We are elated that the endoscopy found no cancer in Sam's stomach. The doctor yesterday had sent us home thinking pretty sure that he would find that. I think he was surprised to only find a little gastritis which is an inflamation of the stomach lining that can easily be treated with Pevicid.
We will go ahead with the further tests on Tues. for the oncologist and have added a MRCP test on Wed. afternoon for the gastroentrologist doctor.
We are doing much better emotionally now that the stomach is cleared of cancer. Dr. Shah had sent us home yesterday feeling like we were on a death watch. He said that Sam had all the external symptoms of stomach cancer and that by the time symptoms appear the cancer is pretty far along. We are so glad that we are ultimately under the care of the Great Physician who knows the number of the hairs on our head and who can see inside of our every cell!
We are off to see our kids for the weekend and forget about all this for a couple of days. Thank you one and all for your prayers. They are truly carrying us through these deep waters. We love each and every precious friend.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Gastro Doctor's Appointment
We went to see Dr. Shah this afternoon was NOT very encouraging. Tomorrow morning we go for an endoscopy. This is where they sedate Sam and feed a scope down into his stomach to see if the cancer is there. Dr. Shah thinks that's where it is. Not good :o(
They will also take some more blood test to look for cancer "markers".
Depending on the results of the endoscopy there may be another test on Monday.
The oncologist still has Tuesday tests for a CAT and bone scan.
We really need prayers for healing and emotional strength.
Ps. 73:26
"My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever."
They will also take some more blood test to look for cancer "markers".
Depending on the results of the endoscopy there may be another test on Monday.
The oncologist still has Tuesday tests for a CAT and bone scan.
We really need prayers for healing and emotional strength.
Ps. 73:26
"My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever."
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Latest Prayer Requests
Sam continues to have digestive issues and discomfort especially after he eats. Tomorrow/Thursday afternoon Sam goes to the gastrointestial doctor for a consultation. Pray that the doctor will have insight and discernment. Then on Friday morning Sam will go to the hospital for an ERCP test. This is some sort of test for the gastrointestianal doctor to see if the cancer is in those areas
Next week on Tues. Aug. 1st Sam will again go to the hospital for a CAT scan and a bone scan.
Pray for us to have the Lord's peace and for all these tests to find the source of the cancer soon!
Tomorrow, July 29th, is Sam's actual 65th Birthday. We never dreamed that it be celebrated with a trip to a doctor to determine the location of cancer.
Lord willing after the Friday test we will drive to SC to be with our daughter Kristi and her husband Darrin along with grand daughter Lily. Our son Kevin will also be driving up from Florida with his family too (Sarah, Damien & Jazlyn). We will have a little family party on Lake Whylie where Kristi live. Hopefully that will keep us busy and our minds off our medical problems.
Tonight we had a pie social for congressmen on the Hill. They were encouraging and the pies were yummy. It's so good to spend time with others who love the Lord.
Lamentations 3 says,
"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS!"
Next week on Tues. Aug. 1st Sam will again go to the hospital for a CAT scan and a bone scan.
Pray for us to have the Lord's peace and for all these tests to find the source of the cancer soon!
Tomorrow, July 29th, is Sam's actual 65th Birthday. We never dreamed that it be celebrated with a trip to a doctor to determine the location of cancer.
Lord willing after the Friday test we will drive to SC to be with our daughter Kristi and her husband Darrin along with grand daughter Lily. Our son Kevin will also be driving up from Florida with his family too (Sarah, Damien & Jazlyn). We will have a little family party on Lake Whylie where Kristi live. Hopefully that will keep us busy and our minds off our medical problems.
Tonight we had a pie social for congressmen on the Hill. They were encouraging and the pies were yummy. It's so good to spend time with others who love the Lord.
Lamentations 3 says,
"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS!"
Monday, July 26, 2010
Oncologist
The Lord is gracious. In Lamentations 3:22-24 we read,
"The steadfas love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."
