Woodland
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
The Community Church
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SeptemberKeith leading worship on September 20!
Wednesday, September 30
Well, Keith is all pumped full of new blood! He had his "blood transplant" this morning. They gave him 2 units. We had a lot of fun on the way down this morning speculating on whose blood he was getting...girl blood or boy blood, maybe somebody with curly hair so he would grow a headful of hair! Okay, I had fun speculating, Keith wasn't in any shape to enjoy anything! He did perk up a little when they started the transfusion. As the blood slowly started making its was through the tube toward his body he kept saying, "freaky!" I think everyone in the room realized that he was the blood rookie!
The transfusion seems to have helped. Now that he has had the shots and the blood, he has all the tools, we just have to wait for his body to respond. Our prayer request for today is just that it will all work, and those counts will come back up. Also, he had a lot of pain with the Neulasta before (it causes pain in the lower back and legs as it makes the new bone marrow), so please pray that it will be minimal this time. What a journey!
Tuesday, September 29
The fun twists and turns on this ride just keep coming! As I suspected, Keith's blood counts were low. I just had no idea how low! They even re-drew the blood to be sure it was right! For those of you that know about such things, his red count is just below 7, his white count is at .9, and his neutrofils are at 500. So, he got a Neulasta and Procrit shot today, and he has to go to the hospital tomorrow for a blood transfusion. It's certainly not what we were planning for, but at this point in the ride, we just have to continue to trust.
He has been put on "house arrest" for the next few days, until the shots and the transfusion begins to work, as his body right now has nothing to fight off infection. The doctor has started him on an antibiotic just to help fight any infection. They said in the next few days he would definitely begin to feel better, and would probably feel a good bit better after the transfusion.
Today was really bad as far as the nausea and fatigue. Keith couldn't even hardly get out of bed. So, I am really hoping that all of the stuff that they are doing will strengthen him. Boy...are we ever ready to be done with this!!
Please pray for the transfusion tomorrow. Pray that it will go without incident, and that it will do what they hope. Also please pray that all the shots and stuff that they have given him will boost his counts. Please pray that he will have a bubble of protection around him as he goes into the hospital tomorrow to protect him from any infection.
Finally, please pray for our spirits. All this stuff just zaps the life out of both of us. I really understand the scripture in Isaiah 40:31: "But those who hope in the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint." I'm learning that the walking without fainting is really more difficult than flying like an eagle. But our hope is in the Lord, so we will walk and not faint. We'll get back to the flying stuff later.
Monday, September 28
Well, as Chemo Weekends go, this one wasn't too bad. At least Friday and Saturday were pretty good. Keith was tired, but overall felt okay, and was even able to eat a little. But, the wrath of chemo came in on Sunday morning and is still with us. He has spent all day today either in the bed or on the couch, and really feels bad. The only up side is that we know it will get better as the week goes on.
I have to wonder if his blood counts are off again since he is so weak. We see the doctor tomorrow, and they will decide based on his blood counts what to do next. He may get the Neulasta shot again, and he will probably get another Procrit shot. (Neulasta for white blood cells, Procrit for red blood cells).
We were talking over the weekend about life after chemo, and all the things we wanted to do. Keith said, "I just want to feel normal again and do normal things. I'm really looking forward to just getting up and going in to the office!" Dear ones out there...don't take those simple things in your life for granted!! The one thing we have learned is that things can change very quickly!
Friday, September 25
We have completed another Chemo week and it is already taking its toll. Keith has all the usual maladies: nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, and just overall feeling like he's been hit by a bus.
As I mentioned before, this has been a hard week, and I'm glad to see it done! We will hunker down for the weekend...eat a lot of soup, watch a lot of football, and take a lot of naps. Wow! I remember when that used to sound like a great weekend! Everything is relative!
Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for his blood counts. They will check them again on Tuesday. Also, please pray that we can manage all of these side effects and that the "bounce back" will happen quickly.
