Return from Normandy Beach Visit - Oct 5, 2009 - from Dotty

A Memorable Trip to Normandy 10-5-09

Tom and Dave returned from Paris on Sunday afternoon. The trip far exceeded their expectations. Tom felt very loved as he and his sons reversed roles. Dave gently cared for his Dad’s medical needs, seeing that his meds were given on time and overseeing his pain control and other physical needs. Dan was Dad’s logistics director—he brought a wheel chair and enabled Tom to see that many cemeteries, museums, beaches and countryside around Normandy. Terry (Lori’s husband) applied his culinary art and prepared great meals—Dad’s appetite and capacity for food is poor, but Terry kept him from losing any weight. I guess the role of entertainment director went to both Terry and Dan. In Paris, Dan pushed the wheelchair to the very place under the Eifel Tower where he proposed to Laura many years ago. Tom came home stronger than when he left—I was amazed—maybe the boys took better care of him than I do. (Smile) I am just so glad to have him home again and rejoice in the Lord’s blessing and protection over the whole trip.

We start radiation tomorrow on the tumor in his neck. Our prayer is that the result will be less pain in the area, perhaps some restoration of his vocal cords, and improved quality of life. We have seen the results of so many of your prayers, so we humbly ask that you keep on holding us before the Lord.

Even though my back pain persists, I am still claiming the Lord’s promise to me from I Cor. 1:8a, 9b: “He will keep you strong to the end...He is faithful.” Yes, He surely is! We’re counting on Him!

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

More Pics from Normandy Beach Trip

More Normandy Pics Oct 5, 2009

Dan & Tom, Normandy Oct 5, 2009

Normandy - September 28, 2009

Flight to Normandy went well. 9-28-09

Tom and David had a good flight...had bulkhead seats to themselves. Tom slept, David didn't. They were met by Dan (who came by car) then Terry from London. Tom's pain was under control for the whole flight. Thank you so much for praying. We know the Lord is going to bless them soooo much this week. I'm doing fine emotionally, but my back is a pain—I see the pain doctor tomorrow.

On Saturday evening, Tom was reading his Bible.....then handed it to me to read to him....tears were streaming down his face... This is what he was reading:

Ps. 116 “I love the Lord for he heard my voice (I have no voice, Tom wept). He heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned His ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: O Lord, save me!” The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you....How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.....Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. O Lord, truly I am your servant......”

We were having a real melt-down… the phone rang—it was Ray Hauser from Hawaii….our son in the Lord…he wept with us, encouraged us, then prayed. It was such a special time…Thanks, Ray. We are aware that so many of you are upholding us before the Lord….and He is answering you. Please, please continue…it’s getting harder for us each day.

Tom mentioned that he doesn’t foresee anything for him beyond Normandy…not sure what the Lord means by that. I feel that way about after Tom is with the Lord…sometimes I get into a pity-party about it….What about me! But I know that is not from the Lord….He does have a life for me after Tom, but right now it’s not too exciting. But my trust is in the Lord…He will never leave me or forsake me, even when Tom is gone. In the meantime we enjoy each other, and cling closely to our loving Savior, whose arms are always open to embrace us with joy and love and peace. I feel so loved by Him. How can a person experience such deep sorrow and deep peace at the same time? Only God can do such an amazing thing.

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

Writeup on Cadence International website

here
and his March interview alongside Dick Patty is here

Encouraging News - September 21, 2009

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

September 8, 2009 - from Dotty

9-8-09
I'm sorry that you had trouble accessing the video our church produced regarding "to die is gain." It was my fault...a computer geek I am NOT....I just know how to tap a few keys, for which I am very thankful. Here is the correct address for the video: www.vimeo.com/5919906 Type in that entire address and behold! it should be there. I usually hold my breath until it comes up...not sure how much good that does. (Smile).

Tom's weekend was mixed...too weak to go to church, which we miss terribly, but we had a great worship service together here at home. We invited Dr. Charles Stanley in to give the message...awesome.

We see the pain management doc today...Tom is having some reactions to the pain meds. Pray that she will know of something that will control the pain without the side effects (sweating/hallucinations/dizziness).

I have had my new hearing aids a couple of weeks now...Wow...all that I have been missing! We are so thankful we could get them (thanks to gifts from many of you). Tom's voice is just a growl now but with my new "ears" it's a louder growl. Now he says I'm mumbling. See why we have so much fun together?

Your cards, e-mails and calls are so precious to us. If we could only express how much we appreciate and love you. But that will be made clear to you someday. You are dear, dear, faithful friends.

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