Prayer Request

Please pray with us that all stays on schedule..... Long story short, Nathan is once again on his way to Iowa City to do another test to make sure that he doesn't have an active infection. Sometimes test results come back positive from an old infections or virus. Nathan feels fine so that is probably the case. Hopefully nothing to worry about but we would appreciate prayers that every thing can go on as scheduled because Lance is already off his cancer medicine. It will take four to five days to get the results back....more waiting! Thanks Nathan for leaving work once again for your Dad!! We are thankful that the doctors are being so careful, because something that is nothing to you or me could be very dangerous to Lance. Praying we all stay healthy and things stay on schedule!! Thank You!! ---Penny

Transplant Information.

We have had many questions about the transplant so if you are interested I will TRY to answer them, if not just skip this blog: Lance will have what they call a allogeneic blood or marrow stem cell transplant (meaning basically he will be receiving stem cells from a donor). In order to get rid of Lance's Leukemia (which starts for him in the bone marrow) He will first receive high doses of chemotherapy, to destroy this life-threatening process of his Leukemia. In doing so, this also destroys his own bone marrow stem cells (cells that produce normal red and white cells and platelets) so that means he will need to receive new stem cells from someone else. The transfusion of the donor cells from someone else is the transplant.


Bone marrow is the home to special cells called hemopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells, which work continuously to make new blood cells. Normally , a small fraction of these stem cells leave the bone marrow and circulate the bloodstream. If they filter the donor's blood, (which in our case is going to be our oldest son Nathan!! All three of our boys were perfect matches for Lance ,a huge miracle!!) they can collect his stem cells for transplant. By giving Nathan several injections of a medication before the collection, they can increase the number of stem cells in the circulation by 50 to 100 fold. They use this method 90% of the time now, rather than having to do surgery on Nathan and go in and take the stem cells from his bone marrow. It is easier on the donor! Although Nathan was very willing (as were all the boys) to do which ever one the doctors wanted for Lance. Thank You Guys!!


Lance will be admitted to the hospital on Nov. 23, if everything stays on schedule. He will get a PICC line again, and start chemotherapy, It is very high dose and will be for 6 days, they give him a one day break and then the next day is transplant day --Nov.30th! The transplant is given as a transfusion, similar to a blood transfusion. This day is considered Day 0. A neat side note is that the stem cells know that they belong in the bone marrow so find their way there, the doctor says they call it homing. Isn't it amazing the way God created our bodies!


It takes about 2-3 weeks after the transplant to begin making the normal bone marrow and blood cells that you need. "Engraftment" is when the donor's cells grow, and become normal functioning blood cells in Lance. During this time, they will watch Lance carefully for infection and other complications. He will get antibiotics and other drugs to help prevent and treat side effects and infections. He will receive blood and platelets transfusions. And most need IV nutrition for awhile. They tell us that the average hospital stay is 4-6 weeks although some do go home in 3-4. They also tell us that pretty much everyone ends up back in the hospital a time or two over the next few months. He will be taking lots of medicines for months to help him fight infections while his new immune system gets stronger..


There is risk of damage from the Chemo, then there is the risk of infection and probably one of the biggest risk is Graft vs. Host disease. This is where they want Lance's new immune system to fight and get rid of any cancer that might be left and to take over and give Lance a new immune system but they don't want it to get out of control and attack his body. I won't go into all the possible risk, the list is overwhelming, BUT this is also a chance for a cure! And the drugs are not working so it is a chance for life! They tell us that people don't even talk about Normal life again till at least a year out from transplant...... Lance is praying that he will beat those odds and he wants to get back to work as soon as possilble, doctors tell us that a few go back part time 4-6 months out from transplant... but most take longer... Praying to beat those odds too!


Please also pray for protection for Lance during all the chemo, transplant and after. Protection from organ damage, infections and the graft vs. host disease.


