Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
She's in!
At the risk of being misunderstood - I am pleased to say that Sue went into hospital this morning! They will not start the chemo until the blood-test results come back; but at least she has a bed.
In fact they started the pre-chemo pre-hydration saline drip about 11am, and by about 5pm she was ready for the chemo - 6 hours of saline drips compared to nearly 24 hours the first time! So hopefully she will ok to come home by about lunch-time tomorrow, DV.
In fact they started the pre-chemo pre-hydration saline drip about 11am, and by about 5pm she was ready for the chemo - 6 hours of saline drips compared to nearly 24 hours the first time! So hopefully she will ok to come home by about lunch-time tomorrow, DV.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Patience and comfort
Sadly, the response from the hospital both this morning and yesterday was "sorry, no beds, try again tomorrow....". The ward clerk did however say that, if a bed became available over the weekend, they would let us know. So we will wait and see what ( if anything) the weekend brings - and then see what is said on Monday.
Isn't it wonderful to rest in the love of our heavenly Father, whose timing is best and always perfect? We are by grace being kept in peace, and not being stressed by the delay. Instead we are comforted by His sovereign care - and comforted by the prayers of SO MANY brothers and sisters who seek His will and His glory on our behalf in this situation. Thank you!
Isn't it wonderful to rest in the love of our heavenly Father, whose timing is best and always perfect? We are by grace being kept in peace, and not being stressed by the delay. Instead we are comforted by His sovereign care - and comforted by the prayers of SO MANY brothers and sisters who seek His will and His glory on our behalf in this situation. Thank you!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
More delays - and more help
Sorry for slight delay, but I wanted to see what would happen yesterday and today before updating.
In theory Sue should have had a bed yesterday for more of the intravenous chemo. The usual story though - "sorry, no bed today, try again tomorrow"..... She did however go to the outpatient clinic to have blood tests, which were ok; so we took the pager and went home for a few hours before returning to have the 24/7 pump refilled, so at least that part is functioning as anticipated.
There was a "sorry etc" reply to the bed question again this morning - and in fact the ward clerk said that the bed pressure at the moment is such that a bed may not become available until Friday. What a mercy to have confidence in the sovereign control and perfect timing of our loving Heavenly Father! Whatever the timing of the next bed-stay, though, the consultant we saw in the outpatient clinic said that he will arrange for more scans in about three weeks time to see how the cancers are, and to what extent the chemo is working.
In herself Sue is not too bad most of the time - not in pain because of all the painkillers, and not feeling sick at all. Not much hair left though! The GP has however changed some of the tablets, which have left her quite wobbly/unsteady - not good when she is quite weak anyway. She spends most of the day resting, and dozing if not actually asleep. Television holds no interest, and reading is still an effort - although reading a small portion from the large-print Bible (currently in the Psalms) is manageable. We read short sections of "lighter" Christian books in the evenings – currently a paperback about Abraham called "Living in the gap between promise and reality". Recommended!
In terms of extra help, one of the local Macmillan nurse team came to meet us last week, to see what she could do to help rather than for medical purposes, and she assisted us with a claim for Disability Allowance. She said we could apply for a blue badge for the car as well, but Sue does not want to admit to being disabled quite yet!
The other area of "more help" is to hear of yet more brothers and sisters in Christ who are praying for us. It is a truly humbling thing to find - indeed to KNOW - that so many people are praying for us. At the weekend I heard not only of another church (this time in the USA) where we have been mentioned in the prayers of the public worship, but (even more amazing and humbling) where after the service a lady came to the brother who is there who knows us, and asked for more details as she feels she wants to make a prayer commitment for us. Truly the Lord's ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts - and how kind and gracious He is. If He prompts so many to prayer, will He not answer? So may His will be done, and may He be glorified in the life and future of this little (very unworthy) family.
In theory Sue should have had a bed yesterday for more of the intravenous chemo. The usual story though - "sorry, no bed today, try again tomorrow"..... She did however go to the outpatient clinic to have blood tests, which were ok; so we took the pager and went home for a few hours before returning to have the 24/7 pump refilled, so at least that part is functioning as anticipated.
There was a "sorry etc" reply to the bed question again this morning - and in fact the ward clerk said that the bed pressure at the moment is such that a bed may not become available until Friday. What a mercy to have confidence in the sovereign control and perfect timing of our loving Heavenly Father! Whatever the timing of the next bed-stay, though, the consultant we saw in the outpatient clinic said that he will arrange for more scans in about three weeks time to see how the cancers are, and to what extent the chemo is working.