Thursday, September 24
We have managed to come through "Chemo Thursday" virtually unscathed! No major events, and for that I am extremely thankful.
This has been a really rough week for us. I described it to a friend today as when you take a beach ball and you pull out the air plug and it slowly deflates. That's how it has been watching Keith as this week has gone on. He has gotten weaker and weaker. We knew it would happen...we've done this three times now, but the contrast between last weekend and now is so stark.
A group of Keith's peers really ministered to him today. He is a member of a group of 50 Music Ministers from all over the country called Metro II. They email ideas and questions back and forth to each other throughout the year, and then meet together for a conference in February. All the churches are similar in size and they are always a great support to each other for resources and ideas.
Today, one of the men sent out an email encouraging all the Metro guys to watch the video of Keith leading worship. He received many encouraging and uplifting emails from these guys. Keith had taken his phone with him to chemo today (which he usually doesn't), so he was able to get the emails as they came in. He couldn't even tell me about it without tears. They really ministered to him at a time when he really needed it. I am so thankful that God sent that ray of light into a pretty bleak week. Thanks, Metro guys!!
The nausea and fatigue have started, and we will have a long weekend. At least Alabama's on TV this weekend, so he can get his football fix! We have a new stash of nausea pills, so please pray that they work! Also, one of the chemo drugs has a steroid in it, and it is causing him to be unable to sleep at night. Please pray for a restful night tonight. He has also begun to have the metallic taste in his mouth that so many have mentioned. That's a new thing, and he hates it! Hopefully it will subside as soon as the chemo is over.
We have reached the point of just putting one foot in front of the other. It's a tough part of the journey, but we feel your support and prayers.
Wednesday, September 23
Chemo is such an awful thing. While I know if is beneficial in the longrun, it absolutely sucks the life and energy out of Keith. I guess this is the first time it has happened right before my eyes. He was so strong and vibrant last weekend, then little by little as he has been in treatment this week, he has gotten weaker. Still not sick, but very tired and weak.
This week has been difficult for both of us. I think primarily because of the high we were on after the weekend. It was so awesome to see him back leading in worship. Then Monday morning we had to start over! Every day gets us closer to the end, though.
Still no word on the blood count. They didn't check it today. Keep praying about that. I am sure that they will check it tomorrow or Friday. And more than likely the sickness will really hit him tomorrow. Please pray that it will be managed and pass quickly.
Tomorrow is another "chemo Thursday" (scary music inserted here). So far "chemo Thursdays" have brought dead batteries and backed up toilets. I know you will wait with anticipation to see what interesting story I have to tell tomorrow!
Tuesday, September 22
Today's treatment was relatively uneventful. Keith was really dreading going this morning. By now we know what the week is going to be like, and it is difficult to move forward knowing what is around the corner!
It really stinks because he was doing so well on Sunday, but then as the chemo starts doing its thing, he starts to fade. Today when we came in he almost immediately fell asleep on the couch, and then moved into the bedroom. It really wipes him out. Today was also the Bleomyicin, which usually gives him a low-grade fever.
It's all part of it. I don't know whether it's better to know what's coming, or to just roll along in ignorance! But either way, we are doing fine...moving along now that the end is in site!
I have received many emails from those of you who enjoyed watching the video. Sorry we had technical issues with some of the services this weekend. Join us again this weekend. Keith won't be there, but we'll be watching online!
Today the biggest prayer request is still the red blood count. He got a Procrit shot today, so we are really hoping that will boost it up. I will keep you posted!
Monday, September 21
So, we got good news and bad news at the doctor today. The good news is really good. The tumor has shrunk to 1/3 of its original size. The volume of the tumor was 20" when we started, and now it is 8". Here's what the report said, for all you medical types out there: "Quite massive periaortic retroperitoneal adenopathy has significantly diminished in size with the shape of the conglomerate mass of nodes remaining roughly similar to the prior study, although the overall volume is markedly diminished." Don't you feel smart?! The doctor is very pleased with this information and the progress.