We are so thankful to our family and friends for all your love and support this past year. We are so thankful for all the prayers.... People we have never even seen are praying for us all over the world! Thank you!
Penny

Dr. Yesterday

Penny, Justin and I met with the Drs. in Iowa City on Wednesday and they have decided that it is time to move on with my Transplant. They did not see the improvement they had hoped to with the drugs that I have been taking, my counts are quite low and there really aren't any more options left. So I will be admitted to the hospital on November 23rd. I will start taking medicines on the 22nd that should help with some of the side affects of the Chemo Therapy (Nausea etc. ) and then on Tuesday they will start with High Dose Chemotherapy. I will get a new pick line put in my arm that morning (they gave me my choice of arm or chest and I thought arm sounded better) and the drugs will run continuous for 6 days, then I will have one day off of everything and on the 30th of November "Transplant Day", they will start to put Nathans stem cells back into me (they do it by transfusion). Nathan will go in on the 29th and 30th to have his stem cells extracted after 4 days of shots to stimulate growth. He will be hooked up to a machine for most of the day that will draw blood out of one arm and circulate it through a machine that can extract the needed stem cells, the blood is then pumped back in his other arm. Years ago they actually went right into the bone marrow and extracted the stem cells but they have found that they can do it this way now and they have good luck with it. The chemo should kill most of my immune system and hopefully not anything else. I will be in the hospital in isolation until the new stem cells start to take and grow and they feel comfortable that I can go home. Hopefully by Christmas I might get out but I will have to be isolated at home for a while. You could pray for us for the next few weeks that neither Nathan or I get sick. I have been taken off all of my Cancer drugs and so it would not be good if it is delayed. I will go in to the Dr often between now and when I am admited as my blood counts are not very good, low whites and Nutriphils so I am susceptible to everything. I have to take my temperature at least twice a day and wear a mask whenever I am out or at work. I didn't want to do that (wear it at work) but the Drs called me at work today and were pretty adamant about it, so much for blending in , The guys kept saying "who is that masked man."
On Wednesday this coming week I will go in for an echocardiogram to make sure my Heart is in good condition and then we will attend a class for a couple of hours that will better explain the transplant procedure. Nathan will go down for Blood work and a physical soon.
I feel a sense of relief that we have a plan and am looking forward to getting better, I am very comfortable with the direction we are going and feel at peace that whatever the outcome is, it is in Gods hands and where else would I want to be.
Thanks for Praying
Lance

Just checking in.

Hi everyone:
Haven't posted in a while just didn't have much to say, we took a trip to Iowa City on Monday and I had some Bone Marrow biopsies we will go back on Wednesday next week to find out the results . Justin is going with us ( He likes to look out for me ) and they should hopefully have some difinitive answers on whether to proceed with my drugs or reschedule the transplant. This biopsy is where they decide if the drug has failed or if it is working and to what extent it is working. I feel good so hopefully they will tell us something positive.
Elisabeth has regionals on Saturday in Cedar Falls she is swimming the 100 Backstroke and the 200 Individual Medley, She has worked very hard so keep her in your thoughts, this could be her last High School Swim. Swimming has been a huge part of her life so we will all miss it. She will swim for the Y swim team after the High School season ends just for fun but will sure miss the other.
Hope all is well with everyone out there. Thanks to everyone for all your prayers.
Lance

Will Miss Gram.....

I want to ask you all to pray for Nicole and Nathan and their little ones (Gavin 7, Helen 6, Evie 4 and Gwendolyn 3) and also all of Nicole's family. Nicole's Great Grandma Helen (everyone calls her Gram) went to be with the Lord last night. Nicole and Gram have always been close and she has lived with Nathan and Nicole for the last six years. Gram was 93 years old. Please hold them up in prayer. They have loved and cared for Gram and she back to them, to all of us really. They will truly miss her. WE WILL ALL MISS GRAM ....... Not many young families would do what Nicole and Nathan have done......, it is self sacrificing to offer your home and yourself....they are truly a special family. Pray for them all please.....