In herself Sue is not too bad most of the time - not in pain because of all the painkillers, and not feeling sick at all. Not much hair left though! The GP has however changed some of the tablets, which have left her quite wobbly/unsteady - not good when she is quite weak anyway. She spends most of the day resting, and dozing if not actually asleep. Television holds no interest, and reading is still an effort - although reading a small portion from the large-print Bible (currently in the Psalms) is manageable. We read short sections of "lighter" Christian books in the evenings – currently a paperback about Abraham called "Living in the gap between promise and reality". Recommended!
In terms of extra help, one of the local Macmillan nurse team came to meet us last week, to see what she could do to help rather than for medical purposes, and she assisted us with a claim for Disability Allowance. She said we could apply for a blue badge for the car as well, but Sue does not want to admit to being disabled quite yet!
The other area of "more help" is to hear of yet more brothers and sisters in Christ who are praying for us. It is a truly humbling thing to find - indeed to KNOW - that so many people are praying for us. At the weekend I heard not only of another church (this time in the USA) where we have been mentioned in the prayers of the public worship, but (even more amazing and humbling) where after the service a lady came to the brother who is there who knows us, and asked for more details as she feels she wants to make a prayer commitment for us. Truly the Lord's ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts - and how kind and gracious He is. If He prompts so many to prayer, will He not answer? So may His will be done, and may He be glorified in the life and future of this little (very unworthy) family.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
All joined up
I was going to call this "all pumped up" - but that might be misinterpreted. I nearly called it "reconnected", which would have been better; but "all joined up" has a wider meaning....
We went to the hospital yesterday, and had two sessions - 11:30 to 1:30, and 4:45 - 6:45 (or thereabouts). It could have been longer, but we learned from experience and asked for a pager, so we could go home in between. On the other hand, it could have been shorter; we chose to go back about 4:30, rather than waiting to be "paged", so we could have stayed at home for another hour and a half. But not knowing how late the clinic was running, or what time they finished, we erred on the side of caution.
The first session was waiting to be called, and then having blood samples taken. We were pleased to see that blood could be taken from both parts of the Groshong line; in the past they have not been able to get blood from either, so they have had to resort to hands and elbows. This suggests that the cleaning work done at the time of the xray last week may have been a good thing! We also saw the specialist GI nurse (gastro-intestinal) who talked to us when we had the first diagnosis, and she very helpfully arranged for us to see the consultant - so that put Sue's mind at rest, as she wanted to ask about a couple of things.
Then later in the day we went back and the "pump-in-a-bag" was refilled and refitted - so (as per title) she is "all joined up" again - and has to remember that the bag goes with her everywhere, bath and bed included....
The other reason for the "all joined up" title, though, is to thank the Lord for all the friends, most of whom we have never met, that pray for this little family. I say "most" because I now believe that there are more "unknown" people praying for us that friends we do know! I keep hearing of new groups who have been told about us - a ladies meeting here, a family or friend of a friend there, a church hundreds of miles away. The family of God is a very precious gift; we are indeed all brothers and sisters in Christ, and part of a wonderful grapevine that passes all sorts of needs around (more biblically, all branches of one Vine would be better!). So, if you read this but have never met us - thank you for your support and may the Lord of all grace and glory bless you.
We went to the hospital yesterday, and had two sessions - 11:30 to 1:30, and 4:45 - 6:45 (or thereabouts). It could have been longer, but we learned from experience and asked for a pager, so we could go home in between. On the other hand, it could have been shorter; we chose to go back about 4:30, rather than waiting to be "paged", so we could have stayed at home for another hour and a half. But not knowing how late the clinic was running, or what time they finished, we erred on the side of caution.
The first session was waiting to be called, and then having blood samples taken. We were pleased to see that blood could be taken from both parts of the Groshong line; in the past they have not been able to get blood from either, so they have had to resort to hands and elbows. This suggests that the cleaning work done at the time of the xray last week may have been a good thing! We also saw the specialist GI nurse (gastro-intestinal) who talked to us when we had the first diagnosis, and she very helpfully arranged for us to see the consultant - so that put Sue's mind at rest, as she wanted to ask about a couple of things.
Then later in the day we went back and the "pump-in-a-bag" was refilled and refitted - so (as per title) she is "all joined up" again - and has to remember that the bag goes with her everywhere, bath and bed included....
The other reason for the "all joined up" title, though, is to thank the Lord for all the friends, most of whom we have never met, that pray for this little family. I say "most" because I now believe that there are more "unknown" people praying for us that friends we do know! I keep hearing of new groups who have been told about us - a ladies meeting here, a family or friend of a friend there, a church hundreds of miles away. The family of God is a very precious gift; we are indeed all brothers and sisters in Christ, and part of a wonderful grapevine that passes all sorts of needs around (more biblically, all branches of one Vine would be better!). So, if you read this but have never met us - thank you for your support and may the Lord of all grace and glory bless you.
