Here is the update from out appointment with our Oncology Doctor. (Dr. Tam) We are going to have a busy couple weeks to get the chemo treatments going.

On Dec 2 Randy and I will be attending a Chemo teaching seminar at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre. It's about 1.5 hours long.  Gives us information on Chemo and side effects and what to do in case of extreme side effects.

Randy will be going on Dec 5th to the South Calgary Health Centre to have a Port-a-Cath put into his upper chest area.  This will be used to inject the chemo medicines.  It's an hour procedure with 1 - 2 hours after to make sure everything is okay, no bleeding etc...

Monday Dec 9th we have a family counseling session in the morning for 2.5 hours for us and the boys and then in the early afternoon we have an appointment with Dr. Tam to touch base and see if we have questions before starting the chemo treatments.  If any of you have questions you would like us to ask let us know.

Wednesday Dec 11th Randy will get his first chemo treatment and then every week after that we will be going in.  One of the chemo drugs is a time release type of medication so it has to be given to Randy in a bottle that he has to wear all the time.  If as some point he can start to swallow pills they could switch to pill form.

In between all this Randy still has to have blood work done twice a week to monitor that the "blood thinner" is not causing issues.

We are praying that this next step in this journey will help give some relief and comfort for Randy and slow down the growth of cancer.

Lord, we acknowledge that you are the King of kings and the Lord of Lords. We know that you are still in the business of healing your people and that you are not only willing but you are able to heal cancer and destroy every pain for those undergoing through chemo this day in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen. Father, make whole every dear one that is in chemotherapy now. Today, we ask for your healing power and we shall certainly not forget to give you all the praise and all the glory. Thank you for hearing this prayer in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen.

Well it's been a busy week for Randy and I.  Lot's of appointments.  We had the CT scan on Tuesday.  On Wednesday the Doctor called as he had the results of the scan so bumped up our appt with him to Thursday afternoon at the Richmond Diagnostic Center (old Children's hospital). 

Here is what we found out:

• the tumor in his esophagus is showing signs of shrinking - Yay!!
• Randy has some small blood clots in his lungs - now having to give himself shots of  Tinzaparin everyday to get rid of them.  We had our teaching appointment on Thursday at the Foothills in the morning.  This drug therapy will not effect any of the other treatments and it also means Randy will have to go for blood work for the next couple weeks twice a week.
• the tumors on the liver are growing and there is a lymph node close to his spine at the level of the stomach and esophagus that has grown. This could be the one of the reasons for his back pain along with the blood clots.
• we have now been referred to the Oncology Specialist for a Chemotherapy consult.  This is booked for Thursday Nov 28th.  Now begins our next step on this journey with cancer.

Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.” ~ Groucho Marx

Love to all
Randy, Kim and boys.

Randy has been experiencing more pain through out his right side of his abdomen and into his back.  As this pain is awful he spends the time sleeping as it doesn't hurt while sleeping.  It is very difficult to watch as there is nothing you can do.  No matter how much you love him you cannot take the pain away. 

We are going for the CT scan tomorrow and the will have to wait for the 28th to have the results.  You do feel discouraged that he still cannot swallow.  Trying to remain positive.  Your continued prayers are greatly appreciated. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.





 

Its been a tough few days for Randy.  He has experienced more shooting pain throughout his lower back and abdomen.  Nausea and dry heaves continue to happen out of the blue.  He is also experiencing low levels of energy, praying all his energy is going towards shrinking the tumor.  As this is week 8 after radiation treatments have ended maybe the side effects are going to get worse and then better.  He tried to swallow water on Tuesday.  It did not go down.  We are keeping positive thoughts that his body is just taking longer to react to the radiation treatments.  When they say 6-8 weeks that's just an average so some people are quicker and some are longer.  Fingers crossed.

Thankfully the phlebitis has eased up and he no longer has the pain in his butt and legs and the hives have stayed away so that is a blessing. 

I have had a couple wonderful days meeting up with some special ladies who I have worked with before and work with now.  It was great to see you all.  Thanks for your support, comfort and shoulders to cry on.   

Go RIDERS GO!!!

These past few days Randy has been rough.  The pain from the phlebitis has eased up a little in his leg so that he does not need the crutches but now it has moved into his buttocks so it makes it hard to get comfy, can't sit or lay on it. He tells me the pain is like a deep bruise and to touch it hurts like a "son of a gun!"

