Got home from Cleveland late last Wednesday the 16th. Physically, I had probably my worst day on Thursday. Nausea from the chemo resulted in not being able to keep anything in my stomach but, Praise God, I was able to keep a little bit of water down and able to keep my pill regiment in my system when I needed to take medication for pain, etc. Praise God as well for the fact that I was able to make my Thursday afternoon appointment at the St. Rita’s ambulatory care to get my important Neulasta (sp?) shot which is designed to increase my white cell production a week or so down the line when it drops due to chemo. Friday wasn’t much better but I was able to get just a little oatmeal and cereal down without throwing up as well as the water which is vital to make sure I don’t get dehydrated. Saturday was better and I stayed up until the 3rd quarter of the University of Cincinnati/Oregon State game (DVR’ing the rest to watch at 4:00 a.m. in the morning). Yesterday, Sunday, was more normal as I got up and around more and enjoyed the Bengal’s win at Lambeau. Today, Monday, I feel great.
I hope you all know how encouraging the cards and letters have been. I also appreciate the prayers and support from my colleagues at Apollo. The physical goal of being home is to get stronger in preparation for the treatments which lie ahead – the next of which is planned for Cleveland again October 5-7. Spiritually, God is awesome and remains so. I’m going through John MacArthur’s series on James and am challenged and encouraged daily. Yesterday in his sermon, MacArthur took us to Jeremiah 48:11
"Moab has been at ease from his youth :He has settled on his dregs, And has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, Nor has he gone into captivity. Therefore his taste remained in him, And his scent has not changed.
The "dregs" mentioned in this verse refer to the sediment left over in the wine making process that settled to the bottom of the wineskins. Obviously good wine does not contain these sediments so the wine making process also included a process by which the wine was continually transferred from one wineskin to another. Each pouring would separate more and more dregs until the final result, after repeated transfers, was wine without the dregs. The Prophet Jeremiah is comparing this process to remove the dregs to the trials God uses in one’s life to remove personal, or in this case, national "dregs". Specifically here, Moab as a nation had not had to endure trials. Their life had been "at ease" for a long time, not having to endure captivity, etc. The result being that the dregs had not been removed and Moab’s "taste" and "scent" had not changed. In other words, sin had not been removed and remained as a negative "taste" and "scent". All of us accumulate "dregs" and frankly, if our lives are without trial and suffering, we’re pretty content about letting those dregs not only exist but accumulate. What a wonderful Savior we have though! He doesn’t want us to have dregs and the negative taste and scent that is the result of dregs in our lives. He provides to us trials as opportunities to have these dregs removed. God is definitely continuing to address these dregs in our lives and Kim and I praise Him for these opportunities. I can definitely relate to the fact that when my life has been relatively "at ease" as Moab’s was, frankly, I don’t spend a lot of time addressing and removing those dregs. Trials, and specifically this current one, is God’s crash course of dregs removal. Please keep us in your prayers as God addresses these sins in our lives as Kim and I pray and hope as well that our brothers and sisters in Christ are addressing and removing them in yours.
In His Love,
Rob
Monday, September 21, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
A rare "blog" from Kim!
A "rare" blog from Kim today! As cancer has again entered our lives and in a more "pressing" way, I’ve been challenged to delve more deeply into the Scriptures to see what God wants us to know regarding trials and His workings in them. I’ve relearned (if that’s a word) that trials are limited in scope and duration. 1 Peter 1:6 reads:
"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials. "
So no matter how deep the pain or far-reaching the effects of the cancer, neither will last forever. God will deliver us. God also promises that He will not allow us to go through anything that we’re not able to bear. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says:
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."
