We’re 1/4 of the way through the six-week course of radiation and chemotherapy treatments, and so far it’s been pretty manageable. Curt has experienced a lot of fatigue (which is to be expected) and also some nausea, but nothing too severe. He has still been able to eat fairly normally, although he doesn’t have a big appetite and says he really doesn't get hungry. He hasn’t lost any weight, and has thankfully gained more than five pounds since he returned home from the hospital 2 1/2 weeks ago. PTL!
He doesn't complain when we keep the meals and snacks coming even when he's looking a bit "green around the gills," although he admits he's starting to burn out on the fruit smoothies and says if he has to eat another papaya he's going to throw up! Weird how certain things make him nauseous...like the smell of olive oil heating in the pan...that's one of the worst.
Lately he has been going into his office at Hope as much as he can, then heads to his radiation appointment at 3 pm M-F. Chemotherapy is in the form of pills that he takes at bedtime (to minimize the nausea).
We’re praying that things continue on this way, and that he is able to steer clear of any illnesses during this time. The doctors are monitoring his white blood count weekly, as well as checking his hemoglobin and platelet levels. Please pray for good test results!
God bless,
Patti and family
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Going Into Battle!
Curt was so happy to see many of you at church on Sunday! It was wonderful to worship again with our church family at Hope. We had a great Father’s day, and hope all of you dads were totally spoiled yesterday by your loved ones!
Today is the first day of Curt’s chemo and radiation…we’re declaring WAR on this nasty tumor! His first radiation session went fine this morning, and the chemo, in the form of pills, will be taken once a day in the evening.
We’re so excited that you are joining with us to fight this fight in the heavenly realms, persevering in prayer for this battle over the next six weeks. Please pray that whatever is left of the tumor (after this last surgery) is beaten back into remission through the treatments. Please also pray for great precision and accuracy for the doctors, and for strength and protection from infection for Curt’s body.
Thank you for all of your support and prayer during these last nine weeks…so much has happened, and we have already seen God work in mighty ways!
With our love and gratitude,
Patti and family
Today is the first day of Curt’s chemo and radiation…we’re declaring WAR on this nasty tumor! His first radiation session went fine this morning, and the chemo, in the form of pills, will be taken once a day in the evening.
We’re so excited that you are joining with us to fight this fight in the heavenly realms, persevering in prayer for this battle over the next six weeks. Please pray that whatever is left of the tumor (after this last surgery) is beaten back into remission through the treatments. Please also pray for great precision and accuracy for the doctors, and for strength and protection from infection for Curt’s body.
Thank you for all of your support and prayer during these last nine weeks…so much has happened, and we have already seen God work in mighty ways!
With our love and gratitude,
Patti and family
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Back to Maui
We're on our way home! It's been a good past couple of days...pretty uneventful. Lots of rest and healing. The nurse is coming to give us our discharge instructions, and Curt is in great spirits.
We'll miss our little animal friends outside the window...the little mongoose family that comes several times daily for the tidbits that we feed them, and all the little birds that fly down to eat and then back up to the trees to sing throughout the day. It's quite the menagerie! There's even a calico kitty that the momma mongoose is always watching for on high alert.
We'll see you all soon...I've got to sign off now and listen to the nurse's instructions...
Love you!!
Patti
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Another good day!
Curt is making great progress toward going home! They had him walking again today and climbing stairs. As of this morning he is on a regular diet- he enjoyed a nice omelette this morning, and spaghetti for dinner. It was a very busy day with doctor visits, nurses coming in and out all day...in fact, the last doctor left just a few minutes ago (7 pm).
The test results came back today and indicated that the mass is the same type of tumor as the original one...it is not an infection (abscess). The oncologist was upbeat and positive, saying that the end result of all this is that we have been able to "roll back the clock" and can now start over the way it all should have gone in the first place, with radiation and chemo starting within 2 weeks of the operation. If it had been an abscess, then treatment would have been delayed for many more weeks, as he would have had to be on long-term antibiotics.
We're looking forward to coming home in a couple of days! Thanks for following along with us in this journey, and for supporting us so faithfully in prayer.
See you soon!
Patti
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
First day after surgery
We had a very good day today! Curt spent the first night in ICU (just like he did for the first surgery) and today about noon was moved down to a regular room. No monitors or IV's - hooray! He doesn't like being hooked up to all that stuff. We're so grateful to have a private room (for nice, quiet times of rest) that looks out over a greenbelt of trees and Moanalua valley. Heaven! There's even a window that opens and lets a little breeze into the room. Not your usual hospital experience. Thank you Lord for the little things that bless so extraordinarily!
Curt's starting with liquids to make sure all his systems start up again correctly, so for lunch we smuggled in a Jamba Juice and miso soup. That was a hit!
