Nelson’s journal 7/13/22

Posted on June 27, 2023 by Margaret

It doesn’t help anything that Nelson is now struggling against the symptoms of Covid as well as those of advanced cancer. Mayo Clinic is staying on top of testing and treatment, though Covid restrictions have pushed the next scheduled chemo forward to an indefinite date. This is scary and discouraging, since without chemo treatments, the cancer grows at breakneck speed. But Nelson remains positive.

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July 13, 2022

Since a positive Covid reading came back for me the day before yesterday, I was told no “in person” visits at the clinic for 10 days. That seems to have set me back, as my next round of Chemo had been set for July 20.

Even if they wanted to go ahead, it’s unsure if [a general] chemotherapy fits with the latest finding of a genetic mutation that would change the course of treatment going forward.

Lots of layers to the onion and lots of teams working together but on separate, specific areas and methods of treatment—working toward the goal of a cancer-free Nelson.

Today, I was in touch with the folks in the radiology department but no treatment beyond that. They were just touching base to see if any areas had become problematic since my last meeting with them. I asked about the mutations and a few other things, but they directed me to the general oncology folks.

Overall, my condition has some good and some challenging parts. There is rarely a report that comes back “all good.” This time, the platelet levels had gone up from 32 to 50 in a 24 hour period—a very good thing. That was the exact number Annso had asked the Lord for. She was stoked!

I’m well enough to endure the next Chemo treatment. However……. this latest set of blood tests showed my Neutrophil (white blood cell) levels being extremely low.

On July 11, the reading was 1.15 and on July 13, down to 0.38. I have to be extra careful not to cut myself or get sick in any way. They somehow lifted the Covid rules to let me have a blood draw this morning and another one tomorrow, to continue checking.

If there’s one thing they are here, it’s thorough. Always wanting to make sure they don’t miss anything, and for that I’m thankful. Please pray:

– that swelling in feet goes down

– that I can stay out of the hospital if at all possible

– that nothing gets missed

– for resolution to the blood clot issue [a large clot under left clavicle bone], which causes swelling in the left arm

– that we can grab ahold of the spiritual side of things as we go through this.

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“[Lord], may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” (Psalm 143:10)

Nelson’s journal 6/28/22

Posted on June 25, 2023 by Margaret

In today’s entry, Nelson “dances around” the everyday question that’s front and center on his mind and then asks God about it.

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June 28, 2022

It’s an absolutely unreal time. There is no way it could have been predicted, just like lots of things these days.

It’s like, “Wow! Donald Trump is president.” to “Wow, they actually expect people to walk around with masks on their faces? That will never happen.” to, “Haha! I’m 49 and I just had a baby with the woman of my dreams.” and then all the way to…….. “I can’t believe we live 5 minutes from the Mayo clinic, and I’m getting treated for stage 4 lung cancer.”

There’s almost nothing that would shock me at this point. I can’t even imagine anything getting any crazier, in a way. Then again, I could imagine quite a bit, but I dare don’t even think about it.

Seems to be no limit to what might happen. I guess it’s always been that way, just something seemed to have been holding back. What do I know? I’m a man alive for a little while, but it sure seems weird lately, is all I’m saying.

Tonight Annso and I left Will with Linni [a sister who was visiting] and went to this gun shop, which was more like a guy’s garage, but that’s where the map led. I wanted to ask about shipping my Glock here, and it was one more reason why I’m glad we moved to Minnesota.

I never thought this would be a place I’d like to live. Never considered it for an instant, even though Luke probably invited me more times than Uncle Edward invited me to California. Actually, I like the 4 seasons better anyway. It’s more fitting for me to live and work in.

I’m glad we’re here. We looked at a couple duplexes, just walked around the outside and called a realtor. Who knows. Our apartment lease ends in November, but we want to start getting a feel for the market, in case we want to buy something eventually.

It could happen, and I don’t want to let another period of life slip by only at the end of it to say, “I wish I had bought a house when we first got here.”

God has given me more chances than I deserve, and it’s possible he might even give me one more this late in the game. He’s like that, and that’s who I know you to be, Lord. You gave me a baby and a girl who is devoted to me, so why wouldn’t you give me more time?

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“If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:15)

Nelson’s journal 6/17/22

Posted on June 23, 2023 by Margaret

Scripture outlines the best way for people to live. Following God’s advice will guarantee a satisfying, productive life, but oh how difficult it can be to actually live that way.

In today’s journal entry, writing as a man who has a deadly cancer, Nelson tries to convince himself not to fear what hasn’t happened yet.

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June 17, 2022

“Been journaling a fair amount up here in Rochester [MN], our new home, since we arrived about a month ago. It’s been tough with all the pain and pain pills, to stay motivated to write and do academic stuff. Funny that the things you worry about seldom happen, and the ones you never think of, actually do.

Take my condition here. In years past I worried a fair amount about being gone from my extended family out in Hawaii or India or wherever I was traveling, and missing things, thinking that maybe someday I’d regret it.

I thought maybe one day, when Mom gets sick or dies, that I’d wish I had been around. But believing I was called to be where I was, combined with Mom’s blessing on it, justified staying the course.

Then all of a sudden one day, in the ER in Kona, I was told “Cancer” by the doc as I was admitted for a 5 day stint. We bailed on the islands in record-breaking fashion and started living here in an apartment and even inviting Mom to live with us, and she’s been our roommate ever since.

Now she and I are spending time together, not mission-out or anything. The only thing is: we are not here because she’s sick, but it’s me instead. What I feared didn’t happen, but something else did, something I never thought about that brought about the same result, and even quicker.