Fiona the Macmillan nurse called just after we got back from the Outpatients Clinic this morning. In answer to her question about "how things were" I had to tell her that
(a)Sue has some sort of infection again under both arms (antibiotics did not clear it up properly last time, so we have some ointment to try)
(b)she has a sore mouth
(c)the Groshong line seems loose (they did try and tape it up a bit in clinic)
(d)the skin around the line exit is blistering, not from the chemo, but from having a dressing on it for the last few weeks
(e)she is anaemic
(f)after quite a bright week-end, she is now very tired, and has spent most of today (when at home) asleep
Fiona and I agreed that there was nothing she could do at this stage, so she will call again next week. It is a blessing to know that friendly medical support is there.
We went back around 4pm to get the chemo pump top-up, and the nurse took more blood so they can do a cross-match before we go back on Friday morning for another blood tranfusion.
As in all areas of life, there are good days and grey days; but what a blessing to know - and be able to trust wholly in, and lean upon - the Unchanging Eternal God, our Heavenly Father, Who loves us and cares for us.
Lam 3:22/23 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
In and out ....again!
Readers may remember that the last three-weekly overnight stay for chemo was delayed by nearly a week due to lack of beds.
Sue was due to go today, either for an overnight stay if there was a bed, or to outpatients to have the 24/7 pump restarted (after the Groshong line was re-fitted last Thursday). We thought the outpatient scenario was more likely - but the Lord had a better way!
Much to our surprise, and despite what the local paper called "a bed crisis" (Front page headline a few days ago "HOSPITAL CLOSED....."), the oncology unit called YESTERDAY - a day early! - to say that there was a spare bed.
So she went in yesterday, had the chemo overnight, had the 24/7 pump restarted today, and was allowed out around mid-day!
O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good!
Sue was due to go today, either for an overnight stay if there was a bed, or to outpatients to have the 24/7 pump restarted (after the Groshong line was re-fitted last Thursday). We thought the outpatient scenario was more likely - but the Lord had a better way!
Much to our surprise, and despite what the local paper called "a bed crisis" (Front page headline a few days ago "HOSPITAL CLOSED....."), the oncology unit called YESTERDAY - a day early! - to say that there was a spare bed.
So she went in yesterday, had the chemo overnight, had the 24/7 pump restarted today, and was allowed out around mid-day!
O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good!
Saturday, February 17, 2007
In and out
Pleased to report that Sue went into hospital yesterday to have the Groshong line re-fitted and, after an xray to make sure it was all in the right place, she was allowed home again this morning. She feels (and sounds) quite well, which is a blessing - despite not having had much sleep last night as the ward was a little noisier than usual....
The next stage will be Tuesday. In theory she is due for another overnight stay, for the three-weekly intravenous chemo (don't these three week periods fly by?!); but in practice this is unlikely, based partly on previous experience and partly on the fact that there is a bed crisis at the hospital at the moment (so says local paper!). We will ring on Tuesday just in case; but, even if there is no bed, we will have to go in anyway for the outpatients clinic, so that the 24/7 pump can be restarted now that the line is in place.
In it all - totally unstressed, totally at peace, totally confident that our lives are ordered by the Lord and our times are in His hands. What a blessing!
The next stage will be Tuesday. In theory she is due for another overnight stay, for the three-weekly intravenous chemo (don't these three week periods fly by?!); but in practice this is unlikely, based partly on previous experience and partly on the fact that there is a bed crisis at the hospital at the moment (so says local paper!). We will ring on Tuesday just in case; but, even if there is no bed, we will have to go in anyway for the outpatients clinic, so that the 24/7 pump can be restarted now that the line is in place.
In it all - totally unstressed, totally at peace, totally confident that our lives are ordered by the Lord and our times are in His hands. What a blessing!
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Praise the Lord!
We went to the hospital this morning, and came home grateful to the Lord for His goodness. Although the consultant had not actually seen the scan results when he arrived to see us (!), he managed to locate them - and I am very pleased to report that he says the tumours seem to be responding well to the chemo. Truly the Lord is good!
He therefore proposes to have the Groshong line re-inserted, hopefully later this week, then carry on with another three cycles of treatment (ie 9 weeks, subject as usual to delays due to bed availability, or rather bed non-availability!) - then take another scan and review the situation again.
Sue is (we both are!) therefore relieved; she is by no means out of the woods, but the Lord has not allowed things to get worse, nor do we have to adapt to another treatment regime. What a joy and privilege to have a heavenly Father Who knows and allows and controls, and to be able to accept all that He sends; and also to know that "The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth".
2Co 1:11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
He therefore proposes to have the Groshong line re-inserted, hopefully later this week, then carry on with another three cycles of treatment (ie 9 weeks, subject as usual to delays due to bed availability, or rather bed non-availability!) - then take another scan and review the situation again.
