Pills and pains

A quick update on what has happened over the last couple of weeks.....

When we saw the consultant, he proposed that Sue should have a course of steroids for a couple of weeks, and a blood transfusion, in the hope that the combination would give her a lift.

After a cross-match blood-test on Thursday, she duly had the transfusion yesterday. As it started about 10am, I was expecting it to finish around 4pm (two units can take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours); but in the end she finished about 3pm. An extra blessing was that Jess came home from Uni for the weekend unexpectedly - so she was able to go and collect Sue as a nice surprise.

The steroids have however had some sad side-effects. We found later that they lower your resistance to viruses etc - explaining why Sue has has had ear-ache and a sore throat, so that she can hardly talk. They also exacerbate depression - explaining why Sue was on and off in tears for most of last week. However, the higher dosage period (4 per day) gave way to a lower dosage (2 per day) last week; and she has been slightly brighter since. She does however still have pain in her stomach to some extent, is still tired, still quite weak - and is now suffering from backache....

In addition, it was helpful to see the GP (local doctor for USA readers!), who called in on Monday as Sue wanted some reassurance. He was lovely, while at the same time realistic; he reminded us that we had always been told that the cancer would not go away, but he also said he thought Sue had done remarkably well to be as well as she is. Little does he know how many people have been praying! THANKYOU ONE AND ALL!

The next stage will be to see the consultant again on Tuesday 23rd, and we will see what he suggests about the way forward. Update on that to follow!

Meanwhile - for those interested in such things - I would value prayer for tomorrow, as God willing I will be preaching at a small Baptist church in a small local village in the evening. It's the one where Sue and Vera worshipped for many years, and even now most of those who worship there are related to us. If we can all go that would be good (even Vera's brother, who used to run it, would like a lift too); but we will have to see if Sue is up to it. Days are long and evenings are difficult sometimes. We look to the Lord, who gives daily grace and mercy.