Thursday, September 22, 2011
A little of this, and a lot of that
Hello everyone,
This is a quiet Thursday evening with Strider snuggled up beside me and a warm laptop computer keeping me, well, warm.
Deb is out to dinner with dinner group two and so here I sit felling very content and peaceful.
Deb had a CT scan a week or so ago and the results were good. She was told that her lung nodules improved, but she doesn't remember ever hearing anything about her lungs before, so that's a puzzle she will have to solve when she visits the doctor. The cancer med she takes each day is starting to bring about side effects including irritability. She continues to work, God bless her.
Treatment continues for lymphedema in her left arm, and there has been progress. There will be a transition to something she will wear daily and something different for night time. This will replace the therapy she gets at Centegra three times a week.
Nothing else much going on with us. I'm enjoying retirement. Lots of little projects and I've taken Strider to the park so she can explore being a dog.
We continue to get great support from our small group and others from church. Friends old and new pray for us and we feel the warmth of love and good wishes. God has blessed us with abundance and we are grateful.
It seems to me that giving thanks is more than a seasonal thing. I'm convinced that I should start each day with my personal thanks for a great mate, my family and my health. And for the friends that have suffered through this last few years of Deb's trials with understanding and patience, we couldn't ask for more.
Our friend Jack is still treating for skin cancer, but his lymphoma is dormant, while Jill Bryan suffers through chemotherapy and the side effects that brings. Please pray for them as they battle the uncertainty of health and healing.
God Bless you all,
Dan
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Earthquakes and Rain
Dear Friends,
This afternoon finds me watching the earthquake coverage for the east coast and being thankful that we are not involved. What fear something like this must generate in people who remember the recent Japan quake.
Fear is something that we know first hand, and fight all the time. Fear of suffering, death, losing loved ones and being out of control. We all realize that we should calm ourselves and have faith, but when the bottom is dropping from the market and homes are selling for 60 percent of the asking price just two years ago, it creates plain old fear.
So I can understand how Deb would feel about the liver scan scheduled for September ninth. There is already cancer present, we know, and the last scan was several months ago, so a bit of fear or concern would be expected. We will know more after the scan.
We see some good results in the lymphedema therapy, with a steady decrease in the retained fluid. That has Deb feeling better.
With September 11th coming soon, it's not too early to remember those who died in that terrible tragedy.
Being content is the hardest thing to do, but if you can pull it off, you will find much more satisfaction in life.
God Bless,
Dan
This afternoon finds me watching the earthquake coverage for the east coast and being thankful that we are not involved. What fear something like this must generate in people who remember the recent Japan quake.
Fear is something that we know first hand, and fight all the time. Fear of suffering, death, losing loved ones and being out of control. We all realize that we should calm ourselves and have faith, but when the bottom is dropping from the market and homes are selling for 60 percent of the asking price just two years ago, it creates plain old fear.
So I can understand how Deb would feel about the liver scan scheduled for September ninth. There is already cancer present, we know, and the last scan was several months ago, so a bit of fear or concern would be expected. We will know more after the scan.
We see some good results in the lymphedema therapy, with a steady decrease in the retained fluid. That has Deb feeling better.
With September 11th coming soon, it's not too early to remember those who died in that terrible tragedy.
Being content is the hardest thing to do, but if you can pull it off, you will find much more satisfaction in life.
God Bless,
Dan
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
The routine continues
Good Morning!
It's a bright and sunny day here in the Chicago area, with Arizona type temperatures and Florida humidity. As I sit next to a snoozing Strider and sip coffee, I'm counting down the days to my retirement on July 31st. I'll be at work next week and then gone forever.
Most of you may remember I had a short retirement in 2000 at the end of my career at Kemper. But now, at 66, I imagine my employment days are over.
I continue to recover from my hip replacement. I feel good except for a lack of stamina. I'm at my best pushing a cart around a store, something that frightens Deb a bit.
I have three more therapy sessions this week. I've discarded all walking aids.
Deb is going to therapy three times a week to reduce the swelling in her left arm. She also is taking some occupational therapy to help with range of motion in her right arm.
We feel as if we've received a special blessing from God. Our health continues to improve and we hope for further good results. We have been doubly blessed by your prayers.
Our friend Jack is having tests again for his non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Please remember him in your prayers.
God Bless each of you, and bring you health and grace.
Dan
It's a bright and sunny day here in the Chicago area, with Arizona type temperatures and Florida humidity. As I sit next to a snoozing Strider and sip coffee, I'm counting down the days to my retirement on July 31st. I'll be at work next week and then gone forever.
Most of you may remember I had a short retirement in 2000 at the end of my career at Kemper. But now, at 66, I imagine my employment days are over.
