Gamma Knife July 2nd

Mom's gamma knife procedure is scheduled for July 2nd. She has not felt well the last couple of days. Please continue to pray. I started the site counter less than 40 hrs ago and already 115 hits. That's a lot of people who care about her! What an encouragement.

Gamma Knife consultation

Sarah drove Mom to the University of Kentucky in Lexington this morning for a consultation with the doctor about possible gamma knife radiation to treat her brain mets. Unlike basketball and football, apparently UK is better than U of L when it comes to oncology radiation equipment. Who knew they were better in anything, right? Anyway, she is having another MRI on her brain (the 4th or 5th now maybe?) that is suppose to be even more detailed so the computer will be able to pinpoint the exact spot to radiate the tumors. If everything goes well today, we expect she will have the procedure done sometime next week. It is still not a sure thing yet. The doctor might decide to wait depending on the results of the new MRI. The tumors might be too small right now or, if the MRI reveals any additional brain mets (praying not), they might radiate her entire brain instead of using a gamma knife on a particular spot. The good news is that Dr. Miller wants to take care of her brain mets now. Frankly, the reason we were first told Mom wasnt a candidate for the gamma knife was that the radiation takes up to 3 months to effectively destroy the tumors, and the doctors prognosis based on her abdomen was not that good. Dr. Miller was much more optimistic. He told us there was little change, good or bad, in the PET scan of Mom's abdomen from April to June and there was no reason we shouldnt go ahead and try to take care of the brain mets. The difference in opinions from the doctors last week is hard to understand. They were looking at the same scans, right? Dr. Miller has treated over 10,000 cases of melanoma in his career. We all trust his opinion the most. He has such a great way about him. Confident, yet caring. Calm and concerned. He balances optimism with the harsh reality of cancer better than anyone we've dealt with. No wonder he is the director of the Brown Cancer Center. I really wish we could deal with him exclusively from now on, but he is a very busy man. We have all built a very good rapport with Dr. Miller and he seems so genuinely concerned on a personal level about Mom's situation . It is very comforting to us to have him on our side. As soon as I hear from Sarah and Mom I will update the blog with Mom's plans.
Here's a link about gamma knife: http://gammaknife.org/
Here's a link detailing Dr. Miller's impressive resume: http://browncancercenter.org/research/researcher.aspx?id=1642
Check out his picture; He reminds us all of my late grandfather, John Jackson.

God bless,
Boog

Good News!

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Prov 3:5-6.

Normally, I am not the blogger in the family, but Boog does not have internet connectivity right now and Shannon is trying to catch up on e-mails and phone calls, so I thought I would try to pass along the events of the last few days.

We have been blessed with a great visit up here in KY, made much easier since I am still on leave prior to starting my new job. The kids have enjoyed there time with the cousins, friends Say Say and Giggy.

The cousins left for Florida on Friday, but were fortunately replace (in part) by Sarah returning from Nicarauga on Saturday to help keep the kids occupied and from being bored, an often heard comment around here for the last couple of days.

Sunday was a day with our family celebrating Fathers Day with much of the family in a variety of ways. We were blessed with beautiful weather, fun in the pool, and great memories.

Honestly however, the last couple of days though have just been waiting for today and the appointment with Dr. Miller. This appointment was to reveal the course of future treatments and all of us were nervous based on the events of Thursday and Friday and the massive amount of bad news that we had received.

Dr. Miller was much more optimistic than the doctors last week. The bottom line is this, there are in fact two small lesions in Vicky's brain. These will most effectively (and most likely) be treated in Lexington using a "gamma knife" in the next couple of weeks. Following that, she will return to the Ontak treatment as it has proven to stem the spread of her cancer. The second initial scare from last week was that the cake around her stomach lining had actually increased. In truth, though, it has stabilized or slightly reduced in size. Praise God!!!!

So the good news for all of us was that there is a continued treatment path for Vicky with hope of continued results, thr tumors in the brain exist, but were not the cause the stroke and at this point are treatable. Obviously, the cancer still exists but we have a renewed strength in the promises of the LORD.