God’s Word is good. Now since our Lord is completely good and completely powerful, we seem to come to a problem. Why is suffering allowed? I have heard that we can trust that God has purpose in suffering but that we might not ever know it until heaven. But I think that God has told us His purpose(s). He means first to test our faith - do we have faith ? and secondly He wants to add Christ-like characteristics to our lives through the trial. Both of those purposes are explained in the book of James. Even some materials and some hymns/choruses I’ve read over the years only conclude that God is with us in the trial and that we can look forward to being with Him as reasons for comfort. I believe both of those to be completely biblical and very comforting but I think we come up short if we don’t look at passages such as those mentioned in James and in Psalm 119 that reads "God has afflicted me in faithfulness so that I would learn obedience." I realize that those two passages barely skim the surface in addressing the question of why suffering is allowed but I believe them to be in line with the rest of God’s revelation of Himself. And I believe them to be the very means that God uses to comfort His children in suffering. He brings the trials into our lives so that we will examine to see if we truly have faith (and is there anything else in the world that matters more?) and if we have faith, He means to use the suffering to make us like His Son. I haven’t gone through my life knowing what those truths really mean and I think I am only beginning to now. But God is teaching me that His relationship to me/us is all that matters. Of course, that is worked out in our lives through the blessings of family and friends but His desire for me is to obey Him through trials that I might become like Christ. Maybe I am over-simplifying, and maybe these are well-known and accepted truths but I have had to be "brought around" to see things God’s way. He is so kind and good and I am grateful that He is with Rob and me each step of the way and we can depend on Him to keep working on our hearts. I write this as I sit here in Rob’s hospital room in Cleveland Clinic. His pain persists but is mostly manageable. He is receiving round 2 of RICE chemo (of which he will get one more) and 4 and 5 of the intrathecal chemo (of which he will receive 12 total). The plan is to go home tomorrow and come back in approximately 3 weeks for the last RICE treatment and then go from there. We do continue to ask that you pray for both of us to want to grow spiritually –we really do hold that as our highest desire. And as Rob’s immune system will be weak (to say the least) over the near future I would ask for prayers for health that would enable Rob to go through the treatments and for me to help him. We continue to be thankful for your prayers for us, for the ministry of our church family (ramp to our home, meals, visits, cards and financial help) and all the help from our family and friends (visits, meals new well pump, taking care of Kim’s Dad and Nadia and again, financial help.) I hope I’m not overlooking anyone or anything, just please know that anything you’ve done for us has been a help and comfort. We feel that we are being undergirded by all of your care for us and none of it is being taken for granted. We thank you for all the love that you’ve shown us. We love you all also and hope that we can minister back in any ways God might bring up. It’s time to eat dinner so goodbye for now. In Christ’s love, Kim
editor's note: I asked the love of my life to marry me 20 years ago this very everning! thankfully she said yes though I still have no idea why! Prov 31:10-31
"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials. "
So no matter how deep the pain or far-reaching the effects of the cancer, neither will last forever. God will deliver us. God also promises that He will not allow us to go through anything that we’re not able to bear. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says:
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."