He was awake quite awhile this afternoon, and he and Jim watched a movie while I went back to the hotel for a nap. I will take the night shift...they have been letting me spend the night in the room (another blessing). We are praying for an uneventful few days of recuperation until he is released to fly back to Maui No Ka Oi. We miss you guys!!
Love you,
Patti
Curt's starting with liquids to make sure all his systems start up again correctly, so for lunch we smuggled in a Jamba Juice and miso soup. That was a hit!
He was awake quite awhile this afternoon, and he and Jim watched a movie while I went back to the hotel for a nap. I will take the night shift...they have been letting me spend the night in the room (another blessing). We are praying for an uneventful few days of recuperation until he is released to fly back to Maui No Ka Oi. We miss you guys!!
Love you,
Patti
Monday, June 7, 2010
Curt status update- 6pm
Hi All,
Curt is awake, talking and cracking jokes! They gave him some medicine for pain, but he's in good spirits. All his fingers and toes work =). He and Jim are talking story... Thank you Lord for bringing Curt through the operation safely! Thank you all again for walking through this with us. Your encouraging comments are loving reminders of how we are so well covered in prayer. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Love,
Patti and family
Curt is awake, talking and cracking jokes! They gave him some medicine for pain, but he's in good spirits. All his fingers and toes work =). He and Jim are talking story... Thank you Lord for bringing Curt through the operation safely! Thank you all again for walking through this with us. Your encouraging comments are loving reminders of how we are so well covered in prayer. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Love,
Patti and family
Surgery Success
Hi All,
Dr Liem came out to the waiting room on the 4th floor at about 4:45pm to let us know that the surgery went well and Curt is in recovery. We are heading up to see him now. The doctor still wouldn't commit to what the growth was, but he said that it is pointing to tumor regrowth more than to a brain abscess. They will send it to the lab for analysis. Thank you so much for praying us through these last few hours! Love you guys!!
Patti and family
Dr Liem came out to the waiting room on the 4th floor at about 4:45pm to let us know that the surgery went well and Curt is in recovery. We are heading up to see him now. The doctor still wouldn't commit to what the growth was, but he said that it is pointing to tumor regrowth more than to a brain abscess. They will send it to the lab for analysis. Thank you so much for praying us through these last few hours! Love you guys!!
Patti and family
Surgery Today!
Dear All,
Thank you for your continued and fervent prayers- they mean so much, especially while we're over here on Oahu, far from family and home. We couldn't have made it this far without your outpouring of love, prayer, and support!
Dad had a good night, and his pain has been manageable... it comes in waves, but it's not nearly as bad as it has been the last few days. He was up for part of the morning, talking with us and watching TV, and napping in between. It's great to see him so strong and 'normal'- amazing considering we were just here 6 weeks ago, and there have been two surgeries and almost 3 weeks of hospital stay in between!
It is 2:00 pm and Dad just went in to begin the surgery- we found out late this morning that surgery was to be scheduled for 4:50 pm today, but an operating room suddenly opened up early. Dr. Liem, chief of neurosurgery, will be the one performing the operation again. It will take 3-4 hours, and they will be going in the exact same way as the first surgery.
Please pray for guidance and clarity for the surgeon and supporting doctors, that there would be no complications (however minor) from the procedure, and that there would be a clear diagnosis and strong treatment after the surgery. Thank you for standing with us!
I Peter 5:6-7, 10-11 "Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you... After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen."
Love,
Jim, Patti, and family
Thank you for your continued and fervent prayers- they mean so much, especially while we're over here on Oahu, far from family and home. We couldn't have made it this far without your outpouring of love, prayer, and support!
Dad had a good night, and his pain has been manageable... it comes in waves, but it's not nearly as bad as it has been the last few days. He was up for part of the morning, talking with us and watching TV, and napping in between. It's great to see him so strong and 'normal'- amazing considering we were just here 6 weeks ago, and there have been two surgeries and almost 3 weeks of hospital stay in between!
It is 2:00 pm and Dad just went in to begin the surgery- we found out late this morning that surgery was to be scheduled for 4:50 pm today, but an operating room suddenly opened up early. Dr. Liem, chief of neurosurgery, will be the one performing the operation again. It will take 3-4 hours, and they will be going in the exact same way as the first surgery.
Please pray for guidance and clarity for the surgeon and supporting doctors, that there would be no complications (however minor) from the procedure, and that there would be a clear diagnosis and strong treatment after the surgery. Thank you for standing with us!
I Peter 5:6-7, 10-11 "Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you... After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen."