I continue to recover from my hip replacement. I feel good except for a lack of stamina. I'm at my best pushing a cart around a store, something that frightens Deb a bit.
I have three more therapy sessions this week. I've discarded all walking aids.
Deb is going to therapy three times a week to reduce the swelling in her left arm. She also is taking some occupational therapy to help with range of motion in her right arm.
We feel as if we've received a special blessing from God. Our health continues to improve and we hope for further good results. We have been doubly blessed by your prayers.
Our friend Jack is having tests again for his non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Please remember him in your prayers.
God Bless each of you, and bring you health and grace.
Dan
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Nothing Startling Out There For US
Hi everyone,
I'm reporting this as I sit and wait for my car to be ready at the dealer. Oil change. At least they have Wi Fi.
Deb is in her second week back to work. She was so tired last week. This week is a short week and when she has therapy, she takes a half day of vacation, so it is easier on her and she gets home early. She continues to have therapy on her right arm for range of motion and the left arm for lymphedema. Her arm is wrapped in gauze, foam and sport elastic bandages each day and will stay that way until the swelling goes away. The path for lymphatic fluid was disrupted when several lymph nodes were removed at the surgery in 2007. Up until the bout with shingles everything was fine. The shingles resided in the left arm.
She soldiers on without too much to say one way or the other. I'm trying to help since I'm still home. I will do the laundry, the trash and get dinner ready, and try to do things I've put off. I think she is convinced that while cancer is still in her liver she is not out of the woods.
I expect that she will be working as long as she can, and we have no idea how long Kemper will want her. I'm retiring July 31st. My hip replacement is coming along fine. I'm having therapy three times a week.
I am aware of how God has blessed us with good medical care, and so much more. Without him how could we go on with our lives?
Thank you all for prayers, cards and good thoughts. It does make a difference. God hears each one.
God Bless
I'm reporting this as I sit and wait for my car to be ready at the dealer. Oil change. At least they have Wi Fi.
Deb is in her second week back to work. She was so tired last week. This week is a short week and when she has therapy, she takes a half day of vacation, so it is easier on her and she gets home early. She continues to have therapy on her right arm for range of motion and the left arm for lymphedema. Her arm is wrapped in gauze, foam and sport elastic bandages each day and will stay that way until the swelling goes away. The path for lymphatic fluid was disrupted when several lymph nodes were removed at the surgery in 2007. Up until the bout with shingles everything was fine. The shingles resided in the left arm.
She soldiers on without too much to say one way or the other. I'm trying to help since I'm still home. I will do the laundry, the trash and get dinner ready, and try to do things I've put off. I think she is convinced that while cancer is still in her liver she is not out of the woods.
I expect that she will be working as long as she can, and we have no idea how long Kemper will want her. I'm retiring July 31st. My hip replacement is coming along fine. I'm having therapy three times a week.
I am aware of how God has blessed us with good medical care, and so much more. Without him how could we go on with our lives?
Thank you all for prayers, cards and good thoughts. It does make a difference. God hears each one.
God Bless
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Improving day by day
Hello everyone,
Since I last wrote, Deb has had a couple of doctor's appointments and is starting a physical therapy program to help with range of motion in the right arm and lymphedema in the left arm. We think her bout with shingles called the lymphedema.
So, she is going to a specially certified therapist for this at Centegra Hospital, three times a week. Yesterday she went to the prosthetic store for some new stuff to wear. She still is very tender.
The doctors conferred and believe that no radiation is necessary now. They will monitor the liver via a scan every three months or so and she will take Arimidex, an anti cancer drug in pill form, every day.
Deb seems in good spirits, but she will have to be better to return to work on 6/20.
We seems to be enjoying being home together. The days are filled with medical appointments and therapy it seems. We are thankful for the continuing prayers and good wishes that keep us positive and focused.
We are blessed by all those who lift us and we are confident that all will be well as time goes by.
God Bless,
Dan
Since I last wrote, Deb has had a couple of doctor's appointments and is starting a physical therapy program to help with range of motion in the right arm and lymphedema in the left arm. We think her bout with shingles called the lymphedema.
So, she is going to a specially certified therapist for this at Centegra Hospital, three times a week. Yesterday she went to the prosthetic store for some new stuff to wear. She still is very tender.
The doctors conferred and believe that no radiation is necessary now. They will monitor the liver via a scan every three months or so and she will take Arimidex, an anti cancer drug in pill form, every day.
Deb seems in good spirits, but she will have to be better to return to work on 6/20.
We seems to be enjoying being home together. The days are filled with medical appointments and therapy it seems. We are thankful for the continuing prayers and good wishes that keep us positive and focused.