God’s Word is good. Now since our Lord is completely good and completely powerful, we seem to come to a problem. Why is suffering allowed? I have heard that we can trust that God has purpose in suffering but that we might not ever know it until heaven. But I think that God has told us His purpose(s). He means first to test our faith - do we have faith ? and secondly He wants to add Christ-like characteristics to our lives through the trial. Both of those purposes are explained in the book of James. Even some materials and some hymns/choruses I’ve read over the years only conclude that God is with us in the trial and that we can look forward to being with Him as reasons for comfort. I believe both of those to be completely biblical and very comforting but I think we come up short if we don’t look at passages such as those mentioned in James and in Psalm 119 that reads "God has afflicted me in faithfulness so that I would learn obedience." I realize that those two passages barely skim the surface in addressing the question of why suffering is allowed but I believe them to be in line with the rest of God’s revelation of Himself. And I believe them to be the very means that God uses to comfort His children in suffering. He brings the trials into our lives so that we will examine to see if we truly have faith (and is there anything else in the world that matters more?) and if we have faith, He means to use the suffering to make us like His Son. I haven’t gone through my life knowing what those truths really mean and I think I am only beginning to now. But God is teaching me that His relationship to me/us is all that matters. Of course, that is worked out in our lives through the blessings of family and friends but His desire for me is to obey Him through trials that I might become like Christ. Maybe I am over-simplifying, and maybe these are well-known and accepted truths but I have had to be "brought around" to see things God’s way. He is so kind and good and I am grateful that He is with Rob and me each step of the way and we can depend on Him to keep working on our hearts. I write this as I sit here in Rob’s hospital room in Cleveland Clinic. His pain persists but is mostly manageable. He is receiving round 2 of RICE chemo (of which he will get one more) and 4 and 5 of the intrathecal chemo (of which he will receive 12 total). The plan is to go home tomorrow and come back in approximately 3 weeks for the last RICE treatment and then go from there. We do continue to ask that you pray for both of us to want to grow spiritually –we really do hold that as our highest desire. And as Rob’s immune system will be weak (to say the least) over the near future I would ask for prayers for health that would enable Rob to go through the treatments and for me to help him. We continue to be thankful for your prayers for us, for the ministry of our church family (ramp to our home, meals, visits, cards and financial help) and all the help from our family and friends (visits, meals new well pump, taking care of Kim’s Dad and Nadia and again, financial help.) I hope I’m not overlooking anyone or anything, just please know that anything you’ve done for us has been a help and comfort. We feel that we are being undergirded by all of your care for us and none of it is being taken for granted. We thank you for all the love that you’ve shown us. We love you all also and hope that we can minister back in any ways God might bring up. It’s time to eat dinner so goodbye for now. In Christ’s love, Kim
editor's note: I asked the love of my life to marry me 20 years ago this very everning! thankfully she said yes though I still have no idea why! Prov 31:10-31
Saturday, September 12, 2009
home
It's good to be home. Got dismissed from St. Rita's Thursday at about lunch time and have enjoyed the time since then getting used to being home again. The church guys did an incredible job installing a ramp for my chair and I can't thank them enough. Everyone who has seen it has complimented on how professional of a job it is. You guys should go in business! My parents came up yesterday and spent some time with us. It was wonderful seeing them again as I haven't seen them in over a month. We won't be able to spend much time away from home - especially in places with lots of people like church - as my oconologist has told me to keep away from such situations in order to keep as healty as possible for treatments.
I'm trying to set up a good routine at home between rest/recreation, the therapy exercises they gave me to continue and devotional time with God. I've found I get into bad ruts when I'm in situations where structure isn't a part of my life. If I don't create the structure, my sinful tendency is to get into bad habits. Of course this is no mystery to God who provided structure for His first created beings Adam and Eve - dividing the time into day and night and giving them jobs to do. The fact that this was done before sin tells us that the need for structure isn't because of our sinful nature. I believe God is a God of structure and having structure in our lives pleases him. Please pray for Kim and I as we establish structure and schedule at home. Also please pray for us and our trip to Cleveland on Monday for 3 days of chemo. Again, please pray primarily for growth and help pleasing Him!
With love,
Rob
I'm trying to set up a good routine at home between rest/recreation, the therapy exercises they gave me to continue and devotional time with God. I've found I get into bad ruts when I'm in situations where structure isn't a part of my life. If I don't create the structure, my sinful tendency is to get into bad habits. Of course this is no mystery to God who provided structure for His first created beings Adam and Eve - dividing the time into day and night and giving them jobs to do. The fact that this was done before sin tells us that the need for structure isn't because of our sinful nature. I believe God is a God of structure and having structure in our lives pleases him. Please pray for Kim and I as we establish structure and schedule at home. Also please pray for us and our trip to Cleveland on Monday for 3 days of chemo. Again, please pray primarily for growth and help pleasing Him!