For all who have called or e-mailed and we have not called you back, we apologize and will call soon. For all those who have and continue to pray, know that we pray and serve a living GOD who loves us and hears our prayers.

in Christ,

Gavin

Mom is home. MRI reveals bad news

Mom was rushed to the hospital because her MRI revealed that she had had a stroke. In her weakened condition, the symptoms were disguised as regular effects of her cancer. Loss of balance, weakness, and dizziness were all signs of both. She has had a few episodes of blurry vision that could have tipped us off sooner, but no one knew. The doctors were surprised she didnt suffer more devastating effects of the stroke. Thank God she has pretty much fully recovered. Maybe she is a tiny bit weaker on her left side now, but nothing noticeable.

Unfortunately, the MRI also revealed that the cancer has spread to her brain. She has two small tumors. One is only 2mm in diameter and the other is 3mm. The MRI also revealed progressive disease in her abdomen area. This is not at all shocking since her taps have had to increase in frequency from every two weeks a couple months ago to now every 5-6 days. The doctors didnt have many good answers. The neurologists talked about using a gamma knife (concentrated radiation to the brain tumors) to help treat her brain lesions, but decided against it since the tumors are so small and her disease is so advanced in her abdomen. Until they find a way to control the cancer around her stomach, efforts in other areas would be in vain. We go back to the Brown Center on Tuesday to talk to Dr. Miller and Dr. Chesney about any additional options of treatment.

While receiving all this bad news, Mom has been a pillar of strength. Her attitude and good-spirit have been so inspirational. Words fail to describe what an impact she has made on me the last few days. I wish all those reading could witness the strength and determination she displays. You would truly be moved and touched in a profound way. She understands her condition has taken a very bad turn for the worse, and yet, she is an absolute rock. Sure, she gets upset and sad at times, but they are fleeting emotions for her. I often think how many people in the world today, given her circumstances, would plunge into a deep, dark depression for the remainder of their life. Yet, mom is thriving in a positive, loving, selfless state of mind. This blog will never be able to do her courage justice. What a lesson for all of us. What a tremendous example she is setting for all to see. I feel unbelievably blessed just to know her. To call her my mother is an unfathomable honor.

In the midst of all this bad news, there was fantastic news that overshadowed it all. Mom was baptized into Christ on Friday afternoon after we got home from the hospital. We did it right in her pool in the backyard. I had had many conversations with Mom in the past about the importance of baptism and its place in the gospel plan of salvation. Over the last few months we have been studying more and more. On our way back home from the hospital we had opportunity to talk again, and I asked her if she had given it more thought. She decided she wanted to do it. She remembers being sprinkled sometime in the past, but wanted to be baptized the simple bible way for the simple bible reasons. I cant express the joy that I felt. The spiritual always trumps the physical. The eternal over the temporal. Praise God Almighty!

Thanks for all of the fervent prayers on Mom's behalf!

For those interested, here are a few key scriptures that Mom and I studied together:

Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:16;John 3:3-5;Luke 24:45-50 with Acts 2; Acts 8:26-40; Acts 22:16; Romans 6; Gal 3:27; Col 2:12; 1 Pet 3:21

PRAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Mom has been admitted to the hospital. They found a tumor on her brain and they said she is on the verge of a stroke ---- I am leaving immediately -- boog and everyone else is at University. Sarah is being contacted ASAP -- we need your urgent prayers --tell everyone --

shannon

Under Attack

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast ALL your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." 1 Peter 5: 6-9

I have been under attack today. I have let fear consume me. Forgive me, Lord because this is not of you. Keep me strong in your Word -- only you give me strength and peace.

I made mom go in and get a tap today. I can tell when she needs one. I call yesterday and they said they could get her in today at 11am. I didn't want her to be completely uncomfortable tomorrow when she has her MRI and PET scan. I was blown away when I talk to her and Jenn after the tap. Within 5 short days she filled up so much that they took 4 Lts out and mom said there was more fluid but they stopped because it was becoming too uncomfortable. They said they could have probably gotten another 1/2 lt. out. She lost 9lbs in 5 days -- she is now at 123lbs. She had been mantaining 125.6 for a few weeks and I had just said I was so proud of her and ourselves of keeping her weight up. I was humbled today. I could tell also she has been a little down and I think today being tapped so soon and knowing she lost more weight got her down even more. Jenn goes to Florida on Friday and we are planning on meeting in Nashville so mom can spend the weekend with me in TN. Then I will drive her up to KY for her appointment on Tuesday with Dr. Miller. We should get the results of the MRI and PET scan that day and talk to us about further treatment. Please keep our family and mom in yours prayers constantly. I know I need them.

