Update

5:00 p.m.- Mike received a full IV this afternoon at his oncologists office. He is still feeling pretty bad. His blood pressure was fine when they took it. They drew labs and his lab report didn't look too bad. His sodium was a little low, his potassium was a little low, his bilirubin was a little elevated at 2.4, but nothing stood out particularly for Mike to be feeling as bad as he does. The doctor came back and spoke with us. He asked for Mike and I to return tomorrow, to discuss where we go from here, and to also receive another IV fluid treatment. All diuretics have been removed from his list of medications.

Please pray that our appointment tomorrow would go well ,and that Mike will begin to feel better, and come out of this alright. He is so thin. Even though he's only had breakfast this morning; he has felt stuffed all day, and has had constant indigestion and hiccups. He's very weak and shaky on his feet. He asked to be put in a wheel chair when we arrived at the clinic this afternoon. That shows how bad he felt. Mike would do anything but that....if he could.

2:30 p.m.-We're heading in to the oncologists office for Mike to get an IV fluid treatment.

11 a.m.-We have a call in to Mike's oncologist this morning. Mike's blood pressure is down to 82/40 this morning, with his resting heart rate at 112. He is very weak. We are trying to find out if they think Mike should continue some of the medications he came home from the hospital with because he is becoming very dehydrated. There is the possibility they will bring him in for an IV. We are waiting for them to call us back.

Mike hasn't felt well all day. He has spent most of it, in bed, or sitting in the chair next to our bed. Eating causes him to have a constant full feeling, and he struggles with indigestion afterwards. Because of this, he has drank very little today, which I know isn't good for him. I'm hoping he can see, or speak, with his oncologist tomorrow. Mike wants to stop taking one of the medications he was sent home from the hospital with. Actually, he's already halted it, against my better thinking. But it's possible, it might not even be necessary, since I don't see any visible sign of Ascites the last two days.

Mike's blood pressure (87/60) has been low, but his heart rate (112) has been pretty high, while barely moving around. We didn't dare put him on the scale today. He ate breakfast and lunch, but he only ended up drinking an Ensure for dinner. He's so thin, it brings me to tears. Days like today leave my heart feeling heavy. I feel helpless.

"Lord, Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me." Psalm 63:7-8

I left Mike alone this morning so that I could attend Sunday School and Church. I made him promise to stay in bed until I got home...and he listened. When I woke him up to tell him I was leaving, he told me he felt a lot better today and he must have, because he stayed awake all day. He got showered and sat downstairs all day, once I got home. That was a big step forward.

This is about the third time Mike has had to fight his way back from a big set back. His muscles have atrophied. He has lost so much weight. When he stands up, he becomes really dizzy and wobbly. I follow him whenever he is up moving around.

Last night we were invited to eat dinner with our son, Jill, and Drew. It was a huge undertaking for Mike, because he has been so weak and out of breath, and has stayed mostly in bed the past couple of weeks. He did fairly well, but got upset after we got home. He wanted his strength back to hold and hug his grandbabies. He wants so much to play and love on them and is too weak to really do that now. He didn't want to scare his children/grandchildren by his appearance. It was the kind of day where he felt so worn out by the struggle from the last two years, he just was really low, and did not know if he had anything left in him to keep fighting. It was painful for me to see him this way. We held each other and shed lots of tears. It was a very low moment for both of us. Probably the first, where we've confronted our deepest fears.

Some times I wonder where tomorrow's strength will come from. Any resilience, or perseverance stock pile, is running low. Any fight left in us, is for the sake of our children and grandchildren. That's when we need to remember God will give us everything we need for each day. That it is futile looking for tomorrows strength, today. God is always with us, and we can rest assured He'll be at our side tomorrow too.

Thank you for your commitment to pray for Mike and I and our family. It means every thing to us.

I've included a couple of pictures of the bottoms of Mike's feet to show how they are peeling after taking the Xeloda (oral chemotherapy).

"To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in You." Psalm 25:1-2

I've learned a new word today. Myoclonus. This is a brief, involuntary twitching of a muscle, or group of muscles, often called Myclonus jerks, or seizures. This describes the movements, I was seeing from Mike at the hospital, that I had described as tremors. Since we've been home, this condition hasn't been as often, or grand. I'll still see them though, while he's sleeping, or while he's trying to hold his hands behind his head, watching TV.

Mike has lost an incredible amount of weight. Since being released from the hospital Wednesday, Mike has gone from 150.5 pounds to 139.9 pounds. I know a lot of this was fluid built up from Ascites, but it's alarming me a little to see how thin he's becoming. His arms and legs really look thin and frail. He has even had trouble looking at himself in the mirror. He is still very wobbly when he's trying to move around. Is still very weak. His stomach is not as swollen or tight and he's not in any pain. He continues to eat fairly well for me.

His feet and hands are peeling...from the Hand and Foot Syndrome he experienced 3 weeks ago. The blisters on the pads of his feet, eventually popped, and now he's peeling off quite a bit of thick, dead skin from them. I'm convinced the Xeloda is responsible for this recent setback. If it was causing this amount of damage to Mike's outer skin, then I can only imagine what it was doing to his insides.