With love,
Rob
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Daily Routine
I’m beginning my second week of rehab today so I thought I’d take you through a typical day. The nurses make sure I’m up by 7:00 a.m. at which time I take my bath/shower and get dressed. For the first few days, I took a sponge bath by myself but I’m now wheeling my wheelchair to the shower where I then transfer from the wheelchair to a shower chair to take a shower by myself sitting down. I get dressed and am eating breakfast usually at 8:00 a.m. During the day, I have 1 ½ hours of physical therapy, 1 hour of occupation therapy and ½ hour of recreational therapy.
Physical therapy is usually broken down to an hour block in the morning or afternoon and an additional ½ hour in the afternoon if my hour block is in the morning or in the morning if the hour block is in the afternoon. The goal of physical therapy is strengthening the muscles that I still am able to use and trying to regain movement in areas I currently am unable to use. The therapy consists of lots of exercises that concentrate on my stomach muscles on down as well as practicing getting up and walking with a walker. Today I met my goal of getting up and walking unassisted with my walker 100 feet. It was pretty strenuous!
The occupational therapy hour is broken up to a ½ hour in the morning and a ½ hour in the afternoon. The goal of OT is to work on things I’ll need to function at home and at work. We work on getting in and out of showers, getting off and on toilets, etc. I started off learning how to slide from my wheel chair to various items but have progressed to being able to stand with my walker and using the walker to get off and on the items I need to function day to day. St. Rita’s has an area on the rehab floor that simulates various situations. There’s a car to get in and out of and a kitchen with a fridge, oven, microwave and a sink to work on. There’s also a living room and an area with carpeted floor, etc to practice movement on.
To be real honest, I’m not quite sure what the goal of the ½ daily hour of recreational therapy is. We’ve practiced going up and down ramps, went outside and wheeled on a boardwalk type surface and played Wii bowling. They probably figure I don’t need any help having fun so they don’t know what to do with me!
I’ve appreciated the many comments and e-mails coming my way as a result of this blog. It means a lot.
Joshua 1:8 is one the memory verses I've been working on:
"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth but you shall mediate on it day and night that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success"
Preparing the people of Israel to enter the promised land, Joshua proclaims that that the key to prosperity and success in life is simple: meditating on the Word of God so that the people will obey God's Word. Pretty simple formula when you think about it. I'd venture to say that all of us want prosperity and success in our lives. That is promised by God through the obedience of His Word. Of course the prosperity and success that is spoken of here is prosperity and success as defined by Him which, like God's definition of "good" in Romans 8:28-29, is usually different than ours. Prosperity and success in God's eyes is being transformed into His image through His gracious work. I hope that God's Spirit resides in you and that you are daily enjoying the prosperity and success that is promised through meditation and obedience of His Word.
Rob
Physical therapy is usually broken down to an hour block in the morning or afternoon and an additional ½ hour in the afternoon if my hour block is in the morning or in the morning if the hour block is in the afternoon. The goal of physical therapy is strengthening the muscles that I still am able to use and trying to regain movement in areas I currently am unable to use. The therapy consists of lots of exercises that concentrate on my stomach muscles on down as well as practicing getting up and walking with a walker. Today I met my goal of getting up and walking unassisted with my walker 100 feet. It was pretty strenuous!
The occupational therapy hour is broken up to a ½ hour in the morning and a ½ hour in the afternoon. The goal of OT is to work on things I’ll need to function at home and at work. We work on getting in and out of showers, getting off and on toilets, etc. I started off learning how to slide from my wheel chair to various items but have progressed to being able to stand with my walker and using the walker to get off and on the items I need to function day to day. St. Rita’s has an area on the rehab floor that simulates various situations. There’s a car to get in and out of and a kitchen with a fridge, oven, microwave and a sink to work on. There’s also a living room and an area with carpeted floor, etc to practice movement on.
To be real honest, I’m not quite sure what the goal of the ½ daily hour of recreational therapy is. We’ve practiced going up and down ramps, went outside and wheeled on a boardwalk type surface and played Wii bowling. They probably figure I don’t need any help having fun so they don’t know what to do with me!
