This year we do not have a family picture to send because the truth is it has been a while since we have all been in the same spot, being scattered across the country: Jessica is in Brooklyn NY, Matthew is in Portland OR, and Dan and Ashley are in La Habra CA, while Bob and Jamie are “stuck in Lodi”. Needless to say we are very happy when we do see one another!
Our year started with Dan undergoing a major surgery to remove his primary tumor in his pancreas. Unfortunately that particular surgery is quite extensive and involved removing not only part of the pancreas, but also part of the stomach and small intestine and the entire gall bladder. There is a high incidence of complications and he got his share of them:( After spending a month in the hospital and not eating for 7 weeks he seemed to be on the road to recovery, therefore Bob and I felt confident about proceeding with our planned trip to Israel with the Jim Elliot Christian High School Robotics team (who were invited to compete in the Israel Regional event of FIRST). While in Israel we learned that Dan had a bowel obstruction which was a complication of his first surgery. So back to the hospital he went for another month and another surgery. Wow! His attitude through this all has been amazing. And we are so thankful for all the prayers lifted up on his behalf. God graciously answered them. What’s more, his wife Ashley, throughout all this added stress, continued to excel in her nursing courses while traveling back and forth from LA, only to graduate SUMMA CUM LAUDE in late May! Unbelievable! What a couple! She is now working at a hospital in Whittier and Dan will resume his credential program at UCI in January to teach high school math next fall.
Matt headed for Portland in January for his first semester at Multnomah University, a small Christian college. His English professor has been very encouraging of his writing skills and Portland seems like a good fit for Matt. During the summer he lifeguarded at Hume Lake Christian Camp and acted in the nightly skit as a “musketeer” named Felipe which Jessica, Bob and I enjoyed while visiting him there. On a November road trip to Portland, Bob and I had the opportunity to spend some time with Matt and toured his campus, while catching up with various friends and cousins.
Jessica has been munching on the “Big Apple” and enjoying it, so for the moment she is staying there! She has lived in 3 different apartments with different roommates and has had various jobs, but the present one finds her working as an assistant to my cousin who designs jewelry. This summer I had a wonderful time schlepping around NYC with her and her boyfriend Josh for a couple days before we traveled upstate for a country visit with cousins and a week at a Bible camp, Camp Shoshanah in Keeseville. We topped off our time with a short jaunts to Vermont and Montreal and overnighted with friends outside of Montreal.
In June our “girls”, Lily and Steffi finished their school year with us and returned to their respective homes in Mexico and Germany. As wonderful as the year was, we were thinking this next year would be quieter, opting not to repeat our foreign exchange experience. As it turned out, Bob’s cousin’s son Andrew moved in with us in July and has been working and attending the local junior college. Not quite as lively as the girls, Andrew is still a great blessing to have with us.
As our year winds down it is our dearest wish to communicate with you the Love that God has shown us all by sending His Son to this earth:
From the prophet Isaiah, chapter 9
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness. From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.
May you have an ever-increasing passion to know Him, His Word, and His heart of love for you.
With love, the Howen gang: Bob, Jamie, Matt, Jessica, Dan and Ashley
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Thanksgiving
Latest update: Dan's hip surgery is not happening until next summer due to the doctor's scheduling difficulties and so he and Ashley decided to go ahead and finish the radio frequency ablation treatment needed. His appointment for this is Nov 29, the Monday after Thanksgiving. This should be the LAST treatment he needs to deal with his cancer. After this he will have follow up CAT scans every 6 months! Yeah!
However, this morning I awoke to an email that Dan has been fighting a fever all week and last night it was up to 101.4. So Dan and Ashley headed to the doctor today, got some antibiotics, Dan gave blood for labs and hopefully he will be okay for next Monday's event!
Having been asked to share today about thankfulness in light of what our family has been through the last several years, I considered it a privilege to recount the faithfulness of the Lord in my sister's survival and recovery, and in Dan's epic journey. We have seen MIRACLES left and right and the faithfulness of the LORD God almost every day through all the trials.
Truly, I can repeat the admonition to:
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
And how is that possible? Personally I have been able to do that by the sure knowledge that the Lord Jesus, Messiah of Israel, my Savior, intercedes for us, loves us with His incredible love, and graces us with His Presence. He empowers me by giving me His Holy Spirit to indwell my life and to give me the ability to walk with Him moment by moment.
I am in awe of all that He has done for us. I ended my sharing with these words:
I am thankful for the Lord’s love and presence in my life. I have been through some hard things but I know whatever trials I have the Lord will see me through. He is with me always. Do I like the trials - not really, but I know he uses them for my growth and for others' growth and for His glory. I am content to be a pot in His hand. I am thankful to be a pot in His hand. I am thankful to be in His hand.
In closing, Dan starts school again January 3, 2011. Pray with me that his health and strength will be sufficient for the procedure Nov 29 and for school and for whatever the Lord has in his amazing life.
Thank you so much for your prayers. I am humbled by so many of you who share with me that you continue to hold Dan up in your prayers. Bless you, dear ones.
However, this morning I awoke to an email that Dan has been fighting a fever all week and last night it was up to 101.4. So Dan and Ashley headed to the doctor today, got some antibiotics, Dan gave blood for labs and hopefully he will be okay for next Monday's event!
Having been asked to share today about thankfulness in light of what our family has been through the last several years, I considered it a privilege to recount the faithfulness of the Lord in my sister's survival and recovery, and in Dan's epic journey. We have seen MIRACLES left and right and the faithfulness of the LORD God almost every day through all the trials.
Truly, I can repeat the admonition to:
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
And how is that possible? Personally I have been able to do that by the sure knowledge that the Lord Jesus, Messiah of Israel, my Savior, intercedes for us, loves us with His incredible love, and graces us with His Presence. He empowers me by giving me His Holy Spirit to indwell my life and to give me the ability to walk with Him moment by moment.
I am in awe of all that He has done for us. I ended my sharing with these words:
I am thankful for the Lord’s love and presence in my life. I have been through some hard things but I know whatever trials I have the Lord will see me through. He is with me always. Do I like the trials - not really, but I know he uses them for my growth and for others' growth and for His glory. I am content to be a pot in His hand. I am thankful to be a pot in His hand. I am thankful to be in His hand.
In closing, Dan starts school again January 3, 2011. Pray with me that his health and strength will be sufficient for the procedure Nov 29 and for school and for whatever the Lord has in his amazing life.
Thank you so much for your prayers. I am humbled by so many of you who share with me that you continue to hold Dan up in your prayers. Bless you, dear ones.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
ashley writes and more
Dan and Ashley are home in LA. After spending one night in the hospital Dan was released. Sunday they brought Toulouse, their new adorable kitten, by and watched the end of the 9er-Raider game ( first 9er win!) on their way south.
The game plan is for Dan to get his hip replacement done before the end of the year in LA and return to school in January to finish his teaching credential for high school math.
The doctor biopsied the tumors before frying them and NO CANCER CELLS were detected in the biposy. Hallelujah! The doctor was not hopeful that Dan's liver will grow back, however, we know the Creator who made Dan's liver in the first place and so we can ask Him to heal that liver so it could regenerate and prepare Dan for what lies ahead. These two brave young people who I love very much have been through so much. Please Lord, make their path smooth.
Isaiah 26:7-9
The way of the righteous is smooth;
O Upright One, make the path of the righteous level.
Indeed, while following the way of Your judgments, O LORD,
We have waited for You eagerly;
Your name, even Your memory, is the desire of our souls.
At night my soul longs for You,
Indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently;
This is Ashley's blog from last Friday:
Today, some of Dan's tumors got cooked.
We drove to the hospital early today and were greeted by amazing fog rolling over the Golden Gate. Despite the reasoning for the trip, it's so nice to be back home in Northern California.
Anyway, Dan got checked in, prepped, and was ready to go on time...too bad the anesthesiologist was not ready to go until 2 hours later. (I hope she had an emergency!) Finally, Dan got taken down to the procedure room and I was allowed to follow him until it came time for the anesthesia. He was already on the table when the docs let us know his blood levels were low (platelets 79, H&H 8.9-9.5). They were worried about needing to transfuse, but felt confident about proceeding.
After about 3 hours waiting, Dr. Sze came out to let us know everything went well. The 2 biggest tumors were fried/melted leaving some dead tissue to be resorbed by the liver eventually. His liver still hasn't grown much, so it seems like going with radio-frequency ablation (RFA) was a much better idea than surgery. Also, the last 2 tumors are very small (watermelon seed sized) and not growing. This means that Dan can wait a few months before another RFA cycle. To Dan's delight, he can probably get his hip replaced before he starts school. We'll have to scramble to find a surgeon, but it could happen.
Tonight, Dan will stay in the hospital for observation. His new wound is only a couple centimeters and covered with a big band aid, but there is still a chance for bleeding. The chance is low, but it's safer for him to be here tonight. Also, he can get the "good" pain meds. Though, he says it just feels like he got punched in the ribs. He has already talked the nurse into removing one of his IVs by mentioning that they could leave the bigger gauge in his hand so that the one is AC wouldn't beep at night. Good grief, he's a pro. He ate dinner fine and hopefully, it will stay down because he is already asking for more food!
Please be praying that Dan's liver heals fine and that there is no internal bleeding resulting from the procedure. Also, pray his good eating continues (he's halfway to his pre-Whipple weight!) and that his pain can be easily controlled. Finally, pray we can get some sleep tonight and get out of here safely tomorrow morning. We're hoping to drive to our apartment on Sunday with a healthy Dan :)
Finally, I know several people who are suffering and could use your prayers as well; two women with breast cancer, Kathy and Beth, and a young man, my brother-in-law's nephew, Patrick was in a serious accident and has brain damage and not doing well.
Also my friend Yang Chen passed into glory last Friday surrounded by family and close friends after battling with lung cancer for almost 3 years. His story is eloquently told on his website:
http://family.adoctorsjourneywithcancer.net/Default.aspx
He leaves behind his wife, 3 children, a ministry (http://www.gomets.org/), and many dear friends. He was always faithful to pray for Dan and we spoke several times regarding Dan since his specialty was gastroenterology.
Thanks for your love, support and prayers. They mean so much to us. You mean so much to us.
The game plan is for Dan to get his hip replacement done before the end of the year in LA and return to school in January to finish his teaching credential for high school math.
The doctor biopsied the tumors before frying them and NO CANCER CELLS were detected in the biposy. Hallelujah! The doctor was not hopeful that Dan's liver will grow back, however, we know the Creator who made Dan's liver in the first place and so we can ask Him to heal that liver so it could regenerate and prepare Dan for what lies ahead. These two brave young people who I love very much have been through so much. Please Lord, make their path smooth.
Isaiah 26:7-9
The way of the righteous is smooth;
O Upright One, make the path of the righteous level.
Indeed, while following the way of Your judgments, O LORD,
We have waited for You eagerly;
Your name, even Your memory, is the desire of our souls.
At night my soul longs for You,
Indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently;
This is Ashley's blog from last Friday:
Today, some of Dan's tumors got cooked.
We drove to the hospital early today and were greeted by amazing fog rolling over the Golden Gate. Despite the reasoning for the trip, it's so nice to be back home in Northern California.
Anyway, Dan got checked in, prepped, and was ready to go on time...too bad the anesthesiologist was not ready to go until 2 hours later. (I hope she had an emergency!) Finally, Dan got taken down to the procedure room and I was allowed to follow him until it came time for the anesthesia. He was already on the table when the docs let us know his blood levels were low (platelets 79, H&H 8.9-9.5). They were worried about needing to transfuse, but felt confident about proceeding.
After about 3 hours waiting, Dr. Sze came out to let us know everything went well. The 2 biggest tumors were fried/melted leaving some dead tissue to be resorbed by the liver eventually. His liver still hasn't grown much, so it seems like going with radio-frequency ablation (RFA) was a much better idea than surgery. Also, the last 2 tumors are very small (watermelon seed sized) and not growing. This means that Dan can wait a few months before another RFA cycle. To Dan's delight, he can probably get his hip replaced before he starts school. We'll have to scramble to find a surgeon, but it could happen.
Tonight, Dan will stay in the hospital for observation. His new wound is only a couple centimeters and covered with a big band aid, but there is still a chance for bleeding. The chance is low, but it's safer for him to be here tonight. Also, he can get the "good" pain meds. Though, he says it just feels like he got punched in the ribs. He has already talked the nurse into removing one of his IVs by mentioning that they could leave the bigger gauge in his hand so that the one is AC wouldn't beep at night. Good grief, he's a pro. He ate dinner fine and hopefully, it will stay down because he is already asking for more food!
Please be praying that Dan's liver heals fine and that there is no internal bleeding resulting from the procedure. Also, pray his good eating continues (he's halfway to his pre-Whipple weight!) and that his pain can be easily controlled. Finally, pray we can get some sleep tonight and get out of here safely tomorrow morning. We're hoping to drive to our apartment on Sunday with a healthy Dan :)
Finally, I know several people who are suffering and could use your prayers as well; two women with breast cancer, Kathy and Beth, and a young man, my brother-in-law's nephew, Patrick was in a serious accident and has brain damage and not doing well.
Also my friend Yang Chen passed into glory last Friday surrounded by family and close friends after battling with lung cancer for almost 3 years. His story is eloquently told on his website:
http://family.adoctorsjourneywithcancer.net/Default.aspx
He leaves behind his wife, 3 children, a ministry (http://www.gomets.org/), and many dear friends. He was always faithful to pray for Dan and we spoke several times regarding Dan since his specialty was gastroenterology.
Thanks for your love, support and prayers. They mean so much to us. You mean so much to us.
Oct 15, 2010
Fri, October 15, 2010 3:31:33 PM
report on Dan
From:
Jaime Howen
View Contact
To: Jim Adams; marty arismendi ; Don Blythe ; bob ; missi brown ; BARBARA CARILLO ; Carolyn ... more
Cc: Stefanie Appelmann; Marty Arismendi ; nellie borges ; freddie buhr ; Fred Carvalho ; Pam Chacon ... more
Dear Ones,
Dan is out of his RFA procedure (radio frequency ablation) or otherwise known as "microwave on a stick" and it went very well! Praise the Lord! Two tumors were cooked and the two that remain are very small "football shaped" watermelon-seed sized collapsing tumors that may very well be all dead anyway. We all laughed when the dr said "football shaped". Only Dan would have football shaped ones! So there is no hurry to attack them at this point, maybe in a few months. On the other hand Dan may choose to proceed with his needed hip replacement before dealing with these two spots. He is still in the recovery room at this point and will be spending the night here at Stanford. His platelet count is low, which may be his "normal". Please pray for the Lord to raise the platelet count and grant a speedy recovery from this procedure. Thanks so much!
So praises and prayers!
