Thanking the Lord....

We had a great weekend. Filled with fellowship. Friday we went out to eat with friends and then on to an open house for dear friends of ours who have been medical missionaries in Nigeria for the last 20 years with Campus Crusade for Christ. They are now moving to Rochester, Minnesota where he will practice at the Mayo Clinic. He will also continue his research work into rickets.

Saturday we went down to our friends in Orem and were going to go on a picnic up in the canyon. However, our temperature was 100º F and the heat zaps any strength out of Pilot Dad so everyone opted for a picnic indoors where we could enjoy good old central air conditioning. :)

Then for Father's Day we went over to our best friend's home and celebrated the day together. Their daughter H's husband is in Afghanistan, so she was there with her two children, their other daughter, G, was there and then us. It was a great meal. Teriyaki chicken done on the grill, fruit salad, a jello salad with "frosting" (whipped cream), corn on the cob and homemade ice cream for dessert!! I am praising God for good food which nourishes our bodies.

We have found that Pilot Dad does better on his eating in a social situation. He picks and eats but manages to get some food down while everyone is visiting. This weekend the winners were the corn on the cob and watermelon. :) However, as the doctor reminded us today, they have no calories and no protein. I praise the Lord for good friends who help us get through the tough times.

Speaking of the radiation visit today...we saw the doctor after PD had weighed. :( He has lost 10 pounds since last Monday. The doctor was not happy with PD...well, she was not happy about the loss of weight. PD feels so bad about not being able to force himself to eat. He thinks he is "woosing out" but I tried and the doctor tried telling him that there is nothing wrong with going with the feeding tube. My thoughts are praising the Lord we have such things in this day and age. It wasn't too long ago where feeding tubes didn't exist. So, Wednesday morning is the big day. After inserting, he cannot use it for 24 hours. We will be set up with a home health nurse who will come and teach us how to use it and will bring him the supplies needed. I praise God for the medical advances we have at our disposal in this day and age.

This morning was a good morning to trim the bushes and trees out back. One of our pastor's sons offered to come over when we were visiting Friday night. His wife was at work and he had the day off so his help was greatly appreciated. Jim "supervised" and Jesse did the work and climbed up on the ladder etc. They almost finished but J will come back next week and finish up. I am praising the Lord for His continued blessings when we are in need.

"Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord GOD is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds' feet, and makes me walk on my high places" (Habakkuk 3:18-19).

Moving forward...

I'm back!!! I apologize for my previous outbursts. Obviously I had taken my eyes off Jesus. You know, it really is ugly when it's all about me rather than HIM.

First off, we talked to the doctor on Monday (yesterday) and she is more than willing to write a letter telling the workplace that he will be back to work full time after about 2-3 weeks from his last radiation treatment. That will give him time to recoup some of his strength and energy before beginning work again.

Let's see, we noticed this morning that there are several small round patches on his face where he has lost his beard. They are not the size of a dime but almost. I imagine those will only get bigger. The doctors tell us that the "usual" time frame for symptoms to show up is around 2 weeks into treatment. Well, just for general info to anyone who might be getting ready to begin radiation treatment, don't be surprised if you begin earlier than 2 weeks, and conversely, don't be surprised if you make it to the third week. Everyone is different. Pilot Dad experienced nausea by his third treatment, the thick mucousy 'stuff' began earlier than 2 weeks, etc.

Besides the hair loss he has sores on his tongue which is caused my his taste buds trying to work over hard to do their job but the radiation is messing with them. His taste buds are changing. They had said that he might first think everything tastes sweet, then sour and finally, everything will taste like cardboard. Most things, especially water, is tasting metallic to him.

For the mucousy 'stuff' gargling with 1 tsp of salt, and 1 tsp of baking soda in 1 pint of water (16 oz) is crucial. It cuts the mucous quite well for a little while. He can swallow it and it doesn't taste awful and it doesn't mess up his internal system, or he can just gargle it. He is gargling quite often but it brings relief from the thick stuff. He is making up a jar to take to work to have on hand.

He still hasn't come up with the best way to sleep. The problem again is the mucous. If he sleeps on his back (or his side) he eventually awakes choking on the thick stuff. He usually gets up and gargles even though it disrupts his sleep but the relief brought on by the gargling is so good it is worth it.

Let's see what else is going on...hmmmm, his nausea is being controlled by medication so that isn't a problem now. I told you about the sores on his tongue but there are bright red spots covering the roof of his mouth and going down his throat. He is still making a valiant effort with his eating but we have bought a supply of Ensure to help boost what he may not be getting. We have ordered our Champion Juicer (Commercial grade) on line and it should be arriving by the end of the week. He is visibly wincing when he swallows so I think by Friday he will begin the pain medications.

We had a WONDERFUL weekend!!! How I praise the Lord for that! Jim managed to mow the yard on Saturday and plans to continue as long as he is able. We have lined up one of the teenage boys at church to come and do it once Jim is not able. (This is where we miss having Pilot at home!!! He was always so good to step in and do whatever needed to be done when his dad has been incapacitated.) We also ate Sunday dinner over at the parents of Pilot's girlfriend. Such a lovely meal out in their beautiful backyard under their pavilion. Warm and sunny with just the slightest breeze to keep us from being too hot.

One of the blessings which I have come to appreciate is the extra time Pilot Dad and I have been able to spend together. It has caused us to slow down and smell the roses! We are in the midst of redoing our home. We decided PD had to conserve his energy so we hired a pastor friend to do the painting. The flooring and counter tops should be ready to go in sometime toward the end of next week. The carpet has been ordered and should arrive in about 2 weeks and then all that will be left is to have the new furniture delivered. This all began before we ever knew it was cancer so we have explained the situation to everyone and they have been really great to work with us.

Oh my goodness! This has become quite the missive!! If you have persevered this far in reading then I salute you!! :)


Psalm 31
In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be ashamed; in Your rightousness deliver me...For You are my rock and my fortress; for Your name's sake You will lead me and guide me...Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth...I will be glad and rejoice and be glad in Your lovingkindness, because You have seen my affliction; You have known the troubles of my soul...But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD, I say, "You are my God." My times are in Your hand...Make Your face to shine upon Your servant; save me in Your lovingkindness...How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, before the sons of men!...Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the LORD.