I’ve appreciated the many comments and e-mails coming my way as a result of this blog. It means a lot.
Joshua 1:8 is one the memory verses I've been working on:
"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth but you shall mediate on it day and night that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success"
Preparing the people of Israel to enter the promised land, Joshua proclaims that that the key to prosperity and success in life is simple: meditating on the Word of God so that the people will obey God's Word. Pretty simple formula when you think about it. I'd venture to say that all of us want prosperity and success in our lives. That is promised by God through the obedience of His Word. Of course the prosperity and success that is spoken of here is prosperity and success as defined by Him which, like God's definition of "good" in Romans 8:28-29, is usually different than ours. Prosperity and success in God's eyes is being transformed into His image through His gracious work. I hope that God's Spirit resides in you and that you are daily enjoying the prosperity and success that is promised through meditation and obedience of His Word.
Rob
Monday, September 7, 2009
The hospital gave Rob the opportunity for day passes for Saturday, Sunday and Monday to both give us an opportunity to see how things "worked" at our home regarding the wheelchair, shower, etc and to give him the chance to get out of the hospital! They told Rob to take it easy, to not have a lot of people over or go to a place with a lot of people. They did not, however, tell him not to help install a well pump! There he was, wheeling himself and being pushed around the yard, helping lower and raise the pump, giving instructions on the rewiring of it, crimping and wire nutting (I don't if that's a term) wires together, even involving himself in the blow torch part of the operation. We got the new pump installed on Saturday, dropped it back down into the well, turn it on and........ nothing. We figured out the problem was somewhere between the pump and the house but were just too tired to continue! Thankfully, Rick Snyder was able to come over early Sunday morning and found out the the problem was with bad wiring. Wires were replaced and, Bingo!, we had water! We also had a worn out Rob on Saturday. He also spent Sunday at home but decided to stay at the hospital on Monday where he entertained a wonderfully encouraging visit with his cousin Scott.
Kim
Kim
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
One of the biggest blessings I anticipate from this blog is the prayer support I think it will illicit from those of you who visit it. I'll be sharing requests from time to time but also want to share with you what we desire for you to pray for generally. The verses I've placed as part of my title are very familiar to most, at least verse 28 is:
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
I've heard that verse many many times through the years, especially when people are going through tough times. The common understanding is that, for those who love God, God is going to work out the events in our lives so that it culminates in good. Which is exactly what verse 28 is saying. However, since people rarely tack on verse 29 with verse 28 (we'll get to that in a moment!), the "good" that a lot of people believe is going to happen are "good" things in our lives. You'll get a job, you'll find a spouse, you'll get well, etc. etc. etc. Paul's Inspired Word from God on this matter, however, does not end with verse 28. As we continue in verse 29, we find out that God, not us, defines what "good" is:
"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. "
The "good" in verse 28 is referring to being "conformed to the image of His Son" in verse 29 which is the goal and purpose of all who are truly believers after our conversion. In other words, what these verses are saying is that God orchestrates all events in our lives, even pain and suffering, to accomplish His purpose in us: becoming more like His Son Jesus Christ! That is an awesome truth! It gives purpose and meaning to what is happening with all of us! We don't have to ask or pray to God to reveal to us what His purpose is in our circumstances because He has already revealed that to us in His Word. His purpose with all our circumstances is to glorify Him and conform us in to the image of His Son. With this purpose known to Kim and I, we are also reminded that it is not simply going through or getting through the trial that makes us more like Christ but obedience in the trial that results in the growth that God desires us to have.
With that in mind, I would implore each of you to make the main focus of your prayers not on healing or comfort, but that God would continually help Kim and I (which He will of course) daily seek to glorify Him throughout this event in our lives and seek out our own personal sins, replacing them with right thinking and right actions, so that His Spirit would continue to conform us in to the image of His son. Kim and I have already seen evidence of this taking place in our lives the last couple of months. He has humbled us on many specifics that have been a sinful place in our lives for too long and has helped us put off those sins, replacing them with God's righteous replacement.