Psalm 34:1-9
1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
report on Dan
From:
Jaime Howen
View Contact
To: Jim Adams
Cc: Stefanie Appelmann
Dear Ones,
Dan is out of his RFA procedure (radio frequency ablation) or otherwise known as "microwave on a stick" and it went very well! Praise the Lord! Two tumors were cooked and the two that remain are very small "football shaped" watermelon-seed sized collapsing tumors that may very well be all dead anyway. We all laughed when the dr said "football shaped". Only Dan would have football shaped ones! So there is no hurry to attack them at this point, maybe in a few months. On the other hand Dan may choose to proceed with his needed hip replacement before dealing with these two spots. He is still in the recovery room at this point and will be spending the night here at Stanford. His platelet count is low, which may be his "normal". Please pray for the Lord to raise the platelet count and grant a speedy recovery from this procedure. Thanks so much!
So praises and prayers!
Psalm 34:1-9
1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Oct 3 update
I can't believe I have been "blog silent" for over a month! Dan now has a date for the radio frequency ablation procedure: October 15! The road ahead looks like he will probably have one procedure done in October and one in November, which will be followed by his hip replacement, done in time for him to continue his credential program in January. Ashley is doing fine in her job at Whittier Pres and may even be changing from nights to the day shift. I am looking forward to seeing them this next weekend as I head south.
Thanks so much for all your prayers. I am constantly reminded of your faithfulness as I talk with many of you who encourage me with their "we are still praying daily for Dan" and that does a mother's heart good.
Life truly can be challenging and journeying through it with the Lord Jesus in your life is my recommendation.
Words to ponder:
1 Chronicles 16:
8 Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
9 Sing to him; sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
10 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
11 Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
12 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles and the judgments he uttered,
13 O offspring of Israel his servant,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
14 He is the Lord our God;
his judgments are in all the earth.
15 Remember his covenant forever,
the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,
16 the covenant that he made with Abraham,
his sworn promise to Isaac,
17 which he confirmed as a statute to Jacob,
as an everlasting covenant to Israel,
18 saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan,
as your portion for an inheritance."
19 When you were few in number,
and of little account, and sojourners in it,
20 wandering from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another people,
21 he allowed no one to oppress them;
he rebuked kings on their account,
22 saying, "Touch not my anointed ones,
do my prophets no harm!"
23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Tell of his salvation from day to day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
25 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
and he is to be held in awe above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy are in his place.
28 Ascribe to the Lord, O clans of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come before him!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
30 tremble before him, all the earth;
yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,
and let them say among the nations, "The Lord reigns!"
32 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it!
33 Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
34 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Thanks so much for all your prayers. I am constantly reminded of your faithfulness as I talk with many of you who encourage me with their "we are still praying daily for Dan" and that does a mother's heart good.
Life truly can be challenging and journeying through it with the Lord Jesus in your life is my recommendation.
Words to ponder:
1 Chronicles 16:
8 Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
9 Sing to him; sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
10 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
11 Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
12 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles and the judgments he uttered,
13 O offspring of Israel his servant,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
14 He is the Lord our God;
his judgments are in all the earth.
15 Remember his covenant forever,
the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,
16 the covenant that he made with Abraham,
his sworn promise to Isaac,
17 which he confirmed as a statute to Jacob,
as an everlasting covenant to Israel,
18 saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan,
as your portion for an inheritance."
19 When you were few in number,
and of little account, and sojourners in it,
20 wandering from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another people,
21 he allowed no one to oppress them;
he rebuked kings on their account,
22 saying, "Touch not my anointed ones,
do my prophets no harm!"
23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Tell of his salvation from day to day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
25 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
and he is to be held in awe above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy are in his place.
28 Ascribe to the Lord, O clans of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come before him!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
30 tremble before him, all the earth;
yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,
and let them say among the nations, "The Lord reigns!"
32 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it!
33 Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
34 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Dan's words from August
monday, august 30, 2010
Breakfast
So apparently we've been sleeping for a month and a half and we're just now waking up. Ok, that's not really true. But there hasn't been a lot going on. Well there has. But we just haven't blogged about it. I will try and catch everyone up.
Ashley passed her boards and got a job at Whittier Presbyterian. She is now working 12 hour shifts after going through orientation, which was arduous. The 12 hour shifts are long, but it's nice to work only 3 days a week. She will soon be switching to night shifts, which will be interesting. We'll see how it goes. The extra $8 an hour will be nice.
We celebrated 2 years of marriage by going out to some nice restaurants and Ashley going to work. 2 down, 58 to go.
I had a CT to see how well the embolization worked (and if the liver was big enough to handle surgery). Long story short, the liver did not grow as much as expected. I still have pretty good liver function, but it would not be good at this time to further insult it with a surgery. So the plan as of a few days ago is to do Radio Frequency Ablation, which is colloquially called 'Microwave on a Stick'. The radiologist will insert probes into my liver with the tips in the middle of the tumors. The tips will get really hot and melt/burn the tumors. It's a lot less invasive than surgery and still holds a good success rate. The procedure will happen in two parts a month apart (hospital stay is likely minimal- just overnight for observation). I'll let you all know when it is scheduled. Hopefully I can also get my hip done before UCI starts in January.
We got a kitten from Ashley's friend Katie. He is gray, tiny, precocious, ferocious, and his name is Toulouse. He likes naps, meowing when we're not around, going into the refrigerator, and climbing.
While Ashley is at work, I watch movies on Netflix Instant Watch, do chores and errands, read the Bible, read the Book of Mormon (I am almost finished!), keep an eye on Toulouse, eat, and play PS3.
Football is coming up. I am very excited. Predictions are in: I think the 49ers will win the division, but the Super Bowl will be San Diego over New Orleans. Disclaimer: it is very very difficult to predict the Super Bowl before the season starts.
Our new apartment is awesome. If you google IL Pompeii La Habra, you can take a look around.
This last one is not new: God is good. Also, I am hungry.
Breakfast
So apparently we've been sleeping for a month and a half and we're just now waking up. Ok, that's not really true. But there hasn't been a lot going on. Well there has. But we just haven't blogged about it. I will try and catch everyone up.
Ashley passed her boards and got a job at Whittier Presbyterian. She is now working 12 hour shifts after going through orientation, which was arduous. The 12 hour shifts are long, but it's nice to work only 3 days a week. She will soon be switching to night shifts, which will be interesting. We'll see how it goes. The extra $8 an hour will be nice.
We celebrated 2 years of marriage by going out to some nice restaurants and Ashley going to work. 2 down, 58 to go.
I had a CT to see how well the embolization worked (and if the liver was big enough to handle surgery). Long story short, the liver did not grow as much as expected. I still have pretty good liver function, but it would not be good at this time to further insult it with a surgery. So the plan as of a few days ago is to do Radio Frequency Ablation, which is colloquially called 'Microwave on a Stick'. The radiologist will insert probes into my liver with the tips in the middle of the tumors. The tips will get really hot and melt/burn the tumors. It's a lot less invasive than surgery and still holds a good success rate. The procedure will happen in two parts a month apart (hospital stay is likely minimal- just overnight for observation). I'll let you all know when it is scheduled. Hopefully I can also get my hip done before UCI starts in January.
We got a kitten from Ashley's friend Katie. He is gray, tiny, precocious, ferocious, and his name is Toulouse. He likes naps, meowing when we're not around, going into the refrigerator, and climbing.
While Ashley is at work, I watch movies on Netflix Instant Watch, do chores and errands, read the Bible, read the Book of Mormon (I am almost finished!), keep an eye on Toulouse, eat, and play PS3.
Football is coming up. I am very excited. Predictions are in: I think the 49ers will win the division, but the Super Bowl will be San Diego over New Orleans. Disclaimer: it is very very difficult to predict the Super Bowl before the season starts.
Our new apartment is awesome. If you google IL Pompeii La Habra, you can take a look around.
This last one is not new: God is good. Also, I am hungry.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
It's me again!
Long time no write! Just heard from Dan tonight that his liver is not getting larger and so surgery is not an option at this point but they want to "cook" those tumor remains with RFA, radio frequency ablation. It is probably an outpatient procedure, but we still do not know when it will happen. Ashley is enjoying her new job and they have a cute gray kitten named Toulouse. So let us continue to pray for Dan's liver to grow and be healthy as well as for this RFA procedure to go well. I will let you know when when I know when!
Great video to watch when you feel like quittin':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDgVske63cY
Great words to meditate on:
Psalm 33
18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 that he may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.
Great video to watch when you feel like quittin':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDgVske63cY
Great words to meditate on:
Psalm 33
18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 that he may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
July 13
The following "long" are the 2 latest blogs from Ashley and Dan respectively. The "short" of it is that Dan's surgery that was to be this coming Friday was postponed until Sept pending more liver growth. Pray for Dan's liver to regenerate so he can have the needed surgery. God's timing is not our own! (Duh!)
from Isaiah 55
“Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near;
let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
“For you shall go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall break forth into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
from Ashley July 11
Surgery: Part II
Nearly six months later, the second half of Dan's cancer resection has been scheduled and set in stone for this Friday, July 16th. The CT Dan had last week showed that his liver grew back some, but not to the extent the surgeon had hoped/expected. Accordingly, the surgery plan has been modified to leave Dan with more healthy liver tissue. We have a meeting with the surgeon on Wednesday at which time we can explain the details.
This week will obviously be a busy one: we leave on Tuesday for Lodi, meeting with the surgeon and pre-anesthesia appointment on Wednesday, and then surgery on Friday. It will be nice to see our families before spending more time in the hospital.
As I am starting my new job on the 26th, I have to be back to SoCal the Wednesday following the surgery for a couple days of pre-hire appointments. I'll drive back up to Stanford with a friend for the weekend, and then start orientation on Monday. All that to say, I won't be able to stay with Dan throughout the recovery. I'll try to drive or fly when I can on the weekends, but it will be rough.
God-willing, this recovery will be much faster and smoother than Dan's previous surgeries. The liver is prone to bleeding and becoming quite angry when "attacked". Thus, there are quite a few complications that can arise after surgery. Yes, it is true that this surgery could leave Dan cancer-free. Yet, we are focusing on Dan's recovery before we glory in the possibility of remission.
Dan is doing fine: not worried, confident and encouraging. I am fine for now, though I'll get more nervous by the day. To be frank, I'd rather have a healthy/happy husband with a small amount of tumor than a sick/suffering husband without cancer. I do understand that it is possible to have a health AND cancer-free Dan. It's just the surgeries and hospitalizations and complications that keep me from believing it's possible any time soon.
Anyway, time for prayer requests. People often ask what they can do for us in times like this. Eventually, there may be material needs, but for now, our needs are spiritual. Please go before God on our behalf in preparation for Friday.
* Ask God to guide the surgeons' hands and minds, giving them wisdom and assurance.
* A safe and successful surgery
* No complications, especially bleeding and infection
* Pain management (it's going to be tricky with Dan's modified liver)
* Quick recovery
* Cooperative digestive system: no bowel obstructions!
* Peace for me and the rest of the family
* Endurance for me
from Dan July 12
Double Take II
I'm getting more and more into puns these days. So this title is a pun on the last title (Take II) but now it's Double Take, meaning a second look. So my radiologist (who performed SIRSpheres back in 08 and the embolization back in early June) was looking at my recent CT to check the liver volume, just to be sure that this surgery is a good idea. Well, he thinks the liver is actually a little smaller than it was (which makes sense, since the embolized side was supposed to shrink), so the idea of cutting off more of it didn't seem like a good idea right now, especially since my tumors are slow-growing, if growing at all. So tonight, like 45 minutes ago, the Greek called to tell me that
the surgery is postponed until further noticed.
Basically, since this surgery isn't exactly chopped liver (pun!), it would be safer and smarter to wait a while for further hypertrophy (growing) of the liver. So in late August/early September, I'll get another scan and see how it's going. Another option that we'd discussed in the past was to burn the tumors instead of cutting them out (which was the idea for the 4th tumor of the now-postponed surgery). Theoretically, if September's scan looks the same as this one, the burning option could be the #1 option. I mean, you can't really not use your liver. That's why it's a 'live'-r. I can here your groaning from hear. OK, I'll stop.
I think we're both okay with this. Now I can be in our awesome new apartment for more than a week to start with. Now I can be here as Ashley starts her new work. Now I can definitely be here for our anniversary. I can still recover in time for school, which won't start up until January. My hip surgery will be a little further away, but again, that's not the highest priority right now. So... I'm excited.
Please continue to pray for liver growth. And praise God for a wise choice by the doctors to not rush into a serious surgery without a definitely safe amount of healthy liver.
from Isaiah 55
“Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near;
let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
“For you shall go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall break forth into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
from Ashley July 11
Surgery: Part II
Nearly six months later, the second half of Dan's cancer resection has been scheduled and set in stone for this Friday, July 16th. The CT Dan had last week showed that his liver grew back some, but not to the extent the surgeon had hoped/expected. Accordingly, the surgery plan has been modified to leave Dan with more healthy liver tissue. We have a meeting with the surgeon on Wednesday at which time we can explain the details.
This week will obviously be a busy one: we leave on Tuesday for Lodi, meeting with the surgeon and pre-anesthesia appointment on Wednesday, and then surgery on Friday. It will be nice to see our families before spending more time in the hospital.
As I am starting my new job on the 26th, I have to be back to SoCal the Wednesday following the surgery for a couple days of pre-hire appointments. I'll drive back up to Stanford with a friend for the weekend, and then start orientation on Monday. All that to say, I won't be able to stay with Dan throughout the recovery. I'll try to drive or fly when I can on the weekends, but it will be rough.
God-willing, this recovery will be much faster and smoother than Dan's previous surgeries. The liver is prone to bleeding and becoming quite angry when "attacked". Thus, there are quite a few complications that can arise after surgery. Yes, it is true that this surgery could leave Dan cancer-free. Yet, we are focusing on Dan's recovery before we glory in the possibility of remission.
Dan is doing fine: not worried, confident and encouraging. I am fine for now, though I'll get more nervous by the day. To be frank, I'd rather have a healthy/happy husband with a small amount of tumor than a sick/suffering husband without cancer. I do understand that it is possible to have a health AND cancer-free Dan. It's just the surgeries and hospitalizations and complications that keep me from believing it's possible any time soon.
Anyway, time for prayer requests. People often ask what they can do for us in times like this. Eventually, there may be material needs, but for now, our needs are spiritual. Please go before God on our behalf in preparation for Friday.
* Ask God to guide the surgeons' hands and minds, giving them wisdom and assurance.
* A safe and successful surgery
* No complications, especially bleeding and infection
* Pain management (it's going to be tricky with Dan's modified liver)
* Quick recovery
* Cooperative digestive system: no bowel obstructions!
* Peace for me and the rest of the family
* Endurance for me
from Dan July 12
Double Take II
I'm getting more and more into puns these days. So this title is a pun on the last title (Take II) but now it's Double Take, meaning a second look. So my radiologist (who performed SIRSpheres back in 08 and the embolization back in early June) was looking at my recent CT to check the liver volume, just to be sure that this surgery is a good idea. Well, he thinks the liver is actually a little smaller than it was (which makes sense, since the embolized side was supposed to shrink), so the idea of cutting off more of it didn't seem like a good idea right now, especially since my tumors are slow-growing, if growing at all. So tonight, like 45 minutes ago, the Greek called to tell me that
the surgery is postponed until further noticed.
