Friday 12/28/12

We had a great Christmas, everyone was here by Sunday night. Monday was a good day and on Christmas Eve we had our traditional supper of crepes by candlelight. Then on Christmas day Del, Chuck, Ken, Kathy and Dan all came to join us for our traditional Christmas Brunch.  Tina woke up sick, Grant soon followed, then around noon Cherilyn also came down with whatever it was.  They were all nauseated, vomiting and generally sick.  Not a good Christmas day for them. Fortunately it was a 24 hour bug, so all are recovered by now.

We had snow which fell all day on Monday, through the night and much of the day Christmas until we had 8 inches.  There were adventures getting out for those who had to leave on Christmas day.  Leland spent much of the afternoon rescuing those who were stuck a few miles from the house and showing them a way to get to town with less steep hills. 

He went to Hood River today to take our friend,  Elaine, to the Dr. They went out to lunch together and did a little shopping.  He is tired right now and napping in his chair. 

Grant is still here with us.  I spent the day with him and doing our cooking for the weekend, and finishing the cleaning.  We are having company for the weekend in addition to Grant, long time friend Kathy W will arrive in a few minutes.

Leland is doing pretty well, fingers are still numb and sore, but infection is all cleared up.  He has lost some weight again which I am concerned about, as he has been eating well with good appetite.  We go to Seattle again this coming week on Thursday so will have blood work and PSA done again to see how he is progressing. 

I will probably  not be able to post here  until Sabbath evening or Sunday as we will not arrive home from Seattle until Thursday night, will be having communion  Friday night, and I am helping to decorate for it during the day-it will be a busy week for us. I will post as soon as possible, and in the meantime, thank you all again for your prayers and support. 

Thursday 12-20-12

The tree is up, the decorating done except for some fresh pine "poufs" we will cut and bring in tomorrow.  Cooking is partly done, will also be finished tomorrow, then on Sabbath evening Mark, Tina and Grant will arrive.  Sunday Chaunda, Cherilyn and Todd will arrive and we will all be together for Christmas.  Christmas day we will have our traditional brunch and be joined by Del, Chuck, Ken, Kathy and Dan.  A lovely houseful!

Leland's infected finger is well again, after a week of poultices. First the charcoal, then colloidal silver (another natural antibiotic). Thanks for reminding me of this Jerry.   We consulted with the clinic a couple of times, but never did need to take him in.  The rest of his fingers are still tender and somewhat numb, and he may lose the nails, or they just may be discolored until they grow out. He is feeling pretty well, and doing quite a bit each day, taking care to protect his nails from snagging on things by wearing either gloves or a bandaid depending on what he is doing.

Yesterday we went to The Dalles and did some rather intense shopping with a couple of kids the church family sponsored for Christmas.  We got the fun of taking them and helping them choose some new clothing. Kathy went along and took the girl, I took the boy, and Leland drove us around.  A sucessful trip! Thank you Del for organizing the project. I am still surprised by every good day, and really appreciate each one.

We wish each of you a blessed and merry Christmas with family, friends and a renewed appreciation of the incredible gift we have been given.  "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given".....

Friday 12-14-12 Sore fingers

We are in the living room with a fire going and all the Christmas lights on, grateful for the peace and comfort we have tonight. Many families are in deep grief tonight from the senseless violence which took place earlier today, and our hearts go out to them.

Leland continues to feel well except for his fingers.  Besides the neuropathy, numbness and soreness, he also has an infection in one of his fingers.  It was quite swollen and red around the nail which is very loose, and extremely tender.  The epsom salt soaks did not help, in fact it hurt worse after soaking.  We were considering a trip to the Dr. but decided to try a charcoal poultice.  That has helped a lot, but has not completely done the job.  We are watching it carefully and will go to the Dr. if it does not continue to heal.  He has been wearing the poultice since Tuesday night-freshly done twice a day of course.
 
We went shopping in the Dalles on Wednesday, and got him a pair of light gloves to wear when doing things around the house to protect his fingernails from getting caught on something and torn loose. They are quite light weight with a good gripping material on the fingers and palms; seems to work pretty well for him.

His energy is fairly good, he made a trip to the dump on Tuesday by himself, and went to town this morning for more bandage supplies.  He has been sleeping for longer stretches at night, and is not needing to nap during the day.  Today he vacuumed, dusted and did a few other things as well.  

We put up the tree earlier this week, and are pretty well finished with decorating.  The kids are coming for Christmas so that was an incentive to do more than we might have otherwise. 

We just finished watching the Navtivity Story which never fails to touch my heart once again.  It is a great depiction of the very human condition Jesus took upon Himself.  A gritty and realistic portrayal of life in Nazareth and Bethlehem.   What an incredible and wonderful story it is!

Fri. Dec 7, 2012 Side Effects

45 years ago today, Leland was released from the army with an honorable discharge and we came home from Fort Irwin California uncertain of our future, but knowing somehow it would all work out.  And it has. God has blessed us through the years with a loving family, a home, 2 wonderful church families and all of you. 

Leland continues to feel pretty well, in spite of all the trauma his body has endured.  It has been good to be home all week and it was really good to be able to go to both Sabbath School and Church for the first time in 8 months!  Also, for the first time in 8 months we went to prayer meeting Wednesday night, which was a blessing.  We are slowly getting caught up on projects which had to slide over the months-those things which no one else can do be they ever so willing; things like cleaning out your desk, and clearing the top.  He put up some of our outdoor lights, not the icicle lights which require going up on the roof, but the strings he twists around the pillars on the front deck.  He also put up the small lighted tree which goes out there, so it looks festive.

He does not have the strength which he had before, so has to pace himself; which is totally against his nature! But he builds the fire most mornings, folds laundry (which I hate doing) pays the bills and did our Christmas letter-another thing I don't really enjoy doing.  I do love to get yours though-so I help him a little in between my other projects. 

