We have a Date

We had a full schedule in Iowa City on Wednesday this week. We started in Nuclear Medicine where I had a Mugascan which is a test where they determine the strength of your heart. They inject you with a tin substance in one arm and with radioactive stuff in the other and lay you on a table under a camera. (it looks a lot like a cat scan ) They watch you on camera and film your heart function for about a half hour then the heart specialists read your results. Anyway I passed. Then I went for labs they drew a lot of blood 15 vials some because they asked me to be in a research study, it will not do anything for me but they want to study my blood as I go through the transplant and after to see how I react to different things and how much graph to host disease I get. The purpose is to find out more about the disease so they may be able to help future patients who get what I have, they took four vials of blood for that test and they will freeze some of it for tests they haven't even been invented yet, they then can go get it and run those new tests. After that we went to Pulmanary Medicine and they had me sit in a little glass booth and you blow into a tube and have you do all kinds of tests to empty and fill your lungs you blow all the air out and then keep on blowing and blowing until they say you can stop (it really gets tiring) anyway I passed that test also but I was a little disappointed in the results of it, I thought I'd be really good at that one with all the stuff I've done over the years (running, hockey, etc,) and it was okay but not what I would have expected. (To much medicine for so long makes you short of breath) The primary reason for these tests is to be sure you are safe for the chemo but also to set a baseline so afterwards they can do them over and assesss any damage done by the medicines. Next we went to see Dr. Silverman who is the head of the transplant team, she is a really nice lady and explains things very well. She said its time to get it done and wanted to know if we had a date in mind. Penny and I were a little suprised we thought they would pick the date. Anyway they like you to decide within a window they provide to let you get things ready at home and to be mentally ready, I told her I was as mentally ready as I'd ever be and we decided to do the transplant on September 2. Dr Silverman said she has decided not to do the full body radiation on me (they were going back and forth on that) and just go with a very high dose chemotherapy she says she doesn't like to do the radiation on patients over 20 if she doesn't have to because it just does to much damage to your lungs. Chemotherapy is more likely to damage primarily the liver but at this point it is much safer for me to go ahead with that then not. I was happy that I won't have radiation I don't know much about it but people I know who have gone through it seem to really suffer for a while from the burns etc. so that was good news. I am releived to have a date it has been a long time coming and I am ready to move on. I am very grateful for my family and friends! People have been so good to me through the last year. Mostly I am grateful to God who has comforted me and been with me when I get scared. I will not go through anything that he did not endure and more. I know because of him I have that Future and a Hope that we wrote about months ago. I am perfectly at peace with what is coming although a little scared of the process and am looking forward to watching God work a Miracle in my life. Sometimes when I get frustrated that I can't do all the things I was accustomed to we look back on some of our old posts and read about how clearly Gods hand has been through this process and think about how weak we are. I used to read about the Israelites and how God would work these great miracles and they would turn around and forget. I tell myself don't be like that, remember what he has done for you. Regardlesss of the outcome of this transplant (and I do believe it will be successful) I am so blessed in this life and wouldn't change a thing.
Lance
P.S. Thanks to Sister Ella for letting us know the blog was broke its been nice to be back in touch.

Thankful....

THANK YOU all for your prayers!! Nurse just called and Lance's platelets are back to normal!!

This last week with having to have test in Iowa City and all that involved was a really exhausting week for Lance. As I waited for him to wake up from the meds they gave him for his test, I really struggled..... it is so hard to see him have to go through so many things.... and this was just a test....., I'm so Thankful to him for doing all of it. Years ago we used to talk about what if..... And Lance always said he wouldn't want to do chemo and all that stuff if something ever happen.... but now he wants to have a chance to live and to be with us and take care of us..... He is so good, never complains, laughs, thinks of others, working, giving of himself for us even when he is tired...

I'm reminded of Ephesians 5:25---Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her

As I realize how thankful I am that Lance is willing to undergo some very hard things to be with us, how much he loves us everyday in giving of himself for us (not only now, but always has). It makes me so thankful to our God!! The love we have for our husbands or wives is just a fraction of what God's love is for us.... Christ died for us!! Jesus knew what he would have to face......... yet he chose to do it for us. Don't know if it makes any sense to anyone but me!(that would not be unusual!), but watching Lance's giving of himself for us....., his love for us...., reminds me of what My Savior did for me..... SO THANKFUL..... What an Awesome God we serve.