Now, the bad news. He said we would have to do the 4th round of chemo. It was pretty sad news for a bit, but then we realized that finally we could pu an ending date on this thing. Keith will have chemo this week, will be sick next week, and then recover the week after that. He will start the final round of chemo on October 12. So we will be completely through with chemo by October 16. That means today marked the passing of the halfway point. We have completed 11 days, and have 9 more to go of chemo!
The weekend really restored Keith's passion. When we were on the way home on Sunday, he said, "I could go back and do 3 more services!" He took his laptop to chemo today and did some work, and made phone calls and plans now that he knows what the future looks like.
Even with all this good news, we know that we are entering a chemo week, which means lots of fatigue and sickness. Please pray for this week and the effects on his body. Also, he is very anemic. They are going to give him a Procrit shot tomorrow, but if that doesn't raise his red blood count, they will have to do a transfusion. We really don't want that. Please pray for improved blood counts. Chemo just wreaks havoc on all parts of your body! But...9 more days of treatment to go!!
Friday, September 18
Keith has felt better today than he has in a long time. He got up this morning and drank the icky barium drink and we headed out for the CT Scan. That was a little rough, as they had to stick him 8 times before they could get the IV in for the contrast! He looked like a pin cushion! Then, he had to go back to the cancer center to give blood for them to test the magnesium levels. The nurse there said he was especially "holely" today! It was so good to hear him joking with the nurses. It's like he was back to his old self.
After all the medical stuff, we went out for breakfast, and had a great day. I know that round 3 of the chemo is lurking around the corner, but today was such a nice gift!
He will start Round 3 of the chemo on Monday. We hope it is the last round. We should know that sometime next week. He is still planning on participating in the services this weekend. Please pray for him, as I know Sunday especially will be tiring for him since there are 2 services. Remember if you would like to watch him, you can log on to our live streaming at www.woodlandlive.com. Services are Saturday at 5 pm and Sunday at 9 & 10:45 am (ET). he probably won't be on until about 10-15 minutes into the service.
Thursday, September 17
We have the CT Scan at 10 am in the morning. Keith has to drink the gross barium drink starting at 7 am. Please pray that he can get it all down and that the test will go okay. Most of all we are praying that the test will show that the tumor has shrunk even more than they had hoped.
Wednesday, September 16
Well, Keith's fever has been down all day today, and we are hoping that whatever caused is being taken care of by the antibiotics. He had to go in today to for a couple of tests. They think he might have a urinary infection or colitis, so he had to provide some "gifts" for them! We haven't heard anything on that yet. They have moved the CT Scan to Friday. That means we won't have the results by Monday, but the doctor said that no matter what the results are, we will be doing the 3rd round.
Keith has felt good all day today. We even went to lunch with our Worship Associate and Tech Director today. He didn't eat much, but surely enjoyed the time to visit. He is planning on going to the Worship Arts Kickoff tomorrow night, and will be leading in part of the services this weekend. Of course, after the events of yesterday we have learned that our plans can change quickly!
I am hoping for a calm evening tonight! Thank you again for all of your prayers and emails.
Tuesday, September 15
What a crazy day. It started out pretty well. Keith was feeling weak, but okay. He had a visit from some of the ladies from the office, just wanted to come by and visit. He enjoyed that, but it really tired him out more than usual. So, we then went to the doctor for his Tuesday treatment (Bleomyicin). Even that went fine.
But when we got home, things went into a downward spiral. He went straight in and got into bed, and he began shivering and complaining that he was freezing. I got more blankets for him and felt of him to be sure he wasn't running fever, and he wasn't. I let him sleep, then woke him up about 7 pm. The Navajo Mission Trip group was getting together for dinner tonight, so I told him that I was heading out for that. When I got back just before 9, he was sitting on the couch and told me he really didn't feel good. He was disoriented and couldn't get his thoughts together, which really concerned me. I reached over and felt of him, and he was burning up! I took his temp and it was 102!
