Week of June 23 Full Report

Dear partners in ministry,

It’s been a little while since I have written an update.  Robin and I were able to enjoy a few weeks vacation in the mean time.  It was nice to be able to get away.  While we were gone dad’s condo association held their annual yard sale.  We helped gather things and get them upstairs and all stacked up in the garage for him before we left.  We praise God for those who came and help him through the weekend set up and tear down both Friday and Saturday. 

He did have a couple of appointments while we were away.  His primary doctor wanted a look at his knee.  He had complained about it, so they had taken an x-ray along with his original CT-Scan.  So, while we were gone, he had a followup x-ray and doctor visit to evaluate it.  The conclusion is that the pain in his knee is arthritis, therefore there isn’t much that can be done, aside from may a cortisone shot if it’s bad enough.

The doctor did ask what the plan is for dad once we leave, and wanted to make sure we get him connected with a social worker and regular visits for when we aren’t here.  So that is something we need to work on in the coming days.

Dad was also able to have a consultation with Social Security to try and finalize mom’s death benefit and get their social security payments combined/adjusted since she is gone.  We still don’t quite have the sorted out as I am writing, but dad is actively working on it.

OK, now or the current week. 

Monday we started his radiation treatments.  They are quite short, 15 minutes or less.  He really has not felt any effects yet.  They tell us that is normal.  Dad was a bit surprised by that.  But, often the fatigue and weariness isn’t felt until 12-15 sessions.  And seeing he is only doing 15, he may not feel anything until the end.  But, the radiation continues to work in his body after treatment is over.  So, it is likely he will feel worse once he is finished.  But, for now he is chipper, healthy and full strength.

Tuesday, before his radiation treatment, we met with the GI doctor.  (the one who is managing his stints)  He has another stint management procedure scheduled or 18 July.  Dr Simmer wanted to just see how his blood levels were doing, and how dad was feeling.  We talked a bit about what the stint management will look like once the radiation is finished.  Right now the stints he has only last 6-8 weeks and need to be replaced.  I asked if Dr Simmer thinks radiation will enable dad’s bile ducts to resume working again.  While he didn’t say no, that was the impression I got.  I understood him to say that from now on, Dad will always need assistance to drain his liver.  Dr Simmer talked about a procedure that he would like to do once the radiation is done to prepare for permanent stints.  This is a 3 session procedure that includes putting something into the bile duct that will cauterize the scar tissue and cells where the blockage is, then once it’s cleared, putting in the permanent metal stints.  I should have asked more questions, because I am a little fuzzy on the details.  But it is 3 procedures.  And if it an ERCP procedure, the last 2 dad has had took 3-4 hours, and they had to put him under general antiesthetic.  So he will have one of those on 18 July.  Then 6-8 weeks later, this 3 step procedure.  That puts it right around the time we are supposed to return to PNG.  So, I am not sure exactly what that means for us yet.

Wednesday morning we went and did the blood test Dr Simmer ordered.  Looking at the results everything is normal, or coming up toward normal.  The levels doctor Simmer was looking for were all good.  So, another praise!  Then there was the radiation in the afternoon.

Thursday we had his radiation session then met with the radiology team afterwards.  They mainly asked questions about how he was doing with the effects of the treatment.  Which at this point there isn’t much to report.  They did ask dad about his diet.  With his treatments being in the middle of the day, and not being able to eat 2 hours before, he hasn’t been eating much.  So, they encouraged him to make sure he eats breakfast.  It’s OK to skip lunch, since his treatments don’t allow him to.  But, to be getting a good dinner too.  Robin and continue to try and provide healthy food for him to eat, since on his own, he doesn’t make the most healthy choices for what to eat.  We asked the doctor some followup questions about the procedure Dr Simmer talked about, but he couldn’t really answer my questions.  But, as we talked, I shared that I understood Dr Simmer to say that the radiation will only kill the cells, but won’t get rid of them.  Dr Fabrizio confirmed that and said that the body will work like it does on a scap to eat away and remove the dead tissue, but it’s likely some will remain.  He also said that (in his opinion) radiation WILL NOT be enough to kill the cancer.  Which was a little different opinion than his coworker Dr Rebesco who said, “I think we have a good chance at killing this.”  So, that was a little hard to hear, and adds more questions.  But, I appreciate his honesty with us.

Friday was a fun day in the radiation waiting room.  Throughout the week, there has been the same core group of us that have been sitting there waiting.  Since we see each other every day, we have begun to be more chatty and getting to know each other.  It was Nancy’s last day.  She rang the bell to indicate finishing her course.  Nancy is 84 and is bubbly, happy, joyful old lady.  She shared treats, and also passed out a little piece of paper talking about the hope she has in Jesus.  It was so sweet.  It’s amazing the difference it makes to have hope in a God who is bigger than all of his!

If you think of it pray for our fellow radiation treatment people.

• Jerry was in the hospital for 54 days before they figured out his problem was cancer, lymphoma.  He only has a couple more treatments next week. – Pray we can speak to him about hope in Christ.
• Jerry (the other Jerry from Sparta) is about half way through his treatment. – He has some exposure to Christianity, but not sure where he stands with the Lord.  But he loves to talk.
• Elsie from Lithowania – she stated clearly she doesn’t believe in our God.  Her god is the sun.
• Charles – An older black man who clearly loves Jesus
• Diane – I haven’t talk with her and her husband yet, other than to get their names.

Pray we can be a source of hope to these people like I believe Nancy was.

Thank you all for praying. 

David and Robin