Now here is the blog I had started a couple days ago but forgot to post......


"Therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you." (Isaiah 30:18)


I read that verse the morning our roof was being finished. Realized we had started praying about the roof situation over two years ago. The roof did SEEM like a long wait, but Oh how sweet and gracious is the Lords way!! God's ways are so worth waiting for! So much better than anything we could have ever thought of.... ... Lance and I want to THANK EVERYONE involved! We had no idea what was going on all the months that we were praying. We found out not long ago that it was suppose to be done during Lance's transplant as a surprise. When that got delayed they ended up having to tell us. Nicole had given us an encouraging card to read on the way to the hotel it was signed: From Everybody and most of all GOD!! We do thank God!! We are so thankful for all the love shown to us in so manys, feel just like God is giving us a great big hug saying "TRUST ME"! In the midst of what seems like an uncertain time with Lance's health....... God is showing us once again that HE is in Control...... to keep Trusting Him!

Now for an update. Lance's platelets are up a little this week!! Not what the doctors want yet, but going in the right direction!! We head to Iowa City on Monday. Lance will have another bone marrow biopsy........ Please pray for him.... It will take at least two weeks to get the results so more waiting..... Please pray for wisdom for the doctors and that the test will help them to have clear direction and unity for his future treatment.

-----Penny

A Roof Over Their Heads....

Hi everybody, this is Nicole, Lance and Penny's daughter-in-law, married to their talented, smart and handsome son, Nathan :) I was asked to contribute the back story behind how the 'Roof Over Their Heads' came about. I want to begin by saying that I absolutely ADORE Lance and Penny and I would like to credit them with setting the example to us for what a great marriage looks like. From very early on, Lance made it clear to the boys that no one (other than the Lord) would come before his bride, their mother. And it was this kind unconditional love that has really left an impression on us to this day. That being said, I not only adore Lance and Penny but I admire and respect them. So just like anyone else, Lance's diagnosis left me feeling just as lost as they did wondering 'what do we do now?' I knew it would be a big deal to be there for them but yet not to interfere too much, because even though I wanted to, this was not a journey I could complete for them. Honestly, I just prayed that in whatever way the Lord could use me to help unload any of the burdens, that I would hear Him and not mess up too much along the way!

Not long after Lance had been diagnosed (July 9th 2009), they were taking one of their weekly trips to the University of Iowa and Lance had recalled the feeling one particular day when he looked back at the roof and the damaged state it was in, that it might never be repaired. Penny was also burdened by this and she called me a couple months later in late September to let me know they were getting a quote for materials and labor and they were hopeful and asked me to pray about it. This was through Bryce Davis, whom we both knew of with another local church and he had a little girl pass away from cancer about 5 years ago. He was very nice and thorough but unfortunately it was still too much for Penny and Lance, with doctor's bills and everything else. Penny told me that with circumstances the way they were she and Lance did not have a peace about going through with having their roof redone yet, even though it was in HORRIBLE shape. They had had hail damage, some rough winters and the shingles were not holding up. So now Penny knew she had to rely on God and "let it go". She had told me that what kept her going was the fact that it wasn't leaking yet.

During this time I was feeling bad that they couldn't get the roof fixed, but also respectful of the fact that God can show Himself in many ways, little did I know that it would be through me. A few months past and we were well into the Winter months and almost upon Spring when I suddenly felt burdened by the roof. (This was actually about 2 months before they did have a real leak in their roof and God was already working His plans to make sure it would get fixed while testing their faith in Him during this time) God began speaking to me in only the way He can, giving me perspective and understanding of how bad their roof was, no longer looking at it as their problem but MY problem. I could not stop envisioning the roof collapsing and leaking and the worst of it was seeing Lance (at that time he was going through his ITP diagnosis at the U of I) being in his safe haven of home, without a roof. Yes, my imagination was a bit extreme but like I said God hit me where He knew I would be the most impacted. Of course I had to do something but that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach told me I couldn't do it and I wasn't good enough to do it -- you know, all those doubts you feel before doing something REALLY big :)