I called the doctor, and luckily the doctor on call was our oncologist, and he said he is sure that Keith has an infection. He called in an antibiotic for me to get him started on and wants to run some tests on him in the morning. He has postponed the scan until Thursday. He told me that if the fever gets higher or if he gets sicker that he wants to put him in the hospital. Boy, on this journey, you never know what's around the next bend!
Please pray that the antibiotic will take care of the infection, and that the tests will help them know what it is. The doctor thinks he might have colitis, an infection of the colon. Keith really wants to have the CT scan done, so please pray that we can have it done on Thursday. Thank you for rallying around us...I already feel your strength.
Monday, September 14
Keith is doing very well today! He is up and going, even in working on Woodland stuff right now.
The weekend was a bit challenging, however. The Neulasta shot that I was so high on last week has some interesting side effects. Apparently your body produces white blood cells in your lower back/pelvic region. The Neulasta causes an extreme increase in this production. They had told us that he might have some pain associated with this, and boy did he ever! It started on Friday evening and got progressively worse until I finally called the doctor yesterday. He said that it is not unusual for Neulasta to cause that, and wanted to know if we had any pain medicine (this was not our doctor, but one of the other doctors on call). I laughed and said, "We've got pretty much anything you want him to take!" He decided on the 30 mg. of morphine. It took care of the pain, but knocked Keith FLAT! It's interesting that he at one time was taking that every 3 hours! Anyway, the pain has eased up some now and he hasn't had any of the morphine since 4 this morning. So hopefully we are past the really rough part of it.
Our Sunday morning ritual has pretty much gone like this for the past month or so: First, at 9 am we come in here to the computer and watch the Woodland live streaming of the service. After that, Keith usually goes into the living room and watches Ed Young or some other minister that he finds on TV. Then he will usually turns on GMT. This past weekend there was a Gaither broadcast on GMT. I was in at the computer, and I heard him saying, "Amen...amen!" I went in, and David Phelps was singing the chorus to "These are They." Tears were streaming down Keith's face as he raised his hands in worship. For those of you unfamiliar with the song, these are the lyrics:
These are they
Who have come out of great tribulation They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb They have come through much sorrow into great jubilation They're redeemed by the blood of the Lamb Songs like that have taken on new meaning after the journey of the past few months. I believe with all my heart that Keith's passion as a worship leader will be stronger and more annointed as a result of coming through this tribulation period. We're both just ready to be there!
Friday, September 11
Today has been a good day! While Keith still doesn't have a tremendous amount of energy, he did a few things around the house today, and even walked the dog! It is so good to see him up and around. He's still surviving on soup and Propel, but at least he's not sick.
Our prayer requests for this weekend: 1. That his blood count will stay up. Last time it was over this weekend that they dropped so low and he felt so bad. 2. That the CT Scan will reveal that the treatment is working and that we hopefully won't have to do the 4th round. 3. That he will continue to get stronger before he has to enter into Round 3!
Thank you for your prayers.
Thursday, September 10
This morning Keith got up and was feeling good. He had a speakerphone call from Tim and the Woodland staff, as they were at an all day long planning meeting and wanted him to know that they missed him. They prayed for him, and it really meant a lot to him that they had called. He had spent all yesterday afternoon getting his dates ready for the meeting, and Andy was supposed to fight for his dates!
I was really singing the praises of Neulasta this morning, even had Keith and I cast in a Neulasta commercial in my mind....but, alas, about lunch time he started getting sick. He's still better than he has been, but he spent most all afternoon on the couch. I wish we could get the whole digestive thing figured out. Tonight he had applesauce and mashed potatoes. I am really praying that he will just continue to get stronger since we have all of next week before we have to start it all over again.
We going to shave his head again tomorrow. His nubby hair has started growing out some, and today I told him he had "chemo hair." I guess that wasn't the most sensitive thing to say, so now he's after me to shave it again.
Please continue to pray for regained strength for him and that he will be able to eat. We love you all.