We are going to attempt to go to our son and daughter-n-law's house this evening for dinner. Outside of coming home Wednesday from the hospital, Mike has only attempted getting out of bed once, and he ended up back in bed shortly after. Maybe a little "Drew" time will help Mike feel stronger and better.

I have a praise to share......Mike didn't gag or spit up last night, so we both were able to get a good nights rest. Thank you for praying for us and helping us through this difficult time. I'm so grateful for each and every one of you.

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." John 15:13

Had to force Mike to wake up this morning. I wanted to get breakfast into him and give him his medications on time. He wouldn't budge at first...so I had to bring out my serious voice. ;)

We were up a couple of times again in the middle of the night. Mike has been having trouble gagging on fluid, (possibly from his lungs) which results in him spitting up a bit in his sleep. Because I take so many medications myself to sleep, Mike's gagging startles me, and I run around in circles trying to find the basin to help him. (Yeah...I know what that must look like.) I think from that last time he gagged, until I got up this morning, I never went back to sleep, but just laid there waiting for him to do it again.

For me, it is hard to know what to look for if Mike becomes worse, because many of the signs they have told to alert me, Mike has had the past two years. Shortness of breath, pain in the abdomen and even confusion to some extent (because he's often sleeping), have always been issues with Mike since the biliary tubes were put in August 2007. So it's a little more of a challenge now to differentiate the two. I would hate to waste money running him to the emergency room when it wasn't merited, just as much as I would hate not to get him care at the onset, since the Hepatic Encephalopathy can be irreversible.

Mike is eating well. He actually ate three meals yesterday...and then at 10:30 last night wanted scramble eggs and toast. I happily obliged. He seems to be his most alert and normal, around that time. Getting him to take in fluids continues to be a struggle. I have noticed Mike having a more gaunt appearance in the past couple of days, and it is probably because he is off the IV, and he's on three medications that are pulling any fluids or toxins from his body. I don't know what to do to avoid him from becoming dehydrated. I've tried a little "tough love" to convince him to drink more than he probably feels like.

Yesterday was a productive day for me. I was able to go through a stack of paperwork, learned how to pay bills online (Mike only did this), filed some claims, and did several loads of laundry. Today I hope to resolve or replace Mike's cell phone and pick up some odds and ends we need. I'm trusting Mike will be a good patient and stay put in bed until I get back.

As always, thank you for praying and thinking about us.

"He will give His people strength. He will bless them with peace." Psalm 29:11

Mike had a decent nights rest. We were only up twice. He is eating well so far. Last night he ate some dinner, and then later followed that up with a Snickers ice cream bar, Ritz peanut butter crackers, and a half of a glass of milk. This morning he ate his breakfast. So I'm very pleased with that side of things. Fluids are a little harder to judge, making sure he is getting enough.

We have had no fevers, and his blood pressure was good at 110/67. His stomach appears to me and Mike, to be getting back to normal. He hasn't taken any pain medication or anti-nausea medication since we came home yesterday. But he continues to sleep. He still has tremors but they appear milder to me here at home. I have set up an audio monitor in our room, so when I'm downstairs I can listen for him. He is very weak though and walks very shakily. I really wish he would have allowed me to make a bed for him downstairs, but he argues he has everything he needs upstairs.

I feel bad for him right now because he's sleeping in a recliner temporarily. I had changed the sheets on our bed and was just getting him back into it, when he spilled his hot tea all over it. It's ironic since he was sitting at the computer trying to see about getting his cell phone fix while I was changing the sheets. While we were in the hospital, a nurse accidentally spilled Mike's coffee all over his cell phone and now it isn't working. So if any of you are trying to reach Mike on his cell number, you may try mine instead. Or you can email him, or me (sonshineshaven@suddenlink.net), and I will be sure he returns your call.

Thank you for continuing to look in on us, and praying. Things seem to change quickly regarding Mike. I will do my best to keep you updated.

"The heavens will praise Your wonders, O Lord; Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the saints." Psalm 89:5

Mike is at home from the hospital. We arrived home around noon. He is having a good day, but has been asleep most of the afternoon. I was able to wake him and get him to eat a 1/2 of a sandwich around 2 p.m., and some Gatorade, but it is going to be a challenge keeping him from becoming dehydrated and losing weight, when he wants to sleep all the time. He is just very hard to wake up now.

He is taking two kinds of diuretics which is helpful in pulling the fluid away from his abdomen and legs, caused by the Ascites, but this may also work against us keeping him hydrated. The nurse suggested I weigh Mike everyday to watch for any rapid increase of weight which might indicate that fluid is increasing.

Then there is the concern with the ammonia building back up in his blood, causing the Hepatic Encephalopathy. Those symptoms cause him to become confused and disoriented. It's hard to differentiate what is confusion and what is, what I named tremors. The tremors are very obvious with him reaching his arms out in front of him, trying to grab things, and moving his limbs largely. He eventually snaps out of them, and chuckles, but I'm not laughing. There is a part of me that wants to ask God, "Do you remember who you are working with here? I'm far from being a nurse and I'm not certain I will stay on top of everything or know what is what."

Mike frightened me a little this morning when I arrived at the hospital. He was somewhat out of it, when I was there, and I became concerned if we were leaving the hospital too soon again. I explained to his nurse that I was noticing an increase today in the tremor-type symptoms while he was asleep..even at times while his eyes were wide open. I told her I was afraid to bring him home in this condition, especially with our home being two story. My heart sank with the news that he may never recover from this fully, but afterwards, I reminded myself that God is all powerful and all knowing, and if He feels we need these new symptoms in our lives, then so be it. We will just learn to live with them with His help.