Basically, since this surgery isn't exactly chopped liver (pun!), it would be safer and smarter to wait a while for further hypertrophy (growing) of the liver. So in late August/early September, I'll get another scan and see how it's going. Another option that we'd discussed in the past was to burn the tumors instead of cutting them out (which was the idea for the 4th tumor of the now-postponed surgery). Theoretically, if September's scan looks the same as this one, the burning option could be the #1 option. I mean, you can't really not use your liver. That's why it's a 'live'-r. I can here your groaning from hear. OK, I'll stop.
I think we're both okay with this. Now I can be in our awesome new apartment for more than a week to start with. Now I can be here as Ashley starts her new work. Now I can definitely be here for our anniversary. I can still recover in time for school, which won't start up until January. My hip surgery will be a little further away, but again, that's not the highest priority right now. So... I'm excited.
Please continue to pray for liver growth. And praise God for a wise choice by the doctors to not rush into a serious surgery without a definitely safe amount of healthy liver.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
new post from Dan
Transition. No fade, more like a wipe.
In case you don't understand the title, it's in reference to film transitions. A fade is, as it sounds, a slow mixing of two shots that's nice and smooth. A wipe is what you see in Star Wars a lot where the new shot sort of rolls abruptly across the screen.
There, I used my degree.
So in the last 3 weeks, much has happened. The bowel obstruction scare came and went, though Ashley is still concerned I might wake up one morning with that same intense pain. God willing, I never will again. Ashley took the NCLEX (the national certification process for RNs) on June 21st. It is said that the devil works at the NCLEX. It's true, or at least it feels like it. It is by far the most intense, draining, ulcer-inducing test I have ever heard of, and that's just studying for it. Taking the actual test must be like facing a firing squad. But the absolute worst part is after you take the test. Everyone leaves the testing center feeling like they failed, and California is one of the states that does NOT participate in a 48-hours-later-pay-10-bucks-and-find-out-if-you-passed program (and they need the money, why not?). So you're left waiting and agonizing for 1-4 weeks, praying to have passed but dreading that you failed.
Anyway, we found out on Wednesday that Ashley PASSED! (thanks Monique for waking us up at 5am) It was an answer to fervent prayer and a huge relief. Once the official license comes in the mail, she'll be all set. Also, Ashley got a job at Whittier PIH on an observation floor (where you end up if you go to the ER and the doctor doesn't quite want you to go home yet, but you can't stay in the ER). Hopefully, after some time on that floor she can transfer to the adjacent oncology floor (which is Ashley's desired specialty). So... that's AWESOME.
That also means that we are sure (for the first time) where we will live this coming year(s). We found a nice apartment to move into, and we're moving from Biola housing to.......morrow. Yeah. It's been crazy packing up our lives. I wish I had two good hips instead of one, because it has relegated me to non-heavy lifting only, which doesn't sit well with my exceeding manliness. (Ashley laughs... but she knows it's true) However, we have some awesome friends helping us out. We're both excited for our new place.
So, up next is this: I have a CT on July 6th to see how much my liver has grown after the portal vein embolization. If it has grown a sufficient amount to sustain liver function, then Surgery: The Sequel will be premiering on July 16th to lop off the bad section of liver. Hopefully, there will be a quick recovery, because Ashley has orientation at the hospital starting July 26th. I can resume my schooling at UCI in January (where I left off last year), so until then I will apply to sub and/or seek a short-term job to keep myself occupied and start attacking student loans. Also, there will soon be an addition to the Howen family....
No, not a baby. A kitten! It is yet to be named. But you can bet there will be pictures eventually.
Anyway, this is getting really long, especially for me. Keep praying for us, especially for no more obstructions, good liver growth and a complication-free surgery. And make sure to praise and thank God profusely for the blessings we have received.
In case you don't understand the title, it's in reference to film transitions. A fade is, as it sounds, a slow mixing of two shots that's nice and smooth. A wipe is what you see in Star Wars a lot where the new shot sort of rolls abruptly across the screen.
There, I used my degree.
So in the last 3 weeks, much has happened. The bowel obstruction scare came and went, though Ashley is still concerned I might wake up one morning with that same intense pain. God willing, I never will again. Ashley took the NCLEX (the national certification process for RNs) on June 21st. It is said that the devil works at the NCLEX. It's true, or at least it feels like it. It is by far the most intense, draining, ulcer-inducing test I have ever heard of, and that's just studying for it. Taking the actual test must be like facing a firing squad. But the absolute worst part is after you take the test. Everyone leaves the testing center feeling like they failed, and California is one of the states that does NOT participate in a 48-hours-later-pay-10-bucks-and-find-out-if-you-passed program (and they need the money, why not?). So you're left waiting and agonizing for 1-4 weeks, praying to have passed but dreading that you failed.
Anyway, we found out on Wednesday that Ashley PASSED! (thanks Monique for waking us up at 5am) It was an answer to fervent prayer and a huge relief. Once the official license comes in the mail, she'll be all set. Also, Ashley got a job at Whittier PIH on an observation floor (where you end up if you go to the ER and the doctor doesn't quite want you to go home yet, but you can't stay in the ER). Hopefully, after some time on that floor she can transfer to the adjacent oncology floor (which is Ashley's desired specialty). So... that's AWESOME.
That also means that we are sure (for the first time) where we will live this coming year(s). We found a nice apartment to move into, and we're moving from Biola housing to.......morrow. Yeah. It's been crazy packing up our lives. I wish I had two good hips instead of one, because it has relegated me to non-heavy lifting only, which doesn't sit well with my exceeding manliness. (Ashley laughs... but she knows it's true) However, we have some awesome friends helping us out. We're both excited for our new place.
So, up next is this: I have a CT on July 6th to see how much my liver has grown after the portal vein embolization. If it has grown a sufficient amount to sustain liver function, then Surgery: The Sequel will be premiering on July 16th to lop off the bad section of liver. Hopefully, there will be a quick recovery, because Ashley has orientation at the hospital starting July 26th. I can resume my schooling at UCI in January (where I left off last year), so until then I will apply to sub and/or seek a short-term job to keep myself occupied and start attacking student loans. Also, there will soon be an addition to the Howen family....
No, not a baby. A kitten! It is yet to be named. But you can bet there will be pictures eventually.
Anyway, this is getting really long, especially for me. Keep praying for us, especially for no more obstructions, good liver growth and a complication-free surgery. And make sure to praise and thank God profusely for the blessings we have received.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
June 30
Last day of June 2010 - can you believe that! It is a good day today - Ashley found out that indeed she has passed her boards and is an official Registered Nurse! Not that I doubted that for a minute. Dan and Ashley are moving this weekend to their new apartment, 2 bedrooms, and Ashley's job (yes you heard it right) at PIH (Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital in Whittier) will begin July 26! Next Tuesday Dan and Ashley will fly up for a CT at Stanford to check on the progress of the regeneration of the liver. He has a tentative surgery date of July 16 depending on the results of the CT. So pray my friends that all will go as planned and we will get back to you with the results.
We are in His hands- the best place to be!
His Word to us:
Psalm 91:14-16
“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
We are in His hands- the best place to be!
His Word to us:
Psalm 91:14-16
“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Saturday, June 19, 2010
June 19, 2010
Today marks the 3rd anniversary of the day Dan, Ashley, Bob and I took that trip to the ER in South Lake Tahoe only to discover Dan did not have appendicitis but neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer. Long hard bumpy road we have been on. We are definitely hoping that the road ahead will be a smoother one even though there are a couple of surgeries looming on the horizon. Dan is doing fine right now, eating without difficulties and supporting his wife as she is getting ready to take her nursing boards. The pain he had a few weeks ago has gone away and for that we are very grateful. He will be having a CT scan July 6 to see if his liver has been regenerating. Please pray that his liver will be able to make NEW liver cells and also that he would gain some of the weight he has lost so he'll be physically ready for the next surgery.
We are so very grateful for your love, support and prayers. As you know they are very important. I recently wrote about a family who had been in a car accident. The kids and mom are healing and the father is doing much better but he (Chris) still needs our prayers. He has a long road of rehab ahead of him. Also my friend who told me about Chris and his family and their needs has another family who are in need of our prayers:
We are asking for prayer for Levi and Jessie Benkert and their young family (3 children +1 in adoption process). They have been in Ethiopia for about 1 year in charge of building and administering the orphanage, Drawn From Water. Levi has an illness of unknown origin, perhaps a form of hepatitis.
Know our Lord Jesus hears our prayers and answers.
Psalm 111
Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy;
they are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!
We are so very grateful for your love, support and prayers. As you know they are very important. I recently wrote about a family who had been in a car accident. The kids and mom are healing and the father is doing much better but he (Chris) still needs our prayers. He has a long road of rehab ahead of him. Also my friend who told me about Chris and his family and their needs has another family who are in need of our prayers:
We are asking for prayer for Levi and Jessie Benkert and their young family (3 children +1 in adoption process). They have been in Ethiopia for about 1 year in charge of building and administering the orphanage, Drawn From Water. Levi has an illness of unknown origin, perhaps a form of hepatitis.
Know our Lord Jesus hears our prayers and answers.
Psalm 111
Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy;
they are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
June 2
Another Procedure
I have to type this very quickly because the hospital has decided that they don't like people blogging on their wireless...thus, I am only allotted 10 minutes on our blog. Weird? Yes.
Anyway, we're back in Palo Alto (SHC) for Dan's embolization procedure. Things are running late, so Dan just got taken back to the preop phase. We have even spoken to the doctor yet. They will blocking off the right portal vein (blood supply to the right lobe of the liver) to allow for quicker regrowth of his liver. We have been told that this should be just an overnight stay, so we're really hoping and praying for no complications and a fast recovery.
I'll keep you posted when I can, but just be in prayer as the procedure should be starting in about an hour.
Prayer Requests:
* Successful procedure
* No complication
* Open and happy bowels without obstructions
* Safe discharge tomorrow as planned
* NO SURPRISES!!!
* Keeping Dan at home with me in SoCal for a lot longer :)
posted by Ashley at 2:14 pm
Rough day? A bit.
So, Dan's procedure went well and ended at about 7pm. He had to stay in recovery for a while to wake up, and the doctor decided to keep him overnight to watch for possible complications. Dan's still really tired, though he woke up long enough to eat some jello and crackers. He's not in a lot of pain, but his stomach is wobbly. He won't go so far as to say it's sick feeling, but he's not feeling great. Stupid anesthesia.
Tonight we watch for his ability to keep fluids and food down and make sure his liver isn't bleeding through the wound it got today. As long as Dan can eat breakfast well and isn't actively bleeding tonight, he'll be discharged in the morning.
Amazingly, Dan was given a private room AND I got a cot! What? The first day? Awesome.
I've been sitting here applying for nursing jobs, while he's asleep. The nursing job market is horrible to say the least. Several polite rejections after making it through the last interview process is getting old. You'd think graduating top of the class, having CNA experience and good communication skills would get you somewhere...not quite.
Dan and I are really beginning to feel the strain of the unknown. We need to know where I'm working before we can move, and we have to be out of our apt on June 19th. Prayers for guidance and a job are coveted. I know that God is guiding me to where He wants me, but this time period kinda sucks.
Prayer Requests:
* No bleeding or complications
* Dan's ability to eat and a hearty appetite
* Safe discharge tomorrow
* Continued health of bowels (no obstructions ever)
* Great re-growth of liver tissue
* A job for me...soon!
* Peace in yet another period of unknown
Posted by Ashley at 9:44 PM
Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart
Proverbs 3:1-8
1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments,
2 for length of days and years of life
and peace they will add to you.
3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.
I have to type this very quickly because the hospital has decided that they don't like people blogging on their wireless...thus, I am only allotted 10 minutes on our blog. Weird? Yes.
Anyway, we're back in Palo Alto (SHC) for Dan's embolization procedure. Things are running late, so Dan just got taken back to the preop phase. We have even spoken to the doctor yet. They will blocking off the right portal vein (blood supply to the right lobe of the liver) to allow for quicker regrowth of his liver. We have been told that this should be just an overnight stay, so we're really hoping and praying for no complications and a fast recovery.
I'll keep you posted when I can, but just be in prayer as the procedure should be starting in about an hour.
Prayer Requests:
* Successful procedure
* No complication
* Open and happy bowels without obstructions
* Safe discharge tomorrow as planned
* NO SURPRISES!!!
* Keeping Dan at home with me in SoCal for a lot longer :)
posted by Ashley at 2:14 pm
Rough day? A bit.
So, Dan's procedure went well and ended at about 7pm. He had to stay in recovery for a while to wake up, and the doctor decided to keep him overnight to watch for possible complications. Dan's still really tired, though he woke up long enough to eat some jello and crackers. He's not in a lot of pain, but his stomach is wobbly. He won't go so far as to say it's sick feeling, but he's not feeling great. Stupid anesthesia.
Tonight we watch for his ability to keep fluids and food down and make sure his liver isn't bleeding through the wound it got today. As long as Dan can eat breakfast well and isn't actively bleeding tonight, he'll be discharged in the morning.
Amazingly, Dan was given a private room AND I got a cot! What? The first day? Awesome.
I've been sitting here applying for nursing jobs, while he's asleep. The nursing job market is horrible to say the least. Several polite rejections after making it through the last interview process is getting old. You'd think graduating top of the class, having CNA experience and good communication skills would get you somewhere...not quite.
Dan and I are really beginning to feel the strain of the unknown. We need to know where I'm working before we can move, and we have to be out of our apt on June 19th. Prayers for guidance and a job are coveted. I know that God is guiding me to where He wants me, but this time period kinda sucks.
Prayer Requests:
* No bleeding or complications
* Dan's ability to eat and a hearty appetite
* Safe discharge tomorrow
* Continued health of bowels (no obstructions ever)
* Great re-growth of liver tissue
* A job for me...soon!
* Peace in yet another period of unknown
Posted by Ashley at 9:44 PM
Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart
Proverbs 3:1-8
1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments,
2 for length of days and years of life
and peace they will add to you.
3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Memorial Day
Hope you have all had a wonderful day celebrating our freedom through the sacrifices our servicemen and women have made over the years. Last year when Bob and I were in Israel, their memorial day was very sobering as the nation comes to a halt for 2 minutes and stands silently and bows as they remember the over 22, 000 Israelis who have been killed since 1948 defending the Nation.
Dan has his embolization procedure on Wednesday at Stanford. It should be an uncomplicated procedure and does not usually involve an overnight stay, but they want to keep him overnight, just in case. The embolization is mainly to shunt the blood flow from the right lobe to the left and stimulate the liver to regenerate. That would be a request to pray for - new liver tissue!
Tomorrow Ashley has an interview with a hospital in Whittier that she has worked at as a CNA and as a student nurse. So they know her and what an awesome nurse she is! I don't think So Cal is their desired location but a job is their desire. Please pray that the Lord will open the doors if that is where she is to be.
Now many of you do not know this but Ashley won the "Perseverance Award" from her Nursing school! DUH! Not only that Ashley graduated SUMMA CUM LAUDE!!!!!!!!!!!! with a 3.93 GPA. WOW! Is that amazing and is that dedication and perseverance. The hospital who hires her will be getting a real gift.