Wednesday, September 9
Today started out promising, as Keith was up doing odds and ends and reading his email this morning. After he finished, though, it was like the bottom dropped out of his energy level, and he was done!
We went to the doctor this afternoon and he got a Neulasta shot, which is supposed to boost his immune system and his blood count. Last time the shots helped the extreme fatigue, so we are hoping that it will have the same effect this time. He is just so wiped out, and really is not himself because he is so tired.
We have now completed 31 days of what we hope will be a 54 day ordeal (since he began treatment). If the doctor adds a fourth round of chemo, then I guess our days will stretch to 75. Whatever the amount, 75 days out of our lives is not overwhelming. It's a little difficult when you are standing in the middle of it, but we are going to get through it.
Thank you for all of your kind emails. It is truly amazing and humbling to know there are people all over the country, many that we have never met, that are praying for us. Please know that we never take that for granted, and I am so thankful that you care enough to lift our names to the Father. You have blessed us.
Tuesday, September 8
Today was a little bit better as far as the sickness. Keith was not nearly as nauseated, but still is dealing with the terrible fatigue. We went to the doctor today, and he got the Bleomyicin. His blood counts were a little low, but not terrible. We go back tomorrow and he is supposed to get a shot that will really boost his blood count and hopefully give him some more energy.
Please be praying for the results that we will see next week (Sept. 16) on the CT Scan. We are really praying that the tumor has shrunk drastically. Please also pray for his energy level. He is so wiped out.
Sorry I'm not very chatty tonight, but between work, doctor, and 2 pharmacy runs, I am beat. More tomorrow!
Monday, September 7
Keith is very sick today. He is nauseated, but mostly overwhelmingly fatigued. It's just like last time, which brings me a little comfort in knowing that he is traveling the same path. He is surviving on Propel, popsicles, and a little bit of soup. That's okay, though. We just need to get through it. Things should get better by Wednesday.
We see the doctor tomorrow, and he is supposed to get more chemo and a shot that will boost his blood count. I just want everything to stay on track, so we can keep moving toward the goal.
Not a lot of news today, so I thought you might enjoy seeing the transformation of Keith:
Friday, September 4
Well, the full force of the chemo experience has now surrounded Keith. He's got the fatigue and the nausea, and can hardly hold his head up. We've been through before, though, and now that we know the routine, we know it is just a matter of getting through it. One of the things he is looking forward to is the return of College Football this weekend, specifically Alabama Football! If anything can get him involved and yelling, it will be watching his beloved Crimson Tide! In fact, I don't ever think I have seen him watch an Alabama football game without yelling, so maybe this will be the medicine that he needs!
All of our plumbing is running well today. The events of yesterday have put me in a house cleaning mood, so I've been scrubbing and reorganizing, and plan to continue through the weekend. Just have to be careful that none of my cleaning stuff smells make Keith sick! If that happens, then guess I'll just have to stop!!
Thank you for your prayers during this difficult Chemo week. Please continue to pray about the side effects and the delayed effects that he won't even experience until next week. Also, please pray now for the CT Scan on the 16th. How wonderful would it be if they looked at the scan and couldn't even find the tumor! Even if we can't have that, we are praying for just one more round of chemo.
Thursday, September 3
We are beginning to realize that "Chemo Thursdays" seem to be our days to have the biggest challenges, and even all out attacks! If you remember our last chemo week, it was on Thursday that my battery died and poor Keith had to jump off the car in the parking lot of the cancer center. Well, this one tops that....boy does it ever!
We got in from chemo today and Keith was really feeling bad. He tried to eat some lunch, and almost immediately got sick. So, he decided to go ahead and lay down in our bedroom. About an hour later, he came to the door of the bedroom and said, "Lee Ann, there's something wrong in here." I jumped up from my desk and went in to find that the toilet had completely backed up and overflowed. There was water and "solid stuff" (gross) all over the floor, all in our shower, and all in the bathtub. I have seen a lot of very gross things, but I have to say...that scene on this day has to rank in the top five of grossness. So, what did I do? I sat down and had a good cry! Not one of those little sniffle cries, I'm talking a good nose-blowing, five-tissue-throwing cry. And you know what, after I finished....all that poop was still there!
