Today was to be the day we were going to Dallas for Doug’s bone marrow transplant consultation with Dr. Collins. I messed things up!
Last Friday I became one of the nation’s statistics of one who got a flu shot and, for no extra charge, the flu! Today I’m much stronger but Doug didn’t want me to push myself nor did he want to go to the consultation without me. The doctor isn’t available next week so the appointment is rescheduled for March 12th.
This gives me opportunity to share something else about our family and its love for one another with you. Our children have been marvelous in keeping in touch with us from a distance. (One lives in Seattle and the other in New York City.) Throughout Doug’s illness, their love and concern for their Dad has shown in many different ways.
One of the unique ways of keeping in touch has been from our New York kids. They send a postcard everyday printed with the pithy quotes of various famous and not-so-famous people. They have done this every day since January! I’ve just randomly selected a few of those messages received in the last few days to share with you.
To me, faith is not just a noun but also a verb. ~Jimmy Carter
It’s not the load that breaks you down; it’s the way you carry it.
~Lena Horne
During chemo, you’re more tired than you’ve ever been. It’s like a cloud passing over the sun, and suddenly you’re out. You don’t know how you’ll answer the door when your groceries are delivered. But you also find that you’re stronger than you’ve ever been. You’re clear. Your mortality is at optimal distance, not up so close that it obscures everything else, but close enough to give you depth perception. Previously, it has taken you weeks, months, or years to discover the meaning of an experience. Now it’s instantaneous. ~Melissa Bank
For peace of mind, we need to resign as general manager of the universe. ~Larry Eisenberg
You gain strength, courage, and confidence by each experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, “I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
Worry is as useless as a handle on a snowball. ~Mitzi Chandler
When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or fight like hell. ~Lance Armstrong
We shall draw from the heart of suffering itself the means of inspiration and survival. ~Winston Churchill.
Physical strength is measured by what we can carry; spiritual by what we can bear. ~Author Unknown.
Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading. ~Oswald Chambers
Cancer is a word, not a sentence. ~John Diamond
I better stop. They are all so good. Not all about cancer but all appropriate, helpful reminders on any given day for both Doug and me. The fact the messages are mixed in with our bills is an added plus!
~Carole
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Our Date at the Meyerson
Last week Doug didn’t have to take any medication except if he needed something for pain. He felt the best he has felt in months as our weekend activity will indicate.
This weekend was the first Doug and I have worshiped together in a church building in four months. Thanks to radio and the Internet we’ve experienced long-distant church worship here at home by listening to the church service of our home church on radio and by tuning in to services streamed over the Internet. During the in-church worship this weekend Doug introduced the new senior pastor of one of the Fort Worth churches. In the afternoon we visited with friends and stopped to spend time with my Mom.
It also seemed to me that this weekend Doug made up for much of what he’d not done around our home. He didn’t even take a nap Sunday before friends picked us up for our evening out.
What a treat to be together at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas regarded as one of the premier music halls in the nation. The architectural design and acoustics of the Meyerson are spectacular. If you have never been there in person it is worth your time to enlarge the prints at http://www.pcfandp.com/a/p/8103/s.html to view this amazing structure for yourself.
The Meyerson is home to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Turtle Creek Chorale and Dallas Wind Symphony. Sunday night Southwestern Adventist University provided university, high school, and academy students the opportunity to perform in this world-class concert hall. Three hundred young people filled the hall with band, woodwind, festival guitar and choir music. Doug and I got to hold hands and lap up the eye candy and the marvelous music which was performed flawlessly.
The program notes indicate that “A Night at the Meyerson” has been a tradition of Southwestern Adventist University’s Fine Arts Department for fifteen years. According to the University’s President the goal of having the evening is “to inspire young musicians and to provide scholarships and musical equipment for our music department.”
In addition to preparing their own university students, the dedicated music faculty schedule trips to the 16 other schools throughout the school year to prepare students for the yearly music festival in February.
