Thursday, April 7, 2011

UPDATE ON SUZETTE -

I have not addressed Suzette's cancer diagnosis or treatment since my 1-1-11 update.

As most of you know, we are walking out a very difficult journey and a testing of our faith.  We are 6 months & 10 days into this journey which began on 9-28-10.  During this time she has had 8 chemo treatments.  After treatments 2 & 4 she had CT scans that showed a slight decrease in the tumor. 

After her 5th treatment, which was January 20th, she and her oncologist decided she needed a break from the chemo.  She had a Port put in her right side on February 16th.  On February 18th we took her to the hospital to have her lung drained for the 4th time.  She had her 3rd CT scan that showed the tumor was slightly worse.  After her 5 week break on February 24th they began giving her a slightly less harsh chemo (Alimta) . 

On March 3rd she and I attended her first meeting at a support group I had located at the local American Lung Association.  They meet every Thursday at noon.  It was good and we intended to return, but to date have been unable to do so. The following Thursday on March 10th we had an appointment with the oncologist and planned to go from there to the meeting but Suzette was so winded and hurting that we returned to her home.  The following Sunday evening she and Dave attended another support group that meets the 2nd Sunday of each month from 4 to 5:30 at Asbury Methodist Church.  I am so thankful we have located these two support groups.

March was a VERY harsh month, both weather wise and as far as Suzette's health is concerned.  On March 17th Suzette was in the hospital for 4 days for a Pleurodesis procedure.  It is a surgery where talc is placed between the lung lining and the rib cage.  This is to seal it up so the fluid does not collect there and have to be drained.  Both the surgeon and the oncologist are very pleased with the results of the operation.  

During the last number of weeks Suzette began complaining of pain in her right hip area.  The oncologist thought it might be arthritis which can be a result of chemo treatments but on March 24th, when she went in for her next chemo treatment she was so ill the Dr. cancelled the chemo and set her up for an MRI the following day.  On the 25th she had an 1 hour & 15 minute MRI from her neck down below her pelvis.  It was horrible for her....laying in that cold, hard, narrow, noisy tube flat on her back for that long.  

March 31st.....6 months and 3 days after the original diagnosis she was informed the cancer has spread and she has three small spots on her spine.  They will be able to treat these with radiation.  She has appointments this week on Tuesday. Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday for both radiation & chemo.  Dave will take off to take  her on Tuesday & Wednesday and Mickey & I will take her on Thursday & Friday. 

During our one visit with the Thursday support group we had been given a brochure about a Cancer Symposium for Saturday, April 2nd from 8:15 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.  We had hoped to go and we DID!!!  Dave brought her at 8:30 to meet me there.  The symposium, called Celebrating the Art of Healing, was wonderful.  The guest speaker, who spoke from 9 to 10 was from Dallas.  Then they had 2 breakout sessions and then lunch at 12:30.  You could either go to the cafeteria or they had box lunches.  Suzette & I opted for the box lunches and went outside and sat on a metal bench in the sunshine and fresh air.  IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY, both weather wise and the symposium.  After lunch Suzette felt that it was time for her to go home, she was getting tired, so we left.  I was so pleased we were able to take in so much of the program.  We both learned a LOT.

By the way, we stopped at McD's and ate an ice cream cone in the car on our way home!!!  

OUR FAITH IS STRONG!!!!!!  We are NOT giving up.  As I wrote on my fb post on Saturday, April 2nd,

Help us Holy Spirit to take yet another step into You! The enemy has tried to steal our joy, but we refuse to give it up or give in. Suzette & I went to a Symposium for Cancer Survivors today that was so good and such a blessing. WE WIN ..... because Jesus has done it all, the Holy Spirit is with us and our Triune God is for us......who then can be against us?

I started this post on Monday, the 4th - it is now Thursday the 7th and we just returned from Suzette's 8 chemo treatment and she will have a 9th one tomorrow morning at 8:45.

We had more bad news from the radiologist on Tuesday but we stand with the above fb post of the 2nd and our prayer is that many of you will stand in agreement with us for Suzette's healing. 

JESUS HAS PAID THE COST, BY HIS STRIPES SUZETTE IS
HEALED!!!!!

  
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21 comments:

Momma Roar said...

Thank you for taking the time to write this out for us to read. I've been thinking of you all alot and didn't want to press for info.

I've got a song I want you to listen to! Please share it with Suzette if you haven't heard it yet.

Praying that you each feel God's touch as you rest in His hands.

Unknown said...

Not wanting to hear the bad parts of this post but continue to stand in faith with you on Suzettes complete healing, wheather it be here on earth or in Heaven it will be God's will that is done.

Mari said...

I'm sorry it's been such a tough few months. I know that in spite of these hard times, you have felt God's love and care, and we do continue to stand in faith with you!

Oklahoma Granny said...

I have kept and continue to keep Suzette, the whole family and the medical staff in my prayers.

Mary said...

I will continue to pray.

Debra said...

So sorry to hear of this Susan. Please know that I stand with you as well. God bless, comfort and give you all strength for this difficult journey.

Dawn said...

I am so sorry that you and your family are going through such a tough time. But I love your strong faith.

Brenda said...

We're standing with you, Susan.
God bless all of you with supernatural strength that only comes from Him.
(((hugs)))

Cheryl @ TFD said...

You, Suzette and your family will continue to be in our prayers. God bless you all.

retha said...

I can just hold your hand, although from a distance.

Sharon said...

Oh Susan I will stand with you and your family in prayer for Suzette.
I know that God will give you the strength to get through this.
Have a blessed weekend.

Carole Burant said...

My heart and prayers go out to Suzette and all of you as well. May the Lord hear all of our prayers. xoxo

kc bob said...

I am standing with you, Mickey and Suzette in the love of God. Here is a scripture that I claim for Suzette:

"He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?"

God is able!

Jill said...

Thank you for updating us - I continue to lift you all up in prayer every single day. Hugs!

Danny Wright said...

we're continuing to pray.

Kathy said...

We're standing in faith, by faith, and in prayer with you all, Susan. NOTHING is too difficult for Christ, the Anointed Son of God. Our Lord is forever able to do above and beyond all we could ask or imagine.

My heart has a measure of sorrow for this very difficult time through which you all are walking. Strength and comfort, dear Father, for this precious family of ours. And you are that.

MightyMom said...

am praying.

Mountain Mama said...

Dear Susan, My heart aches for you. You have all been in my prayers and I do stand with you holding tight to God's promises. BY JESUS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED!
My special friend John is going through the bone cancer scare too but I am telling him the same thing you have posted. Jesus paid already. We need to claim this loud and clear.
I wish you and I could talk. There is so much to share.
Love you dear. God bless all of you.

Maxine said...

I will continue to pray, Susan. One thing we know for sure is that the Lord our God knows exactly what He is doing.

Susan Skitt said...

I just prayed dear sister for your precious daughter and you all as you travel this journey trusting our Lord Jesus.

My sister-in-law who is younger than me (in her mid 30's) was just diagnosed with breast cancer and they immediately put her on chemo and will do a masectomy with radiation to follow. Please lift up a prayer for Jen Skitt and her husband Dave (my husband's brother). They are believers praise God and have the hope and help and strength of the Lord in this very difficult trial.

Love and prayers,
Susan

Barbara said...

Have been thinking of you a lot recently, particularly as our closest friend is travelling this same journey along with another friend.

Our hearts go out to you all and we continue to pray and think of you in this most difficult time.

May you be strengthened not on ly in Spirit but in body too Susan as you support Suzette. Love Barbara