So friends, keep this young couple in your prayers. They still have a hard road ahead with 2 more surgeries and a teaching credential to finish, but I have no doubt they will accomplish any and all they put their minds and hearts to.
Proverbs 16:3 Commit your work to the Lord , and your plans will be established.
Colossians 3: 23-24 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ
Dan has his embolization procedure on Wednesday at Stanford. It should be an uncomplicated procedure and does not usually involve an overnight stay, but they want to keep him overnight, just in case. The embolization is mainly to shunt the blood flow from the right lobe to the left and stimulate the liver to regenerate. That would be a request to pray for - new liver tissue!
Tomorrow Ashley has an interview with a hospital in Whittier that she has worked at as a CNA and as a student nurse. So they know her and what an awesome nurse she is! I don't think So Cal is their desired location but a job is their desire. Please pray that the Lord will open the doors if that is where she is to be.
Now many of you do not know this but Ashley won the "Perseverance Award" from her Nursing school! DUH! Not only that Ashley graduated SUMMA CUM LAUDE!!!!!!!!!!!! with a 3.93 GPA. WOW! Is that amazing and is that dedication and perseverance. The hospital who hires her will be getting a real gift.
So friends, keep this young couple in your prayers. They still have a hard road ahead with 2 more surgeries and a teaching credential to finish, but I have no doubt they will accomplish any and all they put their minds and hearts to.
Proverbs 16:3 Commit your work to the Lord , and your plans will be established.
Colossians 3: 23-24 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ
Monday, May 24, 2010
May 24
Dan and Ashley update us all:
Steady Freddy
Since I've had a few people mention that they haven't read anything new on the blog for a while, I thought we should probably blog again.
Since the last blog, we have gone to Stanford twice for meetings with the surgeon and the oncologist. Dan's wound is healing, but being difficult. He still has a hole the size of a dime, which has to be packed a couple times a day. Luckily, his second surgical wound looks good...and will hopefully stay that way.
Aside from advising us on the wound situation, the docs also met with us to make a decision regarding the next step. Due to the several complications and setbacks, Dan hadn't truly been able to recover from any of his surgeries and was being a bit pressured to "hurry up" with the next one. Dan and I set about intelligently gathering information and advice from his doctors to assure we were making the right decisions. Honestly, his docs agreed that he needed more time to heal, but still advised surgery as the next step. Accordingly, we are looking at the second half of the surgery late in the summer.
Another good part to the doctors wanting to let Dan heal is that the embolization procedure (cutting off the blood supply to the right side of the liver to test regrowth of the left side) is going to be after graduation. Yay! One less thing to stress about for now.
Did I mention I'm graduating next week? Yes, you read that correctly. Next week! My clinical hours are finished, my research hours are finished, my classes are finished, and I have very little left to do. This is a strange season. My friends are beginning to move away, we are competing against each other for jobs, and we're saying goodbye after 5 years of constant together-ness. Weird and sad, but necessary.
This week's schedule:
Monday-Class party
Tuesday-Senior Baccalaureate (reflection?)
Wednesday-Epsilon Kappa Epsilon Honor Society Ceremony
Thursday-Pinning Ceremony (Traditional nursing graduation)...a BIG DEAL
Friday-Fun with family!!!
Saturday-Graduation!!!
We have a busy week ahead of us, but it is so exciting. We're looking forward to beginning a new chapter of our lives soon...new apartment, new jobs, no school, no more cancer...God willing.
Prayer Requests:
* No complications or new problems
* No hospitalizations or illnesses until after graduation
* A job! (I've had 4 interviews)
* Safe travels for family coming down
* A safe and uncomplicated embolization procedure
God encourages us in Philippians 1:2-11
2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,4always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.6And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.7It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.8For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.9And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,10so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Bob and I will head south for the pinning and graduation and even Matt will join us for the graduation from Hume Lake (if he can get out of the snow- snow at the end of May?)
What a blessing it is to see Ashley accomplish her goals and finish this semester well amidst all the difficulties she and Dan have endured! What inspiration she is to many of us! She will be taking her boards soon and I know she would appreciate your prayers for that as well. I have no doubt she will do very well.
Steady Freddy
Since I've had a few people mention that they haven't read anything new on the blog for a while, I thought we should probably blog again.
Since the last blog, we have gone to Stanford twice for meetings with the surgeon and the oncologist. Dan's wound is healing, but being difficult. He still has a hole the size of a dime, which has to be packed a couple times a day. Luckily, his second surgical wound looks good...and will hopefully stay that way.
Aside from advising us on the wound situation, the docs also met with us to make a decision regarding the next step. Due to the several complications and setbacks, Dan hadn't truly been able to recover from any of his surgeries and was being a bit pressured to "hurry up" with the next one. Dan and I set about intelligently gathering information and advice from his doctors to assure we were making the right decisions. Honestly, his docs agreed that he needed more time to heal, but still advised surgery as the next step. Accordingly, we are looking at the second half of the surgery late in the summer.
Another good part to the doctors wanting to let Dan heal is that the embolization procedure (cutting off the blood supply to the right side of the liver to test regrowth of the left side) is going to be after graduation. Yay! One less thing to stress about for now.
Did I mention I'm graduating next week? Yes, you read that correctly. Next week! My clinical hours are finished, my research hours are finished, my classes are finished, and I have very little left to do. This is a strange season. My friends are beginning to move away, we are competing against each other for jobs, and we're saying goodbye after 5 years of constant together-ness. Weird and sad, but necessary.
This week's schedule:
Monday-Class party
Tuesday-Senior Baccalaureate (reflection?)
Wednesday-Epsilon Kappa Epsilon Honor Society Ceremony
Thursday-Pinning Ceremony (Traditional nursing graduation)...a BIG DEAL
Friday-Fun with family!!!
Saturday-Graduation!!!
We have a busy week ahead of us, but it is so exciting. We're looking forward to beginning a new chapter of our lives soon...new apartment, new jobs, no school, no more cancer...God willing.
Prayer Requests:
* No complications or new problems
* No hospitalizations or illnesses until after graduation
* A job! (I've had 4 interviews)
* Safe travels for family coming down
* A safe and uncomplicated embolization procedure
God encourages us in Philippians 1:2-11
2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,4always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.6And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.7It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.8For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.9And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,10so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Bob and I will head south for the pinning and graduation and even Matt will join us for the graduation from Hume Lake (if he can get out of the snow- snow at the end of May?)
What a blessing it is to see Ashley accomplish her goals and finish this semester well amidst all the difficulties she and Dan have endured! What inspiration she is to many of us! She will be taking her boards soon and I know she would appreciate your prayers for that as well. I have no doubt she will do very well.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
update
Dan and Ashley spoke with the doctors last week to explore the options to surgery. Unfortunately there are no really good ones so the "part 2" surgery will take place sometime in the next few months. Dan will have the embolization procedure of his right hepatic artery sometime in early June and then wait at least a month to verify that it has been successful in stimulating the left liver lobe to grow so that his right liver lobe can be operated on. The surgery will follow that verification depending on the extent of liver regeneration. Please pray that his liver will grow and that the surgery will be successful in removing all traces of cancer cells, dead or alive! He has regained 5 pounds of his 35 pound weight loss which is a good start. Pray, too, that his weight gain will progress.
On a very happy note, Ashley is graduating in less than 2 weeks!. She will then take her boards and locate one of those rare jobs for newly graduated nurses. We ask for your prayers on her behalf for the right job at a great hospital in a location north of southern Cal.
Thanks for your love, prayers and concern. I continue to marvel at all who are fighting this battle with us. You bless me and may the Lord our God bless you!
His Word:
Psalm 34
I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking lies.
Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all;
he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
The Lord redeems his servants;
no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.
On a very happy note, Ashley is graduating in less than 2 weeks!. She will then take her boards and locate one of those rare jobs for newly graduated nurses. We ask for your prayers on her behalf for the right job at a great hospital in a location north of southern Cal.
Thanks for your love, prayers and concern. I continue to marvel at all who are fighting this battle with us. You bless me and may the Lord our God bless you!
His Word:
Psalm 34
I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking lies.
Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all;
he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
The Lord redeems his servants;
no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Update
Thank you again for your prayers and love for our family. Dan had a good report on Monday at the doctors and he has gained 4 pounds. His wound looks good and is not infected. Yeah! The second surgical wound is oozing a bit but is healing up. He and Ashley are meeting with the oncologist and the surgeon next Wednesday to discuss the future options apart from the obvious surgical one. It was good to catch a glimpse of them on Monday after Ashley had an interview with Lodi Memorial Hospital. Wisdom for Dan and Ashley and the doctors for their Wednesday meeting is our request of the day. Also Ashley will be graduating in 3 weeks, May 29! Great, great kudos to her and we are so proud of all the hard work she has done in the midst of this difficult semester. Now she is entering a job market that is very depressed for new nursing grads. Anyone know of a job opening, please let us know. No new blogs from Dan and Ashley, but here are some good words from our LORD:
Psalm 117
Praise the Lord, all nations!
Extol him, all peoples!
For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord!
James 1:5-8
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Psalm 117
Praise the Lord, all nations!
Extol him, all peoples!
For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord!
James 1:5-8
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
New Developments
Dear Blog receivers: below are 2 blogs posted by Ashley and Dan, Saturday May 1 and Wednesday April 28. I am not too excited about this wound situation described although I have not seen it nor spoken personally with Dan or Ashley yet (Bob has spoken with Dan). Maybe it is just a little thing, but the potential is that he may have a MRSA infection which can be a nasty deal.
So time to get off the couch and back to prayer duty!!!!!!!!!!
Blessings to you all. We love and appreciate you so much.
God's Word:
Psalm 142
A maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer.
I cry aloud to the Lord;
I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.
I pour out my complaint before him;
before him I tell my trouble.
When my spirit grows faint within me,
it is you who know my way.
In the path where I walk
men have hidden a snare for me.
Look to my right and see;
no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;
no one cares for my life.
I cry to you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”
Listen to my cry,
for I am in desperate need;
rescue me from those who pursue me,
for they are too strong for me.
Set me free from my prison,
that I may praise your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me
because of your goodness to me.
the blogs:
saturday, may 1, 2010
The Latest
We're headed back to Stanford for Dan's first appointment since being released a few weeks ago. It has been nice to have a break from doctor appointments and tests and such. Hopefully, this will be an easy appointment with no need for tests and no need for any hospital admissions. Basically, we're praying for good news and no surprises.
I've still been doing dressing changes 3 times a day, which is getting tiring for both Dan and I. Yet, I'd rather do it at home than have a nurse do it in the hospital. Dan's new incision is healing nicely (finally), while we were within a week of his old wound healing and it opened up a bit again. A blister formed over the scar tissue, the blister popped a couple nights ago, and gave us a bit of a scare since it bled quite a bit. We thought it was healing back up, but today the new tissue split a little again revealing an open hole under his scar. Ugh. Hopefully, it's just a hole in the scar tissue under the scar, and it will heal up completely.
I'm thankful it happened right before a doctor appointment, so I can get the surgeon's advice. Please pray this is just a little hole from the blister and not anything serious at all. Dan's not worried; his dad isn't worried, but of course, I am worried. I've gotten used to Dan actually being home. I really don't want to have him leave again. :(
Anyway, time is speeding by. I have 12 hours (out of 188) of clinical time left. Graduation is in 28 days. Wow. Please be in prayer that Dan and I can share in this next month living together and celebrating the end of nursing school without any complications or hospitalizations. Having my husband with me for senior banquet, Pinning and graduation would be the greatest graduation present imaginable. So, ask God with me for this good gift :)
Posted by Dan and Ashley at 4:31 PM
wednesday, april 28, 2010
Contact
Well, it's been 9 days since the last blog... Ashley is still busy and I am still not a good blogger. At least you can surmise that I have not had any surgeries or infections, which is totally awesome! It's been good to be up and about, going out to places like the grocery store, friends' houses, and church. We even went on our first real date since January (Chili's and the new Steve Carrell/Tina Fey movie, Date Night). I'm still trying to get some weight on me and get my legs working better. Other than that, not much to report. I am pretty excited about the 49ers' draft; we should make a serious playoff push this year. Boston is sucking less than last post, but my NHL team (Colorado Avalanche) got eliminated by the hometown heroes, the Sharks. I guess I don't have to root against them now.
The days go by and so does my food. :)
So time to get off the couch and back to prayer duty!!!!!!!!!!
Blessings to you all. We love and appreciate you so much.
God's Word:
Psalm 142
A maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer.
I cry aloud to the Lord;
I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.
I pour out my complaint before him;
before him I tell my trouble.
When my spirit grows faint within me,
it is you who know my way.
In the path where I walk
men have hidden a snare for me.
Look to my right and see;
no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;
no one cares for my life.
I cry to you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”
Listen to my cry,
for I am in desperate need;
rescue me from those who pursue me,
for they are too strong for me.
Set me free from my prison,
that I may praise your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me
because of your goodness to me.
the blogs:
saturday, may 1, 2010
The Latest
We're headed back to Stanford for Dan's first appointment since being released a few weeks ago. It has been nice to have a break from doctor appointments and tests and such. Hopefully, this will be an easy appointment with no need for tests and no need for any hospital admissions. Basically, we're praying for good news and no surprises.
I've still been doing dressing changes 3 times a day, which is getting tiring for both Dan and I. Yet, I'd rather do it at home than have a nurse do it in the hospital. Dan's new incision is healing nicely (finally), while we were within a week of his old wound healing and it opened up a bit again. A blister formed over the scar tissue, the blister popped a couple nights ago, and gave us a bit of a scare since it bled quite a bit. We thought it was healing back up, but today the new tissue split a little again revealing an open hole under his scar. Ugh. Hopefully, it's just a hole in the scar tissue under the scar, and it will heal up completely.
I'm thankful it happened right before a doctor appointment, so I can get the surgeon's advice. Please pray this is just a little hole from the blister and not anything serious at all. Dan's not worried; his dad isn't worried, but of course, I am worried. I've gotten used to Dan actually being home. I really don't want to have him leave again. :(
Anyway, time is speeding by. I have 12 hours (out of 188) of clinical time left. Graduation is in 28 days. Wow. Please be in prayer that Dan and I can share in this next month living together and celebrating the end of nursing school without any complications or hospitalizations. Having my husband with me for senior banquet, Pinning and graduation would be the greatest graduation present imaginable. So, ask God with me for this good gift :)
Posted by Dan and Ashley at 4:31 PM
wednesday, april 28, 2010
Contact
Well, it's been 9 days since the last blog... Ashley is still busy and I am still not a good blogger. At least you can surmise that I have not had any surgeries or infections, which is totally awesome! It's been good to be up and about, going out to places like the grocery store, friends' houses, and church. We even went on our first real date since January (Chili's and the new Steve Carrell/Tina Fey movie, Date Night). I'm still trying to get some weight on me and get my legs working better. Other than that, not much to report. I am pretty excited about the 49ers' draft; we should make a serious playoff push this year. Boston is sucking less than last post, but my NHL team (Colorado Avalanche) got eliminated by the hometown heroes, the Sharks. I guess I don't have to root against them now.