He is having some delayed side effects from the chemo treatments, I think I already mentioned his fingernails had turned brown, now some of them are turning black and they sometimes ooze a little liquid out, and his fingertips feel numb.  He has to be careful with his hands, and sometimes I need to do small things for him since he doesn't have enough feeling to button a small button (why do men's shirts have such tiny buttons??) or pick up a small object. 

His feet began swelling last Sabbath evening, something which he has never had before.  We need to go to town and get some compression stockings which he needs to put on before getting up.  We went to the Dalles on Monday and he had an Ultra Sound on his legs to rule out a blood clot.  The test was negative, so it is the chemo. It is not painful, and his shoes still fit, so that is good since it will probably last for some time.  The side effect of chemo can continue to appear for months after it has stopped, so there may be some other surprises in store, but hopefully this will be the worst of it. 

He is eating and sleeping well, and his taste is returning to normal so he is enjoying his food again.  I have joined a website with a forum for wives with prostate cancer and found a lot of woment who are going through the same medical and emotional issues as we are, so that is helpful for me, and maybe I can be helpful to some of them in turn.

Thank you Del and Chuck for the stocking caps you made for Leland to cover his head from the cold. He will enjoy having such a nice new one for our walks outside and when we go to town and the weather is really cold.  One good thing about his extremely short haircut-he does not have hat head when he takes a stocking cap off!

From Jesus Calling page 352:  "I love you with an everlasting Love, which flows out from the depths of eternity.  Before you were born, I knew you.  Ponder the awesome mystery of Love that encompasses you from before birth to beyond the grave."

Nov. 29, 2012- The Next Phase

The Next Phase

We arrived home rather late last night after seeing the doctors at the clinic in Renton-Seattle, and doing some shopping on the way home in both Renton and Yakima. We saw snow falling on the passes, but nothing sticking to the roads. There was ice on the road near home, and we skidded a little at the intersection of Pine Forest and Knight Road, but got home safely.

The news was good, Leland no longer needs to continue any Chemo treatments. We are happy for that as he was beginning to have more pronounced side effects even though he has been taking the supplements designed to guard against or at least minimize the damage. The docs are pleased with his progress. PSA down to 7.7 two weeks ago and probably lower than that now. CT scan showing decreases in lymph node size, and bones stabilized. Tumors smaller, and weight still doing well with another 2 pound gain, bringing him to within about 5 pounds of where he was when he was diagnosed.

Dr. Chen reminded us that this  cancer  cannot be cured, only "managed". He recommended Hormone Blockade Therapy, and Leland agreed to a trial. So he received a shot yesterday that will last a month. If he does OK on that, and is able tolerate the side effects, then when we go back in a month, they will give him a shot that will last 3 months. His PSA will be monitored through all this, and once it has gone down to undetectable levels, and stayed there for several months, he can move to intermittent therapy, going back on if the PSA begins to rise. This may work for several years-or it may not. For now he stable, improving and his quality of life is fairly good if compared with BC-Before Cancer. But compared to the nightmare of last summer, the quality is very good! 

Dr Sweet, Naturopathic Oncologist, changed his supplements somewhat this time to emphasize prevention.  He is on a very high quality Fish Oil, Green tea Extract, vitamin D, Melatonin, Multi-vitamin, Iscador, a Probiotic, Calcium . DCA and Manose, plus Super Zeaxanthin for his Macular Degeneration  ( I think he got the  bad end of the VanTassel gene pool!)   He also needs to eat at least one ½ cup serving of cruciferous vegetables each day as well as a serving of root vegetables.  Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, organic eggs, nuts.   Sweets need to be whole grain and sweetened with Stevia, Xylitol, Maple Syrup, or raw honey,  using no damaged oils.

Organic is important if it can be obtained, especially the items on the “Dirty Dozen” List plus the most genetically modified grains; corn, and wheat.  Soy is also heavily modified, so we only use organic or at least certified Non-GMO. 

Dr Sweet told us that the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle did a study with Fish Oil and Cancer patients and concluded that Fish Oil with EPA and DHA reduces death from all causes not just cancer.  She also told us that it used to be 1 in 20 people would get cancer.  Now it is 1 in 3!!  She said clearly, our society is doing something different overall which has caused this epidemic. So we have eliminated the chemicals in our environment which we can control,  are eating the best we can (Dr. Sweet says we are doing better than 99% of the patients she talks to) and exercising.  Today is too icy and cold outside, so we are using the  treadmill.  Leland also started using free weights to regain the strength in his upper body. 

We are relieved not to have to continue the drive to Seattle every week, especially as winter is really setting in.  We are feeling especially blessed that he is doing as well as he is, and trusting that God will take care of tomorrow as He always has. We have “Just Enough Light For the Step We Are On” and know that whatever step must be taken tomorrow,  will be lighted s well.  

November 16, 2012 12th Treatment

 

November 16, 2012 12^th Treatment

Leland has had the last treatment in this series. His blood work looked good and his PSA is down to 7.6. He gained 1.5 pounds which offset the 1 pound loss of last week, so weight seems to be stable.

Today he had his CT scan. Unfortunately, we will not find out the results of that until Wednesday the 28th as his doctor is on vacation all next week. We are fairly sure that the Medical Oncologist will recommend at least another 6 treatments. I rather dread that as the toxic effects seem to be multiplying. Maybe a week off will be beneficial to more recovery.

We sat in the waiting room today next to a man drinking the same stuff Leland was having to drink for the CT scan. We got to talking and found out that he is dealing with 3 cancers at once-Leukemia, Lymphoma and Melanoma which he has been fighting for   2 ½ years.  We had never heard of anyone having multiple cancers at the same time. No matter how much trouble one is having, there is always someone else having a worse time.