Then all of a sudden on Friday he gets hives??? Don't know where they came from as it's not like he's eating anything that he could react to.  I was able to crush up Benadryl for him which eased the itchiness and flare up of the hives. This went on until Saturday morning.  Puts you at your wits end dealing with stupid things that come up.  Randy is handling everything with great collectedness and poise.  Personally I don't know how he does not want to kick and scream cause I sure do!!! 

As you know Randy is unable to swallow and so he has to spit out his spit.  Well a side effect of the radiation is that your spit becomes a more thicker mucus.  Every so often this mucus sticks in the back of his throat and causes Randy to gag and then it brings on the dry heaves,  When this happens it knocks him out for a good while.  He usually sleeps after a round of it 

I went out with Shelly on Saturday for a pedicure and lunch.  It was a very relaxing outing and I enjoyed it immensely.  We were hoping to go to their house today for the Saskatchewan football game but Randy was not up for it.  Jeff stopped by for a quick visit and took Matthew back for a sleep over.  Andrew went up after work to join his brother and cousin.  Dan was out paintballing so Randy and I had the house to ourselves.  We watched the game, which was a nail biter but the Roughriders managed to pull it off.    Next week it Stamps vs Riders!!

Randy has some upcoming appointments.  On Nov 19th he has a CT Scan and then on Nov 28th we go see the Radiation Specialist to see what happens next. 

Well that's all for now.  Keep praying for Randy.  We hope before the CT Scan that he will be able to swallow!! 

Prayer for Healing

Lord, look upon Randy with eyes of mercy, may your healing hand rest upon him, may your life-giving powers flow into every cell of his body and into the depths of his soul, cleansing, purifying, restoring him to wholeness and strength for service in your Kingdom. Amen.

Love Kim

Had a busy day yesterday.  Randy woke up about 5 am and moved out to the couch.  Stopped his feeding pump to take some more medicine.  Hooked back up to the feeding pump and heard it going, fell asleep.  When he woke up couple hours later the feeding bag had not emptied.  Tried to flush the feeding tube out and could not get any water down. Spent the next couple hours struggling to unblock the tube himself.  We ended up going to the Foothills to see the Home Care nurse to see if she could help.  They have an enzyme to try and unclog the tube.  That did not work so they contacted the Radiation doctor to get an order to have the tube replaced.  Went to the Fluoroscopy department and they were able to x-ray Randy and saw that the tube was kinked in his stomach so they pulled some of it out and the kink went away, thank goodness, did not have to have the tube replaced.  All in all it took 3 1/2 hours, which is not to bad for timing,  we thought maybe Randy might have to be admitted while he waits to get the tube fixed.  We were very grateful that that did not happen.

We got home around 4:15 and an hour later Andrew came home from Volleyball practice and had a bad cut on his chin.  They were doing diving drills and he hit the floor with his face and torn open his chin.  So back out I went to take him to the clinic to get stitches, he got 4 stitches to close the wound.  

Hopefully the rest of the week will be uneventful.  Just couple of appointments and blood work to get done......

Your prayers are always needed and appreciated.

Lord, you know me inside and out.

You know about my pain and distress,

you understand the fears of my heart.

At the cross you endured unabating agony.

You have gone before me into the darkness

And emerged in power and glory.

 

At this time I lean on You

I draw my strength from Your endless love

And live in Your limitless grace

Trusting in You.

Have had a quiet, restful time since the last post.  Randy has had more symptoms of side effects this week, which is week 7.  Nausea, vomiting and fatigue.  He has not tried to swallow anything due to this.  Hope to try sometime this week.

Today we had a visit from our Family Doctor - Dr, Bhatla.  He stopped over and talked with us and checked up on Randy's leg. Spent couple of hours with us.  He confirmed the pain in Randy's leg is  superficial phlebitis.  He will be calling the Radiation doctor tomorrow to see if they have a recommendation for pain relief that will help Randy.  He doesn't want to prescribe anything without verifying first its okay with what he is already on.  Even though the internet says that you should use heat and try to walk around Dr. Bhatla says to try rest and use ice.  Think we will follow the Dr's orders.   

The phlebitis has moved from his right leg to the left leg.  Hoping it will clear up soon, couple more days if it follows the same pattern.   It is quite painful and unable to support him walking on, thankfully we have crutches here so Randy can use them to get around.   




A Prayer for Healing Cancer

 Heavenly Father, I come before you with a solemn heart and in need of your intercession. I pray that the cancer that has come into my life soon fades into a quick remission. I believe in your capacity for miracles, and ask for this on my behalf. As we grow older, I know we become closer to the day you accept us back into your kingdom. I ask that you delay that holy union if it be your will. In your name I pray,

Amen.