The days go by and so does my food. :)
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
tuesday April 20
We have heard from Dan the Man! Not a long note but a wonderful note of "doing great"! We are praising the LORD for all His mercy and grace. May the LORD continue to heal him and get him in tip top shape for his next adventure (another surgery). Thank you for praying. Please don't stop!
Dan's blog:
monday, april 19, 2010
Still Cruisin
Quick blog: it's great to be doing great.
Excited about playoff hockey, not really excited about playoff basketball, and the draft is nigh.
I drove yesterday, and am driving again today to the store and bank.
Went to church yesterday; I had really missed it.
I'm not a real wordy fellow. And my wife knows this, yet she makes me blog anyway!
God's Word:
Ephesians 1:2-23
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus the Messiah. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Messiah. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus the Messiah, in accordance with his pleasure and will– to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Messiah, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment–to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Messiah. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Messiah, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Messiah when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession–to the praise of his glory. For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Messiah when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Dan's blog:
monday, april 19, 2010
Still Cruisin
Quick blog: it's great to be doing great.
Excited about playoff hockey, not really excited about playoff basketball, and the draft is nigh.
I drove yesterday, and am driving again today to the store and bank.
Went to church yesterday; I had really missed it.
I'm not a real wordy fellow. And my wife knows this, yet she makes me blog anyway!
God's Word:
Ephesians 1:2-23
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus the Messiah. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Messiah. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus the Messiah, in accordance with his pleasure and will– to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Messiah, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment–to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Messiah. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Messiah, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Messiah when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession–to the praise of his glory. For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Messiah when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Dan writes!
thursday, april 15, 2010
En Casa
For the third time this year, I'm back home. This time I have a good feeling that there won't be a fourth time until after surgery numero dos. It feels so right to be here. I've been eating a lot more than I was in the hospital; I think I could be up to normal rations relatively soon. Ash cut my hair today, and I preceded that with the shaving of my massive hospital beard. I had considered keeping it for the Colorado Avalanche playoff run, but I've never liked a beard that could catch food. My wound from the bowel obstruction surgery is still a little painful, but not as much as it was in the hospital.
So basically things are going great. We'd really love for them to keep going that way. It's been nice being able to have our prayer times not be all about things we need, but about the things that God has done, or even to get to pray for other people. The one lasting prayer request we have (aside from loads of thanks that I'm out of the hospital) is for no more complications. For now, take a minute to sit down, relax, and enjoy your home too.
Psalm 33:1-5
Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous!
Praise befits the upright.
Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;
make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
For the word of the Lord is upright,
and all his work is done in faithfulness.
He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.
En Casa
For the third time this year, I'm back home. This time I have a good feeling that there won't be a fourth time until after surgery numero dos. It feels so right to be here. I've been eating a lot more than I was in the hospital; I think I could be up to normal rations relatively soon. Ash cut my hair today, and I preceded that with the shaving of my massive hospital beard. I had considered keeping it for the Colorado Avalanche playoff run, but I've never liked a beard that could catch food. My wound from the bowel obstruction surgery is still a little painful, but not as much as it was in the hospital.
So basically things are going great. We'd really love for them to keep going that way. It's been nice being able to have our prayer times not be all about things we need, but about the things that God has done, or even to get to pray for other people. The one lasting prayer request we have (aside from loads of thanks that I'm out of the hospital) is for no more complications. For now, take a minute to sit down, relax, and enjoy your home too.
Psalm 33:1-5
Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous!
Praise befits the upright.
Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;
make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
For the word of the Lord is upright,
and all his work is done in faithfulness.
He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
April 14
Mission Accomplished! Dan is home in La Mirada with his wonderful wife, eating and drinking! Thank you Lord Jesus!
Dan's facebook update from yesterday: I'm home. Now I can finally post about things other than hospitals. Like... the gorgeous mountains we passed on the drive down.
(They were so beautiful! Covered with colorful wildflowers and green grass.)
Now he needs to eat, drink, be merry and gain lots of weight (wish I could give him some of mine!) Pray that Dan's healing will continue and for Ashley's school work. Her graduation is in about 7 weeks!
Dan's facebook update from yesterday: I'm home. Now I can finally post about things other than hospitals. Like... the gorgeous mountains we passed on the drive down.
(They were so beautiful! Covered with colorful wildflowers and green grass.)
Now he needs to eat, drink, be merry and gain lots of weight (wish I could give him some of mine!) Pray that Dan's healing will continue and for Ashley's school work. Her graduation is in about 7 weeks!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Dan's words today
monday, april 12, 2010
Done (hopefully)
I am not in Palo Alto, but I am not home yet. I'm in Lodi for a brief waiting period to make sure I'm ok before I move 6 hours away. It was thrilling today to leave the hospital, to have my PICC line and staples removed, and to eat some steak at my parents' house with my two foreign exchange sisters. If everything goes fine tonight (sleeping) and tomorrow morning (eating and such), I will complete the journey home to my wife, who is going bonkers right now with homework and trying to get the apartment clean. I love her a lot.
This one will be short because I procrastinated until the end of the day to write this (to be fair, the first part was spent waiting for discharge and the second was spent in an internet-less car ride). But I figured this was blog-worthy, so here you go. The fruition of a boatload of prayer. But we're not out of the harbor yet. After all, I have been known to eat and suddenly become unable to eat. The doctors removed all the obstructions in my bowels, but if they can appear suddenly, they can come back suddenly. Please pray that they stay away so I can stay home. :)
Also pray for:
Safe drive to LA
No other complications (like fever)
Ability to ingest enough food and drink to sustain myself
Quick healing of my incision, which still hurts when I walk
My facebook friend Mary, whose cancer has resurfaced in her liver and the doctors don't have a clear idea where it's coming from
My real life friend Paul, who's recovering from pretty nasty pancreatic cancer
Peace in the Middle East while you're at it
Done (hopefully)
I am not in Palo Alto, but I am not home yet. I'm in Lodi for a brief waiting period to make sure I'm ok before I move 6 hours away. It was thrilling today to leave the hospital, to have my PICC line and staples removed, and to eat some steak at my parents' house with my two foreign exchange sisters. If everything goes fine tonight (sleeping) and tomorrow morning (eating and such), I will complete the journey home to my wife, who is going bonkers right now with homework and trying to get the apartment clean. I love her a lot.
This one will be short because I procrastinated until the end of the day to write this (to be fair, the first part was spent waiting for discharge and the second was spent in an internet-less car ride). But I figured this was blog-worthy, so here you go. The fruition of a boatload of prayer. But we're not out of the harbor yet. After all, I have been known to eat and suddenly become unable to eat. The doctors removed all the obstructions in my bowels, but if they can appear suddenly, they can come back suddenly. Please pray that they stay away so I can stay home. :)
Also pray for:
Safe drive to LA
No other complications (like fever)
Ability to ingest enough food and drink to sustain myself
Quick healing of my incision, which still hurts when I walk
My facebook friend Mary, whose cancer has resurfaced in her liver and the doctors don't have a clear idea where it's coming from
My real life friend Paul, who's recovering from pretty nasty pancreatic cancer
Peace in the Middle East while you're at it
Can't wait to tell you!
My facebook update:
Jamie Howen is rejoicing that her son Dan is OUT of the hospital, here in Lodi, was able and willing and happy to eat his home cooked steak dinner! In response to the question just posed, " How are you feeling?", he responded, "FINE!" Hallelujah! Prayers are answered! Home to LA soon!
Dan has not yet blogged and I can't wait to tell you all this great news! We are so happy! Thank you Lord!
God's Word:
1 Chronicles 16:34 Oh give thanks to the Lord , for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Jamie Howen is rejoicing that her son Dan is OUT of the hospital, here in Lodi, was able and willing and happy to eat his home cooked steak dinner! In response to the question just posed, " How are you feeling?", he responded, "FINE!" Hallelujah! Prayers are answered! Home to LA soon!
Dan has not yet blogged and I can't wait to tell you all this great news! We are so happy! Thank you Lord!
God's Word:
1 Chronicles 16:34 Oh give thanks to the Lord , for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
April 11 #2
Can't resist sending another blog today as Dan has written something and I am an eyewitness of his progress. Eating and enjoying his mother's matzoh ball soup! What more could a Jewish mother want! And even though he told me not to bring it, I knew it would be good medicine. The gold standard of medicine! So now we are asking for your prayers for discharge tomorrow (why not ask specifics) and home to LA ASAP (could be tomorrow too!)
If you feel like sharing what our LORD God has been showing you through this time of prayer, I would love to hear from you.
Dan's blog:
Not a bad day at all
Dan here, taking on blogging duties.
Today was pretty good. I found out that discharge is possible by the end of tomorrow at earliest; it's contingent on my ability to eat an amount large enough to keep me hydrated (which could be soon) and my wound's inability to develop an infection. So... awesome!
I also got to watch a great hockey game between Boston and Washington; it's unfortunately rare these days to see the great game televised.
Ash and I filed our taxes, which was done with considerable difficulty with things scattered between Stanford and LA. A refund from our nation's deficit will be nice.
A couple of friends from church surprised me today by stopping in; they had come up from LA to a wedding in Stockton and impulsively decided to see me in the hospital.
My mom came by also and brought some matzoh ball soup for me. I had asked earlier for some, since I missed Passover, but yesterday asked her not to bring it, because Stanford's soups had been both plentiful and banal. However, she brought it anyway, and I thought I'd try a little bit. Turns out, it was really good. Lots of flavoring. I had a whole bowl. I might have another in a little while.
I'm really hoping that I can get out soon. It's been too long that I've been away from home. It feels so right when I'm there. Plus, it means more clinical hours for Ashley when she dresses my wounds.
Thanks for praying for us. Keep praying; I'm not out of the woods yet. I have to get out of the hospital, have an embolization procedure, and then a second surgery--- then I will be cancer free!
Prayer Requests:
Continuous increase of appetite
No fevers/infections
Discharge soon
No coming back to the hospital with complications
God's Word:
Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints
If you feel like sharing what our LORD God has been showing you through this time of prayer, I would love to hear from you.
Dan's blog:
Not a bad day at all
Dan here, taking on blogging duties.
Today was pretty good. I found out that discharge is possible by the end of tomorrow at earliest; it's contingent on my ability to eat an amount large enough to keep me hydrated (which could be soon) and my wound's inability to develop an infection. So... awesome!
I also got to watch a great hockey game between Boston and Washington; it's unfortunately rare these days to see the great game televised.
Ash and I filed our taxes, which was done with considerable difficulty with things scattered between Stanford and LA. A refund from our nation's deficit will be nice.
A couple of friends from church surprised me today by stopping in; they had come up from LA to a wedding in Stockton and impulsively decided to see me in the hospital.
My mom came by also and brought some matzoh ball soup for me. I had asked earlier for some, since I missed Passover, but yesterday asked her not to bring it, because Stanford's soups had been both plentiful and banal. However, she brought it anyway, and I thought I'd try a little bit. Turns out, it was really good. Lots of flavoring. I had a whole bowl. I might have another in a little while.
I'm really hoping that I can get out soon. It's been too long that I've been away from home. It feels so right when I'm there. Plus, it means more clinical hours for Ashley when she dresses my wounds.
Thanks for praying for us. Keep praying; I'm not out of the woods yet. I have to get out of the hospital, have an embolization procedure, and then a second surgery--- then I will be cancer free!
Prayer Requests:
Continuous increase of appetite
No fevers/infections
Discharge soon
No coming back to the hospital with complications
God's Word:
Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints
April 11
Dan has been eating (yeah) without nausea or vomiting, but still trying to catch up on his appetite. As Ashley's blog states there is still some concern about his infected wound. I know many of you have shared with me that you are learning a thing or two about prayer in your intercession for Dan. Maybe that is part of the purpose in all this, to teach us how to pray fervently. Well, I say keep it up and ratchet it up; we need to get this guy not only home to his honey but feeling fine and eating well. Whatever the Lord is trying to teach us, let us be still and learn.
This is something the Lord has been impressing on me:
Exodus 20:2-3
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
“You shall have no other gods before me.
Ashley's blog:
Tut tut
This blog will be short and to the point because Dan has such an aversion to blogging that he makes his sad and tired wife blog right after driving 6 hours away from him. Tut tut.
Appetite: Better but not good enough to get off of TPN, which is the goal. Dan got a hamburger on his lunch tray, was delighted, ate half and has had no room for much else. Dinner was nibbled at most. So far, food is staying down and going through without causing much of a problem. This needs to continue so Dan can go home.
Infection: Fever returned a bit today, but not high enough to be considered a "spike" (38.5 C). Incision is still oozing, but the docs wants to give it time to drain before opening any more. All of the staples will most likely be removed Tuesday or Wednesday. One of the labs drawn Thursday came back "suspicious" (they take 2 days to grow), so another test was done today. No antibiotics until another fever spike or a sudden change in the wound or labs.
Spirits: Doing well, though getting restless and sad to be in the hospital for so long again. Also, we are no longer in the same place. It's getting harder to keep driving away and leaving Dan in the hospital. I won't be able to return until next Monday at the earliest, so we're hoping and praying Dan will be released this week without any complications, so he can get his butt home.
Prayer Requests:
* More appetite and ability to eat and snack throughout the day
* Cooperative digestive system...no vomiting, no distention, no premature full feeling
* Resolution of infection (where ever it is)...no fever, no discharge from wound
* Pain control...continued improvement of pain
* Increase in mobility and energy
* Wisdom for the docs to know what and when things should happen
* Discharge from the hospital within this upcoming week
* Comfort for hearts sad to be apart :(
This is something the Lord has been impressing on me:
Exodus 20:2-3
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
“You shall have no other gods before me.
Ashley's blog:
Tut tut
This blog will be short and to the point because Dan has such an aversion to blogging that he makes his sad and tired wife blog right after driving 6 hours away from him. Tut tut.
Appetite: Better but not good enough to get off of TPN, which is the goal. Dan got a hamburger on his lunch tray, was delighted, ate half and has had no room for much else. Dinner was nibbled at most. So far, food is staying down and going through without causing much of a problem. This needs to continue so Dan can go home.
Infection: Fever returned a bit today, but not high enough to be considered a "spike" (38.5 C). Incision is still oozing, but the docs wants to give it time to drain before opening any more. All of the staples will most likely be removed Tuesday or Wednesday. One of the labs drawn Thursday came back "suspicious" (they take 2 days to grow), so another test was done today. No antibiotics until another fever spike or a sudden change in the wound or labs.
Spirits: Doing well, though getting restless and sad to be in the hospital for so long again. Also, we are no longer in the same place. It's getting harder to keep driving away and leaving Dan in the hospital. I won't be able to return until next Monday at the earliest, so we're hoping and praying Dan will be released this week without any complications, so he can get his butt home.
