Hi Everyone,
Frank here, taking Carol’s dictation.
Thank you for all the encouraging blog and email responses. Please keep the prayers coming. This last week has been, to say the least, difficult. As you know because of my body’s reaction, it was determined best for me to come out of the clinical trial.
But we were told when we started in this journey that there were many arrows in the quiver to address this cancer. So last Monday I was put into a different chemo protocol where I would receive an infusion once every three weeks for several hours and then take chemo pills for another 14 days with a week of rest. We were thrilled as the timing worked really well for Christine’s upcoming wedding. Unfortunately my body hasn’t responded well to this protocol-I’ve been nauseous and sick since starting last week, notwithstanding a number of anti-nausea medications (our shelf looks like a pharmacy!). We fortunately have a previously scheduled appointment tomorrow for an IV hydration and will address all these symptoms and the course forward. The good news I’ve pretty much weaned myself off of the morphine, the bad news is I haven’t felt like eating and what I have has not stayed down. Frank does say that notwithstanding the 30 pound weight loss I look great-he’s biased :☺ so somewhat untrustworthy ☺, I’d rather be able to eat and hold it all down.
All the wedding plans are locked in (we’re also counting on the weather for this out door wedding) and our neighbors on Goose Neck Road have been tremendously supportive and helpful-so I just need to show up.
A friend quoted from a song “Whispering Hope”, which I find encouraging “Will not the deepening darkness brighten the glimmering star”. She went on to remind me that no matter what the situation is now, God has a plan for me to include to completely heal me. I know this as my heart is firmly fixed on our Lord. Ps 112:7
Again, thank you all, your prayers and words of encouragement are awesome and are so inspiring and helpful to me. Stay on your knees!!
Will let you know how tomorrow goes. Love, Carol
Dear Carol and Frank: We ARE on our knees for you. May the doctors find an answer to the nausea so you can regain your strength (and maybe a pound or two!) We just know that they will try their hardest to figure out a course of action so that you will feel well to wear that beautiful dress and enjoy all the festivities for Christine and Erik. Keep looking for that "glimmering star"! We love you and want you WELL. Hugs, June and Steve
ReplyDeleteThose JH docs will find a way- and being off the morphine I am sure is a huge step forward. Mazel tov on the wedding- the Saubers are all pulling for you (including especially Lola and Cassie). XXXOXOXO Dick
ReplyDeleteCarol,
ReplyDeleteAll the family are praying that the doctors will find the right treatment
to stop the nausea and that you will feel good. You are a strong woman
and going through something this hard makes your beauty shine inside
and out. You will look beautiful as the mother of the bride.
See you next week,
Love,
Patty
We love you, Carol and Frank, and we are praying for some relief and good answers today. We know God is in control. . . and He will carry you in this time of need! Hugs and love,
ReplyDeleteMichelle, Chris ,Haley and Grant
xoxoxoxo
Hi Carol and family, Just checking in, praying for you and thinking of you all! Looking forward to seeing you on the 6th!
ReplyDeleteAmy @ Monteray
Oops...did we tell you how much we love you and are with you? Always, ML + OJ
ReplyDeleteHello you two,
ReplyDeleteI've been on my knees for a while now. (They are a bit sore.) My prayers are with you and your doctors. May God give them the wisdom to find the right treatment to provide you some relief. And may He grant you some peace and comfort. We've got our dancing shoes all packed for the trip back East. Can't wait to share some joy.
Hugs & kisses,
Love,
H & K
Hi Carol and Frank,
ReplyDeleteWe have been following your blog, Carol, since Charlie talked to Andrew week before last. You, and all the family, have been in our thoughts and prayers. We often speak of you and are praying and thinking good thoughts for your progress in your new chemo protocol. It sounds as though you have very good doctors at Johns Hopkins. The fact that they have different ways to approach conquering this disease is very hopeful. We receive a publication from UCI called "Your UCI" and it had an article on a woman who was treated for pancreatic cancer by doctors at UCI medical center with a new and experimental gene therapy that was successful. I was thinking you may be able to access the article online at the UCI website. Perhaps your doctors are aware of this therapy.
Wonderful news that Christine and Eric are to be married. Congratulations! to both and to all. We will look forward to hearing about all the festivities and seeing the pictures one day.
So glad that Andrew and Charlie continue to stay in touch.
Much love to you all,
Big hugs and kisses,
Anne
Dear Carol and Frank,too.... I Think of you so often through out my day and Bob and I have been praying for you almost every night when we say grace at dinner. Praying all this anti nausea advise works and you feel very precky for the wedding. Carol, I know you will be a radiant mother of the bride. Can't wait to see your pictures and to hear all about the beautiful couple on their wedding day. Enjoy every moment. Hoping that today you are feeling much better. Blessings my friend. Knowing the Lord will hold you tight in His arms as you continue to fight this battle. Love you always, Lowrie
ReplyDeleteJust checking in and sending lots of love and prayers. Keep knowing your perfect health is right where you are. The presence of God is right where you are. There is no separation between you and your good.
ReplyDeleteIts Carol B again. I continue to pray for you and your continued courage in facing this challenge. What a gift it is to Christine (and your sons) to see the strength and resolve you are constantly displaying throughout this nasty illness. MANY MANY prayers for a joyous June 6th together!
ReplyDeleteDear Carol and Frank,
ReplyDeleteWe continue to pray and think about you often. We especially hope that the new approach kills those cancer cells and gets rid of your nausea soon. We are so amazed at your courage and strength throughout this process. As for your weight, Gary has 30 extra pounds he would love to give you-(ha, ha) - Actually the best way to gain weight is to head to a Jewish deli as Gary gains 5 pounds per visit. Wishing you much happiness and success with the new treatment,
Hugs and kisses,
Gary and Lori
Carol dear - You are so beautiful in the Lord, I love Ps ll2:7 and confidently trust in the Lord to care for you as only He knows how. Indeed we do not fear bad news and know that God can turn bad news around for good. Will be a real treat to see you on Tues for lunch. Luv and prayers, Lydia
ReplyDeletedearest carol,
ReplyDeleteFaith is a grasping of Almighty power; The hand of man laid on the arm of god;The grand and blessed hour In which the things, impossible to me,Become the possible, O Lord, through Thee. by Anna Hamilton. We are praying for you dearest friend and love you tons! dabney
Dear Carol and Frank,
ReplyDelete"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deuteronomy 33:27)
Mark & Mary Jane (the other Andrew's parents)
Praying still for all you've asked, and then some. J. and J.
ReplyDeleteWe are with you in spirit, Frank and Carol, through this rollercoaster! We are praying for you and wish you the best next weekend at the wedding.
ReplyDeleteClif and Angie
Carol, As always, it is amazing and so inspiring to hear all the encouragements, prayers and so much more on the blog comments. You are an extraordinary person and a light to many plus your husband, Frank and family are part of that light too. I continue to say prayers for stamina and feeling good, no rain (I think there has been enough!) for the wedding and just many blessings in the next few weeks for you and your family. I hope to see you on Tuesday at the CBS Luncheon. Always, Mary Beth P.S. Sally B, you are in prayers too!
ReplyDeleteDearest Carol and Frank: May the 6th be a joyous and wondrous day for all of you. Praying for your continued strength and courage and in awe of your unending happy spirit and character. Love, Larry and Brenda
ReplyDelete