Leland  has not been feeling very well for the last 2 weeks or so. He is unable sleep the night of the treatment, then is tired and worn out for at least the next two days. His fingers are sore, his leg muscles feel tired much of the time,  his fingernails are turning brown and he goes through Kleenex by the boxes. 

 The PA told us that sometimes people even completely lose their fingernails during chemo. One of the patients whom I have mentioned before here, Tara, had that happen. Hers have grown back now, and she is proudly sporting bright pink polish on her new nails.

Sometimes it is hard to believe we are living the cancer lifestyle-medicines, supplements, Dr. appointments, treatments, illness-and always-hope that this is not permanent but temporary.  I had an interesting phone conversation with a man who works for an organization which helps cancer patients and he told me that he was diagnosed with invasive prostate cancer 20 years ago.  He has not been “cured” but has been able to “manage” it so that he has a decent quality of life, able to work and travel.  So perhaps that is another scenario which would have distinct possibilities and be more realistic in our circumstance, while still affording quality of life for both of us.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, we are thankful for each of you and the prayers you send up so faithfully for us.   

November 9, 2012 11th Treatment

I am sitting in front of a lovely fire which Leland built earlier this evening and in front of which we also had our simple supper of soup and toast. 

Leland had his 11th treatment this week, and so far seems to be feeling better than last week, more energy, enjoying the taste of food more, doing some chores and able to enjoy projects on his computer.  We talked to his ND Oncologist regarding the taste problem, and she told us to get Zinc Picolinate, 20-30 mg and take it once a day.  So we did that yesterday and it seems to be helping already. 

He lost a pound last week, but all his blood work is fine.  We borrowed Del and Chuck's clippers and gave him the "Chemo-Haircut" - very short.  But not short enough, so more will have to come off on Sunday with the new clippers we got while in town. He has lost a lot of hair and has some pretty bare spots especially on top, so it really does look better short. Will probably have to really shave it in a couple of weeks or sooner.  He was dreading it (as he told me afterward) and so was I, but really keeping it all in perspective, bald for a time is really not a big deal.  We laughed about it and I offered to shave mine too, which he declined-can't say I am sorry about that! 

We returned home via Portland this time, in order to go with Cherilyn and Todd to the 20 week Ultra Sound with them.  What a special time that was-getting to see the baby already fully formed and functioning.  We could see his little face -yes I said his!-arms, legs, hands, spinal column, brain and heart along with a very clear picture of his little "peter".  Cherilyn recognized it first, and said "It's a boy!"    Could see him moving around a lot too.  We were all thrilled to find out he is healthy and a boy.  Todd and Cherilyn couldn't stop smiling, and neither could we.  Due date is March 25 or 26 and we are planning to be there! 

We came home to a nice clean house, so all we had to do was unload our things, put away the groceries and unpack, which did not take long.  Thank you Cherilyn and Todd for the gift of help you have given us, and thank you Del for doing such a great job in all you do. We have so much for which to be thankful, in addition to Leland feeling better, and our tiny little grandson, it is  Chaunda's birthday today, and she started her new job this week. 
 

Nov 2, 2012 10th Treatment

This trip was special as Del and Chuck came along with us, and we went a day early so we would have a day to do other things in the area.  We drove up on Monday and spent Tuesday taking a ferry to Bainbridge Island to see our dear friend Jackie who has had a stroke.  She is in a very nice rehab center there, and progressing very well.  It was good to see Wes, her husband who has been staying there in Paulsbo with their son so he can see Jackie every day. 

It was a very wet and rainy day in Seattle and on the Island. Waiting for the ferry we could see the tops of the skyscrapers shrouded in misty fog. We were interested to see the Washington State Patrol K-9 unit working the waiting cars, each one being sniffed for explosives. The dogs are extremely well trained and the teamwork between them and their handlers is amazing.

 We were all glad to have Chaunda for our driver all day as she is not only fun to be with, she also knows the area much better than we do.

After seeing Jackie and Wes we explored a little of Bainbridge Island going to Indianola to see the new home which Chuck's brother and his wife recently purchased. It is in a charming neighborhood dominated by hundreds of very tall fir trees and attractive homes. We then took a different ferry back to Edmonds and meandered south to Seattle where we ended up at the Pikes Market. It was just closing so we did not see much, but we were all tired by then and ready to rest.

Leland's treatment was Wednesday morning as usual.  The chemo is beginning to affect him a little more each week, and he is not feeling quite as well as before. We saw a PA who assured us that the side effects he is dealing with are temporary, and will recede when treatment is over because the supplements he is taking are protecting him from permanent damage. His sense of taste has been affected the last couple of weeks; his food does not taste as good as good to him as in the past.  He says it is the oral equivalent of having a semi-sheer veil over one's eyes.  But even with that, he was up another 4 pounds, for a total of 16 pounds restored. The smaller clothing we bought a couple months ago is getting snug on him. Shawna, the PA said that is a very encouraging sign.   There will be two more treatments, then another round of tests to measure the progress made.   The Oncologist said that realistically he should expect to need another  6 treatments, but the test results will help to determine that. 

Thank you Chaunda for spending a whole day driving a bunch of senior citizens around-you did great :).  And thanks Del and Chuck for going along and sharing your company with us.  We always enjoy doing things with you.  We are blessed with family who are also friends!

October 25, 2012 9th Treatment

October 25, 2012 9^th Treatment

We arrived home late yesterday evening from Leland’s 9^th treatment.  The trip went smoothly;  there was roadside snow over the passes and on the peaks. The autumn leaves are still lovely especially against  dark clouds shot through with sunshine and rainbows.  It makes us wonder what we will be driving through next week!

The treatments are still going well, the blood work is stable and his weight was up another 4 pounds-yes! His hair is thinning noticeably, and he slept only 3 hours last night, which seems to be becoming a pattern for the night after treatment.  We went for a 2 mile walk today, which made him tired, but he recovered well after a rest. 