Now for the techie info which may be more than you want:
We just got back from meeting our new doctor, Dr. Anthony Felice. We like him very much as he takes lots of time to talk and explain what might be going on. We were his last patient and he was running behind because he was talking to another patient. (After our medical discussions he asked Sam alot about what he does on Capital Hill.) He examinied Sam and ran a blood test that showed Sam's count to be normal and not anemic.
The lab in TX is running second tests on the biospy material but they still might not be able to tell from that. He said that in 15% of these cases, they cannot determine the source of the cancer. There is a specific regime for those. These come from some sort of glandular source like lungs, or "belly" organs. He doesn't think Sam's is lung related at this point because of his symptoms so far.
Dr. Felice phoned the practice that did Sam's colonoscopy from a year ago and they pretty much agree that it's not from that area because things looked normal and don't usually change that fast. (colonoscopys are done every 5-10 years.)
So tomorrow we will schedule CAT scan, Bone scan and the stomach GI tests. We don't know when exactly they will put Sam in because scheduling was closed for today. We continue to feel your prayers and the "peace that passes all understanding". Keep praying for us. Many thanks. Each of our dear friends are special to us.
"The steadfas love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."
Now for the techie info which may be more than you want:
We just got back from meeting our new doctor, Dr. Anthony Felice. We like him very much as he takes lots of time to talk and explain what might be going on. We were his last patient and he was running behind because he was talking to another patient. (After our medical discussions he asked Sam alot about what he does on Capital Hill.) He examinied Sam and ran a blood test that showed Sam's count to be normal and not anemic.
The lab in TX is running second tests on the biospy material but they still might not be able to tell from that. He said that in 15% of these cases, they cannot determine the source of the cancer. There is a specific regime for those. These come from some sort of glandular source like lungs, or "belly" organs. He doesn't think Sam's is lung related at this point because of his symptoms so far.
Dr. Felice phoned the practice that did Sam's colonoscopy from a year ago and they pretty much agree that it's not from that area because things looked normal and don't usually change that fast. (colonoscopys are done every 5-10 years.)
So tomorrow we will schedule CAT scan, Bone scan and the stomach GI tests. We don't know when exactly they will put Sam in because scheduling was closed for today. We continue to feel your prayers and the "peace that passes all understanding". Keep praying for us. Many thanks. Each of our dear friends are special to us.
Sam's party
Last night we think that close to 80 people packed into our home to celebrate Sam and encourage him. WOW! what a huge encouragement that they were!! He was truly surprised by all their love and kind words about his impact on their lives!
I was a little worried that he might break down as he had teared up just an hour before they all arrived but the Lord enabled him. It was so wonderful to be hugged by so many dear, dear friends. Men from his various Bible studies came. Several from way back in 1980 shared how much he meant to them. One of them is now an Episc. priest and led the whole group in prayer. Then the whole downstairs full of people said the Lord's Prayer together with more gusto than I've ever heard in a church.
We were able to share an encouraging email from our family doctor with the group and tell them how we have felt growing peace as the prayer network has fanned out literally across the globe. I truly believe that because of all those prayers we are at peace and more encouraged than ever. A friend who is a cancer survivor pointed out to us that Jesus healed the paralytic in the Bible because of the faith of his FRIENDS rather than the paralytic's faith. So we treasure each and everyone of you who are "ripping off roof tiles and lowering" Sam into the Saviour's presence.
Sam is busy right now filing out medical forms on the internet site for the oncologist. We are leaving in a few moments. Nan
I was a little worried that he might break down as he had teared up just an hour before they all arrived but the Lord enabled him. It was so wonderful to be hugged by so many dear, dear friends. Men from his various Bible studies came. Several from way back in 1980 shared how much he meant to them. One of them is now an Episc. priest and led the whole group in prayer. Then the whole downstairs full of people said the Lord's Prayer together with more gusto than I've ever heard in a church.
We were able to share an encouraging email from our family doctor with the group and tell them how we have felt growing peace as the prayer network has fanned out literally across the globe. I truly believe that because of all those prayers we are at peace and more encouraged than ever. A friend who is a cancer survivor pointed out to us that Jesus healed the paralytic in the Bible because of the faith of his FRIENDS rather than the paralytic's faith. So we treasure each and everyone of you who are "ripping off roof tiles and lowering" Sam into the Saviour's presence.