This year as well as accompanying the choirs on the piano, Professor John Boyd opened the pipes of the majestic organ in a concert solo as well as really adding intensity to a couple of the band and choir numbers. Conductors Rudyard Dennis, Henry Welch, and David R. Anavitarte were as professional as any of the regulars that perform at the Meyerson. The behavior of the students was to our eyes impeccable.
Our date was perfect in every way!
~Carole
This weekend was the first Doug and I have worshiped together in a church building in four months. Thanks to radio and the Internet we’ve experienced long-distant church worship here at home by listening to the church service of our home church on radio and by tuning in to services streamed over the Internet. During the in-church worship this weekend Doug introduced the new senior pastor of one of the Fort Worth churches. In the afternoon we visited with friends and stopped to spend time with my Mom.
It also seemed to me that this weekend Doug made up for much of what he’d not done around our home. He didn’t even take a nap Sunday before friends picked us up for our evening out.
What a treat to be together at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas regarded as one of the premier music halls in the nation. The architectural design and acoustics of the Meyerson are spectacular. If you have never been there in person it is worth your time to enlarge the prints at http://www.pcfandp.com/a/p/8103/s.html to view this amazing structure for yourself.
The Meyerson is home to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Turtle Creek Chorale and Dallas Wind Symphony. Sunday night Southwestern Adventist University provided university, high school, and academy students the opportunity to perform in this world-class concert hall. Three hundred young people filled the hall with band, woodwind, festival guitar and choir music. Doug and I got to hold hands and lap up the eye candy and the marvelous music which was performed flawlessly.
The program notes indicate that “A Night at the Meyerson” has been a tradition of Southwestern Adventist University’s Fine Arts Department for fifteen years. According to the University’s President the goal of having the evening is “to inspire young musicians and to provide scholarships and musical equipment for our music department.”
In addition to preparing their own university students, the dedicated music faculty schedule trips to the 16 other schools throughout the school year to prepare students for the yearly music festival in February.
This year as well as accompanying the choirs on the piano, Professor John Boyd opened the pipes of the majestic organ in a concert solo as well as really adding intensity to a couple of the band and choir numbers. Conductors Rudyard Dennis, Henry Welch, and David R. Anavitarte were as professional as any of the regulars that perform at the Meyerson. The behavior of the students was to our eyes impeccable.
Our date was perfect in every way!
~Carole
2-11-08, Part II
We have been busy “chewing” on the document from Greece. We’ve shown the document to our family doctor, the doctors and nurse practitioner connected directly to Doug’s cancer treatment as well as our oncologist/hematologist friend not connected directly to Doug’s treatment. We didn’t want to start taking supplements in mass until we received clearance from Doug’s kidney doc and his oncologist/hematologist.
The kidney doc pulled one supplement (Rhodiola and Ginseng Complex). The oncologist said he had received the document from the alternative medicine clinic, looked at it yet couldn’t validate anything from a lab with which he had no connection. However because Doug’s over-all numbers are so good all he asked was that Doug take the nutritional supplements two-three hours before taking his chemo drug which he takes orally at bedtime. As it turns out the final supplements are scheduled to be taken with the last meal of the day which we usually eat by 5:30 or 6 p.m.
In the Greece lab they isolated Doug's malignant cells using “Oncoquick” with a membrane that isolates malignant cells from normal cells. Then they developed more than 41 cell cultures to which they added various nutritional supplements and chemo drugs. We have the report which includes those which worked to inhibit or kill Doug's cancer cells and those which do not. It is in a consistent language, the technicality of which I’ll spare you. What works in Doug’s blood is highlighted so we don’t have to plow through every detail.
Of significance is that Thalidomide (the chemo drug which Doug has taken since November 1st) worked the best to “inhibit and induce Doug’s cancer cell’s death but cannot induce the invasion activity of the cancer cells”. From the very beginning we have known that only the bone marrow transplant will wipe all cancer cells out—and then only for an unknown time period as this type of cancer is not one that can be taken out via surgery nor have they yet found a cure. He will have a better quality of life afterwards.