Prayer Requests:
* More appetite and ability to eat and snack throughout the day
* Cooperative digestive system...no vomiting, no distention, no premature full feeling
* Resolution of infection (where ever it is)...no fever, no discharge from wound
* Pain control...continued improvement of pain
* Increase in mobility and energy
* Wisdom for the docs to know what and when things should happen
* Discharge from the hospital within this upcoming week
* Comfort for hearts sad to be apart :(
Friday, April 9, 2010
April 9
Dan is eating, a little. But that is progress for which we are very thankful for. Here is Ashley's blog for the day:
No Bon Appetit
As an update to yesterday, the most obvious source of infection is the incision. Dan no longer has a fever, but the incision is still oozing. The surgeons are being cautious and slow with removing staples, as they do not want Dan to have an entirely new open wound. They are still holding off on antibiotics unless Dan has another fever spike.
Today has been somewhat better. We got a little more sleep and Dan woke up early enough for the docs to see him out of bed for once. He said walking is a easier, and he is definitely taking longer strides. He finally got tired of the hospital gown, which is a good sign to me.
The problem of the day is a lack of appetite. We aren't sure if the cause is the extremely nutritious TPN telling his brain he is satisfied or that his stomach his tiny or that things are going through or a combination of all of these. After dealing with an intern who doesn't always think things through well (we just got the chief resident to give him the "what-for"), I think we've convinced the docs to decrease the TPN calories. Hopefully, this will let Dan be a little more hungry. Dan is glad he is eating other things besides clears though...sunchips, bread, crackers, etc.
We're bummed because I have to leave for school tomorrow. There have been too many good-byes said at the front of the hospital. I won't be able to return for at least a week, so we are still praying that Dan will get out of the hospital sometime next week. I hate being away as so many things are going on. Hopefully, I receive only good news over the phone.
Now, I need to get him up to walk. The Simpsons is seriously distracting him from moving around. Doh.
Prayer Requests:
* A big(ger) appetite
* No more vomiting
* Continued decrease in pain
* No more fever
* Wound healing...no need to open the wound
* Safe travels for me tomorrow
* Dan getting discharged next week...and coming home
God's word:
Col 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
No Bon Appetit
As an update to yesterday, the most obvious source of infection is the incision. Dan no longer has a fever, but the incision is still oozing. The surgeons are being cautious and slow with removing staples, as they do not want Dan to have an entirely new open wound. They are still holding off on antibiotics unless Dan has another fever spike.
Today has been somewhat better. We got a little more sleep and Dan woke up early enough for the docs to see him out of bed for once. He said walking is a easier, and he is definitely taking longer strides. He finally got tired of the hospital gown, which is a good sign to me.
The problem of the day is a lack of appetite. We aren't sure if the cause is the extremely nutritious TPN telling his brain he is satisfied or that his stomach his tiny or that things are going through or a combination of all of these. After dealing with an intern who doesn't always think things through well (we just got the chief resident to give him the "what-for"), I think we've convinced the docs to decrease the TPN calories. Hopefully, this will let Dan be a little more hungry. Dan is glad he is eating other things besides clears though...sunchips, bread, crackers, etc.
We're bummed because I have to leave for school tomorrow. There have been too many good-byes said at the front of the hospital. I won't be able to return for at least a week, so we are still praying that Dan will get out of the hospital sometime next week. I hate being away as so many things are going on. Hopefully, I receive only good news over the phone.
Now, I need to get him up to walk. The Simpsons is seriously distracting him from moving around. Doh.
Prayer Requests:
* A big(ger) appetite
* No more vomiting
* Continued decrease in pain
* No more fever
* Wound healing...no need to open the wound
* Safe travels for me tomorrow
* Dan getting discharged next week...and coming home
God's word:
Col 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
playing catch up - tues thru thurs 4/6-4/8
Tuesday April 6
Ashley's blog, as you will read, is a bit down. Warriors of the praying kind we need you! Pray on.........
Not better
We're already having a hard day.
There's no point in trying to make up points of encouragement or happy anecdotes. Dan's not really progressing much. He's still in pain, he's still exhausted, he's not motivated to get up and no matter what anyone says, he never feels like things are getting better. Sure, he could barely walk around the unit on Sunday but now he can--he's still not better. Sure his pain was 8/10 after surgery, and now only gets up to 4/10--that's not any better either.
To be frank, I sometimes don't want to get up in the morning. All that is ahead of me is forcing Dan to do things he doesn't want to do, trying to determine whether or not his pain is better/worse/new so as to tell the doctor, hoping for progress that doesn't ever happen how doctors expect, changing the linens, trying to talk Dan into getting cleaned up, trying to do the homework I have no motivation for and then putting on a happy, encouraging face for everyone else. It's exhausting and rather unchanging.
I apologize for the lack of cheerfulness or good news. This is a blog to update on how Dan is doing, and today, he's not doing great. His heart rate is back up, his energy is lower and he barely talked to McGreeky when he came in this morning. As far as the surgeon can tell, Dan isn't doing any better than yesterday and that doesn't make sense. Labs are good, incision is healing, etc. Dan should be feeling better. Alas, if you have been following this blog, you know Dan seldom feels like he is supposed to. It's frustrating to watch elderly patients cruising the halls, but see Dan just lay there. Yet, there's nothing we can do but "wait and see".
Though, he got out of bed and walked once around the unit, he just got too tired and went back to bed. So, we're back at square one for the day: wake up. Sometimes, that truly is the worst part of the day.
Prayer Requests:
* Sudden and long-lasting energy and endurance for Dan
* Resolution of pain (muscular and intestinal)
* Passing of gas--lots of it, today
* No infection or complications
* Motivation for Dan to move and want to get better
* Motivation for me to keep encouraging him and to keep doing my schoolwork
* Unmistakable improvement today
* Good news and encouragement
* Wisdom for me to know when to go home again
* Ability for Dan to be able to come home with me soon
* Our marriage
* Hope
God's Word:
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.
Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.
He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,
as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
Wed. April 7 #1 update
Bob and I went to see Dan and Ashley today and I think he is doing better. Still tired. Taking in fluids. Walking. Slowly moving in the right direction. Pray for wisdom for all taking care of him. Ashley plans to head back to LA on Saturday. I wish Dan could be with her. We could pray for that and should and will, but it does look doubtful at this point.
Thank you thank you thank you for praying with us.
Here is her blog from today:
Mixed Messages
Question of the day: is Dan's GI system awake, asleep or obstructed?
Since Dan passed a little bit of gas yesterday, he was allowed to have sip on some clear liquid last night. Things went down fine, but around 3 or 4 in the morning, he got a bloody nose. He proceeded to swallow some blood which made him throw up quite a bit. The nurse got nervous as it was mostly bile (too much bile in vomit means the GI system is not absorbing and passing the bile through quickly enough), called the on-call resident who put Dan back on NPO.
This morning, when Dan's team rounded, he explained about the bloody nose and that he wasn't nauseous at all otherwise. The docs agreed Dan could be back on a clear diet today, especially since his bowels were making lots of noise and letting free lots of gas. About the time the tray of clears came, Dan got another bloody nose (heparin and toradol and a dry nose is making this happen a lot). Dan also received a rather large dose of dilaudid. Between swallowing blood and his head swimming from too much med too fast, he threw up again. Great. His day nurse also felt that his vomit had too much bile in it, so she asked Dan not to eat any more until the team makes a decision. Dan insists that he is not nauseous anymore and wasn't until he received the pain med and really doesn't think the episode had anything to do with eating.
Dan's body is once again sending mixed messages. Good messages: passing lots of gas, active bowel sounds earlier, no nausea when eating. Bad messages: vomiting bile, quiet bowel sounds now, no BMs. Though we know the vomiting could be from multiple things (food, drugs, bloody nose, gag reflex), it is often assumed that food is the problem. Unfortunately, the longer it takes to find out if Dan can handle solid food, the longer he has to be here. As his stay will hit the 4-week mark on Sunday, he'd really appreciate no more hang-ups. Of course, we also want the docs to make the appropriate decisions.
Thanks to the dilaudid, Dan is sleeping like a baby. This is a nice thing as no one let us sleep last night. We have a lot of walking to do today to catch up on our slowness this morning. Hopefully, Dan will also have eating to do....without throwing up.
Prayer Requests:
* No more throwing up and no need for another NG tube
* Dan's ability to eat and tolerate the clears well today
* Wisdom for the doctors making the decisions (hopefully, quickly)
* Control and improvement of pain
* Continued healing of incision and wound
* No complications or infections (he had a fever again last night)
* Ability for Dan to come home with me very soon
* A period of peace, health and rest for both of us...very very soon
* Encouraging news and events today
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Wednesday April 7 #2 update
We just found out Dan's new wound is infected:((((((((
Oh my, what else could happen to this dear son of mine?
keep up those prayers!
love
Jamie
As Ashley writes, Dan needs a miracle.
Wound Infection #2
As if Dan didn't have enough to deal with, his wound has become infected.
It has looked a little red and angry today, but we were just watching it.
Then, he spiked a fever of 101.1 this afternoon. Finally, we got the team to
pay more attention to the incision. The intern thought they would take out a
staple or two tomorrow to let any pus drain out. The nurse and I helped to
convince the resident (his superior) that maybe that should happen today.
So, 3 staples got removed and a good deal of drainage came out of the wound.
It was deja vu as this happened with Dan's last incision--which is now a
wound that we are still dealing with.
The plan is to let the incision drain and to recheck it tomorrow. If it
doesn't look markedly better, Dan will be started on antibiotics. Hopefully,
the wound will be able to heal better this way and not need to be opened all
the way.
Dan really isn't feeling well right now. His immune system is pretty low
(WBCs=2.5) after being in the hospital for so long (TPN is causing some
problems with immunity also), so it is taking a lot out of him to fight this
infection. He's been tired and sleepy all day. He's fighting some nausea
here and there. He's still in pain. I just convinced him to give in and go
to sleep, though I don't know how much that will help him.
I'm really not sure what tomorrow will look like. The doctors were
anticipating advancing his diet, but Dan didn't really eat enough to be sure
he can tolerate the clears. As I blogged earlier, his GI system is sending
mixed messages, so that isn't helping the docs make decisions. Yet, the
resident commented tonight that it might take real food to get Dan's bowel
working again...though he cannot give a regular diet yet. A catch-22 of
sorts.
I wish we had chosen to do Cyberknife. It may not have worked, and Dan
might have needed more treatment later on. Yet, it would have been a week of
out-patient visits. I might still have a job. Dan might have been able to
finish his credential. I would have had Dan around to celebrate my final
semester of nursing school. Yes, I understand that those are all potential
outcomes and that complications could have arisen there, too. Yet, I cannot
bring myself to see this surgery as a success.
I haven't the faintest idea what to pray for now. A wound infection,
nausea, vomiting, non-improving pain...all of these things have been prayed
against, yet they have happened. Yes, God has a plan for Dan. It just hurts
to see Dan continue to suffer more and more set-backs as he tries to be in
God's will. Of course, Dan has more faith than me. Always has. I know we're
not supposed to test the Lord, but sometimes I just yearn for proof that He
actually loves Dan and is caring for him.
So many people declared that 2010 would be a year of victory for Dan. No
more cancer, a new hip, a teaching credential, a new job, etc. Instead, Dan
is stuck in a hospital bed with half as much cancer, losing his strength,
losing his immune system, losing so many things.
We need a turn-around. Dan needs to feel better in the morning. Dan needs
to be able to eat and not be nausea. Dan needs his pain to abate. Dan needs
his infection to resolve. Dan needs his immune system to bounce back.
Dan needs a miracle.
Pro 4:20 My son, pay attention to what I say;
listen closely to my words.
Pro 4:21 Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
Pro 4:22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to a man's whole body.
Pro 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
Thursday morning April 8
Hard to know what is happening with Dan. A series of tests are being done today. Pray for wisdom for the doctors, strength and healing for Dan, stamina and concentration for Ashley for her course work in the coming weeks. God's love to be poured out on all.
Ashley's blog this morning:
Hunt for the Infection
Last night was a teeny bit better than the last, though Dan continued to vomit and have bloody noses. We're hoping that the nausea and throwing up is from swallowing blood and not from the food. As Dan threw up again this morning, he is weary of trying to eat for fear of throwing up again. With a 3-4 incision in the belly, throwing up is quite painful.
McGreeky came in this morning with an agenda: find what is causing Dan's fever and illness. About time. Despite the wound being slightly infected, the surgeon is concerned infection could be elsewhere being allowed to run rampant. So, Dan will be getting blood cultures, urine samples, and an abdominal x-ray. The x-ray is also to see what is causing Dan so much pain in his left side, as the docs aren't sure what it could be. Another issue emerged when McGreeky changed the new incision packing: Dan bled, quite a bit. Due to a couple of blood thinning medications, Dan isn't able to clot very quickly...this is contributing to Dan's very frequent bloody noses. The doc is taking away one med and decreasing the dose of another med, which should help things.
Today should reveal some things. Reasons for pain, reasons for fever, reasons for vomiting. God willing, today should also find Dan able to eat more and keep it down. We really don't understand why all of this is happening, but it needs to change soon. Very soon.
Selfishly, I need the docs to get things settled this week because I am leaving for school again on Saturday. I would simply hate to have Dan still this sick while I'm hundreds of miles away.
Unfortunately, I have to go back if I have any hope of graduating (which I do). Due to my clinical schedule, I won't be able to come back to see Dan for almost a couple of weeks. Accordingly, Dan and I are asking for prayer that Dan would be released from the hospital sometime next week. I wouldn't be able to be here for the release, but at least I would know he was doing well enough to get out.
This is truly a miserable situation that is just being prolonged. Pray that God moves now. That's what Dan needs more than labs or meds or doctors: he needs God to save him from this mess.
Ashley's blog, as you will read, is a bit down. Warriors of the praying kind we need you! Pray on.........
Not better
We're already having a hard day.
There's no point in trying to make up points of encouragement or happy anecdotes. Dan's not really progressing much. He's still in pain, he's still exhausted, he's not motivated to get up and no matter what anyone says, he never feels like things are getting better. Sure, he could barely walk around the unit on Sunday but now he can--he's still not better. Sure his pain was 8/10 after surgery, and now only gets up to 4/10--that's not any better either.
To be frank, I sometimes don't want to get up in the morning. All that is ahead of me is forcing Dan to do things he doesn't want to do, trying to determine whether or not his pain is better/worse/new so as to tell the doctor, hoping for progress that doesn't ever happen how doctors expect, changing the linens, trying to talk Dan into getting cleaned up, trying to do the homework I have no motivation for and then putting on a happy, encouraging face for everyone else. It's exhausting and rather unchanging.
I apologize for the lack of cheerfulness or good news. This is a blog to update on how Dan is doing, and today, he's not doing great. His heart rate is back up, his energy is lower and he barely talked to McGreeky when he came in this morning. As far as the surgeon can tell, Dan isn't doing any better than yesterday and that doesn't make sense. Labs are good, incision is healing, etc. Dan should be feeling better. Alas, if you have been following this blog, you know Dan seldom feels like he is supposed to. It's frustrating to watch elderly patients cruising the halls, but see Dan just lay there. Yet, there's nothing we can do but "wait and see".