Sometimes the focus on praying for healing is disguised under the banner of "healing so that you can more fully serve God in the future." Obviously the purpose of good health and healing is to enable us to serve and minister without restrictions. However, I would ask that you be directing your prayers towards helping Kim and I minister NOW within the situation. God has already allowed me privileges of sharing His Truth in my sickness that I would not have had had my summer gone on without incident. From the "christian" chaplain at one of the hospitals who was trying to sell his "learning how to use the power god has put inside us to heal us" to a deep conversation/sharing of the gospl with one of of our three unsaved children, I've already been blessed with opportunities and look forward to more. Please pray for the ministry opportunities God already has in store for us on a daily basis.
Wow! Sorry I hijacked this blog and turned it into a mini sermon! Thanks for enduring it!
In short, Kim and I do covet your prayers and appreciate your desire to pray for us. Please use this blog(mini-sermon!) as a guide as to the specifics of what we would desire you pray for.
If you choose to put me on a church prayer list, I'd ask that you not just put it on there "praying for healing" but that you would explain specifically what we would like people to pray for. That's been a burden of mine through my years as a pastor, the amount of time we spend praying for what are temporal things on earth (physical needs, healing, etc) instead of what is eternal. When you look at the examples of prayer Scripture gives us, there is very little pointed towards the physical while the vast majority of prayers is for the Spiritual. We should do, and pray, likewise.
With love,
Rob
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
I've heard that verse many many times through the years, especially when people are going through tough times. The common understanding is that, for those who love God, God is going to work out the events in our lives so that it culminates in good. Which is exactly what verse 28 is saying. However, since people rarely tack on verse 29 with verse 28 (we'll get to that in a moment!), the "good" that a lot of people believe is going to happen are "good" things in our lives. You'll get a job, you'll find a spouse, you'll get well, etc. etc. etc. Paul's Inspired Word from God on this matter, however, does not end with verse 28. As we continue in verse 29, we find out that God, not us, defines what "good" is:
"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. "
The "good" in verse 28 is referring to being "conformed to the image of His Son" in verse 29 which is the goal and purpose of all who are truly believers after our conversion. In other words, what these verses are saying is that God orchestrates all events in our lives, even pain and suffering, to accomplish His purpose in us: becoming more like His Son Jesus Christ! That is an awesome truth! It gives purpose and meaning to what is happening with all of us! We don't have to ask or pray to God to reveal to us what His purpose is in our circumstances because He has already revealed that to us in His Word. His purpose with all our circumstances is to glorify Him and conform us in to the image of His Son. With this purpose known to Kim and I, we are also reminded that it is not simply going through or getting through the trial that makes us more like Christ but obedience in the trial that results in the growth that God desires us to have.
With that in mind, I would implore each of you to make the main focus of your prayers not on healing or comfort, but that God would continually help Kim and I (which He will of course) daily seek to glorify Him throughout this event in our lives and seek out our own personal sins, replacing them with right thinking and right actions, so that His Spirit would continue to conform us in to the image of His son. Kim and I have already seen evidence of this taking place in our lives the last couple of months. He has humbled us on many specifics that have been a sinful place in our lives for too long and has helped us put off those sins, replacing them with God's righteous replacement.
Sometimes the focus on praying for healing is disguised under the banner of "healing so that you can more fully serve God in the future." Obviously the purpose of good health and healing is to enable us to serve and minister without restrictions. However, I would ask that you be directing your prayers towards helping Kim and I minister NOW within the situation. God has already allowed me privileges of sharing His Truth in my sickness that I would not have had had my summer gone on without incident. From the "christian" chaplain at one of the hospitals who was trying to sell his "learning how to use the power god has put inside us to heal us" to a deep conversation/sharing of the gospl with one of of our three unsaved children, I've already been blessed with opportunities and look forward to more. Please pray for the ministry opportunities God already has in store for us on a daily basis.
