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.

>>>>>>>>>>

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.

>>>>>>>>>>

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

Nelson’s journal 6/9/22

Posted on June 18, 2023 by Margaret

Physical pain is something all of us hate. When it comes, we try to get rid of it asap. At other times we can bear it, though it dominates body and spirit relentlessly. Nelson is in that place, enduring suffering while understanding that it comes with the territory—the cancer territory.

(A footnote: At the time, I don’t remember him complaining or highlighting his pain in any way. Most of the time we didn’t know he was suffering at all. He smiled broadly for every picture.)

One happy development is that baby Will has become more content, smiling often and winning the hearts of the medical staff.

>>>>>>>>>>

June 9, 2022

Mayo Clinic.

Been dealing with draining lungs and doctors teaching these nurses to do it on me, which has been painful to say the least. I can barely stand it, but I’m trying to distract myself from the pain of the thing itself.

Physical pain goes so hand-in-hand with cancer, that it’s almost like you get desensitized to it.

Annso said she will drain my lung from here on out, so that’s good. I’m glad there are solutions at least…even if it’s painful to get them to work right.

>>>>>>>>>>

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble.” (Psalm 50:15)

Nelson’s journal 6/6/22

Posted on June 16, 2023 by Margaret

It’s been three weeks since Nelson last journaled, 21 days of unexpected change and increasing pain.

He, with Ann Sophie and baby Will, made the quick decision to leave YWAM open-endedly in order to pursue medical care for Nelson. Cousin Luke convinced them to move to Rochester, Minnesota, 80 miles from his home, to be treated at the Mayo Clinic.

On May 16, after packing two suitcases with clothes but taking nothing else, they left their Kona apartment and everything in it, as well as their jobs, their cars, and their history there. The destination was Luke’s house where he generously told them they could stay as long as they wanted.

I drove north from Michigan on that same day, meeting them at the Minneapolis airport with Luke. Their planned future had been erased, and whatever was going to replace it was unknown…all of it.

Job one was to find a place to live that was near Mayo’s. Nelson had looked at apartments on his laptop from his Kona hospital bed.

So we started there, and secured a small two-bedroom apartment to call home—with literally nothing in it.

But Luke came to our rescue yet again, providing multiple pieces of stored furniture he said he didn’t need. We were immensely grateful.

During these three weeks, Mayo was doing a thorough analysis of Nelson’s health. We learned it wasn’t lymphoma after all but was far worse: stage 4 lung cancer. Nelson was meeting with doctors and scan techs every day, giving blood and receiving a measure of breathing relief by having his lung drained repeatedly.

Even still, he’d suffered three more panic attacks, unable to get enough air. Each resulted in a rush to the ER, the last one requiring hospitalization.

>>>>>>>>>>

June 6, 2022

Sitting in this hospital room for the second night trying to get a handle on the vomiting and pain caused by opiates and fluid in my lungs. They’ll put a stint in tomorrow morning so I can drain it on my own.

Lots of panic in the night time. Hard to keep my mind through it all. Been at the breaking point many times, hanging over the toilet and trash cans. It’s so painful and scary, but I know God is here somehow. =\]

>>>>>>>>>>

”The Lord himself will be with you. He will never leave you.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)