I knew I would have to raise the funds (not knowing how much that would be) and find someone who would be willing to work for the cost of materials which seemed like a lot to ask. My plan was very unorganized and I still wasn't firmly committed to going through with it, I was still in the 'research' phase. I had gone through many attempts to get a hold of Bryce Davis and never did. Amazingly enough, I ran into him at a soccer game where his niece was playing and he approached me, finding out about my reason for trying to reach him. He gave me all of the information I needed and encouraged me to go forward with it -- I was now committed to seeing this happen.

I started talking to more people and I was amazed at everyone's responses. Our own church who obviously didn't know Penny and Lance the way we do committed to having not only a Love Offering to help raise money but also committing several guys to help with the demolition work of the roof, WOW! I was apprehensive about contacting Lance and Penny's church because I knew that they had already helped so much, but when I did, they definitely wanted to have a part in this. But even more amazingly, The Routleys (John Routley and his two sons Kory and JJ) committed to completing the entire roof ONLY for the cost of materials and without knowing if there would be anyone who would show up to help, WOW! At this stage it was just a matter of making the phone calls and gathering the necessary funds. This part was difficult because I did not want to call people who felt obligated to give but because they felt led to give. I can honestly say that everyone WANTED to help and people were thanking me whole-heartedly for calling them. Finally it came down to a big sale at Menards that signaled, "we need to get this done". Even though there was still some money coming in, I gave what I had collected thus far to Brent Fessler (who offered to pick up the shingles from Menards) and the remainder was graciously donated by the congregation of Arbor Oaks. Little did I know that God was purposely delaying some of the money for a special plan of His own.

In late September of this year (Wow, almost one year later!) the date to start the roof was set for October 8th. So with with the project a couple weeks away, I made sure to get the rest of the money needed. People were getting excited for us and Lance, Penny and myself were all getting nervous (for different reasons). I was nervous about the weather and that there would be enough help. Penny was nervous that her house was clean enough :) and that she wanted to be where she was needed when everything was going on. Lance was also nervous about finding his place in all of this. For as thankful and appreciative as he was, he didn't know if he should be outside watching and talking to people assuming that they would be wondering why he wasn't up there helping or inside, ignoring them -- a tough place for a man who doesn't sit on this side of service projects very much. Like I said before, God was already working out His plans through the many prayers of others. People had even approached Penny and Lance at this time knowing the anxiety they must have been feeling through it all, letting them know that their prayers were with them. Five days before the roof project I had contacted Brent Fessler at Arbor Oaks Bible Church (where Penny and Lance attend) to let him know that I had more money that had come in that I needed to get to him. He said that he wanted to see that money go to Penny and Lance to meet any other needs that they may have. To those of us involved with the project it was clear that Penny and Lance should be able to get away if at all possible and now it was possible! This was not in our plans from the beginning, but it was definitely in God's! The prefect place and location was found for Penny and Lance to get away - The Decker Hotel in Maquoketa, IA (half an hour away). A beautiful full service bed and breakfast style hotel. There was even enough left over so that they could really enjoy the time away!

As for my worries and concerns about the weather and enough help -- WOW! We had 20+ men and several women helped bring meals, snacks and drinks. The weather forecast called for "abundant sunshine" and the temperatures were nearing 80 just before they finished on Saturday. Even more amazing was that the project took roughly 5 hours of manpower from beginning to end. Everyone was in good spirits, laughing, joking and pitching in wherever they could. Watching the two church families work together with Lance's 4 kids was another brilliant scheme that God had on the back burner showing the great unity and respect brought together by the commonality that was shared among them -- Lance and Penny.

Now I'm sure I've missed a few details along this journey and I was also planning on sharing the thank-you note that was given to the two churches but I'm sure I've run out of time and ink :) Thanks for seeing this through to the end. For everyone who helped out in some way or another I personally, can never thank you enough and I know Lance and Penny share the same sentiments :) Take care!

