nerve bundle this time, with hopes that that will free him up from the pain enough to be discharged.
I heard that he was participating on a conference call today and is thinking he'll have Internet access this afternoon - all of which are good signs. Let's hope for even more! - Cindy
I heard that he was participating on a conference call today and is thinking he'll have Internet access this afternoon - all of which are good signs. Let's hope for even more! - Cindy
Monday, June 11, 2007
Prayer - Pain Relief
Not alot of news, but I did want to pass along that Jack is in St. Joseph's today. He went in late Sunday night. They're treating him for the pain and for some swelling. As soon as I know more, I'll update this blog.
I'm sure he and Anita both want prayers for strength and guidance - as well as relief from the pain.
- Cindy
I'm sure he and Anita both want prayers for strength and guidance - as well as relief from the pain.
- Cindy
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Words from a husband on his anniversary
Jack's having a better day today (Saturday) than he's had in the last few. It may be in part because the medicines are beginning to get stabilized. Or that his children are in town for the weekend. Or that he's just in the mood to celebrate - it is his and Anita's 44th anniversary!
He's let us all in to glimpse that celebration of marriage, with his own words: Click here to read them or go to http://alongthejourneywithjack.blogspot.com.
Happy Anniversary, Anita and Jack!
He's let us all in to glimpse that celebration of marriage, with his own words: Click here to read them or go to http://alongthejourneywithjack.blogspot.com.
Happy Anniversary, Anita and Jack!
Friday, June 1, 2007
Update -- in Jack's own words
Dear Friends:
I have struggled this week with changing pain medications. Last week the pain management folk decided to switch me from Oxycontin to an analgesic patch. But for a while they want to use both the Oxycontin and the patch in order to wean me away from the Oxycontin. That’s been harder than I imagined. In fact, I think I have been over-medicated during this process. The result has been shortness of breath, feelings of faintness and weakness, and difficulty sleeping. Apparently my body has experienced some degree of addiction and that’s what we’re currently addressing. The challenge is to wean me off a portion of the medication without experiencing a great increase in pain.
The surgical procedure from last week (insertion of stent to clear the blockage of the common duct) seems to be working well. The doctor indicated, after the fact, that had this not worked, we would have been in real trouble. Thanks for your prayers during this critical time.
We met with the oncologist on Wednesday to inform him that we were not going to try other treatments. He could not have been kinder. He and I have bonded from day one and he is greatly distressed that his treatment (chemotherapy) has not been effective. He mentioned a couple of other options, none of which offer any real hope, but then quickly agreed that our decision to withhold further treatment was probably a wise decision. He assured me that if any radical new and promising treatment comes across his desk, he will get in touch with me.
We talked with Hospice about assuming responsibility for our care from here on out. I have been involved with the Hospice movement for two decades, having served on the Board in Jacksonville. I am a strong proponent of their ministry. The fly in the ointment, once again, involves insurance. They have denied my request to use Hospice Atlanta and instead want me to use a for-profit provider that they recommend. That’s not what we want to do, so we have appealed.
Our daughter, Stephanie, and son-in-law, Henry, are driving up from Jacksonville today and will be with us for the weekend. I can’t tell you how excited I am!
And our son, Charley, has completed his Emory University Singers concert tour in Italy and he is now in Kenya, working for ten days in an orphanage. He’s having a great experience teaching music there, and we look forward to having him home in a week!
I have struggled this week with changing pain medications. Last week the pain management folk decided to switch me from Oxycontin to an analgesic patch. But for a while they want to use both the Oxycontin and the patch in order to wean me away from the Oxycontin. That’s been harder than I imagined. In fact, I think I have been over-medicated during this process. The result has been shortness of breath, feelings of faintness and weakness, and difficulty sleeping. Apparently my body has experienced some degree of addiction and that’s what we’re currently addressing. The challenge is to wean me off a portion of the medication without experiencing a great increase in pain.
The surgical procedure from last week (insertion of stent to clear the blockage of the common duct) seems to be working well. The doctor indicated, after the fact, that had this not worked, we would have been in real trouble. Thanks for your prayers during this critical time.
We met with the oncologist on Wednesday to inform him that we were not going to try other treatments. He could not have been kinder. He and I have bonded from day one and he is greatly distressed that his treatment (chemotherapy) has not been effective. He mentioned a couple of other options, none of which offer any real hope, but then quickly agreed that our decision to withhold further treatment was probably a wise decision. He assured me that if any radical new and promising treatment comes across his desk, he will get in touch with me.
We talked with Hospice about assuming responsibility for our care from here on out. I have been involved with the Hospice movement for two decades, having served on the Board in Jacksonville. I am a strong proponent of their ministry. The fly in the ointment, once again, involves insurance. They have denied my request to use Hospice Atlanta and instead want me to use a for-profit provider that they recommend. That’s not what we want to do, so we have appealed.
Our daughter, Stephanie, and son-in-law, Henry, are driving up from Jacksonville today and will be with us for the weekend. I can’t tell you how excited I am!
And our son, Charley, has completed his Emory University Singers concert tour in Italy and he is now in Kenya, working for ten days in an orphanage. He’s having a great experience teaching music there, and we look forward to having him home in a week!
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