Nelson’s journal 7/10/22

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In early July, we had a “changing of the guard” at the little Rochester apartment.  Ann Sophie’s mother arrived from Germany, and I drove back to Michigan to meet up with other family.

Nelson and his family had intended to be with us after driving across the country in an RV, but the unexpected cancer and the timing of his chemo made that impossible. But Astrid’s arrival gave everyone a boost as she met her first grandchild and began lending a hand in unnumbered ways.

 

In early July, Nelson endured another hospitalization during which (among other things) his left arm and both legs were tightly wrapped in order to limit swelling. The blood clot beneath his left clavicle bone was hampering proper circulation.

Happily, the hospital continued to ignore the rules when little Will came wheeling through the oncology halls to visit his daddy. Though children weren’t allowed, eventually he won them all  over.

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July 10, 2022:

Second Chemo down, 2 more to go on this round. Been puking.

Astrid is here with us. We talk about leaving the familiar and setting out for the unknown. They are similar to us.

I just spent about 45 minutes out on the porch thinking about Hawaii and going back there or not to get our stuff. As much as I want to go back and collect the stuff, I can’t justify $1600 on tickets to get some tools and a few kitchen supplies. It’s only stuff.

Jesus said, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” (Luke 12:15)

I gave Dani Fuchs my Ruckus moped because I felt God told me to do it. We have to decide what to try and get back from Hale Ola, and what to just let go. We can donate things as a sort of tithe, although the lines get grey with what’s fair and what’s greedy on prices, etc. Money is really something that shows the condition of the human heart. We all seem to fall short in that area.

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“The blessing of the Lord makes rich….” (Proverbs 10:22)

Nelson’s journal 7/13/22

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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

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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)