Love to all -- keep praying for mom

Shannon

Up to KY and now back in TN

Mom and I drove up to KY on Thursday for her tap which was scheduled for the next day. Mom was pretty miserable the last 2 days she was in TN. Her belly starts to get full really quickly and her discomfort is horrible. After begging and pleading with mom to leave early she wanted to stay until we left on Thurs. We went out that night which I was quite surprised mom could handle it though she only had a potato and a margarita. The next morning she got tapped at 9am and they took just under 4 liters out. If you have never seen anyone get tapped or seen the stuff that comes out, it looks pretty much like beer....all foamy at the top. It still amazes me how much they can get out of mom. Many people ask me why she has to do this. The tumors in the periteneal (coating of the organs) are hindering the proper function of the liver. The liver is the "motor" of our body. Moms liver is being overworked and so it is secreting lots of fluid, waste, etc. all around her abdomin. Mom has a small tumor on her liver, but even that is not doing much damage. It is all the tumors in the periteneal that is effecting the liver. Please pray that all her organs and her body function according to the way God intended.

After her tap, I took her home and cleaned the pool and got all that set up. If anyone knows mom, she LOVES her pool. She loves having the grandkids over to swim and has always opened her home up to pool parties. Afterwards, she took a nap and I did some running around. I came back later that afternoon and mom seemed a little lonely and sad. I was going to leave to go back to TN, but decided to stay a few more hours and I took her shopping with me. By the time I took her back to the house we were in tears. I know I am now less than 6 hours away, but it still just broke my heart to leave her. We cried. We prayed. I love praying with my mom. It will be something I will always remember. Then I had to get out of the house as soon as I could before I was really a mess. We are both good now. I am back in TN and call mom morning and night to check up and make sure she has taken the massive amount of pills she is required to take, then the pain meds, and then of course the pills I want her to take (JUICE PLUS, Liver enzyme pill, anti-fungal pill,) and then I make sure she is eating, drinking, etc. She is my baby now. I am honored to return the favor.

"Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord you God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you." Deut. 5:16

Love to all-- pray for mom.
Shannon

Your Welcoming Committe In Heaven

This video will be worth your 8 minutes; we promise.

Mom just got off the computer and for the first time got to read alot of the blogs and all your comments. She watched this video as well....of course it made her cry. She loved reading all the comments as well. She was amazed at just how many people are really reading this and how much people care for her. If you want to leave her a message I will make sure she reads it. I am hoping one day she can post her own blog message.

Love to all-- keep praying for mom.
Shan

Super Vic

Mom and I and all the kiddos drove down to TN last Friday and were greeted by a million boxes....YEAH!!! The great thing was that Gavin and his dad had already painted some rooms and got the playset up. Mom was excited to see the house and we immediately dove head first into unpacking. Mom loves this sort of thing. She always gets so excited in decorating, esp. the girls rooms. On Saturday I think she did just as much as I did and was thoroughly impressed by all her energy and strength. It was like having my "old mom" back. She was bossing me around and telling where to put things. Yesterday she even wallpapered the girls rooms with these cute huge flower die cuts, and I may add all by herself. She did a great job. Mom's appetite is great. We went to this local dive called Vinegar Jim's and she had catfish, coleslaw and fries (of course moms staple food) Today we went to check out the base in Millington and went to the commisary. We came home and she had a great lunch (chicken salad), but then she got really sick and had to lie down. She gets a little depressed from time to time because she just wants to feel normal without pain meds. There were a few tears between us, but it is always so good. We are suppose to drive back to KY on Thursday for her tap on Friday. I keep asking her how her belly is doing and she seems to be doing fine. Continue to pray for the fluid to cease.

Love to all, keep praying for mom!

Shan
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13