Soggy Shoes and Shaky Faith

On Monday, 11/25, Mike had his sixth round of chemo. When we talked with the oncologist, he said that this could be the last round. On December 9, Mike has a PET scan to check his progress and on December 16 we meet to come up with the next plan. The last scan showed significant response to the treatment. If this one is just as good, Mike will be a candidate for radiation and, possibly, surgery. This means he will no longer be considered stage 4!

Please join us in thanking God for Mike’s progress and in praying that the scan will be clean and that the oncologist will have wisdom on what to do next.

It’s hard to believe it is Thanksgiving Day. The past five months have been a blur. To say it has been quite a roller coaster ride would be an understatement. Through the positive and disappointing test results, the sleepless nights, the tearful moments, and the monotony of day-to-day routines we have discovered a lot about ourselves and about the God we serve.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (CEV) Paul tells us, “Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do.” Paul did not lead an easy life. He was arrested, beaten, and imprisoned multiple times. In Philippians 4:12- 13 (NIV), Paul tells us, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” This is the amazing grace of our God. He wants us to be thankful in all situations; but, He understands that we are weak. So, He gives us the strength to face all that we encounter in life and He enables us to develop an attitude of thanks.

As I reflect on this journey with cancer, there is much to be thankful for. The love and prayers of so many people have sustained us. Texts, cards, meals, gifts, and words of encouragement have come when we have needed them most. Mike has had relatively few side effects from the chemo and has been responding extremely well to the treatment. Our oncology team at Hershey has been upbeat and positive throughout this process. I have been able to continue to work and to finish my grad class. Caleb, Ian, and Annie have been able to maintain their activities as well. Mike has been able to faithfully serve in the middle school program at church. (He hasn’t missed a single Sunday — which is a tremendous blessing to him!) As a family, we have been learning how to extend a little more grace to each other on days when the emotions are high. And, God has been with us each and every step of the way.

Today, we want to take a moment to thank you for being a part of this with us. Thank you for your prayers and your support. We are truly thankful for you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bonnie

The gastroenterologist who found Mike’s cancer happens to be the same doctor who sees me for IBS. Recently I had to go in for my yearly check-up. I was amazed by the emotions that hit me when I got there. The day we went for Mike’s endoscopy was just a regular summer day. I was looking forward to summer vacation and our soon to be trip to Bethany Beach. In fact, that week I had thanked God that my family seemed to be entering a calm season. A couple of hours later, Mike and I would hear the word “cancer” and life would change.

Sitting back in the office, my mind replayed those events as I waited for the doctor. A nurse came in to ask how Mike was doing. I fought back tears as I quickly summarized his treatments. She was gone less than a minute, when the doctor entered. He greeted me and immediately asked about Mike. I shared the good news of his progress and watched the surprised look that crossed the doctor’s face. He asked if Mike was able to eat and if he was still losing weight. He was happy – but surprised – to hear how well Mike is responding. On one hand, I rejoiced because God is clearly working in Mike. On the other hand, I was reminded just how horrible esophageal cancer is and, that we will never truly be rid of it. Even after these treatments are complete, there will be regular scans to check for recurrences which are an all too common problem for many esophageal cancer patients.

Cancer changes everything. Mike has been unable to work since the beginning of August. Some days he is able to do activities like shop or volunteer at church. Other days he is unable to get out of bed. Still others, he has energy but his hands and feet hurt too much to allow him to do what he wants to do. The kids and I carry on as normally as we can but our hearts are breaking as we watch him suffer. We know he is getting better but there is still an emotional toll. Some days we handle it well – some days we are a little more “touchy” with each other.

I forget more things now than I have in the past. Appointments often have to be rescheduled at the last minute. We hesitate to make plans because the future seems more uncertain.

None of this is easy and most of the time we don’t understand this and we definitely do not want to be going through this. But, through the ups and downs, we are learning to lean on God. Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT) promises us “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Matthew 6:34 (NLT) instructs us, “Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” So, we are working on living in the present by looking for and enjoying the good in each day — no matter how big or how small. All the while trusting that God knows what tomorrow brings and that He will be us through it all.

Mike saw his main oncologist on Friday and we were given his updated plan. Mike is going to complete rounds 5 and 6 of chemo and then have a PET scan. The oncologist believes chemo will be stopped at that time and any remaining spots will be able to be dealt with with targeted radiation!

Round 5 began today and Round 6 begins November 25. It’s amazing to think that he could be almost done! We are so thankful that his side effects have been minimal and that he continues to gain weight and have good lab results.

Please join us in prayer that pain and swelling in Mike’s hands and feet will subside and that the PET scan in December will be clean. Your thoughts and prayers continue to be deeply appreciated.

Mike started his fourth round of chemo yesterday. At his appointment, the oncologist discussed the results of Mike’s most recent PET scan. The results indicate that there are fewer live active cancer cells than there were in July. Mike will continue with the current treatment plan until the beginning of January. Another PET scan will be done at that time to see if the spot on his liver is gone. If it is gone, Mike will be a candidate for radiation.

The oncologist also gave Mike some cream to help with his hands and feet. If it doesn’t work, one of Mike’s medications will need to be changed.

Mike has completed 3 rounds of treatment and had a PET scan to check how he is responding. While the doctor has not talked to us yet, his results were posted to his patient portal. The radiologist stated that Mike has had a “significant response” to the treatment. The tumors that were measured are 75% smaller than they were in July and the metabolic activity of all the tumors has gone from “intense” to “faint” or “mild”. Praise the Lord! We are so thankful to see God’s hands at work.

Mike is supposed to start his next treatment on Monday. He has developed hand foot syndrome and his hands are swelling and peeling. This may warrant an interruption in treatment. Mike is feeling so much better and is really hopeful that he will be able to continue on schedule. Please pray that God will heal him of this side effect.

Thank you for all of your prayers and your support. God’s family is truly amazing!

Mike began round 3 of his treatment today. Our meeting with the doctors was really good. Mike has gained more weight and his blood work continues to look good. If you remember, Mike had a CT scan early in his first round due to a blood clot. At that time the lymph nodes were shrinking. Today, the doctor mentioned how unusual it is to see response so early in treatment! Praise the Lord!

Mike is scheduled to have a PET scan on October 9. At that time, the doctors will be able to see the tumors in his esophagus, the spots on his liver, and the lymph nodes. Please pray that the results will show that all of Mike’s cancer is responding to treatment.

This is Mike’s week off after his second round of chemo. He did really well this time until the last the few days. One of the common side effects of both meds is pain in the hands and feet. Mike developed this late last week and it increasingly got worse. Thankfully, the oncologist was able to give him something for it and he is doing better.

His next round begins Sept. 23.

Mike started his second round of chemo pills on Monday and had his second infusion today. At our visit today, his weight was up and his blood pressure (which had been slightly elevated) was back to normal. We are thanking God for these little wins!

Mike is really struggling with side effects from the infusion. The drug he gets causes cold sensitivity to the point that Mike cannot drink anything cold and cannot tolerate air conditioning or cooler temperatures. Today he is experiencing muscle spasms as well. Praying that these will begin to ease up quickly for him.

Everything went well with the placement of Mike’s port. Mike was slightly disappointed that they couldn’t place it in the middle of his chest so he could look like Iron Man! (Yes, his sense of humor is still in tact!) 🙂

Mike and I can feel God’s presence with us through all of this and we know it is because we are being sustained by your prayers. Thank you for joining with us during this difficult time. We pray that God will bless you as you have been a blessing to us.