Sam is busy right now filing out medical forms on the internet site for the oncologist. We are leaving in a few moments. Nan
Friday, July 23, 2010
Friday July 23
For those just "tuning in": last week on Wed. 7/14 Sam went in for an "upper GI" to see what was going on. He thought he was just having indigestion issures.
After the first test which was a sonogram, the techinicions started talking among themselves and went for the radiologist MD who then called Sam in to talk. He said that there was a large 15cm. mass covering 80% of his liver. All other tests were called off and he was sent off to schedule a MRI. That couldn't be scheduled until a week ago on Fri. the 16th.
Sat. the 17th our family doctor who is a friend phoned to give us the horrible news that the mass probably indicates cancer coming from somewhere else. A biopsy was ordered and couldn't be scheduled until this Tues. 7/20. So we spent that whole day in the hospital.
More waiting to hear what the biopsy found. Yesterday, Thurs. 7/22 they phoned in late afternoon to say the results were inconclusive.
We hope no news means "good news" but the Reston Hospital lab couldn't read Sam's biopsy to determine where the cancer was coming from. So they had to send it out to another lab to read.
Pray that it gets read at the new lab today and that they come up with some conclusions otherwise the oncologist won't meet with us as scheduled on Mon. afternoon. Another long weekend of waiting. :o(
Sunday night 7/25 from 7 - 9PM we are having a birthday party to celebrate Sam's 65th and 30 years serving the Lord at the Christian Embassy. This was planned a month ago before we knew about Sam's health issues. We are going ahead with the party but how do we "celebrate"? Pray for us to have a good time forgeting our present drama. Come if you can. Jer. 29:11
After the first test which was a sonogram, the techinicions started talking among themselves and went for the radiologist MD who then called Sam in to talk. He said that there was a large 15cm. mass covering 80% of his liver. All other tests were called off and he was sent off to schedule a MRI. That couldn't be scheduled until a week ago on Fri. the 16th.
Sat. the 17th our family doctor who is a friend phoned to give us the horrible news that the mass probably indicates cancer coming from somewhere else. A biopsy was ordered and couldn't be scheduled until this Tues. 7/20. So we spent that whole day in the hospital.
More waiting to hear what the biopsy found. Yesterday, Thurs. 7/22 they phoned in late afternoon to say the results were inconclusive.
We hope no news means "good news" but the Reston Hospital lab couldn't read Sam's biopsy to determine where the cancer was coming from. So they had to send it out to another lab to read.
Pray that it gets read at the new lab today and that they come up with some conclusions otherwise the oncologist won't meet with us as scheduled on Mon. afternoon. Another long weekend of waiting. :o(
Sunday night 7/25 from 7 - 9PM we are having a birthday party to celebrate Sam's 65th and 30 years serving the Lord at the Christian Embassy. This was planned a month ago before we knew about Sam's health issues. We are going ahead with the party but how do we "celebrate"? Pray for us to have a good time forgeting our present drama. Come if you can. Jer. 29:11
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Hello loved ones. We've been touched and overwhelmed by your caring calls, emails, and responses. Thanks so much for being in contact with us and we can feel your love and concern. We feel upheld by the prayers and support you all have offered to us. Please continue to pray for wisdom in the decisions ahead.
Here is the latest update on Sam.
Yesterday Sam went to Reston Hospital for a biopsy on his liver. We spent most of the day there. The procedure went well, and we will not get any results for the next 2-3 days. So we are in a waiting period. Please pray that we will know what doctors and procedures to use once we have the results of this biopsy.
Here is the latest update on Sam.
Yesterday Sam went to Reston Hospital for a biopsy on his liver. We spent most of the day there. The procedure went well, and we will not get any results for the next 2-3 days. So we are in a waiting period. Please pray that we will know what doctors and procedures to use once we have the results of this biopsy.
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