We are getting aquainted with more of the patients at the clinic each week.  Every one of them is a story of courage and perseverance, and dogged determination to find a better way.  Everyone with whom I have visited so far is a Stage IV Lung, Breast or Liver Cancer.  Most come with a spouse, adult child or friend, but some come alone.  Some look pretty healthy, and some are very very sick.  One lady, with Stage IV Breast Cancer also has mets to the brain and bones. Her husband is there every week, and very attentive to her;  interfacing with the doctors and nurses when she is unable.  She is very sweet and friendly even as sick as she is.  Another couple is dealing with his liver cancer, and doing some of the same treatments Leland is getting. His wife is struggling with his personality change as well as difficult changes in his appetite.  Another little lady with Stage IV lung cancer and mets to the bones drove all the way there with her husband from Goldendale only to find out no treatment was possible for that day because she needed a blood transfusion first.  I was visiting with them when the nurse came and told her, and said she would help them arrange for blood testing here in Goldendale before making that long trip up again.

We are  at the point of praying for one another, strangers brought together by a common enemy and drawn together by a common hope. Each one deals with it in his or her own special way, some with faith, some with a fighting spirit mixed with faith, and some just fighting, refusing  to give up until they have no other choice.   The staff is wonderful, lots of  bright young friendly efficient professionals doing their best to make their patients as comfortable and healthy as possible. The Oncologists and Naturopathic Oncologists are fighting for their patients every day, applying their considerable skill to save lives and improve the quality of life for everyone under their care. We are grateful indeed to each of them and to God for bringing us to this place of hope.

10/18/2012 Treatment #8

 

We are home from Seattle again.  It was a beautiful trip across the mountains; the fall color is really lovely right now.  Chaunda had come via Amtrak on Sunday evening from Portland and spent a couple of days with us, traveling back to Seattle with us on Tuesday.  Of course, spending time with her is always great and she drove all the way there.  Thank you Chaunda! 

She does not like my poor old dollar store mugs, so she gave us 4 of her beautiful handmade mugs with the vibrant colors and leaves on them, which are my all time favorites.  She has a job now which she will begin November 5, so her time will be more limited.

 

Leland is doing well, the sesame oil brought his platelets up enough that he does not need to take it again for a while, until the tests show it declining again.  He is having some trouble with peripheral neuropathy which can cause numbness and tingling in the extremities-in his case being sore and somewhat clumsy finger tips.  This can be caused by diabetes among other things, but in his case is one of the side effects of chemo.  He is already on a high dose of glutamine to forestall the neuropathy, but we were advised to add fish oil to his regimen.  So I have ordered the best I can find, and he will begin that just as soon as we receive it.  He is still on the vitamin cocktail administered before the chemo, and the Iscador, all of which I believe are contributing to his well being and toleration of the chemo.

His weight was stable this last week, no gain or loss.  His blood counts continue to decline gently each week, but so far are still in the acceptable range for the therapy. He had a little more fatigue this last week than he had been having, which they told us to expect, and his hair is thinner than before.  Overall, he is still doing well, and able to participate in life again.  I think a busy life  sometimes forestalls our appreciation of the ability to do the things we want and need to do until suddenly that is removed for a time.  It now seems like such a treat to go to church and stay for dinner, to be able to go out for the evening, or go to town together.  Even the ability to enjoy the trip to Seattle each week is appreciated after the summer we spent mostly unable to do much of anything.

Thank you Rosemarie and Riverside Prayer Shawlers for the beautiful purple “Prayer Shawl”. It is lovely to wrap around my shoulders in the early morning chill, or in the evening. Thank you for the love and prayers knitted into each stitch.

I will close with a thought by Stormie O’Martian in Just Enough Light For the Step I’m On,  page 131 and 132:

“God often allows hard things to happen in our lives in order to bless us in some way.  If we are willing to allow for that possibility in everything that happens, it saves us from being devastated by people and situations that are ultimately going to be used for God’s glory.  If we surrender our disappointment to God and say “Be my Light and lead me through this Lord” His work will be accomplished faster……….

It pleases God when you have faith enough in the midst of your disappointment to put your hope and expectations in Him……If you will maintain a humble submitted, faith filled  expectant heart, you will see God’s goodness manifest in the midst of all that is happening to you”

Oct 10,2012 7th Treatment

Oct 10, 2012 Treatment 7

Today was a full day-4 ½ hours of treatment at the clinic, consults with both the medical and Naturopathic Oncologists, a great lunch which Chaunda fixed for us, a little shopping and then home again.

Leland is doing quite well. His PSA went from 23 to 228 while on Protocel.  Today it was 16!!  He has blood work done every single week, and they really watch all the indicators.  His platelets (for blood clotting)  are down now because of the chemo;  we were advised to get cold pressed sesame oil-untoasted- which will assist his body to manufacture more of them.   Who knew?  I thought sesame oil was only used for Asian cooking! We found some by Spectrum and I whipped it into his drink which contains among other things, protein powder, glutamine, mannose, sesame oil, flax oil, stevia, vanilla and orange juice in a base of almond milk.  I taste test it for him, and adjust it til it tastes good.    Stevia and vanilla make most anything taste better, and adding the orange juice makes it a little like an Orange Julius.  Fortunately, most of the meds and supplements which go in are relatively tasteless.

There will be 5 more treatments, then a reassessment, and probably 6 more before going on to  the next phase.

Another piece of good news is a 3.5 pound weight gain this week, 2 pounds last week and 3 the week before!  His appetite has really improved along with everything else. We really need to watch his protein intake, as it takes much more than normal to fight cancer.  So in addition to all he protein food he can eat, we have to add two  high protein drinks.  