Though, he got out of bed and walked once around the unit, he just got too tired and went back to bed. So, we're back at square one for the day: wake up. Sometimes, that truly is the worst part of the day.
Prayer Requests:
* Sudden and long-lasting energy and endurance for Dan
* Resolution of pain (muscular and intestinal)
* Passing of gas--lots of it, today
* No infection or complications
* Motivation for Dan to move and want to get better
* Motivation for me to keep encouraging him and to keep doing my schoolwork
* Unmistakable improvement today
* Good news and encouragement
* Wisdom for me to know when to go home again
* Ability for Dan to be able to come home with me soon
* Our marriage
* Hope
God's Word:
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.
Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.
He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,
as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
Wed. April 7 #1 update
Bob and I went to see Dan and Ashley today and I think he is doing better. Still tired. Taking in fluids. Walking. Slowly moving in the right direction. Pray for wisdom for all taking care of him. Ashley plans to head back to LA on Saturday. I wish Dan could be with her. We could pray for that and should and will, but it does look doubtful at this point.
Thank you thank you thank you for praying with us.
Here is her blog from today:
Mixed Messages
Question of the day: is Dan's GI system awake, asleep or obstructed?
Since Dan passed a little bit of gas yesterday, he was allowed to have sip on some clear liquid last night. Things went down fine, but around 3 or 4 in the morning, he got a bloody nose. He proceeded to swallow some blood which made him throw up quite a bit. The nurse got nervous as it was mostly bile (too much bile in vomit means the GI system is not absorbing and passing the bile through quickly enough), called the on-call resident who put Dan back on NPO.
This morning, when Dan's team rounded, he explained about the bloody nose and that he wasn't nauseous at all otherwise. The docs agreed Dan could be back on a clear diet today, especially since his bowels were making lots of noise and letting free lots of gas. About the time the tray of clears came, Dan got another bloody nose (heparin and toradol and a dry nose is making this happen a lot). Dan also received a rather large dose of dilaudid. Between swallowing blood and his head swimming from too much med too fast, he threw up again. Great. His day nurse also felt that his vomit had too much bile in it, so she asked Dan not to eat any more until the team makes a decision. Dan insists that he is not nauseous anymore and wasn't until he received the pain med and really doesn't think the episode had anything to do with eating.
Dan's body is once again sending mixed messages. Good messages: passing lots of gas, active bowel sounds earlier, no nausea when eating. Bad messages: vomiting bile, quiet bowel sounds now, no BMs. Though we know the vomiting could be from multiple things (food, drugs, bloody nose, gag reflex), it is often assumed that food is the problem. Unfortunately, the longer it takes to find out if Dan can handle solid food, the longer he has to be here. As his stay will hit the 4-week mark on Sunday, he'd really appreciate no more hang-ups. Of course, we also want the docs to make the appropriate decisions.
Thanks to the dilaudid, Dan is sleeping like a baby. This is a nice thing as no one let us sleep last night. We have a lot of walking to do today to catch up on our slowness this morning. Hopefully, Dan will also have eating to do....without throwing up.
Prayer Requests:
* No more throwing up and no need for another NG tube
* Dan's ability to eat and tolerate the clears well today
* Wisdom for the doctors making the decisions (hopefully, quickly)
* Control and improvement of pain
* Continued healing of incision and wound
* No complications or infections (he had a fever again last night)
* Ability for Dan to come home with me very soon
* A period of peace, health and rest for both of us...very very soon
* Encouraging news and events today
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Wednesday April 7 #2 update
We just found out Dan's new wound is infected:((((((((
Oh my, what else could happen to this dear son of mine?
keep up those prayers!
love
Jamie
As Ashley writes, Dan needs a miracle.
Wound Infection #2
As if Dan didn't have enough to deal with, his wound has become infected.
It has looked a little red and angry today, but we were just watching it.
Then, he spiked a fever of 101.1 this afternoon. Finally, we got the team to
pay more attention to the incision. The intern thought they would take out a
staple or two tomorrow to let any pus drain out. The nurse and I helped to
convince the resident (his superior) that maybe that should happen today.
So, 3 staples got removed and a good deal of drainage came out of the wound.
It was deja vu as this happened with Dan's last incision--which is now a
wound that we are still dealing with.
The plan is to let the incision drain and to recheck it tomorrow. If it
doesn't look markedly better, Dan will be started on antibiotics. Hopefully,
the wound will be able to heal better this way and not need to be opened all
the way.
Dan really isn't feeling well right now. His immune system is pretty low
(WBCs=2.5) after being in the hospital for so long (TPN is causing some
problems with immunity also), so it is taking a lot out of him to fight this
infection. He's been tired and sleepy all day. He's fighting some nausea
here and there. He's still in pain. I just convinced him to give in and go
to sleep, though I don't know how much that will help him.
I'm really not sure what tomorrow will look like. The doctors were
anticipating advancing his diet, but Dan didn't really eat enough to be sure
he can tolerate the clears. As I blogged earlier, his GI system is sending
mixed messages, so that isn't helping the docs make decisions. Yet, the
resident commented tonight that it might take real food to get Dan's bowel
working again...though he cannot give a regular diet yet. A catch-22 of
sorts.
I wish we had chosen to do Cyberknife. It may not have worked, and Dan
might have needed more treatment later on. Yet, it would have been a week of
out-patient visits. I might still have a job. Dan might have been able to
finish his credential. I would have had Dan around to celebrate my final
semester of nursing school. Yes, I understand that those are all potential
outcomes and that complications could have arisen there, too. Yet, I cannot
bring myself to see this surgery as a success.
I haven't the faintest idea what to pray for now. A wound infection,
nausea, vomiting, non-improving pain...all of these things have been prayed
against, yet they have happened. Yes, God has a plan for Dan. It just hurts
to see Dan continue to suffer more and more set-backs as he tries to be in
God's will. Of course, Dan has more faith than me. Always has. I know we're
not supposed to test the Lord, but sometimes I just yearn for proof that He
actually loves Dan and is caring for him.
So many people declared that 2010 would be a year of victory for Dan. No
more cancer, a new hip, a teaching credential, a new job, etc. Instead, Dan
is stuck in a hospital bed with half as much cancer, losing his strength,
losing his immune system, losing so many things.
We need a turn-around. Dan needs to feel better in the morning. Dan needs
to be able to eat and not be nausea. Dan needs his pain to abate. Dan needs
his infection to resolve. Dan needs his immune system to bounce back.
Dan needs a miracle.
Pro 4:20 My son, pay attention to what I say;
listen closely to my words.
Pro 4:21 Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
Pro 4:22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to a man's whole body.
Pro 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
Thursday morning April 8
Hard to know what is happening with Dan. A series of tests are being done today. Pray for wisdom for the doctors, strength and healing for Dan, stamina and concentration for Ashley for her course work in the coming weeks. God's love to be poured out on all.
Ashley's blog this morning:
Hunt for the Infection
Last night was a teeny bit better than the last, though Dan continued to vomit and have bloody noses. We're hoping that the nausea and throwing up is from swallowing blood and not from the food. As Dan threw up again this morning, he is weary of trying to eat for fear of throwing up again. With a 3-4 incision in the belly, throwing up is quite painful.
McGreeky came in this morning with an agenda: find what is causing Dan's fever and illness. About time. Despite the wound being slightly infected, the surgeon is concerned infection could be elsewhere being allowed to run rampant. So, Dan will be getting blood cultures, urine samples, and an abdominal x-ray. The x-ray is also to see what is causing Dan so much pain in his left side, as the docs aren't sure what it could be. Another issue emerged when McGreeky changed the new incision packing: Dan bled, quite a bit. Due to a couple of blood thinning medications, Dan isn't able to clot very quickly...this is contributing to Dan's very frequent bloody noses. The doc is taking away one med and decreasing the dose of another med, which should help things.
Today should reveal some things. Reasons for pain, reasons for fever, reasons for vomiting. God willing, today should also find Dan able to eat more and keep it down. We really don't understand why all of this is happening, but it needs to change soon. Very soon.
Selfishly, I need the docs to get things settled this week because I am leaving for school again on Saturday. I would simply hate to have Dan still this sick while I'm hundreds of miles away.
Unfortunately, I have to go back if I have any hope of graduating (which I do). Due to my clinical schedule, I won't be able to come back to see Dan for almost a couple of weeks. Accordingly, Dan and I are asking for prayer that Dan would be released from the hospital sometime next week. I wouldn't be able to be here for the release, but at least I would know he was doing well enough to get out.
This is truly a miserable situation that is just being prolonged. Pray that God moves now. That's what Dan needs more than labs or meds or doctors: he needs God to save him from this mess.
Monday, April 5, 2010
monday
Too tired to write much but thankfully Ashley keeps us informed:
Monday April 5
Nursing Student
I must make a confession: though I am a nursing student, I am not always fond of Dan being cared for by nursing students. I know, I know...hypocritical. However, some SNs just aren't on their game and let mistakes happen. Accordingly, I have become a wee bit more watchful tonight, as Dan has a SN again. This one is graduating in May like me, but has fought with this IV pump multiple times tonight and if I chewed gum like her, I think one of my preceptors would have smacked me. Oh well. We all have to learn. Dan is her easy patient, so I'm pulling for no mistakes this time around.
By the way, Dan is doing alright. (He was supposed to blog in exchange for taking the computer away from me, but he thought checking sports stats would take priority.) The NG tube came out this morning, freeing him from one more tube. His heart rate stayed up for most of the day until McGreeky came in. After he left, Dan and I went for a walk. When I hooked him back up to the pulse ox (measures oxygen and heart rate), his pulse was barely high. Now, it's back to the normal range. Yay! He still has a teeny fever, but that's better, too. His new wound looks good--like a football, Dan says. The staples will probably come out sometime next week, so long as everything goes well. His pain is under control, and he is much less sleepy since they changed the medication today. He still has a pain that the doctor cannot explain, but Dan said it is getting better.
Tomorrow, we're hoping for gas! That would mean a clear diet finally, and some progression toward the true test: solid food. Accordingly, we'll keep walking around the unit and staying out of bed as much as possible.
Keep praying. We're both tired of this hospital business. Dan wants to eat and go home. Seems pretty simple, right? Oy.
I'm off to sleep, too. I need to be alert when the nursing student comes in...maybe I should crawl in bed with Dan and freak her out again! Ha. Don't worry, we'll be nice.
Prayer Requests:
* Passing of gas tomorrow!
* No infections or other complications
* Ability for Dan to eat normal food without any pain or recurrence of obstruction
* Resolution of weird pain...and all pain very soon
* Energy and endurance
* Ability for Dan to come home with me soon...this is getting very old :(
* NO MORE COMPLICATIONS EVER EVER EVER AGAIN
* Encouraging news and events tomorrow
Psa 17:6
I call on you, O God, for you will answer me;
give ear to me and hear my prayer.
Psa 17:7
Show the wonder of your great love,
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their foes.
Psa 17:8
Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings
Psa 17:9
from the wicked who assail me,
from my mortal enemies who surround me.
Monday April 5
Nursing Student
I must make a confession: though I am a nursing student, I am not always fond of Dan being cared for by nursing students. I know, I know...hypocritical. However, some SNs just aren't on their game and let mistakes happen. Accordingly, I have become a wee bit more watchful tonight, as Dan has a SN again. This one is graduating in May like me, but has fought with this IV pump multiple times tonight and if I chewed gum like her, I think one of my preceptors would have smacked me. Oh well. We all have to learn. Dan is her easy patient, so I'm pulling for no mistakes this time around.
By the way, Dan is doing alright. (He was supposed to blog in exchange for taking the computer away from me, but he thought checking sports stats would take priority.) The NG tube came out this morning, freeing him from one more tube. His heart rate stayed up for most of the day until McGreeky came in. After he left, Dan and I went for a walk. When I hooked him back up to the pulse ox (measures oxygen and heart rate), his pulse was barely high. Now, it's back to the normal range. Yay! He still has a teeny fever, but that's better, too. His new wound looks good--like a football, Dan says. The staples will probably come out sometime next week, so long as everything goes well. His pain is under control, and he is much less sleepy since they changed the medication today. He still has a pain that the doctor cannot explain, but Dan said it is getting better.
Tomorrow, we're hoping for gas! That would mean a clear diet finally, and some progression toward the true test: solid food. Accordingly, we'll keep walking around the unit and staying out of bed as much as possible.
Keep praying. We're both tired of this hospital business. Dan wants to eat and go home. Seems pretty simple, right? Oy.
I'm off to sleep, too. I need to be alert when the nursing student comes in...maybe I should crawl in bed with Dan and freak her out again! Ha. Don't worry, we'll be nice.
Prayer Requests:
* Passing of gas tomorrow!
* No infections or other complications
* Ability for Dan to eat normal food without any pain or recurrence of obstruction
* Resolution of weird pain...and all pain very soon
* Energy and endurance
* Ability for Dan to come home with me soon...this is getting very old :(
* NO MORE COMPLICATIONS EVER EVER EVER AGAIN
* Encouraging news and events tomorrow
Psa 17:6
I call on you, O God, for you will answer me;
give ear to me and hear my prayer.
Psa 17:7
Show the wonder of your great love,
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their foes.
Psa 17:8
Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings
Psa 17:9
from the wicked who assail me,
from my mortal enemies who surround me.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Resurrection Sunday
Surgery is over; healing is slow, but happening; prayers are needed because pain is present; bowels need to move again to be fed; patience for the patient and the rest of us; blessings to you all; God is good, all the time; wishing I could ease his pain; Jesus is risen from the dead and one day (maybe soon) all the wrongs will be righted and all the suffering will cease and the King will reign on His throne forever.
Ashley's last 2 blogs, today and last night:
Easter in the Hospital
Unless you are a little kid, holidays in the hospital can be pretty boring. People feel sorry for children missing Santa Claus or the Easter bunny, but adults get to fend for themselves. Accordingly, if we didn't have a calendar in the room, we wouldn't know it's Easter today! Though it is a bummer to not be with our families or finding hidden eggs (yes, we still do that), we hope that this is one of the last holidays spent in here. Well, we hope it's one of the last days spent in here period!
Dan is doing alright today. He's still having considerable pain, but it's better than last night. Oddly, his pain is on the opposite side of where the biggest band was, but the surgeon isn't concerned about it as of yet. The NG tube has to stay until tomorrow since it was still draining quite a bit. Though, the foley got to come out this morning. Dan has some post-anesthesia affects still (low fever, high heart rate), but they will be considered normal as long they resolve by tomorrow.
The goal for the day is to get Dan out of bed, get walking, and wean off the oxygen. So far we have been successful. Dan got out of bed by himself (for the most part), went for a teeny walk and sat in a chair for a couple of hours. He is now as clean as is possible without the possibility of a shower. Apparently, that wore him out, as he is now asleep again.
Long term goals are similar to before surgery: bowel sounds, pass gas and be able to eat. Dan will be NPO (no food or drink) until he can pass gas, which could be anywhere from 2-5 days from surgery. At that point, he'll start with clears and work his way up to solid food. God willing, Dan could squeeze out of this joint by next weekend eating happily again. (McGreeky does NOT think that's going to happen, but you can't blame us for hoping).