My largest obstacle will be dealing with Mike. The nurse explained to me that these symptoms may be a new normal for Mike, but he would do just fine at home. She suggested I make a bed downstairs for Mike so he would stay on the first floor, and avoid the stairs. So, I spoke with Mike about all of this and he promised me all the way home he would allow me to fix up a bed for him downstairs. Then we got home, and the first thing he did was head up the stairs. ;( He is NOT a good patient!

Anyway..... we are home now, and I feel blessed he is here with me tonight. I'm grateful for every day God gives me. I know you know enough to pray specifically for our needs. You have been so faithful. Thank you for your prayers, and please keep us lifted as we deal daily, with all of this.

"Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10

God's Tenderness and Mercy

Dear Friends and Family,

I'm overwhelmed by God's mercy today. He has directed His angels to care for us, and it's been demonstrated in such a visible way. I can't stay silent, because it clearly came from His hand. I praise Him for his faithfulness to His children. He has lifted an unbearable weight from our shoulders.

Lara, Mike and I could never thank you enough, for helping us. You have truly been an angel to us on earth through Goody's. Thank you for doing all you could, to have Mike's (Long Term Disability Insurance) case reopened for the additional three years we were counting on. An unimaginable weight has been lifted from our shoulders.

I am so grateful for each person God has placed in Mike's and my life. Each one of you have lifted Mike and I up when we were the most desperate, in many various ways. You have all come to us by God's hand, and we consider you each, as one of His angels. We're unworthy of His grace, unconditional love, and goodness. The love and friendship of His servants has had no measure....no end. Your love will forever be written upon our hearts.

Mike had a right thoracentisis (fluid removed from his lung) this morning. When they tried to remove Mike's oxygen this morning, his level dropped to 85, when they would like to keep it at 90. So the internist decided a chest xray was necessary. After that was reviewed, a decision was made for the procedure. Mike did well and I believe he said 500 cc's were extracted, but I may have that wrong.

Mike has been requesting only the pill forms of pain and nausea medication he's routinely taken in the past, and I can already see a major improvement in him. I'm totally convinced the other medication was causing the tremors, seizure like movements he was experiencing. So not viewing those symptoms today has kept me calmer.

Mike told me he weighed 153 this morning, which makes it appear like he has lost almost 10 pounds of fluid weight. I noticed the swelling has reduced quite a bit, even though Mike still feels discomfort in his belly region. They have increased the diuretic medication which seems to be helping.

We meet with our oncologist this evening around 6 p.m., and may have more answers as to when Mike will be ready to go home, and how do we go from here. I will update you this evening if we receive any concrete plans.

Again....dear ones....thank you. Your prayers, your visits, your contacts with others we've needed, your gifts (unspeakable gifts), your willingness to get involved in our tragic and very painful story. From bringing us food to the hospital, to changing light bulbs, your willingness to stand beside us brings me to tears. No loving act has gone unnoticed.

I hope you will listen to the lyrics of the song above. It speaks from our heart.

Mike had me leave the hospital early this evening. He hasn't felt very well today. I'm really not feeling very well myself, so we decided we needed some extra rest.

I'm seeing a correlation between Mike's new pain and nausea medication, and possibly his tremors. I've looked up the side effects of both of them and seizures or tremors can be a side effect. I'm praying that is all it is. Mike is going to try and just stay on the Hydrocodone and Phenagren from here on out.

The internist said Mike will receive one more day of IV antibiotics. He is also going to wean Mike off the oxygen. I'm guessing he's considering Mike leaving the hospital Wednesday...but we'll need to see what the oncologist says tomorrow. I want Mike home, but I'm not sure I will be able to keep him hydrated, fed and protected.

I'm praying God will guide us over the next couple of months, as we deal with our new circumstances, and take action on what we need to do for our future. There is a lot of weight on our shoulders. We would like to run this race strong to the end, but on days like today, we have our doubts. No matter what, you have been a complete blessing to Mike and I, and we couldn't have made it this far without all of your support.

I wish I could say our faith doesn't waiver, and we believe in this promise today. Perhaps we can make this a matter of prayer for ourselves. "He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him." Psalm 112.7

Today is a little better day for Mike. He has been more coherent. When I was there, his tremors seem to have worsened, especially while he's sleeping. Mike recognizes he is having these involuntary movements too. I spoke with the doctor and nurse last night, and today, about these, and I'm not really getting any answers. The doctor on call last night, ordered some bloodwork, but they told Mike this morning it was all normal. I asked if it could be a side effect to the new medications he is receiving, and was told probably not. An allergic reaction....probably not. Anything to be worrying about....probably not. Mike is beginning to feel a lot like Michael J. Fox.

The diuretics for the Ascites seem to be working at pulling fluid out of Mike's knees and thighs. He still has a very swollen tummy. Before all of these Ascites symptoms, Mike weighed 145. Today they weighed him and he was 162. Normally this would be good news...but for a man barely eating...it's clear this is a lot of water weight.