The report also included 5 other “options” of chemo therapy that would work for Doug, some less toxic than others and only one other that is covered by our insurance.
Of greatest value to us is the knowledge of those supplements that the cultures indicate would or would not impact Doug’s cancer cells and therefore gave us some informed direction.
While it would be impossible for the lab in Greece to test every supplement on the market today (as you’d know if you’ve been in a natural “food” store lately) I’ll give you a just a few examples of what did not show any impact on Doug’s cancer as per the Greece testing: Acai berry, Mangosteen (Xanthone), mistletoe, grape seed supreme, curcumin (turmeric), aloe vera extract, Echinacea, green tea extract, ascorbic acid (as in IV vitamin C), hydrogen peroxide (which we understand is given IV--Yikes!!!!), to name a few. The document also indicates that Doug’s cancer cells do not respond to hyperthermia or radiation.
Based upon the finding in Greece the doctors at the alternative clinic also eliminated the need for green fruit drinks, the need for a coffee enemas 1-2 times/wk when not on chemo, etc. etc. much of this and those in the above paragraph suggestions we’ve been given by others wanting to help by sharing what they have known to have worked on others with cancer.
The flip side is that several other supplements tested worked well enough to kill or at least slow the cancer cells activity anywhere from 15% to 45% within the culture. These, along with Thalidamide, are the ones we’ll focus on-- as well as those known through clinical trials and observation by the doctor’s at the alternative clinic to create cell health in the good cells damaged by the toxic treatments required for cancer treatment. Having this information has eliminated our need to act in panic, grab at anything someone suggests or to wonder if we did everything possible.
We are to notify the alternative clinic if Doug receives any new prescriptions or any new chemo drugs. They will monitor for compatibility. During the bone marrow transplant Doug will have to eliminate all supplements. The window of time for their use to build Doug up for that procedure is now.
Doug’s oncologist and kidney docs base their time of referral for his bone marrow transplant on his blood and urine chemistry. The time is right to begin that process. Doug has been referred for the initial consultation with Dr. Collins who heads the bone marrow transplant center at University of Texas Southwest Medical Center in Dallas. We have much to learn of what is ahead of us.
The good news is that, according to Doug’s oncologist, Doug has 1/10th of the cancer cells he had when he first began treatment. Maybe I mentioned that before but that fact is worth repeating. This is the reason why Doug has felt well enough most days these last two weeks to return to work part-time. PTL! He's in his office (or a committee :-) again this week.
~Carole
The kidney doc pulled one supplement (Rhodiola and Ginseng Complex). The oncologist said he had received the document from the alternative medicine clinic, looked at it yet couldn’t validate anything from a lab with which he had no connection. However because Doug’s over-all numbers are so good all he asked was that Doug take the nutritional supplements two-three hours before taking his chemo drug which he takes orally at bedtime. As it turns out the final supplements are scheduled to be taken with the last meal of the day which we usually eat by 5:30 or 6 p.m.
In the Greece lab they isolated Doug's malignant cells using “Oncoquick” with a membrane that isolates malignant cells from normal cells. Then they developed more than 41 cell cultures to which they added various nutritional supplements and chemo drugs. We have the report which includes those which worked to inhibit or kill Doug's cancer cells and those which do not. It is in a consistent language, the technicality of which I’ll spare you. What works in Doug’s blood is highlighted so we don’t have to plow through every detail.
Of significance is that Thalidomide (the chemo drug which Doug has taken since November 1st) worked the best to “inhibit and induce Doug’s cancer cell’s death but cannot induce the invasion activity of the cancer cells”. From the very beginning we have known that only the bone marrow transplant will wipe all cancer cells out—and then only for an unknown time period as this type of cancer is not one that can be taken out via surgery nor have they yet found a cure. He will have a better quality of life afterwards.
The report also included 5 other “options” of chemo therapy that would work for Doug, some less toxic than others and only one other that is covered by our insurance.
Of greatest value to us is the knowledge of those supplements that the cultures indicate would or would not impact Doug’s cancer cells and therefore gave us some informed direction.