Friday, January 12, 2007
And they departed from ...and encamped in ...
If you look at Numbers 34, you will see that phrase (or similar) repeated many times. I remember hearing a brother preach on it (or something like it) several years ago - calling it ( I think) "the grey days of the christian life". By that he meant days where there seems nothing going on, nothing to report - and where it is easy to forget the unchanging faithfulness of our gracious God.
We are in such days at the moment - living as it were in limbo, between hospital appointments. We have not heard when the pumped chemo will be restarted; presumably the xray results from earlier this week have to be passed to the oncology team, and then someone needs to decide what happens next. Meanwhile there are good days and bad days, tearful days and brighter days, as the emotional/depressing side effects of last week's intravenous chemo come out.
But in it all it is good to acknowledge the faithfulness of God, and the provision of all our needs (as the hymn-writer says,"All I have needed Thy hand hath provided"), and so much more besides - including the very great blessing of dear brothers and sisters who pray for us. O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good!
We are in such days at the moment - living as it were in limbo, between hospital appointments. We have not heard when the pumped chemo will be restarted; presumably the xray results from earlier this week have to be passed to the oncology team, and then someone needs to decide what happens next. Meanwhile there are good days and bad days, tearful days and brighter days, as the emotional/depressing side effects of last week's intravenous chemo come out.
But in it all it is good to acknowledge the faithfulness of God, and the provision of all our needs (as the hymn-writer says,"All I have needed Thy hand hath provided"), and so much more besides - including the very great blessing of dear brothers and sisters who pray for us. O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good!
Monday, January 08, 2007
Progress?
We went for the xray today. The radiologist (?) injected some dye up both tubes of the Groshong line, and then took a series of pictures a few seconds apart to show the dye moving through the bloodstream. They seemed to be OK - so now we wait a call or letter from the Oncology technicians to say what happens next.
Thankfully, she is calmer today,after quite an emotional weekend - one of the side effects of last week's chemo, but also (in part) a response to both girls returning to Uni last week. We continue to trust in the Lord, Who is control, and continue to praise Him for His goodness and faithfulness; today we read about His unchanging nature/character/truth - and what a blessing it is to have such a Rock/Fortress/High Tower!
Thankfully, she is calmer today,after quite an emotional weekend - one of the side effects of last week's chemo, but also (in part) a response to both girls returning to Uni last week. We continue to trust in the Lord, Who is control, and continue to praise Him for His goodness and faithfulness; today we read about His unchanging nature/character/truth - and what a blessing it is to have such a Rock/Fortress/High Tower!
Friday, January 05, 2007
Home again - but not for long
Glad to say she is home again - eventually! We thought it might have been last night, but (due to one or two "technical problems"), she was let out after lunch today.
Although the main purpose of going in was to have the two chemo drugs that are "dripped in", which they managed, there are problems with the Groshong (chestwall) line - as a result of which they have not been able to restart the 24/7 pumped chemo. To see what the problems are, they need to do a special sort of xray - and unfortunately they could not manage it while she was in hospital. The hospital have however just rung to say could she go to the xray dept on Monday at 10:30. So back we will go!
Still, it will be good to have a weekend at least without wires.
Praise the Lord for His goodness in allowing all this technical stuff - and for all the prayerful interest in this little family. Thank you!
Finally, some readers may find the following of interest, taken from John Piper's latest emailed sermon (see http://www.desiringgod.org/ - "Ask your Father in Heaven") ...
One Final Question
One final question: How shall we understand these six promises in verses 7 and 8: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened"?
Does this mean that everything a child of God asks for he gets?
I think the context here is sufficient to answer this question. No, we do not get everything we ask for - and we should not and we would not want to. The reason I say we should not is because we would in effect become God if God did everything we asked him to do. We should not be God. God should be God. And the reason I say that we would not want to get everything we asked is because we would then have to bear the burden of infinite wisdom which we do not have. We simply don’t know enough to infallibly decide how every decision will turn out and what the next events in our lives, let alone in history, should be.
But the reason I say that we do not get all we ask is because the text implies this. Jesus says in verses 9-10 that a good father will not give his child a stone if he asks for bread, and will not give him a serpent if he asks for a fish. This illustration prompts us to ask, "What if the child asks for a serpent?" Does the text answer whether the Father in heaven will give it? Yes, it does. In verse 11, Jesus draws out this truth from the illustrations: Therefore, how much more will your Father give good things to those who ask him.
He gives good things - only good things. He does not give serpents to children. Therefore, the text itself points away from the conclusion that "Ask and you will receive" means "Ask and you will receive the very thing you ask for when you ask for it in the way you ask for it". It doesn’t say that, and it doesn’t mean that.