We are blessed by all those who lift us and we are confident that all will be well as time goes by.
God Bless,
Dan
Friday, May 27, 2011
Post Surgery Update
Good morning everyone,
I have to apologize for the late update. I became preoccupied with the day to day issues that cropped up prior to our surgery.
I had my right hip replaced on 5/2/11 in Centegra Hospital in McHenry. On Thursday I went to the rehab facility in Lake Zurich for a couple of weeks instead of doing rehab at home as I did the first time (2004). I'm home now and getting alone. Not too much pain.
Deb had a mastectomy on May 18Th at Centegra Hospital. The pathology report indicates that the tumor in the breast was gone, due to the chemotherapy. Six of six lymph nodes were cancerous and there was some involvement in the armpit, although there were clear margins. Today her doctors are going to conference her case to decide what to do next. There is still liver involvement and we should hear more next Tuesday when we go to the surgeon.
Deb has pain in the right arm and shoulder area that will last for a while. She is taking a shower now and that always helps the spirits. She is resting as much as possible. Her mom was here for several days after she came home and was a big help with everything.
We have been blessed with meals delivered by friends and those meals we ordered through dinewise.com, thanks to the generosity of the Kemper team.
We have also been blessed again with so many people praying for us. We've been added to prayer lists all over the country, by some gracious people.
We feel blessed by God with healing and support, and we know that all is in his hands.
Thank you for reading this,
Dan
I have to apologize for the late update. I became preoccupied with the day to day issues that cropped up prior to our surgery.
I had my right hip replaced on 5/2/11 in Centegra Hospital in McHenry. On Thursday I went to the rehab facility in Lake Zurich for a couple of weeks instead of doing rehab at home as I did the first time (2004). I'm home now and getting alone. Not too much pain.
Deb had a mastectomy on May 18Th at Centegra Hospital. The pathology report indicates that the tumor in the breast was gone, due to the chemotherapy. Six of six lymph nodes were cancerous and there was some involvement in the armpit, although there were clear margins. Today her doctors are going to conference her case to decide what to do next. There is still liver involvement and we should hear more next Tuesday when we go to the surgeon.
Deb has pain in the right arm and shoulder area that will last for a while. She is taking a shower now and that always helps the spirits. She is resting as much as possible. Her mom was here for several days after she came home and was a big help with everything.
We have been blessed with meals delivered by friends and those meals we ordered through dinewise.com, thanks to the generosity of the Kemper team.
We have also been blessed again with so many people praying for us. We've been added to prayer lists all over the country, by some gracious people.
We feel blessed by God with healing and support, and we know that all is in his hands.
Thank you for reading this,
Dan
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Another Milepost
Hi everyone,
Deb called just now, after meeting with her surgeon, and told me they selected May 18th as the date for her surgery.
My surgery (hip replacement) is scheduled for May 2nd, so we will both be off together for awhile.
Surgery is only one step in the process, of course, but after the subsequent radiation treatments, she will start the follow up treatments and we hope a full and permanent cure.
Deb is so happy to be finished with chemotherapy and to be able to start tasting food again, without the terrible metallic flavor associated with the chemo side effect.
With the start of warm weather we hope to spend more time outside enjoying the yard.
We continue to be blessed by our friends and family during this season. Our pastor and small group also are a great source of comfort to both of us as we move from one phase of this to another. Your prayers and thoughts, the cards and gifts, have reminded us of how kind and considerate loving people can be in times of stress and doubt.
For now we try to stay as close to God as we can. We try our best not to worry about tomorrow or any of our tomorrows, but instead we give thanks for our many blessings and praise Him for loving us so much.
God Bless everyone,
Dan
Deb called just now, after meeting with her surgeon, and told me they selected May 18th as the date for her surgery.
My surgery (hip replacement) is scheduled for May 2nd, so we will both be off together for awhile.
Surgery is only one step in the process, of course, but after the subsequent radiation treatments, she will start the follow up treatments and we hope a full and permanent cure.
Deb is so happy to be finished with chemotherapy and to be able to start tasting food again, without the terrible metallic flavor associated with the chemo side effect.
With the start of warm weather we hope to spend more time outside enjoying the yard.
We continue to be blessed by our friends and family during this season. Our pastor and small group also are a great source of comfort to both of us as we move from one phase of this to another. Your prayers and thoughts, the cards and gifts, have reminded us of how kind and considerate loving people can be in times of stress and doubt.
For now we try to stay as close to God as we can. We try our best not to worry about tomorrow or any of our tomorrows, but instead we give thanks for our many blessings and praise Him for loving us so much.
God Bless everyone,
Dan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)