Love,
Jim, Patti, and family
Surgery Monday
Curt's neurosurgeon met with us today and told us the only way to know for sure what is happening is to do another surgery. Curt's headaches are getting worse and on the MRI images the mass is actually larger than it was originally. He is on three different IV antibiotics to cover the possibility of this mass being a brain abscess rather than regrowth of the tumor. Dr. Liem said that his recommendation was for the surgery, and that this is the choice he would make if it were him.
They are scheduling him for surgery sometime on Monday, and we don't have a time yet. We probably won't know until right before it's time to go. Please pray with us for wisdom, precision and accuracy for Dr. Liem and his team, and for strength and safety for Curt's physical body. We take great peace in knowing that his spiritual safety is already guaranteed in the hands of our loving heavenly Father. And the fact is that there can be no bad outcome to this operation...it's a win-win for Curt either way! Nevertheless, we are praying that God, in his infinite mercy, will allow us to have him here with us for a season longer, so thank you for keeping Curt in prayer today. We will try to post another message as soon as we know the time he is going.
Take care,
Patti and Family
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Back in the hospital
Hi Everyone,
Curt is back in the hospital at Kaiser Moanalua (on Oahu). He is on IV antibiotics to cover the possibility of a brain abscess, and as of this evening they still have not made a definitive diagnosis. We are awaiting the neurosurgeon's visit tomorrow morning to discuss treatment options. (He will be the same doctor who performed Curt's first surgery...we are very happy he was the one on call this weekend.)
Please pray with us for the decisions that have to be made tomorrow. Please also pray that if they do surgery, he will be kept safe throughout the procedure, and that it will have another successful outcome.
Sending our love from Honolulu,
Patti and family
Friday, June 4, 2010
Please pray!
For the past several days, Curt has been running a fever and having pretty bad headaches. (Prior to this, he has had no headaches at all since they did the surgery to remove the tumor.) The doctors have been trying to determine where the fever is coming from, as there are no other symptoms that would indicate a cold or the flu, etc. They have been doing blood work over the past few days to determine the type and source of infection that might be causing the fever and accompanying fatigue. They did an MRI this afternoon, and we got some disappointing news...they discovered a mass growing in the original tumor bed.
There are two things that this mass could be: a recurrence of the tumor or a brain abscess. Differentiating between brain abscesses and high-grade brain tumors (such as Curt’s) is often difficult, even with an MRI. This evening (Thursday) he was put on IV antibiotics at the outpatient Kaiser clinic in case it is an abscess, and then we came home. (The three different antibiotics they gave him were the same that would have been given at the hospital to treat a brain abscess.) Tomorrow (Friday) morning, the neurosurgeon on Oahu will be consulted to get a diagnosis and determine a course of action.
Please pray for an accurate diagnosis of Curt’s condition, as this is the most important thing at this point in time. Everything that will be done stems from this diagnosis, so please pray for the doctors to have supernatural insight and wisdom as they view the MRI images and review the blood work.
If it is determined that the mass is a tumor, there is talk of starting the radiation and chemo immediately (they were scheduled to start on June 7th). There is a new drug that has been showing good success in recent studies in shrinking tumors and surrounding swelling. (We were hoping to be able to have this type of chemo right off the bat, but it is only approved for recurrent tumors.) Please pray that if this treatment is right for him, that it will be approved.
Thank you so much for supporting us in prayer as we face this next challenge. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:8, “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing…” We trust that God will guide us through these deep waters! Please pray with us for Curt’s recovery, and for strength and perseverance in the days ahead.
Love you all,
Patti
There are two things that this mass could be: a recurrence of the tumor or a brain abscess. Differentiating between brain abscesses and high-grade brain tumors (such as Curt’s) is often difficult, even with an MRI. This evening (Thursday) he was put on IV antibiotics at the outpatient Kaiser clinic in case it is an abscess, and then we came home. (The three different antibiotics they gave him were the same that would have been given at the hospital to treat a brain abscess.) Tomorrow (Friday) morning, the neurosurgeon on Oahu will be consulted to get a diagnosis and determine a course of action.
Please pray for an accurate diagnosis of Curt’s condition, as this is the most important thing at this point in time. Everything that will be done stems from this diagnosis, so please pray for the doctors to have supernatural insight and wisdom as they view the MRI images and review the blood work.
If it is determined that the mass is a tumor, there is talk of starting the radiation and chemo immediately (they were scheduled to start on June 7th). There is a new drug that has been showing good success in recent studies in shrinking tumors and surrounding swelling. (We were hoping to be able to have this type of chemo right off the bat, but it is only approved for recurrent tumors.) Please pray that if this treatment is right for him, that it will be approved.
Thank you so much for supporting us in prayer as we face this next challenge. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:8, “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing…” We trust that God will guide us through these deep waters! Please pray with us for Curt’s recovery, and for strength and perseverance in the days ahead.
Love you all,
Patti
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