When we had the issue with the battery last time, one of the dear men in our church had told me to call him if anything went wrong with the car or house, and he would help us get it fixed. His sweet words were, "Please don't rob me of the blessing to help." So, today, Keith said, "Let's call Brad." He called him, and Brad and his daughter were over here within a half hour. Seeing him on his hands and knees in my shower wiping up the grossest stuff ever, made me wonder if he really regretted that whole "blessing" remark. But what a servant! He called another man in our church who does plumbing, and now Brad and Corky have formed a team to figure out the problem. All the while Keith is laying on the couch trying not to throw up! You can probably imagine that the house is a little "pungent."
Today we have been served by these wonderful people. It was a terrible, icky ordeal, but these folks came in and truly met a need for us. We are blessed and touched by their help and love.
You can pray for our potty tonight, but I think we are in good hands with Corky and Brad. Please do pray for Keith as he finishes the chemo. He's really entering into the rough stuff.
Wednesday, September 2
Today's treatment went without incident. The treat for the day was a visit from some college friends that were passing through town. I took them down to the treatment center, and they visited with Keith for the last hour of his treatment. It was so good to see them, and hear those Alabama accents!
Keith is doing okay this evening, just REALLY tired. He didn't sleep well last night, which they told him is a side effect of the nausea medicine that they are giving through his IV. He's trying to stay awake today so hopefully he can sleep better tonight.
Not much news today, but this is truly a case where no news is good news! Please pray for a good night's sleep tonight for Keith, and for management of the nausea that we feel is looming on the horizon!
Tuesday, September 1
Today the chemo took 6 hours to "infuse!" What a long day! Keith was feeling pretty good afterwards, and asked to go by Kohl's to pick up a few things to wear, since all of his clothes are too big now. This was the first time in 2 months that he has wanted to go somewhere besides the doctor's office, so I said, "sure!" Well, we got into Kohl's and had been there about 10 minutes, and he gave out. So tired he could hardly walk. We managed to pick up a few things, and I stuffed a few things in the basket that we'll try on later, but at least he has underwear, some shorts and a pair of jeans that fit!!
They are giving him more nausea medicine with the chemo this week and I think it is helping him. It's good that they have been able to tailor this week to his needs, now that he has been through it once. He ate a good supper last night and tonight, so I am hoping he will continue to build strength before the side effects really kick in.
Our prayer today is still that the side effects will be minimal, but always that the tumor is shrinking rapidly!
Monday, August 31
Today we started on Round 2 of the chemo. Just like last time, the treatment was pretty uneventful. We know from last time, however, that the icky stuff is coming!
There are a couple of bits of news from the doctor visit today. First, the doctor was VERY excited that Keith was completely off the pain meds. He was thrilled that the tumor has shrunk that much with just one round of chemo. He has scheduled another CT scan for September 16, and depending on what it shows, he'll make the decision whether we are doing 3 or 4 rounds of chemo. Keith is REALLY hoping for 3!
Keith has lost another 4 lbs! He put on a pair of shorts today that some friends brought over (all of his clothes are way too big!) and he is now wearing a waist size that is 10 inches smaller than when he first got the lap band. He's lost 90 lbs. since the lap band! The doctor is not concerned about the weight loss, since Keith is still above recommended weight for someone his height. If he loses much more, though, he said we will have to do something.
He was able to eat a good little bit today, so hopefully he can keep his strength up. Last time when he started the chemo he was so heavily medicated with the pain meds, and he was still recovering from the surgery. Even though he is week this time, I feel like we are starting out with a few more things in our favor.
Any way you look at it, though, it is going to be a rough week, and we so appreciate your prayers. Please pray that we can manage the nausea and that the side effects will be minimal.
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