Well next week on Wednesday the 28th, Lance goes to Iowa City to meet with the transplant doctor. He will also have a test to determine how much Chemo his heart can handle, and some lung testing. All test that they do before transplant, with more to come yet. Praying that the medicine will start working to lower the leukemia cells before transplant. Praying that he would be healed!! But as Lance has said all along, no matter what, we have already won! Thank you all for your continued prayer, and thank you Lance, love you! ------Penny

Familiar Road ........

The road is getting really familar! We head back down to Iowa City in the morning for more test. Praying it won't be such a long day. I have to drive home as they won't let Lance after being under the influence of whatever meds they are going to give him (Lance likes to do the driving, don't know why!! But we do get there at lot quicker with him driving than when I drive!) Just the start of a few test they want to run as a precaution for transplant. Guess after last week they are starting to get some things in motion.

We had a great weekend with all our kids. We all went to Nathan and Nicole's house Saturday night. EVERYONE was there!! Just love that!

Lance had a bloody nose on Sunday again but it stopped pretty quick on its own, but what a scary reminder of what he went through in March...... Praying his platelets behave!

As we head to Iowa City, Elisabeth will be going to Wisconsin for a canoe trip and Stuart our athlete is going to the dog spa for a hair cut so he can see again! Life is good! ----- Penny

Latest Doctor Appointment......

Long day in Iowa City today. Our doctor apoligized as they were very busy and are just plain having a hard time coordinating all the doctors and test that need to be done. Lance has also got another cold and some new rashes which meant more test today and one new medicine, possible more. They are just being cautious and we are thankful for that. Dr. Jamieson said there is usually an optimum time to go to transplant and she was thinking August to early September if they have to wait to clear up infections but that they don't want to wait to long and risk more things. Kind of tricky! Lance's platelets were a little below normal today and they will watch them closely as we don't want another episode with ITP (which was why he was in the hospital in March). I guess that is a concern because if he had it once it can happen again. So please pray that they go back to the normal range and stay there!! The fish test came back, which is the one that tells what percent of his white blood cells are still leukemia ones and this showed that it is still 81% so really no better with the new medication he is on. They are not totally surprised by this as it can take a little while ,but some people do respond quicker so we were hoping.... Dr. Jamieson would like to get his Leukemia lower going into transplant so there are less of them to kill off.... so that is another reason for the delay.... Anyway a long day but no date set yet.... but it is important to clear up as many potential problems as they can so Lance has a better chance of less problems during transplant. Pray for wisdom for the doctors and for Lance to get healthy enough to do what needs to be done OR to just get healthy!! Thank you all for your love, prayers and concern. It has been a long year but we are grateful for each day! Tomorrow is our 31st Anniversary and we are so happy to celebrate another one together!! -----Penny

Hi, we haven't posted in a little while as there just hasn't been anything special going on. I go to Iowa City on Thursday, We are supposed to meet with all of my Drs. including the Transplant team so they can plan a date for me to go in the hospital. I am looking forward to having a plan. Friday is our wedding anniversary (31 years) it was on our anniversary last year that I was told I had Leukemia so a lot has gone on in a year and I'm sure this years anniversary will be much better than last.
Elisabeth has been visiting with her cousins this weekend and I'm glad she was able to get away she needs to have some fun, She never complains and is always a blessing but she has had to deal with an awful lot more than a young girl should have to this year. We are going to Nathans house tonight, its the 4th and they are having a block party so that will be fun. Cory and Jamie are coming, next weekend Justin and Ashley are coming to visit so we will get to see everyone this week. I hope everyone has a good holiday we are really enjoying the time off after all the years I was in the restaraunt. (would have just worked more because of holidays)
We will post again soon.
Lance

An Old Story

Just remembering the faithfullness of God.....

Summer activities!

