Okay…I am just being lazy…this is an email that Frank wrote, but it says it all, so here’s the update:
Every week seems to bring something more, but this upcoming week appears to be the start of Carol's chemo process. On Monday she is back up to Johns Hopkins for “chemo class’ which we will all attend with her, then she is off to have a liver biopsy which will provide the pathology on the type of cancer she has (we still pray that the biopsy will show benign lesions), and depending on Dr. Giday’s schedule, have a stent placed in her bile duct. The blood work she had last Friday showed “elevated enzyme levels” and they were surprised that Carol didn’t look yellow. (She doesn’t yet.) Apparently her severe abdominal pain is being caused by a blockage of the bile duct and a stent will at least allow the bile to be discharged. So tomorrow is a big day. If all the tests show cancer, then she will start chemo and the clinical trial Weds/Thurs or Thurs/Fri. –Frank
(Carol here….) BUT…all that is contingent on the PET scan and the liver biopsy…so, keep praying for no cancer! If there is not cancer, I think the plan will be to have chemo to shrink the tumors then surgery to remove the mass in the pancreas/bile duct area sometime in the future (best solution, and we all jump for joy and thankfulness!). If it is indeed cancer, then chemo for an undetermined amount of time + the clinical trial and we keep praying for healing! (THEN we jump for joy and thankfulness…just a little later than we hoped.)
Big week ahead. Monday: biopsy, stent, chemo class; Wednesday: chemo begins, blood tests periodically for the rest of the day to see how it’s going (long day at JH); Thursday: more chemo-follow-up tests at JH. I found this in the Psalms and I like it!: Psalm:.16:8-9 I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. (pretty cool, eh? I love these verses that I am finding!)
A friend sent this to me:
I am the place where God shines through.
Therefore He and I are one, not two.
He wants me where and as I am.
I need not fret or will or plan.
For if I'm calm, relaxed and free,
He'll work His plan divine through me.
What an update for you both! So many prayers and good wishes for the big day at JH tomorrow. Psalm 16:8-9 is PERFECT! Keep that in your beautiful head tomorrow. We send our love, June and Steve
ReplyDeleteCarol,
ReplyDeleteEileen and I are heading to the 5PM mass shortly and will be talking to the BIG Guy on your behalf. We pray for you daily and hope that all your tests will turn out favorably.
Love,
Wally and Eileen
A special candle was lit for you, Carol, at mass at St. Max yesterday. You are a tower of strength and I am in awe of your spirit and courage. You are loved by many people including Larry and me. Sherwood hasn't been the same since you left - a big ray of sunshine flew East! XO Brenda
ReplyDeleteWe began the art and reflection seminar with prayer for healing.
ReplyDeleteMay the LORD of all hope encourage you with these words:
ReplyDelete"We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." -- Acts 14:22
God's people have their trials. It was never designed by God, when he chose his people, that they should be an untried people. They were chosen in the furnace of affliction; they were never chosen to worldly peace and earthly joy. Freedom from sickness and the pains of mortality was never promised them; but when their Lord drew up the charter of privileges, he included chastisements amongst the things to which they should inevitably be heirs. Trials are a part of our lot; they were predestinated for us in Christ's last legacy. So surely as the stars are fashioned by his hands, and their orbits fixed by him, so surely are our trials allotted to us: he has ordained their season and their place, their intensity and the effect they shall have upon us. Good men must never expect to escape troubles; if they do, they will be
disappointed, for none of their predecessors have been without them. Mark the patience of Job; remember Abraham, for he had his trials, and by his faith under them, he became the "Father of the faithful." Note well the biographies of all the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and
martyrs, and you shall discover none of those whom God made vessels of mercy, who were not made to pass through the fire of affliction. It is ordained of old that the cross of trouble should be engraved on every vessel of mercy, as the royal mark whereby the King's vessels of honour are distinguished. But although tribulation is thus the path of God's children, they have the comfort of knowing that their Master has traversed it before them; they have his presence and sympathy to cheer them, his grace to support them, and his example to teach them how to endure; and when they reach "the kingdom," it will more than make amends for the "much tribulation" through which they passed to enter
it. Charles Spurgeon
Dearest Carol,
ReplyDeleteI have been reading this blog from the beginning and praying everyday. I offered up my entire day of baking hosts (1100) for this week's Masses for you. God knows it is labor intensive work. I am sharing one of my favorite scriptures. It keeps me grounded in a life that is full of insanity. "In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world." What better companion can a person have in this world on the trip of life. Stay strong in His love. Love, Joanne DiPasquale
Hi carol & Frank-
ReplyDeleteAs always, the Levys say a daily prayer in the hopes of your speedy recovery. We'll be hanging in there with you this week.
Love,
H & K
Hi Carol and Frank,
ReplyDeleteMy folks told me about your blog. I am so impressed by your strength. You are such wonderful people and you deserve the best. I'm praying for you.
Love,
Michelle