Enjoy Resurrection Day, as that is what today should be about...Jesus and the price He paid for us to receive salvation. Dan and I certainly missed going to church to celebrate, so if anyone knows of a good webcast of an Easter sermon, let us know. For now, here is one of my favorite musical reminders of God's grace and mercy for us. (The Power of the Cross by Keith Getty)
Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.
Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev'ry bitter thought,
Ev'ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.
Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
"Finished!" the vict'ry cry.
Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.
Prayer Requests:
* Safe, complete, uncomplicated recovery
* No infections, no internal bleeding, no bowel damage, etc.
* "Awakening" of bowels (bowel sounds, gas, etc.)
* Control and continued improvement of pain
* Ability for Dan to get moving, get eating and get out within a week (that's the normal recovery time for this type of surgery)
* Ability for Dan to come home with me soon
* Good health and endurance for me (I don't want to get Dan sick)
Posted by Dan and Ashley at 1:40 PM
saturday, april 3, 2010
Night One
Dan made it back to his room accompanied by lots of tubing, though not as many as after his last surgery. After the nurses got everything situated, I could finally say hello to my hubby after a few hours of waiting. He is still in a good deal of pain, though the PCA (pain button) has helped considerably. I have yet to see the incision, as Dan is tucked in and cozy for now. The NG tube is still in, but draining only a small amount.
Dan wanted to know how the surgery went, so I told him, but I bet I'll have to remind him tomorrow. He wants the surgeon to explain it, too. Hopefully, morning will find him feeling better and more alert. Of course, there is probably a long road of healing up ahead. Our prayer is that the recovery goes as smoothly as the surgery did.
Pray for no complications (no infection, no internal bleeding, etc.) and a cooperative digestive system. Also, pray for easing of the pain so Dan can sleep and regain strength.
Posted by Dan and Ashley at 10:48 PM 0 comments
Recovery Room
Dan got out of surgery after only a couple of hours.
McGreeky said they found 3 thick bands of scar tissue wrapped around his bowel, which were causing Dan the pain when he ate. The surgeons had to make a large incision to check all of Dan's bowels for adhesions. Luckily, he didn't have many adhesions elsewhere in his bowels, but these bands were causing some serious problems. McGreeky said they took care of those bands, checked everything out and closed him up. There was very little blood loss and the open surgery time was very short.
So, the surgery was definitely necessary, though there was no way to see this for sure on the CTs. Tomorrow, they should be able to remove the NG again (which will thrill Dan). They will wait until there are bowel sounds and passing of gas before letting Dan try eating again. Hopefully, eating will go much better, though this is still a concern.
For now, we are waiting for Dan to get out of the recovery room and go back to his room. As McGreeky said, "we aren't victorious until Dan is out of the hospital." Keep praying.
Prayer Requests:
* Quick and uncomplicated recovery
* No infection, no problems
* Successful eating trial...completely successful!
* Ability to get out of the hospital and go home within the week
* NO COMPLICATIONS AND NO MORE OBSTRUCTIONS
Ashley's last 2 blogs, today and last night:
Easter in the Hospital
Unless you are a little kid, holidays in the hospital can be pretty boring. People feel sorry for children missing Santa Claus or the Easter bunny, but adults get to fend for themselves. Accordingly, if we didn't have a calendar in the room, we wouldn't know it's Easter today! Though it is a bummer to not be with our families or finding hidden eggs (yes, we still do that), we hope that this is one of the last holidays spent in here. Well, we hope it's one of the last days spent in here period!
Dan is doing alright today. He's still having considerable pain, but it's better than last night. Oddly, his pain is on the opposite side of where the biggest band was, but the surgeon isn't concerned about it as of yet. The NG tube has to stay until tomorrow since it was still draining quite a bit. Though, the foley got to come out this morning. Dan has some post-anesthesia affects still (low fever, high heart rate), but they will be considered normal as long they resolve by tomorrow.
The goal for the day is to get Dan out of bed, get walking, and wean off the oxygen. So far we have been successful. Dan got out of bed by himself (for the most part), went for a teeny walk and sat in a chair for a couple of hours. He is now as clean as is possible without the possibility of a shower. Apparently, that wore him out, as he is now asleep again.
Long term goals are similar to before surgery: bowel sounds, pass gas and be able to eat. Dan will be NPO (no food or drink) until he can pass gas, which could be anywhere from 2-5 days from surgery. At that point, he'll start with clears and work his way up to solid food. God willing, Dan could squeeze out of this joint by next weekend eating happily again. (McGreeky does NOT think that's going to happen, but you can't blame us for hoping).
Enjoy Resurrection Day, as that is what today should be about...Jesus and the price He paid for us to receive salvation. Dan and I certainly missed going to church to celebrate, so if anyone knows of a good webcast of an Easter sermon, let us know. For now, here is one of my favorite musical reminders of God's grace and mercy for us. (The Power of the Cross by Keith Getty)
Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.
Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev'ry bitter thought,
Ev'ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.
Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
"Finished!" the vict'ry cry.
Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.
Prayer Requests:
* Safe, complete, uncomplicated recovery
* No infections, no internal bleeding, no bowel damage, etc.
* "Awakening" of bowels (bowel sounds, gas, etc.)
* Control and continued improvement of pain
* Ability for Dan to get moving, get eating and get out within a week (that's the normal recovery time for this type of surgery)
* Ability for Dan to come home with me soon
* Good health and endurance for me (I don't want to get Dan sick)
Posted by Dan and Ashley at 1:40 PM
saturday, april 3, 2010
Night One
Dan made it back to his room accompanied by lots of tubing, though not as many as after his last surgery. After the nurses got everything situated, I could finally say hello to my hubby after a few hours of waiting. He is still in a good deal of pain, though the PCA (pain button) has helped considerably. I have yet to see the incision, as Dan is tucked in and cozy for now. The NG tube is still in, but draining only a small amount.
Dan wanted to know how the surgery went, so I told him, but I bet I'll have to remind him tomorrow. He wants the surgeon to explain it, too. Hopefully, morning will find him feeling better and more alert. Of course, there is probably a long road of healing up ahead. Our prayer is that the recovery goes as smoothly as the surgery did.
Pray for no complications (no infection, no internal bleeding, etc.) and a cooperative digestive system. Also, pray for easing of the pain so Dan can sleep and regain strength.
Posted by Dan and Ashley at 10:48 PM 0 comments
Recovery Room
Dan got out of surgery after only a couple of hours.
McGreeky said they found 3 thick bands of scar tissue wrapped around his bowel, which were causing Dan the pain when he ate. The surgeons had to make a large incision to check all of Dan's bowels for adhesions. Luckily, he didn't have many adhesions elsewhere in his bowels, but these bands were causing some serious problems. McGreeky said they took care of those bands, checked everything out and closed him up. There was very little blood loss and the open surgery time was very short.
So, the surgery was definitely necessary, though there was no way to see this for sure on the CTs. Tomorrow, they should be able to remove the NG again (which will thrill Dan). They will wait until there are bowel sounds and passing of gas before letting Dan try eating again. Hopefully, eating will go much better, though this is still a concern.
For now, we are waiting for Dan to get out of the recovery room and go back to his room. As McGreeky said, "we aren't victorious until Dan is out of the hospital." Keep praying.
Prayer Requests:
* Quick and uncomplicated recovery
* No infection, no problems
* Successful eating trial...completely successful!
* Ability to get out of the hospital and go home within the week
* NO COMPLICATIONS AND NO MORE OBSTRUCTIONS
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Saturday morning
I just spoke with Dan and the surgery is on for this afternoon. You may ask, "isn't that what you told us yesterday?" True, but in between yesterday's note and this morning, the CT came back last night looking better than the one done previously. The doctor put him back on clear liquids and said "maybe" about the surgery. Then after taking in clear liquids last night the pain came back and the surgery is on "for sure" sometime this afternoon. We do have our seat belts on for this roller coaster ride and the seat belt is the the grace and strength we have from the LORD God, King of the universe, Melech ha olam. There is nothing too difficult for Him.
Ashley's words:
Good Friday?
As a kid, I never really understood why Good Friday is called Good Friday. I mean, Jesus was beaten, betrayed and killed. What is so good about that? Now, with a little more Biblical and theological understanding, I know that what happened on Good Friday was the best thing to happen to humanity since...ever. Still, meditating on the events of the Crucifixion does not leave one in a joyous mood. Our sins put Christ on the Cross. He was innocent, yet paid the price on our behalf. It wasn't fair, but it saved our souls. Wow.
In a much much much less severe way, Dan's Good Friday wasn't all that good either. His diet was moved up to solids, but that didn't work very well. By noon time, he was in pain and vomiting. McGreeky got finished with his surgery early and told Dan he'd have a CT to make sure there was an obstruction and then be scheduled for surgery tomorrow.
By the time I arrived from LA (a nice, easy drive for once), Dan was headed to CT. Results showed...nothing. The CT was normal except for a very small amount of dilation of the same bowel that has been problematic. McGreeky called and said this was definitely not something to operate on. In fact, he said this CT looks even better than the one done last week. The other surgeon who came in agreed, put Dan on a clear liquid diet again and apologized repeatedly for how frustrating this must be for Dan. After banking on surgery tomorrow, we just had to take this change in stride. McGreeky told us that if Dan's symptoms persisted through the weekend, he'd have surgery on Monday. Sound familiar?
About half an hour later, McGreeky called back (he and Dan are on cell phone basis now). He had spent some time thinking about the situation and wasn't comfortable leaving Dan in pain all weekend. So, he was actually leaning more toward surgery tomorrow after all. He wanted Dan to keep drinking tonight to see how he felt and they would discuss things in the morning. He also put Dan on the surgery schedule for tomorrow just in case. The interesting thing is that McGreeky feels Dan is now a better candidate for a laparoscopic surgery, meaning he would not need to make a large incision to open Dan all the way up. Thanks to the improvement shown on the CT, it is possible for this type of surgery to be successful with less risk of missing something. (Of course, there is always the possibility that they will not find what they need to find and Dan will be opened up a little bit into the surgery.)
We tried to take this turn of events in stride, discussing what to say to McGreeky in the morning to get something done. Dan's pain seemed to go away, he was in good spirits, and he ate most of the clear liquid on the tray. It began to look like Dan wouldn't be in enough pain to convince the doc he needed surgery! Of course, another hour told a different story. Even the clears caused Dan pain and cramping. As he is now drugged and sleepy, we're pretty sure Dan will have a date in the OR tomorrow.
As the disciples must have felt scared and disappointed and doubtful in the day between the Crucifixion and the Resurrection, Dan and I (and family) are having a hard time grasping what God is doing here. Yet, the pain and sorrow for the disciples and believers of Jesus was replaced with rejoicing in that glorious morning when Christ conquered death. Wouldn't it be spectacular for Dan to have a glorious morning of healing and renewal on Resurrection Sunday?
Prayer Requests:
* Wisdom for the doctors in making the 'final' decision
* Safe, effective, simple surgery done laparoscopically
* Swift and uncomplicated recovery time (this has to be possible for Dan)
* Peace and comfort for those in the waiting room
* Resolution of this bowel obstruction once and for all
* Rest and comfort for Dan as he sleeps tonight
* A 'glorious morning' for Dan very soon
God's word:
Psalm 46
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song.
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah
Come and see the works of the Lord,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Ashley's words:
Good Friday?
As a kid, I never really understood why Good Friday is called Good Friday. I mean, Jesus was beaten, betrayed and killed. What is so good about that? Now, with a little more Biblical and theological understanding, I know that what happened on Good Friday was the best thing to happen to humanity since...ever. Still, meditating on the events of the Crucifixion does not leave one in a joyous mood. Our sins put Christ on the Cross. He was innocent, yet paid the price on our behalf. It wasn't fair, but it saved our souls. Wow.
In a much much much less severe way, Dan's Good Friday wasn't all that good either. His diet was moved up to solids, but that didn't work very well. By noon time, he was in pain and vomiting. McGreeky got finished with his surgery early and told Dan he'd have a CT to make sure there was an obstruction and then be scheduled for surgery tomorrow.
By the time I arrived from LA (a nice, easy drive for once), Dan was headed to CT. Results showed...nothing. The CT was normal except for a very small amount of dilation of the same bowel that has been problematic. McGreeky called and said this was definitely not something to operate on. In fact, he said this CT looks even better than the one done last week. The other surgeon who came in agreed, put Dan on a clear liquid diet again and apologized repeatedly for how frustrating this must be for Dan. After banking on surgery tomorrow, we just had to take this change in stride. McGreeky told us that if Dan's symptoms persisted through the weekend, he'd have surgery on Monday. Sound familiar?
About half an hour later, McGreeky called back (he and Dan are on cell phone basis now). He had spent some time thinking about the situation and wasn't comfortable leaving Dan in pain all weekend. So, he was actually leaning more toward surgery tomorrow after all. He wanted Dan to keep drinking tonight to see how he felt and they would discuss things in the morning. He also put Dan on the surgery schedule for tomorrow just in case. The interesting thing is that McGreeky feels Dan is now a better candidate for a laparoscopic surgery, meaning he would not need to make a large incision to open Dan all the way up. Thanks to the improvement shown on the CT, it is possible for this type of surgery to be successful with less risk of missing something. (Of course, there is always the possibility that they will not find what they need to find and Dan will be opened up a little bit into the surgery.)
We tried to take this turn of events in stride, discussing what to say to McGreeky in the morning to get something done. Dan's pain seemed to go away, he was in good spirits, and he ate most of the clear liquid on the tray. It began to look like Dan wouldn't be in enough pain to convince the doc he needed surgery! Of course, another hour told a different story. Even the clears caused Dan pain and cramping. As he is now drugged and sleepy, we're pretty sure Dan will have a date in the OR tomorrow.
As the disciples must have felt scared and disappointed and doubtful in the day between the Crucifixion and the Resurrection, Dan and I (and family) are having a hard time grasping what God is doing here. Yet, the pain and sorrow for the disciples and believers of Jesus was replaced with rejoicing in that glorious morning when Christ conquered death. Wouldn't it be spectacular for Dan to have a glorious morning of healing and renewal on Resurrection Sunday?
Prayer Requests:
* Wisdom for the doctors in making the 'final' decision
* Safe, effective, simple surgery done laparoscopically
* Swift and uncomplicated recovery time (this has to be possible for Dan)
* Peace and comfort for those in the waiting room
* Resolution of this bowel obstruction once and for all
* Rest and comfort for Dan as he sleeps tonight
* A 'glorious morning' for Dan very soon
God's word:
Psalm 46
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song.
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah
Come and see the works of the Lord,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Friday, April 2, 2010
April 2
Another day. Dan started eating today and had vomiting and abdominal pain:( Bummer. This undoubtedly means surgery. The doctor wants to verify these symptoms with a CT later today and operate tomorrow. So again we ask for prayer for a speedy surgery and a quick recovery and soon eating FOR REAL! Thanks for standing with us during this hard time. We love you!
2 Corinthians 1:2-7
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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.
For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.
Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:2-7
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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.
For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.
Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.
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