If we take the passage as a whole, it says that when we ask and seek and knock — when we pray as needy children looking away from our own resources to our trustworthy heavenly Father — he will hear and he will give us good things. Sometimes just what we asked. Sometimes just when we ask it. Sometimes just the way we desire. And other times he gives us something better, or at a time he knows is better, or in a way he knows is better.
And of course, this tests our faith. Because if we thought that something different was better, we would have asked for it in the first place. But we are not God. We are not infinitely strong, or infinitely righteous, or infinitely good, or infinitely wise, or infinitely loving. And therefore, it is a great mercy to us and to the world that we do not get all we ask.
Although the main purpose of going in was to have the two chemo drugs that are "dripped in", which they managed, there are problems with the Groshong (chestwall) line - as a result of which they have not been able to restart the 24/7 pumped chemo. To see what the problems are, they need to do a special sort of xray - and unfortunately they could not manage it while she was in hospital. The hospital have however just rung to say could she go to the xray dept on Monday at 10:30. So back we will go!
Still, it will be good to have a weekend at least without wires.
Praise the Lord for His goodness in allowing all this technical stuff - and for all the prayerful interest in this little family. Thank you!
Finally, some readers may find the following of interest, taken from John Piper's latest emailed sermon (see http://www.desiringgod.org/ - "Ask your Father in Heaven") ...
One Final Question
One final question: How shall we understand these six promises in verses 7 and 8: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened"?
Does this mean that everything a child of God asks for he gets?
I think the context here is sufficient to answer this question. No, we do not get everything we ask for - and we should not and we would not want to. The reason I say we should not is because we would in effect become God if God did everything we asked him to do. We should not be God. God should be God. And the reason I say that we would not want to get everything we asked is because we would then have to bear the burden of infinite wisdom which we do not have. We simply don’t know enough to infallibly decide how every decision will turn out and what the next events in our lives, let alone in history, should be.
But the reason I say that we do not get all we ask is because the text implies this. Jesus says in verses 9-10 that a good father will not give his child a stone if he asks for bread, and will not give him a serpent if he asks for a fish. This illustration prompts us to ask, "What if the child asks for a serpent?" Does the text answer whether the Father in heaven will give it? Yes, it does. In verse 11, Jesus draws out this truth from the illustrations: Therefore, how much more will your Father give good things to those who ask him.
He gives good things - only good things. He does not give serpents to children. Therefore, the text itself points away from the conclusion that "Ask and you will receive" means "Ask and you will receive the very thing you ask for when you ask for it in the way you ask for it". It doesn’t say that, and it doesn’t mean that.
If we take the passage as a whole, it says that when we ask and seek and knock — when we pray as needy children looking away from our own resources to our trustworthy heavenly Father — he will hear and he will give us good things. Sometimes just what we asked. Sometimes just when we ask it. Sometimes just the way we desire. And other times he gives us something better, or at a time he knows is better, or in a way he knows is better.
And of course, this tests our faith. Because if we thought that something different was better, we would have asked for it in the first place. But we are not God. We are not infinitely strong, or infinitely righteous, or infinitely good, or infinitely wise, or infinitely loving. And therefore, it is a great mercy to us and to the world that we do not get all we ask.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Cycle II begins
After a slight delay last week (for the infection), and yesterday (for the lack of a bed), I'm glad to say that Sue went in this morning and had the pre-chemo hydration during the day; and we HOPE that the chemo drip will be going through tonight.
There may however be a delay, as the Groshong line (see earlier post) seemed to be leaking a little, so they may need to do an x-ray to see if there is a problem. Leaking saline solition is not a problem; leaking chemo drug most definitely is!
However, subject to that, it seems possible that the post-chemo saline flush will go through by about lunch-time tomorrow, and then she can come home. We will though need to find out about the 24/7 pumped stuff, as nobody has mentioned that yet; it would make sense to have that re-started while she is in, but then the NHS does not always make sense!
There may however be a delay, as the Groshong line (see earlier post) seemed to be leaking a little, so they may need to do an x-ray to see if there is a problem. Leaking saline solition is not a problem; leaking chemo drug most definitely is!
However, subject to that, it seems possible that the post-chemo saline flush will go through by about lunch-time tomorrow, and then she can come home. We will though need to find out about the 24/7 pumped stuff, as nobody has mentioned that yet; it would make sense to have that re-started while she is in, but then the NHS does not always make sense!
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
No room in the .....
Having been given a letter last Friday to say that a bed had been booked for today (hopefully to re-start the chemo), we rang at 8:30 - and were told "Sorry, no bed, please try again tomorrow".....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