The scary thing for me today is thinking about here on out. Mike doesn't seem to be returning physically to where he was a month ago. I'm wondering if he'll be able to come home...get off oxygen....get off IV fluids...or walk any distance. I'm wondering if he is going to need 12 hour care, 24 hour care, and if so, how to do that if I work. I'm wondering if I need to be bracing myself for the worse, or continue to keep faith and hope that God can still heal our situation.

The wind can change so quickly! With the way circumstances have been recently; loss of Mike's health, loss of his job and then income, loss of insurance, loss of Long Term Disability, loss of Life Insurance.....I'm wondering what could be next. Will all earthly provision and security be ripped from our hands, and if so, why? What is the lesson here? I ask myself that a lot these days. Why? And I'm wondering, is survival even possible. The nightmare seems unending.

I guess this warrior is a little tired today.

"The lives that have been the greatest blessing to you are the lives of those people who themselves were unaware of having been a blessing. --Oswald Chambers

Mike is finally resting today. After a week of being wired and chatty, he is sleeping deeply and getting some good rest. The aim of the nursing staff is keeping Mike comfortable, giving him his antibiotics, and trying to get him to eat. They are supplementing his meals with Ensure, and hoping to increase his appetite. They have him back on most of his routine medications. Some of those were halted when Mike became confused.

Mike had a couple of his hallucination-type moments this morning, but he caught himself, and acknowledged them before I had time to say anything. His body is also experiencing some tremors as well. He still has the swelling from the Ascites but he is on diuretics now to help with that. Yesterday he was able to walk around the fourth floor about 5-6 six laps. It was nice to see him feeling more like himself.

In the last two days we have received some disappointing news, half of which Mike is unaware of. Due to Goody's Corporate Offices closing the end of April, we were notified this week we have lost not only Mike's Long Term Disability Insurance, but his Life Insurance Policy as well. My first reaction was "How will we ever make it"? Getting hit with blow after blow, I fall into the trap of thinking, I need to work out all of these problems myself. But as the heat continues to rise in this fiery furnace; all I can do is simply, trust God for each day and each blessing He gives us, and try to keep faith, the fire won't burn us.

Amber felt peace enough to go on vacation with the Lacy Family this week. She needed some time to rest. My sister went back home to Midland on Thursday. Matt and Jill are here for me to lean on, if I need them. I plan on trying to return to work this week, if Mike does well. We know he will be in the hospital for at least a couple of more days.

We have so much to be grateful for. Everyone has been such a blessing to Mike, myself, and our family. It has been such a comfort to be thought of so deeply, and to have you pray for us, when we have been so tired, to know what, or how to pray. Your hugs have been a warm blanket around me, reminding me I'm not alone. How can I ever thank all of you?!!! I'm so blessed!

Dear Friends and Family,

First.....Thank you for your prayers! It has been a tremendous battle this past week, and there is still plenty of unknown in front of us, but God is sustaining our family. Many of you have touched our hearts in such a deep way...going through this with us. Every face that walked through those hospital doors was a great comfort to me. The hugs and smiles fed and nourished my heart and that of my family.

I'm going to try and give you some nitty gritty details.

Praise #1 The CT of Mike's head showed everything was normal. (I know some of you are waiting for me to make a joke here, but I'll be respectful of Mike today. :)

Praise #2 The ultrasound of Mike's liver, to check the portal vein was unobstructed and normal.

Praise #3 The right lung didn't need to be drained because when the ultrasound of the liver was done, radiology noticed only 1 centimeter of fluid there, in contrast to the liter found in the left yesterday. So Dr. Sneed made the decision Mike didn't need to go through that painful procedure for only 1 centimeter.

Praise #4 Two SERIOUS infections were discovered in the drainage of the right side of Mike's liver. One was Klebsiella Pneumoniae, the other Enterococcus. This later germ can be very resistant to antibiotics. It is necessary that Mike receive the antibiotics for these germs intravenously. It is possible these two organisms may have brought on the Ascites (excess fluid build up in abdomen and lower extremities.) Dr. Sneed has thought about draining the excess fluid Mike has developed all over, but there may be a chance it would immediately return. So, we're going to trust God, He'll remove it. Mike is very uncomfortable with this excess fluid. His clothes do not fit him and it's painful.

Praise #5 The Hepatic Encephalopathy Mike developed over the past 6 days, may be improving slowly. Mike will appear very lucid most times during the day, but will become confused and extremely sleepy the next moment. The ammonia level in his blood was 74 on Sunday when he was admitted to St. Mary's. Normal is 30. Yesterday it was down to 14. PTL!!! This ammonia level travels quickly to the brain and causes confusion and sleepiness.

Mike also has hallucinations from time to time...which was upsetting to the family. Mike tries to pretend these moments are only him playing around and teasing, but it's important for you to know he's not putting on a show...every time. He just hates for friends and family to worry about him, and lightens things up when he snaps out of these moments. The Hepatic Encephalopathy may have developed with the oral chemo Mike had been taking that blistered his skin on the outside of his hands, arms and feet. We just can't say for sure. We're hoping we caught it soon enough as to not have cause permanent mental damage.

Mike will be in the hospital through the beginning of next week and maybe beyond. We know of no further testing to be done. It is just going to take him time to recover. He would enjoy company if you have the time to drop by. I'll warn you.....since this has happened, when he's coherent....he's VERY-VERY Chatty!!! :) He may block the door if you try and escape!