Hello everyone! Well it's a bright sunny day today which is so nice after all the rain we have had lately, which means that we have gotten back into the swing of our summer activities. Mom has been digging out in her flowers, dad has once again started his summer with burning as much stuff as he can find in his burning barrel outside, and last week I again started up again with swim practice every morning. Nothing new or really exciting to tell just thought that I would tell everyone what we've been doing! A few of you have asked about the results of dad's test that he had done last Monday to tell how his leukemia is doing. Unfortunately we haven't gotten the results back from that test yet, I'll be sure to write something when we do find out though! Other than that there really isn't much to tell! My grandparents are coming up today on there way to Chicago so it will be nice to get to visit with them for awhile! Well Stuart is barking at me because he wants to go for a walk so I better go take him!! Have a good day everyone! Elisabeth

Monday's appointment

Lance had his appointment with his main leukemia doctor yesterday. Dr. Jamieson spent a lot of time with us and it felt good to get many of our questions answered. If I'm honest I'd say most of the questions come from me (surprise!), Lance says he doesn't have to come up with many because I've already asked them!!

As of now the plan is to just set up a plan!! Dr. Jamieson will get together with the transplant team and they will try and set up a plan for a more specific date to do the transplant. There are still tests to do but some can't be done until a certain amount of time before transplant and we have to take a class etc. Lance seems to be responding to the new leukemia medicine for now, they did a fish test, which tests how well the medicine is working on his leukemia so they know more closely where he is for transplant. This will take awhile as Elisabeth wrote before to get back. His platelets are behaving for now. He has a few weeks left to finish up some other meds for infections, so if everything stays ok they are looking towards sometime in August for the transplant. In the mean time they will continue to monitor everything and run more test to have him as healthy as they can going into transplant. Lance and I felt good about getting some extra time to talk to the doctor and she reaffirmed the need for a transplant even though he is feeling better than when he was in the hospital, she doesn't like his disease and isn't comfortable with waiting any longer than neccessary to go to transplant. Dr. Jamieson has been our main doctor since the beginning and she really didn't want to go to transplant from the beginning so to have her reaffirm the need for a transplant helped us realize again that she doesn't feel the medicine will work long. And Lance's disease has just not played by the rules as they normally see. She also mentioned how hard this disease is because you look pretty good to other people but are very sick... I have always thought that Lance looks good!! ------

Having a time (kind of set) although we have learned that nothing is set in stone!! Makes it all seem so real........ I am Praying for a miracle as I don't want him to have to go to transplant but at the same time trusting that God is in control and we know He is with us even in transplant.... and we are trusting it will turn out as God has planned.

Penny

More wedding pics!

Hey everyone! I know we haven't blogged in awhile but nothing much is going on right now! Dad is going to Iowa City on Monday but were not expecting to find out anything new. He will be having some test done though, that can tell were his leukemia is at but we won't find out the results of that test for a few days afterwords. Anyways, I just thought I would post some more pictures from Justin and Ashley's wedding! Have a good weekend! Elisabeth

Suppose........

For all of you that tend to think to far in the future like me.... I read a devotional this week that was a great reminder to me to keep my eyes on God and not our circumstances.... It might seem long but thought I'd write it all anyway!!

"Feed on His faithfulness." (Psalm 37;3 R.V.)

I once met a poor colored worman, who earned a precarious living by hard daily labor: but who was a joyous triumphant Christian. "Ah, Nancy," said a gloomy Christian lady to her one day, "It is well enough to be happy now: but I should think the thoughts of your future would sober you.

"Only suppose, for instance, you should have a spell of sickness, and be unable to work: or suppose your present employer should move away, and no one else should give you anything to do: or suppose---"

"Stop!" cried Nancy, "I never supposes. De Lord is my Shepherd, and I knows I shall not want. And , Honey," she added, to her gloomy freind, " it's all dem supposes as is makin' you so mis'able. You'd better give dem all up, and just trust de Lord."

There is one text that will take all the "supposes" out of a believer's life, if it be received and acted on in childlike faith: it is Hebrews 13: 5, 6: "Be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." ----H.W.S. from: Streams in the Desert

We are in a waiting time while the doctors are trying to get Lance as healthy as they can for transplant.... Sometimes with more time, comes more time to think...... (not always a good thing for me!!) Once again I'm reminded of Who is in control, Who loves us, Who will never forsake us. Supposes do no good!

Romans 8:28 says, " All things work together for good to them that love God." ----Lance and I know God has a plan...

Joseph was able to say to his brothers in Genesis 50:20 "God meant it for good. ---We know that God's plan is for our good and God's glory!

Once again I want to thank everyone for all your love, support and prayers!! We are so very thankful that we could all go to Justin and Ashley's wedding!! That had been a big prayer request and we are so thankful!! So, no more supposes!! Just trust de Lord!! Love You All, Penny