Dr. Chen, the Med. Oncologist believes the new bone pain from week before last was probably the result of the Zometa infusion the week before. Zometa is a bisphosphonate used to treat osteoporosis, or bone metastasis.  Leland had to take narcotics for a couple of days, then it resolved.  He is being very careful not to do things like jump down out of the back of the pickup however.

 

Our nurse introduced me to another patient today-from Goldendale also.  A feisty little lady, Edna, with Stage IV lung cancer.  She told me she went to the cancer center in The Dalles-just once.  After they told her the misery which would be inflicted on her so she could live 6 months or so, she told the oncologist there that he was wrong, she was NOT going to die in 6 months-no thanks to him,  and she fired him on the spot.  It has been nearly a year, and she is still going strong.  She found the Seattle Center the same way I did, by searching on the internet for Integrative Medicine. Why does it need to be so hard and take so long?  Everyone to whom I have spoken there has found this clinic the same way. Many of them have tried traditional treatment first, which always comes without the nutritional support which naturopaths bring to an integrative team, and which really do help support the normal cells as well as faster regeneration of those normal cells which are damaged. 

 Dr G, the head Naturopathic Oncologist told us that many people are afraid of the side effects of treatment, but he reminded us the side effect of untreated cancer is death. We were staring that in the face earlier this summer.

We were really glad Leland was able to go to Mom VanTassel’s memorial this past weekend.  He hitched up the trailer and helped with the loading and did a lot of the driving.  Del and Chuck traveled with us so Chuck could help with the driving which we really appreciated.  We had a wonderful weekend reconnecting with family and friends.  It was a good weekend to honor the life and memory of a remarkable woman. I was blessed to know her and learned much from her as a young wife. I knew nothing about vegetarian cooking except for potato salad, scrambled eggs and vegeburgers, and she gladly shared her recipes with me.  She was always kind to me from day one, welcomed me to the family, and always let me know she loved me.  She taught me a lot; I appreciate and honor her memory.

Wednesday, Oct 3, 2012 6th Treatment

We are home from Leland’s 6^th treatment which went very well.  We were able to meet our daughter, Chaunda, and go to a small Thai Restaurant for lunch, after which we went to Harborview Hospital to see a friend from church here ( Jackie) who has had a stroke and very serious brain surgery.  Our prayers are for her and her family, and we hope she will be have a smooth recovery.

Leland was sick for a couple of days last week, just after I posted the last blog.  He had another episode of bone pain, in his  lower left leg, which was new.  When I called the clinic for him, they were concerned it could perhaps be a blood clot, and they thought he should get an Ultrasound on it, but it resolved within a couple of days, so  the US was not necessary after all.  The pain meds make him feel weird, and it seemed to upset his stomach this time.    However, by yesterday he was better, the pain was gone, and he was off the meds again.

Today, he got his first dose of Iscador, or Mistletoe, an immune therapy being used quite extensively in Germany. It is given by a small needle in the   interdermal fat layer.  The nurse showed us how to do it, since I will need to give it to him three days a week. He is still getting his vitamin “cocktail” by IV every week before the Chemo, along with the other nutritional therapies.

 I have been getting acquainted with some of the other patients  while Leland is napping, very nice people, all of them struggling with this awful disease. I met a couple across the aisle from us today from Leavenworth.  They are an older couple (like us? : )) and he has liver cancer.  She is from Germany so I was asking her about the package insert that came with the Iscador since it was all in German. They told me that when her husband started the Iscador, that he really began to feel better-almost normal.  So we are hoping for the same results for Leland.  

 We had a good trip both ways again for which we are thankful. We were delayed on I-90 for an hour on the way in.  They stopped all traffic going both ways for an hour for blasting.  Fortunately we had a book to read aloud and our supper, so we took a break right there in the middle of the freeway.  It is good to be home again.

September 30, 2012 5th Treatment

Leland had his 5th treatment last week.  It went well,  and he continues to be much improved.  Not 100%; as in completely well, but still so much better.  He is driving again, and has taken over the Seattle driving for which I am very happy!  He does a better job of that than I do, so I am glad to let him have it and so glad he is feeling up to it. 

After treatment, we went to Chaunda and Patricks.  We got to see the house and yard and a couple of the newest art projects.  She had fixed a nice lunch which we enjoyed, and then Patrick came home from work and we were able to visit with him for a few minutes before starting for home.  It is a long drive!

Yesterday, Sabbath, we went to church then in the late afternoon headed to MaryHill Park for a picnic supper with friends, a lovely day, none of which was possible just 5 weeks ago.

This week will be quite busy with the trip to Seattle, then on to Redmond for Mom's memorial service.  We will take the trailer and Del and Chuck will travel with us, so if Leland gets tired, Chuck can drive.  I can drive on the open road if I need to, but would never be able to back it up and park it.

Mom's service is on Sabbath, Oct 6 at 3pm, Redmond SDA Church. Leland has created the program hand out, and it has gone to the printers, we will pick up the order on Monday.  Del has arranged the program, gotten the headstone which is beautiful, Norm has done a really great slide show, and now I must put the finishing touches on the Eulogy, and we are ready to honor her life.  We are grateful Mom never had to know about Leland's cancer.  We are also grateful to be able to plan on going to her service, which would not have been possible had this all happened in July.  We are looking forward to seeing all the family and many friends next weekend.

September 19,2012 Treatment #4

We are home from Seattle once again, another safe trip.  Leland is feeling so well, he drove the entire way home while I read to him, much of the time that we were not watching the fires we could see from I-90 near Ellensburg.  Awful smoke and devastation in the forest there.

As I am writing this, he is in his office working on the program for Mom VanTassel's memorial service. This is after arriving at the clinic at 8 am, 4 hours of treatment, a trip to the South Center Mall with Chaunda then 5 hours home.  Amazing!   He enjoys that kind of work, but had not had the energy to do anything like that for months.  

The treatments are going very well, and Leland commented tonight that he feels better today than at any time since his diagnosis-what an incredible blessing after the nightmare we lived through in July!

