Update for 9-29-06

For about the fifth day in a row, I am feeling very good...no upset stomach. As Mary Anne mentioned, I see each day as a gift. As you might imagine, this kind of news, "It's Cancer", throws your whole life upside-down. Each time I think of something in the future, I tend to move away from it as the future seems so uncertain. However, I think it is positive thinking to continue to plan things in the future. I am a planner. Toward that end, we have invited all our children and grandchildren to come down to Bonaire this winter for a week. They are coming at different times so that we may be able to spend some quality time with each family. It will be quite a treat!

I am a believer that this is all in God's plan (that does not mean I have to like the plan but I accept it). I have not had any "Why me?" or anger-with-God issues to deal with. There is a reason why God allowed this to happen but like so many other things, it is hard for us to see that. We just don't have the big picture. The cards and prays from so many people have truly been humbling. I do feel so wrapped in prayer and love. Thanks to each of you who care and are praying. My love goes to each of you!

Update for 9-26-06

After a lot of talking on the way home in the car Saturday, Joe has decided at this point not to pursue Chemo. I totally agree with this decision. He is still feeling so well except for the queezy stomach and for now, we are going to enjoy the quality days he has. We have arranged a trip to Utah to see the National Parks which Joe has wanted to do for the last several years but we couldn't fit it in our schedule. We were going to go with Ben and Marilyn, our long time Marriage Encounter friends, but they had problems with their schedule and we didn't want to put it off so we asked Ed and Jayne, our next door neighbors, and they said yes. They are also following the Vegan diet so that will make it easier for us. Our daughter Karen will meet us on the last weekend in Las Vegas for a few days. Joe had never been there and although we don't drink or gamble it is a fascinating place to visit. We continue to be strengthened by the prayers of so many and thank you for your faithfulness. We know this is in God's plan and somehow He will use it to good. We still pray for a miracle. Yesterday Joe started taking Mangostein juice as well as the Vegan diet as it is supposed to flush out the toxins. Last night at dinner he said his stomach felt better than it had in a long long time. By the way he did have steak and baked potato and bananas foster for dessert last Friday and felt fine afterward and enjoyed the treat. We are going to post this blog on the website for cholangiocarcinoma patients and families. I have gotten a lot of comfort and encouragment from reading their blogs and wanted to be able to share with them. Please continue to pray and know we are lifted up by all the cards and calls. God Bless Mary Anne

Update for 9-22-06

Just returned from seeing the doctor at Mayo. He didn't tell us anything new. The liver tumor has grown some as have the lung tumors. He feel our best option is systemic chemo using Gemcitibine and Xeloda. He said we could wait a few months if we wanted to take some trips. He also said we could look at local chemoembolization which would go directly to the tumor in the liver. It would require a few hospital days because of the pain and would do nothing for the metastases. We will have to talk to the Dr. at Northwestern and see what she has to say. He continues to feel just about the same and today was not as hard as I expected but I don't have cancer. Joe is being such a trooper. We are going to take a break from the vegan diet and he is going to have steak tonight. We will head home tomorrow. Thanks again to all of you. Don't stop praying. We know God still has His hand in this. God Bless Mary Anne

Because we both blog here -- no picture shows up on this first page. So here's Joe -- Occasionally we'll put the picture here so you don't have to scroll down to see!

Update for 9-21-06

We had a good day at Mayo Clinic today. Tests were on time althought the last one wasnt' til noon and Joe had to fast. Cath and I caught up on everything and played some cards. She won, by the way. We see the doctor tomorrow morning and we hope to get some hopeful news. We know the treatment for this type of cancer is not promising but we are praying that the nutrition program and the prayers will work a miracle. We rely on God's word that he cares for his people and we are grateful that so many of His people ar praying for Joe and me. One of our favorite verses is Phil 4 :13 -- I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. That was also one of my Mom's favorites, and I learned it from her many years ago. Take care and don't give up on God. Whatever, we are going to make it. God Bless. Mary Anne

Update for 9-13-06

Hi All, We finally heard from Mayo with a little help from my sister and the cancer doctor that treated my Mom 20 years ago there. We have an appointment for next Thursday the 21st for tests and then we see the doctor on Friday the 22nd. Joe has to run around and get slides and films and reports Friday and Monday but at least we are moving. My sister Cath and her husband Tim have an empty nest in Rochester now so we can stay with them. We will be leaving Jake (the dog) with Cassie since he is 12 now and can't wait all day for us to come home. Thanks for all your prayers that got us in and we will keep you posted with whatver we hear. God Bless Mary Anne

Update for 9-7-06

Well, we heard from Dr. Mulcahy at Northwestern last night. she said the scans showed a little growth in the two lung lesions but the liver looked about the same. No new things appeared which was good. She said a second opinion would be good and referred us to Mayo's. We called this morning and the best we could do was they would give the info to the oncologist and we would hear back in 4-5 business days. Nothing goes fast in this. We continue to eat healthy and pray like crazy. Thanks for your support. We will update when we know more. Mary Anne

Update for 9-1-06

I had 2 scans on Thursday but we won't have results until probably next Wednesday. We are going to our son Michael's house in Ohio for the weekend and, of course, I will be building stuff for him but taking time out to watch Notre Dame on Saturday. We continue to do well even tho some options are being eliminated. We are checking into clinical trials in several states. Will update when we have more.