Thank you so much for your love, prayers, and concern. Please continue to lift us as we try to adapt to these new challenges. Evidently, somewhere along the way, we signed up for an Extreme, Christian, Endurance, Course! ;) We're scraping our knees quite a bit falling down, but our eyes are on our Master in front of us, leading the way.

Today we are expecting to hear the results from the CT scan of Mike's brain and from the ultrasound of the portal vein in Mike's liver. Mike will also have his right lung drained of fluid. Without going into too graphic of details, Mike has so much fluid throughout his body that he arms, legs, stomach and chest area, are almost doubled in size from fluid build up. We have no idea how this will be corrected...but the doctors do not seem to be concerned about this. In their words, that situation is secondary to other things they are trying to correct.

The kids and I are emotionally and physically exhausted. Every new day seems to bring another "surprise" and concern. The blessing has been that we have been sustained by God, and have fallen into the arms of family and friends supporting us, and being reassured that every prayer is being lifted.

We love all of you and will update you when we get more information.

My dad is experiencing confusion yet again this morning. They are running more tests to figure out what might be happening this time. I believe they are doing a CT of his head at some point and an ultrasound of his stomach to check for a clot. They also are draining fluid from his lungs again....this concerns us because last time they did this he had serious problems at Baptist. His ammonia levels were fine this morning, so they're not sure what has happened overnight to cause all of these symptoms to return. Please pray for us and my father during these procedures.

Amber

Mike is slowly recovering from this latest setback. I thought I would try and give everyone a brief explanation of what has been going on....at least from our understanding at the moment.

Mike developed Ascites, which is an accumulation of protein-containing fluid in the abdominal cavity. It has made Mike unable to bend his abdomen easily, when trying to get up. It rapidly spread up his sides to his armpits. They tested that fluid yesterday by doing a Diagnostic Paracentesis...which was inserting a needle into his abdomen to draw out the fluid and test it for bacteria. Mike's liver had stopped processing. Large amounts of albumin (the major protein in plasma) is usually lost from the blood into the abdominal fluid, so....Mike has been getting albumin intravenously, because his levels were low. Also, his potassium dropped as well, and he has been receiving that as well....along with fluids because he became dehydrated again.

The main issue we had was that Mike developed Hepatic Encephalopathy, which is confusion caused by deterioration of brain function that occurred because toxic substances normally removed by the liver, built up in Mike's blood and reached his brain. One of these substances was ammonia. The doctors have been successful in removing the ammonia.

Mike had become confused, drowsy, and disoriented rapidly last Friday-Sunday when we finally overrode his opinion to go to the emergency room. He appeared as if he had experienced a stroke. He began receiving Lactulose, to help speed up the process of eliminating these toxins from his body.

We met with Dr. Sneed last night briefly about the situation, but we haven't determined a plan of action yet, on how to proceed from here. Their priority has been to bring back up Mike's blood pressure, to remove toxins to help him become more lucid, and to improve his liver function. But Mike is far from being in the clear from all of this and we hope to learn more this morning about the plan from here.

This is just a brief overview......of what we have been dealing with. Please continue to pray for Mike's protection and for strength for our family., as we're all very exhausted mentally and physically.

Mike is in room 442 (here in town) if you would like to visit him, or send him a card. It's unclear if he'll be transferred on to LR. I will update more as we learn things.

Dear Family and Friends,

Mike has improved a little and continues to trust God for a miracle in his fight with cancer. Our faith is completely in Him....and our strength comes from His hand, our deep love for each other, and from our relationship with all of you. Thank you for not leaving us alone in any of this. Thank you for reminding us of God's power and love. And thank you for all of your love, prayers, hugs, and support. You could never know how much that has strengthened me and my family this past week. It has been a long, agonizing week, and I have a feeling we're no where close to the answer in all of this. But one thing we can give testimony to, is our Lord is All- Powerful, and continues to be EVERYTHING we need. No matter what is going on presently....our family will not give up hope. We will continue to praise Him for all He has seen us through, and for the outpouring of His love to us, through so many of you.

He continues to lift our heads,
Beverly, Mike, Matt, Amber, Jill, Zac, Drew and Ethan

Prayer Request

Just wanted to quickly let everyone know that my dad has improved enough to be transferred to a regular room at St. Mary's. They are still running tests and trying to get his levels under control. Thank you for your continued prayers.

My dad has been admitted to the ICU at St. Mary's due to complications with his liver. The best way I can explain it is that his liver is not metabolizing chemicals in his body properly and they are doing their best to get it back under control. Please pray for strength for my dad and my family during this time. It is a serious situation and we are praying for a positive outcome.

Amber Lacy

Dear Friends and Family,

We are home from the hospital, but Mike is experiencing some very scary symptoms this afternoon, and this evening. We probably should be heading back to the hospital but Mike has refused to do so. The children and I tried to persuade Mike this evening to let us call his doctor, or take him to the ER, but he repeatedly refused.

Please pray for Gods protection over Mike, that he might let us contact medical help before Tuesday (when he is scheduled to see his oncologist), and for the peace in our children's hearts, and mine, concerning this matter. We are all very upset and concerned.