Nicole Hall

Update

Just a update from todays labs... The platelets are holding so the doctors are happy they haven't dropped anymore! So Lance will go in Monday to have them checked again, as they are still lower than they should be, so they have to keep a close eye on them. Thank you for all your prayers!! Please pray they start going up to where they need to be and like Lance mentioned before wisdom for the doctors. We take comfort in realizing it is GOD!!! who is really in control not the disease, us ,or the doctors! Having said that, we are thankful for such good, caring doctors! ---Penny

Fun Pictures

Hey everyone! Just thought I'd share a few pics of what we've been up to lately! These pictures are a few weeks old now but we still thought it would be fun to post some!!

Elisabeth posted the pictures this morning while we were in Iowa City and I thought I'd just add to her post what happened today. I saw Dr. Jamieson and they are kind of unsure what to do with me, after the transplant was delayed due to the infections, (which are getting better) they are now concerned with moving ahead with the transplant because I have some risk factors that they are scared of. Apparently my having a three way translocation of cells is very rare and they do not have enough experience with it to feel comfortable moving ahead at this time, It is also the reason they want to move ahead. (Thats a very simplified version of what they call a very complicated problem)They are going to wait another month and then do another Bone Marrow biopsy to see where I am at. They may very well change there minds in a month basically they are afraid to go ahead and afraid to wait so the safer thing is to wait and just get me healthier so if they go ahead I will have the best chance for success. If you would pray for the Drs. I would appreciate it they are a little stumped, In addition my platlet count has fallen and in my Drs. words "I think ITP is rearing its ugly head again" so I will be going in for many blood tests I'll go back Thursday and Monday and then at least weekly until it gets better, ITP is what I was hospitalized for last time it is when your immune system attacks your platlets (which clot your blood). So you could also pray that won't happen. On the bright side Elisabeth had her best swim meet of the year last week she had good times and it was fun for her (it has been a struggle for her to relax with all that is going on at our house) she has a meet tomorow night in Cedar Rapids so we are hoping she will do well again. She works Very Hard and its good to be rewarded with time drops. We are hoping Rex can get Linda out of the house to come and watch that is always a treat for all of us. (Love ya Linda) Have a good day.

Lance

Filling up my car tire! :)

Getting the bikes ready for us to ride

My team is wearing the blue

Dragon Boats

We haven't posted in a while mainly just because there isn't much to write about. I go in for blood work every week and nothing has changed . We had fun last weekend Elisabeths swim team had a Dragon boat race on the Mississippi her boat made up of the Varsity won 1st place. It was a beautiful day to sit by the river and watch what was going on. Dragon Boats are like giant canoes with a dragon figure carved on the front, there are (I think) 18 paddlers and they have to synchronize their paddling while one person drums a cadance and another lays across the bow and pulls a flag out of a platform to stop the clock. They race about a quarter mile down the river, It was fun and the girls really have a good time together. Teams come from all over Canada etc. and they are in different divisions elite, high school etc. Elisabeth will post some pictures when she has a chance she is really busy right now swimming many hours every day, she is battling a bad cold and it wears her out but doesn't slow her down. Penny has been working hard around the house trying to get things done before I go in the hospital, I sit around and watch (lifes good) Saturday morning we are going to watch Gavin (our Grandson) play football for the YMCA he is 7 and runs like Adrian Peterson. We will write more soon.
Lance

God's Timing

Today was suppose to be the day Lance was to go to the hospital to start Chemo for the transplant...... After our appointment Monday, I realized even more how God's timing isn't ours(or the doctors) and He knows what is best. During this time of delay because of the fungal infection, they have noticed more unusual things about Lance's case, Which makes them very cautious in going forward to transplant and also nervous about waiting........ not a really good option either way right now. But even though things SEEM uncertain and no one knows for sure the right answer we trust that God does. ----Penny

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! --Psalm 46:10