Sue is (we both are!) therefore relieved; she is by no means out of the woods, but the Lord has not allowed things to get worse, nor do we have to adapt to another treatment regime. What a joy and privilege to have a heavenly Father Who knows and allows and controls, and to be able to accept all that He sends; and also to know that "The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth".
2Co 1:11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Interesting developments...
The wonder of answered prayer continues, as Sue shows an increased desire for spiritual things; indeed, she said the other day that she thinks about little else at the moment. Suffice to say that it is not uncommon for her to listen to at least one sermon on CD or tape each day, and some days two or three! (I will need to download or order some more!) So may the Lord "give the increase" and enable her to retain and profit from what she hears.
The last 24 hours have been interesting, as we had to go to the hospital around 10:30 pm last night because the Groshong line (the line in her chest-wall, linked to the 24/7 pump) came out.......There was no pain, no bleeding; she had no idea there was anything wrong until I pointed it out! In the event, they did nothing last night (other than redo the dressing) because we were due at clinic this morning anyway.
The clinic this morning should have been the usual two hours for blood test/see doctor, followed by an hour or so later in the day for refitting the chemo sac. But no line, no chemo! However, she was also due to have a CT scan, which went OK; and the clinic doctor decided that rather than rush in and arrange a new Groshong line, it might be more sensible to await the scan results and then (next Tuesday) review the position and decide what to do next......
Meanwhile, she did have the usual blood test and, as that showed she is a little anaemic, a blood test has been arranged for Friday morning. That is part of the reason why she is so constantly tired.
We were so pleased when last week's chemo went well and straight-forwardly! But, as always, we remain comforted by the assurance that our Heavenly Father is never caught by surprise; He ordains our times and seasons, and "He doeth all things well".
The last 24 hours have been interesting, as we had to go to the hospital around 10:30 pm last night because the Groshong line (the line in her chest-wall, linked to the 24/7 pump) came out.......There was no pain, no bleeding; she had no idea there was anything wrong until I pointed it out! In the event, they did nothing last night (other than redo the dressing) because we were due at clinic this morning anyway.
The clinic this morning should have been the usual two hours for blood test/see doctor, followed by an hour or so later in the day for refitting the chemo sac. But no line, no chemo! However, she was also due to have a CT scan, which went OK; and the clinic doctor decided that rather than rush in and arrange a new Groshong line, it might be more sensible to await the scan results and then (next Tuesday) review the position and decide what to do next......
Meanwhile, she did have the usual blood test and, as that showed she is a little anaemic, a blood test has been arranged for Friday morning. That is part of the reason why she is so constantly tired.
We were so pleased when last week's chemo went well and straight-forwardly! But, as always, we remain comforted by the assurance that our Heavenly Father is never caught by surprise; He ordains our times and seasons, and "He doeth all things well".
Saturday, February 03, 2007
How are you?
With many people asking how Sue is doing, I thought an update might be appropriate.
She had the chemo last week, as you know, and that went very well. However, the days following chemo usually bring a few "down days", when the days seem dark and the Lord seems far away - and when a lack of assurance is a powerful and subtle tool in the hands of the enemy of our souls. Please pray that the Lord would draw close to Sue in tender mercy, and "bless her, keep her, make His face shine upon her and be gracious unto her, lift up His countenance upon her, and give her peace" (Numbers 6:24-26).
The other matter for prayer is that on Tuesday (6th)we are not only due to go to the hospital for the outpatients "pump top-up" visit, but she is booked for another CT scan, when they will take pictures of the cancers and compare them to the pictures taken in November when the diagnosis was first made. The results last time took about a week; but the outcome is (as always) in the hands of (and already known to, and controlled by) our loving Heavenly Father.
Isn't the sovereignty of God a wonderfully comforting truth?
May the Lord richly bless you as you pray for us; and may His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
She had the chemo last week, as you know, and that went very well. However, the days following chemo usually bring a few "down days", when the days seem dark and the Lord seems far away - and when a lack of assurance is a powerful and subtle tool in the hands of the enemy of our souls. Please pray that the Lord would draw close to Sue in tender mercy, and "bless her, keep her, make His face shine upon her and be gracious unto her, lift up His countenance upon her, and give her peace" (Numbers 6:24-26).
The other matter for prayer is that on Tuesday (6th)we are not only due to go to the hospital for the outpatients "pump top-up" visit, but she is booked for another CT scan, when they will take pictures of the cancers and compare them to the pictures taken in November when the diagnosis was first made. The results last time took about a week; but the outcome is (as always) in the hands of (and already known to, and controlled by) our loving Heavenly Father.
Isn't the sovereignty of God a wonderfully comforting truth?
May the Lord richly bless you as you pray for us; and may His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
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