Love,
Beverly

Last I heard from my mom they still did not know the results of the tests from yesterday. It's a bit frustrating. They are planning on sending him home tomorrow if he's cleared by the doctor, yet it feels like nothing was learned about why he got so sick this time around. I personally don't feel like many questions were answered, but maybe they'll learn more tomorrow.

Not much new to post. I visited mom and dad this evening. Mom had locked her keys in the trunk of their car, but I was able to bring my dad's set to her so she could get to her belongings. :) Dad seems to be in alot of pain from the procedures today. The nurses were giving him stronger medicine tonight to help relieve his pain and help him get some rest. I hope mom gets some too. Dr. Sneed came in after I left to check on dad's abdominal pain and said it was a result from the fluid drawn that is being tested. Still no word on the results of the tests today, so not much else to report. They are pushing fluids into dad because he's dehydrated and are hoping that will help raise his blood pressure since it's very low.

When I hear anything new I will do my best to post it as quickly as I can. Thank you for your prayers.

Amber

Update

Update 12pm: I spoke with my parents about an hour ago and dad had just returned from getting his right biliary drain exchanged. The radiologists apparently didn't like the way it was in there. They also shot dye into his other drains and they were "clear". The one that had been bleeding is no longer doing so. They still don't know what the fluid in his liver is and they have tested some other fluid from his abdomen, I believe, to look at it. He is receiving a blood transfusion because his blood pressure is extremely low. They're allowing him to eat normal meals because Dr. Sneed says he can't afford to lose any more weight. All of that to say that we haven't received any definite answers. He will be staying another night in LR at Baptist.

My parents spoke with doctors this morning and the results of the CT show a "pool of fluid" in a portion of dad's liver. They aren't certain what it is so they will be meeting with a radiologist who is supposed to do some other type of scan to figure out what the fluid is. I'm assuming once they identify that then they can figure out how to proceed from there.

Thank you for your prayers.
Amber Lacy

I'm not sure if my mom wanted me to update this blog or not, but I felt I should. My dad is going to Baptist hospital this evening due to abnormal bleeding from his biliary drain. Please pray for their saftey and for dad's healing. We are very concerned.

(Dad is being admitted to Baptist and will be undergoing a CT of his abdomen tonight and other lab work to try and find out what is going on. They hope to learn more tomorrow. )

Amber

I don't know what to report on Mike. He still has a fever, although this afternoon it is down to 100 degrees. The doctor's office forgot to call in the medications last night, so that was a wasted trip. Today, when I went by the pharmacy, they had only called in more Nexium for Mike, and stronger pain medication. I know we asked for an antibiotic. That was what I was expecting.

I went on in to work today, even though Mike's temperature was 101 degrees. I expected to be called to bring Mike in. Instead, I came home at noon and made some lunch for Mike, which he hardly ate. Either things don't taste right, or his mouth hurts. I can't get him to drink very much, so I'm sure between that, and the fever, he's dehydrated. He's sleeping 80% of the day.

Mike's right biliary drain isn't working correctly. Mike is content for us to change the bandages twice a day instead of having it redone. I think he's fed up with the way it's being done in LR and just letting things go. That might explain the infection....or the Xeloda may have things so aggravated, that it's causing the fever. He has a huge blister on the bottom of his left foot, from the Xeloda. His throat is sore. He hurts everywhere.

I'm a little weary tonight because I don't know what to do. I can't force Mike to do what he doesn't want to do, and to be honest...I don't blame him. He hurts so bad right now. I'm trying to be at every appointment so the doctors/nurses and I are communicating, but I feel there's a gap...since I'm not the patient. I'm not sure what Mike is saying to them over the phone, when I'm not here. Mike would rather just sleep away everything he is feeling right now. I wish I could escape too.

Please pray for Mike to make a turn around and get back on his feet. If I need to step up more....please pray I will know when and how. Please pray for God's protection over Mike with this possibility of infection. I'm so grateful for your thoughtfulness and concern for us.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13

Mike's fever is back up this morning, to 101.

Update: Mike is running a temperature of 101. We are going to see if pain medication will bring it down any before we call the doctor's answering service. 10:00 p.m.-The fever broke! PTL!

Just returned from taking Mike in to have lab work done and to be seen by the oncologist. We weren't scheduled to see the doctor, but they wanted us to drop by to take a look at Mike's arms, hands and feet. Mike's feet and hands are red, tender and peeling. His arms have numerous red blotches all over them. Some are on his face. He has been in a lot of pain.

We haven't received the lab results yet, but after the chemotherapy nurse saw Mike, she went and got the doctor, and they have pulled Mike off the Xeloda for the time being. He is having quite a reaction to it, so the doctor would like to look at a different way of administering it. That might mean more weeks off in between treatment, or a reduced amount. The doctor will tell us more next week when we're scheduled to see him. He told Mike that he should begin to feel better in a couple of days. The doctor described Mike's pain as being equivalent to the bottom of his feet and hands being smacked hard by a paddle.

In addition to Mike's digestive problems, with pain when burping or hiccuping; his taste buds are now messed up, and food isn't appealing to him right now. He'll take one or two bites of something, only to push it to the side.

So...that's where we're at right now. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

It has been a hard day for Mike. He felt pretty bad and stayed in bed most of the day...sleeping until 9 this evening. He wouldn't eat very much..drink very much..or talk. He has been in quite a lot of pain, and his pain medication is barely keeping things manageable.