We saw both Oncologists today, who think Leland is doing very well.  The CT scan was somewhat troubling, but was repeated after only three treatments of  twelve, so they will wait and check it again in November.  In the meantime, his blood is drawn every week before treatment;  they are satisfied with the profile and the progress he is making.  We have access to a Physicians Assistant, RNs, a Medical Oncologist and a Naturopathic Oncologist every week.  They all work as a team, meeting every morning together to discuss each patient for that day.  I cannot say enough good about Integrative Medicine and the huge improvement in Leland's quality of life! It is an answer to prayer.

 His series of treatments are due to be finished the 14th of November, and then another protocol will start, to be determined by the results of tests that will be done then to gauge progress.  I hope we will not need to continue weekly trips there, but we will do what we need to do. Hopefully, he will have made excellent progress into remission and the protocol will be one of maintenance and prevention.

Last week David and Susan came over with Kylie and Kierstyn.  David used the weedeater and cut down a lot of weeds which were growing around the parking area and driveway.  Thank you soooo much!  Kylie almost 7, and very cute, leaned into me while I was sitting in the living room and said very seriously "Grandma VanTassel, I NEED to know why Grandpa VanTassel has cancer."  "Well honey, I really can't answer that-we just don't know"  I replied.  A little later she went into the computer room where Leland was opening some pictures to show them, leaned into his chair, and repeated the same question to him.  He told her "We really don't know why Kylie, but if you ever get cancer, you will be very old when it happens"  He said she seemed satisfied with that, and ran off to play.  So sweet, and learning so fast. 
 Also last week, Del came over and organized the greenhouse in which I had been piling boxes until we can get them to recyling.  And then she washed a couple hundred of the 3 1/2  and 4 inch pots!  Thank you Del, now when spring comes, we can just go right to work :)

Thursday, Sept 13, 2012

We are back from Seattle. Leland had a Power Port inserted under his skin on Tuesday afternoon. It has a catheter that goes from a small recepticle inplanted just under his skin and right under the collarbone. The catheter goes into the jugular vein and moves whatever is being infused much more quickly and efficiently than a vein, as the blood flow is much faster there. This saves him from having his veins pierced each week, and hopefully will keep them from breaking down.

His blood is drawn each week, and the status checked before they do any therapy.  He will have the CT scan done tomorrow in The Dalles  and we should get the results when we go to the clinic next week.

His treatment is including high dose IV Vitamin C now, 25,000 units.  The treatments are going well, and he continues to feel better and able to enjoy his food again.  He still needs to nap throughout the day, but in between has energy and interest to do a few tasks as long as they don’t take too long.  He got his desk cleaned off again and has even done a session of Flight Sim which he had not had even the mental energy to do for a couple of months.

I got acquainted with a patient across the aisle from us this last week with   Stage IV Lung Cancer.  She was very friendly and we ended up visiting for several minutes while Leland dozed.  She told me they gave her 6 months to live, and first she was depressed, then she got mad.  So in colorful language which I will not repeat here, she stood up and told her Doctor that he was wrong, she would NOT Die and he was not going to help her, then he was fired.  She endured traditional treatment for 18 months, then found the Seattle Cancer Treatment Center and switched there.  The original DX was three and a half years ago, and she has been at this clinic for 2 years.  She has a fighting spirit, and great respect for the protocols here.  She was inspiring. 

 She told me that she has learned a few things through all of this, that life will never be the same again, but she is grateful to still be here, and refuses to spoil the gift of today with grieving over what she has lost.  She is alone with a 15 year old daughter so has huge incentive to keep fighting.  Her name is Tera   for anyone who would like to add her to your prayer list.

 We see patients there who seem quite well, and a few which are in much worse shape than Leland is. 

 

 We feel so blessed that he is feeling better, and is able to enjoy the trips there and back.  He has even been able to drive part of the way, which is really helpful.  So far I have done all the driving in the city, which has been rather stressful to me.  We see more cars going through one change of the intersection than we do all month in Goldendale!  But I remind myself that God has this all under control, that I can do all things thru Him Who strengthens me-even drive in crazy Seattle traffic surrounded on all side by 18 Wheelers!  Leland teases me that I must really like those trucks, cuz we are always right behind one : )  (Apologies to Laura and Larry)

Thank you dear Cherilyn and Todd for the housekeeper who came while we were gone and did the routine cleaning for us-what a help that was!  And to Pat for picking up our mail and leaving it on the step along with a basket of organic produce from her garden, to Stanton for delivering our Azure order today.  We will enjoy and be thankful for all we have this day.  And last but not least, we are also very happy that Cherilyn and Todd will be making us grandparents again on or near March 25 : ).  Hugs to all of you.

September 6, 2012 Seattle Cancer Treatment Center

We have been  here at the Cancer Treatment Center since 8:45 am, it is now just after noon.  Lots of details to work out-what the insurance will pay, and what we will pay. 

Leland has had his blood drawn and checked in the lab here, a vitamin infusion containing 25,00 units of C plus B and something else I can’t remember.  It will help him with cellular repair and oxidation, enhances the effect of the chemo and gives his immune system a lot of support.  He is now on the chemo drip, two different kinds which have been very successful for his type of cancer, plus a strong antiemetic which will last for 4-6 days in his system.

He has just enjoyed a large serving of watermelon which has been previously mostly forbidden due to high sugar content.  However, during the infusion period we have learned, it is good to eat something healthy and high in sugar.   As the cancer feeds on the sugar,  the watermelon is the Trojan Horse bringing the chemo in more effectively even though it is being given at a much lower dose than standard therapy. Any high glycemic food will do the job, although of course it is best to use whole fruits or juice for this.  Dr. G, our ND Oncologist says a lot of people bring in doughnuts and other junk, but he does not recommend that!