While it would be impossible for the lab in Greece to test every supplement on the market today (as you’d know if you’ve been in a natural “food” store lately) I’ll give you a just a few examples of what did not show any impact on Doug’s cancer as per the Greece testing: Acai berry, Mangosteen (Xanthone), mistletoe, grape seed supreme, curcumin (turmeric), aloe vera extract, Echinacea, green tea extract, ascorbic acid (as in IV vitamin C), hydrogen peroxide (which we understand is given IV--Yikes!!!!), to name a few. The document also indicates that Doug’s cancer cells do not respond to hyperthermia or radiation.
Based upon the finding in Greece the doctors at the alternative clinic also eliminated the need for green fruit drinks, the need for a coffee enemas 1-2 times/wk when not on chemo, etc. etc. much of this and those in the above paragraph suggestions we’ve been given by others wanting to help by sharing what they have known to have worked on others with cancer.
The flip side is that several other supplements tested worked well enough to kill or at least slow the cancer cells activity anywhere from 15% to 45% within the culture. These, along with Thalidamide, are the ones we’ll focus on-- as well as those known through clinical trials and observation by the doctor’s at the alternative clinic to create cell health in the good cells damaged by the toxic treatments required for cancer treatment. Having this information has eliminated our need to act in panic, grab at anything someone suggests or to wonder if we did everything possible.
We are to notify the alternative clinic if Doug receives any new prescriptions or any new chemo drugs. They will monitor for compatibility. During the bone marrow transplant Doug will have to eliminate all supplements. The window of time for their use to build Doug up for that procedure is now.
Doug’s oncologist and kidney docs base their time of referral for his bone marrow transplant on his blood and urine chemistry. The time is right to begin that process. Doug has been referred for the initial consultation with Dr. Collins who heads the bone marrow transplant center at University of Texas Southwest Medical Center in Dallas. We have much to learn of what is ahead of us.
The good news is that, according to Doug’s oncologist, Doug has 1/10th of the cancer cells he had when he first began treatment. Maybe I mentioned that before but that fact is worth repeating. This is the reason why Doug has felt well enough most days these last two weeks to return to work part-time. PTL! He's in his office (or a committee :-) again this week.
~Carole
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
02-11-08, Part I
We are amazed how many of you tell us you check this blog regularly. I hate the days I disappointment you! For that reason I am letting you know in two parts about our day, yesterday, the 11th of February.
We used an alarm to get up yesterday. That was different :-) Doug was in charge of the Monday morning worship in his office that starts at 8 a.m. Staff and administration gather to start the week off all together with the One they ask to guide them throughout the work week.
Doug was in his office everyday last week for a good portion of the work-day. He'd get out of his car and, to conserve energy, sat the majority of the day at his desk. Usually he is in charge of Monday worship once per month. He has not been able to do that or be there for the past four months. On Monday it was the first time he stood before his colleagues to share what he has learned so far on his journey with cancer. It was a moving experience for all of us who listened.
At the conclusion of their usual review of the weekend and prayers for specific churches, schools, teachers and pastors throughout Texas, the President asked everyone to form a circle around Doug for prayer, touching Doug as they did, praising the Lord for the healing that has taken place and asking the Lord to continue to be with both of us.
I was in the audience because we left from the office to go North to the clinic to receive the results of the report that had been faxed from the Genetic Cancer Centre in Greece. We were eager to find out Doug's specific DNA receptivity to both chemo drugs as well as food and nutritional supliments that would help with cell health.
The reason this blog is part I is because I now have to digest the 20 pages of that fax and what the Doctor in Dallas went over with us. In many ways is greek to us (pardon the pun!) until we can re-read it ourselves.
What we do know is that we see the nurphrologist this coming Friday and our oncologist next Monday. We will seek their counsel before taking any of the suppliments, not because we think anything that was recommended would harm Doug rather because 1) all together they are expensive and 2) we have also received a call from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. That is where Doug will begin the process leading to a stem cell/bone marrow transplant. Supplements are used to increase the immune system and build up Doug's cells. At one point in the transplant process the immune systsem needs to be taken down to zero which is done using heavy doses of chemo drugs. These are therefore two conflicting options if we base it on timing alone.