Tomorrow, Mike has only labwork to get done. He plans on dropping by his doctor, to request stronger pain medication. I hate that this has become necessary.

We went to the service this morning, at the church where I work. It was a friendly experience and the message was very good. I have a lot of respect for the pastor and his wife at this church. Thank God, I didn't see any errors on my work from this past week! ;) I'm on my own next week, so I'm going to need your prayers. ;)

Mike did fairly well this morning, but I could see the pain on his face, with every step he took today. He is going to need all of our prayers this coming week. With the condition he already is in, with sores up and down his arms and on his hands, and now the start up of those dreaded mouth sores; I believe it's going to be a hard week for him. He continues to have the raw pain down his esophagus, so every time he gets indigestion, it causes him pain to burp. And this happens often with these digestion problems he has been experiencing. This, even after 2 Nexium pills a day.

We're delighted to be going to Dairy Queen this evening with Drew and his parents. It has been two weeks since we've seen the little guy and we have been missing him. Okay....;)....we miss his mommy and daddy too. I know Mike will forget any pain he feels once we see them.

Mike spent the day watching his favorite TV stations...car mechanic programs, home improvement, or wood working shows. It at least kept him busy and awake most of the day. He even received a DVD from Guns and Ammo, that he checked out, but probably will be returning to them. That ended up being one of those clubs, where they send you something you didn't ask for, and if you don't want to be billed for it, you need to return it to him. Just what we needed!

While Mike stayed off his feet, I quickly ran up to Feltner's and purchased him some cushy, running socks, to see if they would help him walk easier. I'm not sure they are giving him any relief, if his walking this evening as anything to show. But, I happened upon a buy one at regular price and get the second pair 1/2 off sale which helped. It also looks like Mike may be taking his daughter's advice about using Eucerin on his hands and feet, as recommended for hand and foot syndrome.

I spent the day mowing....a-g-a-i-n! I'm not sure I can keep up this pace. It's just a lot of work with an acre of property, so I may need to hire someone to help. And I think I broke my promise when I said I wouldn't try and burn the tree limbs we cut down last week. I started off just burning some lawn debris...and one thing led to another. And, because I may had stacked the tree limbs too close to the fire pit, I spent a lot of time just trying to burn some of the leafy branches, because I was afraid the soot that was still burning, but floating towards my huge pile, might catch all of that on fire. Mike would probably never forgive me if I burned down the house. I eventually stopped when half the pile was gone. I'll finish it up another day. Too much work; too little time and energy!

Tomorrow I will be attending church where I work. They would like to introduce me to their congregation, and they feel it will help me to see how their service runs. I still don't know if Mike will be up to going with me. We'll just need to see how he's doing in the morning.

Please continue to pray for Mike and I as we live with all of these new challenges. Mike especially is struggling with not being able to do very much right now. It's one pain for him when he doesn't have the physical strength to do much. Then he sees me trying to do these jobs he use to do, and he gets really depressed. There is just no easy way around all of this. I'm having trouble trying to keep ahead of everything, and trying to comfort him, by making it seem like it's not a big deal. But seriously, I'm really tired.

We love you all, and know you'll keep us lifted up.

Mike called me at work today to let me know he was feeling much better than he did yesterday. He didn't want to worry me. When I came home, Amber and Ethan were at our house, waiting for Zac to come home from the golf course. They invited Mike and I out this evening to eat dinner at Cracker Barrel. Mike was able to get out of the house and enjoy some Cod. His appetite was pretty good.

The red blotches on some areas of Mike's body is alarming to me. I have to keep reminding myself this is normal to those who take Xeloda. The areas on his side are particularly bad from the bandages we need to constantly remove, and reapply, daily. I'm applying antibiotic ointment to those areas, and trying to re-bandage in creative ways to avoid taping over open wounds, but it doesn't look like we're making any progress healing them. I tried to lightly rub some Eucerin on Mike's feet this evening and he flinched constantly from the pain. I'm afraid to see what Mike is going to look like on his "week off" treatment, next week. The last cycle, his symptoms seemed to worsen.

Anyway, he's hanging in there, and I think it did us both wonders to see Ethan and his parents. Now we'll just need to snag Drew and his mommy and daddy! :)

Mike and I appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

Everyday is an adventure, and today is no different! Mike woke up this morning with incredible discomfort in the bottom of his feet. He has been walking (or more like wobbling) around all day, gingerly. I'm going to look for some cushioned socks to help alleviate some of this hand/foot syndrome he's experiencing. It comes as a side effect of Xeloda.

Mike's red blotches are still visible, but to me they have lightened out some. He has absolutely no strength at all today, but he has been awake more, and that made mealtime a little more normal. His digestion problems seem to have improved with taking two Nexium a day. I believe his limited bile secretions might have been because of dehydration. Mike has limited drinking fluids when he's felt that full feeling all day. This seems to have improved. His breathing is labored when he tries to walk around, so when I'm not here, he sometimes needs to wait for me to help him do some things.

Mike's comment to me this evening was that he was glad for the side effects, because it is then, he feels like they might be doing something beneficial. We continue to trust God for a miracle.

Thank you for your prayers and expressions of love.