We are really appreciating the Integrative approach here.  Leland is tended by an RN, we have seen a Nurse Practioner, had a lot of help with navigating the insurance maze from the office staff, had several enlightening conversations with Dr. G and one of the other ND. Onc and been seen by the Medical Oncologist, Dr. C. 

He lost 3 more pounds this week, but Dr. G is not concerned, says all chemo patients lose weight because the body is fighting so hard, and it is to be expected.  He feels so much better now in constast  to last month, it is hard to believe. He actually has an appetite again, feels hunger rather than nausea and has some energy to do small tasks. He does get drowsy, and a little wobbly from time to time, but we can live with that!

He will have an IV Port placed in his upper chest wall next week, so his veins will not need to be punctured all the time.  Also another CT scan will be done, this time whole body, as no one yet has checked his chest and shoulders, then it can be compared with the first one done in April-at least the pelvis portion.

We were told by our nurse earlier (a cancer survivor herself) that aggressive cancers such as Leland’s respond very quickly to treatment.  Sounds good to me!  

We have a cubicle with a bed, a table and a couple of chairs, and curtains which can be drawn if we wish.  The wall by the bed is a huge window overlooking the  freeway with a view of a hillside in the background and lots of trees.  We are so thankful for each good day, for all God’s provisions for us, and for each of you-your love, prayers, cards and calls. We are indeed blessed as we journey this way.

Monday, Sept. 3, 2012

Just Enough Light-

Leland has been feeling better since his treatment than he has felt in several weeks.  There are always the adjustments which need to be made to keep everything in balance, but with the pain under control and the nausea greatly abated, he is doing so much better than before. 

We had a good trip home, and he has been able to eat again-at normal meal times.  He did not gain back any of the 7 pounds he lost a couple of weeks ago, but neither did he lose any more, so that is a draw.

He has been able to do a few chores, bill paying, mowing the lawn on the ride on mower, and he even fixed a broken part on one of our outdoor lounges today.  He tires easily; the pain meds make him drowsy, but we will take drowsy over sick!

We head back to Seattle-Renton area on Wednesday for a treatment on Thursday.  He will have a port inserted in his chest, as that is better than the IV in the veins.  .  We will be going once a week for 11 more treatments in this series.  They will be adding IV Vitamin C to the therapy this week.  He is on several nutritional supplements recommended by the ND Oncologists, with a couple more which we need to purchase online since they do not carry them in the clinic there.

We have been reading a book by Stormie Omartian called Just Enough Light For the Step I'm On.  It is very encouraging and speaks so often to the place in which we find ourselves.

August 30, 2012 Seattle Cancer Treatment Center

What a day this has been.  We are in Renton, just south of Seattle.  Leland had his appointment at the Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center today.  We were there for 3 1/2 hours.  His records were reviewed, he was examined and seen by two Oncologists, one Medical and one Naturopathic.

His cancer has been quite agressively advancing while we have been treating it "naturally and non-toxically." And making him sick in the process.   The doctors today were quite clear that unless something positive is done very soon to arrest it, he will not make it much longer.  I could see him fading away before my eyes for the last three weeks,  and he felt it, so it was not hard to convince us.

Bottom Line:  Tomorrow he begins his treatments which will consist of several Naturathic treatments designed to complement Low Dose Chemotherapy at about 25% of the normal dose and given once weekly rather than every three weeks.  We had understood Chemo was not an option in his case, and we had both said many times we would never submit to it.  However, this type of delivery is easier on the patient, and more effective, according to the Doctors here. So with very few options that seem to make any sense for him, we decided to go for it.  The decision was also driven by earnest prayer for wisdom and doors to open or shut.  This seems like an open door and we are walking through it in faith. 

We had a good trip here; Leland was able to eat well for the last two days, as we had taken him off all the stuff he was taking before. But then last night was very painful  which his pain meds helped very little. He ended up in a bed at the clinic today, as the appt was long, he was in pain and tired.  We do not think this will be easy; neither has what we have been doing, but we are hoping for better results.

He was given a stronger prescription for pain today, which seems to be helping and some meds to go along with the treatment for tomorrow, which he was unable to keep down.  We got 4 extra pillows from house keeping at our hotel, and he is sleeping on the couch in our room on top of about 5 pillows, which is a lot more comfortable for him.  The bed is like a board compared to our bed at home, and it is impossible for him to sleep in it. I don't much like it either, but can tolerate it a lot better than he can. Otherwise the room is comfortable and adequate.

The plan is for his first treatment to be done tomorrow morning then we head for home. 

Thank you Del and Chuck for the surprise supper you brought out to us on Tuesday evening, and the car cleaning you did-we so appreciated it.  And while we are gone, Bob and Annie are going to spray the clover in our our lawn; it seems to be taking over, Bob noticed it and offered to spray it for us.  Thank you so much.  Kathy is cleaning house for us on Friday, a real labor of love, and we have been given lots of garden produce.  We feel very loved and cared for.  We are thankful for so much even in the midst of this trying time, knowing that God has a plan, and as long as we trust Him, he will walk with us through the fire.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

This has been another difficult week, struggling with pain control,  nausea and all the implications that follow.  Leland has not been able to eat very well, has not been able to keep down some of what he has been able to eat, and this morning we recorded a record weight loss of 7 pounds for just one week.  Not good. 

He is lying on the couch where he has been most of the day, fatigued and nauseated.  Clearly, the plan we are on  is not working and I am actively working on getting him into an Integrative Clinic with an Oncologist who sucessfully practices Integrative Medicine, meaning that the best of both types-Alternative and Medical are used together in synergy and carefully formulated for the individual.  Hopefully we will be able to get an appointment soon and get some different answers.