Wow! Sorry I hijacked this blog and turned it into a mini sermon! Thanks for enduring it!
In short, Kim and I do covet your prayers and appreciate your desire to pray for us. Please use this blog(mini-sermon!) as a guide as to the specifics of what we would desire you pray for.
If you choose to put me on a church prayer list, I'd ask that you not just put it on there "praying for healing" but that you would explain specifically what we would like people to pray for. That's been a burden of mine through my years as a pastor, the amount of time we spend praying for what are temporal things on earth (physical needs, healing, etc) instead of what is eternal. When you look at the examples of prayer Scripture gives us, there is very little pointed towards the physical while the vast majority of prayers is for the Spiritual. We should do, and pray, likewise.
With love,
Rob
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
A day off of physical therapy as Kim drove me up to the Clinic for an appointment with my oncologist and to have my stiches and staples removed (Kim's getting pretty good at city driving which used to freak her out - getting lots of practice!). We also worked on a schedule of upcoming treatments. 2 more R-ICE treatments at the Clinic where I'll have to spend at least a night each time and 2 treatments through my ommaya per week which, thankfully, will be given through a local oncologist.
Rob
Rob
In May of 2007, I was diagnosed with a form of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. After undergoing chemotherapy (CHOP) from June through October of that year, the disease went into remission. After a consultation with another oncologist in March, 2008, a round of radiation as well as two more intrathecal injections of chemotherapy into my spinal fluid (I'd already had one) were ordered. The disease continued to be in remission until the early summer of 2009. What began as muscle pains in my calves quickly progressed to weakness and limitation of movement in my lower legs. I then saw my family doctor and a neurologist who began treateing me for neuro-muscular problems. The treatments did not help and eventually I had constant pain in my feet and could only walk with great difficulty and a cane. A stay at St. Rita's hospital in Lima led to more tests and scans which, while not showing obvious signs of lymphoma, nonetheless showed signs of inflation within my spinal chord. I was given a more aggressive approach to the pain with increases in pain pills and lost a lot of the mobility I had due to the relative inactivity I had while in the hospital. I was released but the pain only increased and the mobility decreased until Kim and I decided (with the urging of caring friends) to drive to Cleveland and check into the Cleveland Clinic's emergency room for treatment there. The more advanced nature of the tests and scans given there showed that the cause of the neurological issues was that my NHL (non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma) had recurred within my spinal chord. This is a very serious condition and the Clinic responded with entering me into a series of chemotherapy (R-ICE) and more injections of chemo into my spinal fluid. After one treatment of each of those, an Ommaya reservoir (a shunt of sorts allowing injections of chemo treatment into my spinal chord fluid instead of using lumbar punctures for each one) was surgically implanted. I was released from the Cleveland Clinic on Friday, August 28 and re-entered St. Rita's in Lima, this time into their acute rehab wing for more intense work recovering as much strength and movement from my lower legs as possible and learning how to use various devices I may now need (wheelchair, walker, etc). They're really not sure what, if anything neurological, will be reversed as treatments continue.
Rob
Rob
Hi all,
Thought I’d begin this blog as a response to the many who, due to the recent medical issues in my life, have called and e-mailed lovingly for updates on my condition. Keeping everyone informed through this blog will not only serve to be efficient as our time is limited right now, but will also give all of you the opportunity to not only read of what’s going on and respond in blog form and more importantly in prayer. Thanks for visiting.
Here goes!
Thought I’d begin this blog as a response to the many who, due to the recent medical issues in my life, have called and e-mailed lovingly for updates on my condition. Keeping everyone informed through this blog will not only serve to be efficient as our time is limited right now, but will also give all of you the opportunity to not only read of what’s going on and respond in blog form and more importantly in prayer. Thanks for visiting.
Here goes!
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