Mike was a sight today! He showed up at my work so we could eat lunch together, and he had red blotches all over his face and arms. I persuaded him to drive by the oncology office to have the chemotherapy nurse check him out. She made note of it in Mike's file, and notified the doctor in LR. She didn't act alarmed.

Another new side effect he is experiencing is tenderness on his heels. It's painful for him to walk today. This was described to us as the "hand/foot syndrome" that comes along with the Xeloda. It is also causing Mike's hands and fingers to peel. It has amazingly peeled away a skin growth Mike has had for years on his arm, so we have to give it some credit!

After Mike ran a few errands, he went home, and took a nap.......until 7:30 p.m. I think he was tuckered out because he couldn't sleep again last night from the steroids. He remembers seeing the clock say 3 a.m., so I'm sure he was exhausted. After he woke up he wanted me to scramble him eggs and toast for dinner. He wanted something light so he could have the chance to digest it well before sleeping. We're eating breakfast often, for dinner, it seems. I hope I don't forget how to cook!

He is needing to take the Nexium twice a day now. Maybe he'll be able to taper it down once things begin healing. It is surprising me how much he still has trouble, even though he's taking it twice a day. Whatever keeps him comfortable is all I care about.

Thanks again for checking in on Mike and praying for us.

"Lord God, You are the Great I Am. This is Your name forever! My enemy cannot begin to stand against You." Exodus 3:14-15

What a difference 24 hours makes!!! We are back from the oncologists office and we have finished another treatment. Yes, you heard me correctly....Mike continued with the treatments he has been on the past two months.

Overnight, Mike woke me up to tell me he was feeling remarkably better. I was groggy, but I remember thinking, "How can this be when things were so dire last night?" He confirmed it this morning when I asked him how he slept and he said, "Like a baby!"

We went on to lab and the doctor's office. Mike asked the oncologist, "Is it possible for Nexium to work so quickly, and resolve this stomach pressure and esophagus pain?" The doctor said "YES!" Evidently, these treatments are causing Mike more trouble than he's ever had with acid reflux, making him absolutely miserable three days, thinking he wasn't processing or digesting food. He had me so worried, that I feared his liver was trying to shut down. I would see him in so much pain where he wouldn't even talk to me. Then I found the blood and decreased bile secretion, when I tried to attach the bags. I didn't know what we would be told today but I was certain we would be heading for the hospital in LR for sure.

Mike wouldn't allow me to bring the blood and drainage issue up to the oncologist today...for fear the doctor would send us on to LR to have it checked out. Mike feels if the pain is gone, then the Nexium's working, and the rest is no big deal. I tried to argue against that approach, but I've learned it's futile. He can be the worst patient some times!!!

The labs today showed that Mike's counts were normal...with the exception of a tiny bit of anemia. We didn't receive a bilirubin count today yet, but hopefully, when I call later on, they'll give us that number. We got the results from the TSH test done, and it was normal, with only a very slight elevation, unnecessary to treat with any thyroid medication.

After treatment today, Mike was famished and wanted lunch. So he treated us to Western Sizzling...where he finally ate a decent meal. Hopefully, eating early like this, if he were to have the same painful symptoms as he has had the last three days; it's early enough in the afternoon to digest this meal better. Right now, he's in bed sleeping off the treatment. We also learned today that if need be, Mike can actually take two of the Nexium, which is comforting to know.

I believe Nexium is wonderful. I praise God for giving us a solution to this problem. I've taken Nexium before, and found it to be better too. Our insurance wouldn't pay for it before, and it's likely our new insurance won't either, but this is going to need to be a necessary drug for Mike, given his symptoms the past few days. I don't care what it costs!

I don't believe Nexium was the only answer in our situation, though. I believe all of your prayers have kept us going. I have seen too many doctors faces, or heard their remarks about Mike's situation enough, to know that we're still in this fight, because of a power bigger than us, an attitude of determination for survival, and because of help far beyond what any capsule could do. God's mercy and grace, and your love, concern, and steadfast prayers have held us tight, and kept us strong.

May God bless every one of you!

Well, Mike feels lousy and he's in quite a lot of pain! The pain is felt in his abdomen, in his throat when he swallows, and he's also feeling incredibly weak. We don't have any idea what is going on...but it appears serious, since he can't digest any food he puts in his stomach.

Mike called the oncologists office this morning and all they did was call in Nexium for him to take. I was on my way to Fayetteville for my doctor appointment, so Amber picked it up for Mike, and took it over to him. There has been little improvement all day for him. He's not eating very well. All he has had to eat today is a plain bagel, and Ensure shake, and an omelet. He has burped so much, his esophagus is raw. He told me this evening, he would rather shave his head and go back on the other chemotherapy he had last year, than to deal with this new stuff any longer. The bleeding last night from his biliary drains has me extremely concerned. I pleaded with Mike to let me take him to the ER when I got home, but he told me we would just wait until tomorrow morning, when we see the oncologist. It has been difficult seeing him in so much pain this evening.

I guess, all we can do is wait and see what tomorrow brings..............I pray whatever we're told tomorrow, it will not knock us off our feet. I don't think either one of us could take very much more. We're both weary and tired. I just want to say I appreciate your thoughts and prayers, and for taking time to remind us we're not alone.