9-21-09 Encouraging news
We had some real encouragement this past week regarding Tom's cancer journey. First, we met with a hospice group--wonderful, wonderful people--and felt ready to move into hospice immediately because it seemed to be exactly what we needed for Tom. But we had two doctor appointments the next day, so waited to sign the papers. Tom had started on Fentanyl--a narcotic patch that lasts 72 hours providing more even dosing and stronger pain control--but he was still having so much pain in his neck/head--one long attack each day and unable to function at all. Ice and drugs helped some. So the pain management doctor doubled the strength of the patch on Wednesday. Then we went to his oncologist--a new one who replaced his former one where he had the radiation treatments in June. We only wanted him to do a CT scan to see if the tumor had spread into his head (Hurthle cell has not been known to do so.) Immediately Dr. Gilbert knew the problem--referred nerve pain from the tumor in his neck.
He prescribed steroids to control it. Then he suggested radiation treatments on that area. Since the former radiation had kept the chest tumor under control (no pain) for over 3 months, he felt this was worth trying again...he felt confident he could control the pain and give him a longer quality of life. The treatment would begin tomorrow (Monday, 21st) for 8 weeks. Then we told him of Tom's plan to go to Normandy 27th to Oct 4th with Dave, Dan and Terry Einfalt. "You should definitely go", he said, "and start radiation when you return."
That day we did a 180 degree turn around....from letting him live out his life on pain control to hope for more quality days. We came home amazed at how our thinking changed so quickly, and have the strangest feeling that the Lord is doing something very special. We had asked the Lord to close the door to Normandy really HARD if He didn't want Tom to go, and he just seemed to open it wide. From that day on his pain has been under control, and he is somewhat stronger. His voice, however, is barely audible and he has pain when he talks. The trip is a "go"! We are so excited!
David has two jobs going on simultaneously in Dallas this week, finishing Sunday morning. He and Tom fly together, and Terry will go on a different flight to Paris Sunday afternoon. Dan will drive down from Poland and meet them at the Paris airport. Dave will be Tom's meds manager, Terry and Dan are the cooks, Dan is the "event coordinator" and they all will take care of Dad. They have a wheel chair and have rented a bungalow at Normandy for 5 days. They are all so excited to have this time to build more memories. Isn't the Lord good?
As for me, I am still having terrible back pain--had steroid shots this week, but as yet they haven't kicked in. Please pray that this pain can be controlled.
Also pray for Lori, Casey and me as the men are gone....this will be my first time in many years to be alone without Tom...probably lots of tears..practicing for the day, perhaps?
Praise the Lord with us for His intervening and go-ahead for the trip, and pray that Tom's pain will stay under control. Pray that the four dearest men in my life will be drawn together in the Lord in a marvelous way.
The Lord gave me these verses this morning: . Ps. 71: 9: “Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.” Vs. 17-18: “Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me. O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.” We have a deep sense of joy and peace in all of this.
Seeking to finish well in TX....
Dotty Hash (for Tom too)
326 Highland Ridge Dr
Wylie TX 75098
214-501-2527 cell: 720-480-7487