What we don't know for sure is this: what is the right time in respect to quality of life and longevity? We would covet your prayers that when we make a decision we will not look back and know that we evaluated our options, sought appropriate expert counsel and that Doug will have a sense of the Holy Spirit's leading him.
You can look for 02-11-08, Part II later this week. The report is facinating but I didn't take molecular medicine in grad school!! It was interpreted for us but not at my speed of learning....
~Carole
We used an alarm to get up yesterday. That was different :-) Doug was in charge of the Monday morning worship in his office that starts at 8 a.m. Staff and administration gather to start the week off all together with the One they ask to guide them throughout the work week.
Doug was in his office everyday last week for a good portion of the work-day. He'd get out of his car and, to conserve energy, sat the majority of the day at his desk. Usually he is in charge of Monday worship once per month. He has not been able to do that or be there for the past four months. On Monday it was the first time he stood before his colleagues to share what he has learned so far on his journey with cancer. It was a moving experience for all of us who listened.
At the conclusion of their usual review of the weekend and prayers for specific churches, schools, teachers and pastors throughout Texas, the President asked everyone to form a circle around Doug for prayer, touching Doug as they did, praising the Lord for the healing that has taken place and asking the Lord to continue to be with both of us.
I was in the audience because we left from the office to go North to the clinic to receive the results of the report that had been faxed from the Genetic Cancer Centre in Greece. We were eager to find out Doug's specific DNA receptivity to both chemo drugs as well as food and nutritional supliments that would help with cell health.
The reason this blog is part I is because I now have to digest the 20 pages of that fax and what the Doctor in Dallas went over with us. In many ways is greek to us (pardon the pun!) until we can re-read it ourselves.
What we do know is that we see the nurphrologist this coming Friday and our oncologist next Monday. We will seek their counsel before taking any of the suppliments, not because we think anything that was recommended would harm Doug rather because 1) all together they are expensive and 2) we have also received a call from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. That is where Doug will begin the process leading to a stem cell/bone marrow transplant. Supplements are used to increase the immune system and build up Doug's cells. At one point in the transplant process the immune systsem needs to be taken down to zero which is done using heavy doses of chemo drugs. These are therefore two conflicting options if we base it on timing alone.
What we don't know for sure is this: what is the right time in respect to quality of life and longevity? We would covet your prayers that when we make a decision we will not look back and know that we evaluated our options, sought appropriate expert counsel and that Doug will have a sense of the Holy Spirit's leading him.
You can look for 02-11-08, Part II later this week. The report is facinating but I didn't take molecular medicine in grad school!! It was interpreted for us but not at my speed of learning....
~Carole
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Stay Tuned
Yesterday we did make the trip as scheduled to get Doug's results from Greece and the suggested treatment plan. Unfortunately there had been a mix-up between a staff member and the doctor in their office and Doug's report in its entirety was not ready. They tried to get in touch with us to tell us not to come but by the time they realized the problem we were almost there. It takes one and one-half hours travel time.
The doctor apologized, gave us a some indication of what he had only briefly scanned before our arrival but not enough for me to give you the big picture. The good part is that our oncologist will receive the same report and proposed treatment plan so we can check in with him in advance of making any decision. This delay gives the two of them time to connect with one another.
Even though the Doctor said he'd have the report ready for Doug today, we didn't want to make the trip again until next Monday. So stay tuned.
~Carole
The doctor apologized, gave us a some indication of what he had only briefly scanned before our arrival but not enough for me to give you the big picture. The good part is that our oncologist will receive the same report and proposed treatment plan so we can check in with him in advance of making any decision. This delay gives the two of them time to connect with one another.
Even though the Doctor said he'd have the report ready for Doug today, we didn't want to make the trip again until next Monday. So stay tuned.
~Carole
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