Stiches Removed

Mary had her stitches removed Monday (3/23/09). The incision is healing well. The biopsy was positive for GBM tumor. After talking with both the Oncologist and the Surgeon Mary’s next course of action is an MRI on April 23rd. The Surgeon wanted to wait a month and have another MRI. After that we will discuss the next step. Maybe some radiation. Sometimes you think you would know what you would do if this or that happens, but it’s a whole different thing when it happens to you. Continue to pray for wisdom and clarity for Mary. I know Mary is always before God because of all your prayers, and we thank you.
God Bless.

March 19, 2009

We are going to the oncologist today to discuss next the steps. Mary does not want the harsh chemotherapy. Pray for direction and clarity from God as to how to proceed. Monday (3/23/09) we go to Dr. Dixit to get the stitches out and see what the biopsy said. I will let you know how it all goes.

Home, March 12, 2009

Mary came home today. Now she can rest without wires and tubes and sensors of all kinds connected to her. Her speech is much better today. The Speech therapist came in today and Mary will make an appointment with her. I don't know if the speech therapist will be able to keep up with Mary. The outside swelling is gone and the inside seems to be dissipating also. She will be on steroids for about a week to help the swelling. All things considered she is doing very well. I know you all have held her up before the Lord and I know that is why she is doing so well. Mary wrote a note she wanted everyone to hear. Sarah and Nili read it a couple times in the waiting room and I would like all of you to see it. She sees all of you as her Stretcher Bearers.

"Note to my stretcher bearers,
Thank you! I am blessed beyond measure. Thank you for your prayers, your faith, your obedience to the Lord, your love, your friendship and your constant vigilance. May the Lord bless you. May His presence continually abide with you. Our God is faithful.

I want you to know I am Saved, Sealed, Blessed and Healed. In Jesus Name Amen”

Mary.

Even though Mary was the patient being operated on and attended to, she made sure everyone that came in contact with her knew she was in God’s hands. If someone said good luck, without hesitation she corrected them and let them know she served a Great and mighty God. If someone commented on how well she was doing, again she pointed them back to Jesus as the source of her strength. Mary made sure God was glorified. I believe everyone from the Surgeon to the nurse know Mary is a child of the King. Yesterday I stopped people from going into see her for several hours so she could get some rest. The nurse asked me if I wanted to limit the visitors to, in her words “just family” I told her everyone that was coming to see her, are her family. I should have explained it a little better. Some by Mary’s blood and some by Jesus blood.

I hope you will forgive me if I didn’t let you in to see her. I felt she needed some rest. I was watching the heart monitor and when she was trying to get the right words out it was going up 20 or 30 bpm. So I did what I felt was best for her.

I don’t know if you all will ever really know how much we appreciate all your visits and calls and prayers, and just simply being there for us. We are blessed.

May God bless you all abundantly.

Day after surgery, March 11, 2009

Today was a good day. Mary is doing well. She was up doing laps around the INCA ward. They wouldn't let her out of the area. She is still having some problems with getting the right words out. She thinks it right, but it doesn't alwasy come out right. This happened the last two surgeries as well. The surgeon says the brain is mad about being invaded. He is not worried about it, and says it will come back. Her strength is good in her hands, which is a very good sign no other brain damage was done. Mary had an MRI this morning and the surgeon came by this afternoon to talk about what is says. He says he got what he wanted to get without causing more permanet damage. As you know they never tell you they got it all with a GBM type tumor because of all the little finges of the tumor. She should be coming home tomorrow some time. In a couple of weeks we will be meeting with the oncologist to discuss the next steps. As we have stated Mary does not want to go through the Chemotheray again. She never was able to take it very well and it does take a toll. They may do some low level focused radiation treatments. No more whole brain radiation. This next step is where we really need the mind of the Lord to make decissions.

Thank you all for all you mean to us.

Surgery March 10, 2009

We checked into Lutheran at 7:30 a.m. MRI was scheduled for 8:15 but with the normal confusion it was 9:00 for the MRI. Surgery scheduled for 12:00 was postponed until 12:45. then 2:00 then 3:00. They started about 3:40. Long wait but because of all the family and friends being there it made it OK. Lot's of laughing and sharing. A few people at a time went back to the pre-op room Mary was in and spent time with her talking and praying. It is beyond words to express how great this was for Mary and me. The surgeon was pleased with how well the surgery went. Mary came out of surgery and as soon as she was awake was smiling and moving her hands, which by the way is a good sign. Once in her room she was talking pretty good for just coming out of surgery. As the surgery drugs began to ware off and she started felling some pain the gave her medication for the pain and she started fading in and out and saying the right words became harder for her. That was frustrating for her. She went to sleep about 10:00 p.m.

I can not say thank you enough for all those praying for her and visiting her. We know she is in God's hands and you all keep her before him in prayer.

I will let you know how tomorrow goes.

God Bless

Bob

Surgery Schedule 3/10/09

Mary will be going into surgery on Tuesday March 10th. She checks in at the hospital at 7:30 a.m. She will have an MRI at 8:15 a.m. The surgery is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. Monday morning she has to have the blood work done. We appreciate all your payers as we know all of this is in Gods hands. Mary should only be in the Hospital two to three days at the most. Last time she was home in less than 48 hours. Although this is stressfull Mary has total faith and trust in what God is doing and knows He is going through this at her side. Continue to pray for clarity and wisdom for the decisions that will need to be made about what to do aftere surgery.

God bless

Surgery Scheduled

We met with the Brain Surgeon today. Surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday (3/10/09) We are waiting for confirmation but as of now she needs to be there at 6:00am for all the preparation stuff. I will let you know as soon as I do what time the actual surgery is scheduled for. The surgeon seamed more positive than he was a couple of years ago. I think seeing how well Mary was doing had an impact on him. He has not seen many GBM patients go this long considering how large Mary's first Tumor was. We know God is in control and maybe through this, God can use Mary to bring the surgeon to know Christ. You never know what God may do or how he will do it.

Your prayers are always appreciated and felt. Pray for Dr. Dixit also.