The MRI was sobering, and not what we wanted to hear.  The Dr. said it clearly shows mets to the bones which were not there on the original CT Scan back in April.  The ND says the Protocel is working and he believes has killed the cancer in the bones leaving holes which show up as lesions.  The pain would be from healing bone.  The MD says the pain is from the cancer invading the bones. 
Sigh. I did a study hoping to find that MRI is less acurate than CT Scan, but that is not the case.  Leland has an appt for another Bone Scan and X-Rays this week.

 Wish I could go to the High Priest like David did, and have him inquire of the Lord for us!  We have of course been doing that, but so far we have no clear answer. 

Will appreciate your continued prayers for wisdom as we attempt to navigate these murky and troubled waters.

Thank you Dear Todd for the incredible offer of a housekeeper coming in to assist us, I must admit this has turned into more than a full time job.  And thanks to Del and Chuck for coming over this week and hanging some new blinds for us as well as washing some very dirty and neglected windows and picking strawberries.  Love you all!

Sunday, August 19, Here we are...

After talking with Mom this morning, I'm here in Goldendale. Saturday night was rough for both of them. Dad slept no more than 5 or 10 min at a time due to pain levels and Mom got about 2 hours total as she was taking care of him. Dealing with cancer is bad enough when you're not completely sleep deprived! So I came out, did some dishes and laundry, and we all took naps. Awww.

Dr. M (the urologist) sent in a prescription for a stronger pain killer and Dad is resting more comfortably now. We also received a premliminary report from Dad's tests last week, but are waiting for a complete rundown and consultation from the doctor next week. We'll keep everyone posted at that time.

For now we are picking fresh tomatoes, telling stories, cooking chili, listening to frogs, and trying to relax. And as always, we accpet all your love and prayers.

~Cherilyn

Sunday August 12, 2012

It has been a good week in many ways with some sadness as well.   Chaunda came on Tuesday, stayed over and went to Portland with us, then left on Thursday. It is always so good to have the kids come! On Wednesday morning we got a call from Jannie with the news that Mom VT had passed away the night before. She had not been doing well, and the news was not unexpected.  She lived a good long life, 100 years, 5 months and 2 days. She  was ready to go to her rest.  Her service will be October 7th. We all will miss her in many ways, and feel grateful  that God answered our prayers to take her gently in her sleep so she would not be afraid or anxious.   Another blessing is she never knew about Leland's cancer.  Del told her Leland was sick, and couldn't come to see her for a while, but was working on getting better.  She was satisfied with that, which was a blessing for all!

The trip and the MRI went fine, and I was able to visit with my former workmates and dear friends in the Cytology Dpt while Leland was having the test run. We then did some shopping and returned home, tired, but with most everything accomplished.

We have not yet received the MRI report as the Urologist was out of the office until this week, so perhaps tomorrow. The blood tests will be done tomorrow; the kit finally came from the Onco Lab in Boston.  I will need to go to The Dalles to pick up dry ice for the part which will be shipped  back to Boston via overnight mail.  There is no source of dry ice in Goldendale; the lab manager has gone out of his way to obtain this particular test, so the least I can do is go after the dry ice.

Leland has felt a little better this week, still fatigued and nauseated at least some nearly every day, but it seems to be under control most of the time.  The pain comes and goes, and we keep working on finding ways to deal with it. Tomorrow I will go to Wahlgreens in The Dalles and buy some Sea Bands to try-it works for pregnancy nausea and sea sickness, so perhaps it will work with Leland.  It is worth a try at least.   

One good piece of news:  He gained another pound this last week, not a lot, but certainly better than losing another one!  So he has now regained the weight he lost during the cleanse,  which tells us he is assimilating his food again. 

Friday night, Ed and Dana came in their motor home to visit.  We had a simple supper outside on the patio with Del and Chuck-a very pleasant evening indeed.  Leland did not feel super well, but was able to participate, which he enjoyed very much.  Ed and Dana spent the night in their motor home, then came in and had breakfast with us, after the men went out and picked a few fresh blueberries and strawberries to go on our granola.  A lovely visit-come again!

Sabbath evening we watched a DVD lent by a friend; Ron Clouzet speaking of  Christ in you, the hope of glory and we in Christ, which means we are surrounded by Christ on all sides.  Everything which touches us, also touches Him,  must go through Him and has a purpose for the greater  good.  We had not thought of it in quite that way before, but found it very comforting, a wonderful arrangement indeed!

Sunday August 5, 2012
Another busy week has passed, with another coming up.  Last week Mark, Tina and Grant were here from Monday until Friday.  They were wonderful, helping out in so many ways I can't list them all, but some of the biggest ones were shopping for a new printer to replace the dysfunctional one, installing it, changing out the refrigerator in the house for the better one in the garage,  and doing a lot of other smaller things. Of course we always enjoy their company. 

On Monday also, Norm arrived, and through the week, we were  able to spend time with him as well as Del and Chuck. It is so good to have family around! Thanks Norm for taking our wretched garbage to the dump and thanks to Del and Chuck for the use of their pickup, since ours is in Seattle right now.  Chaunda used it, and will return with it this week.

Leland is doing as well as he ever does.  Compared to good health, he is not there yet, but compared to some of the worse times, he is feeling better.  Such ups and downs leave us grateful for the good days, and seldom able to plan very far ahead.  He has been paying bills today, and scanning old slides on the new printer, something he has not had energy to do for quite a while.  Sabbath was good too, we went to church, then Norm, Del and Chuck came for dinner (bringing a good share of it) and stayed the rest of the day, which we enjoyed.

One really good note for today:  He gained back 4 of the five pounds he lost on the cleanse which makes me really happy! 

He will have blood tests done early in the week, then on Wednesday will go to Portland for his MRI.  His Urologist, Dr. M, wants  all these tests repeated in three months, which will be November.  So this set will be a very good baseline, as none of them were done in the beginning.  I do not know how a CAT scan (which was done at first) correlates to an MRI, but will find out. 

We just got a phone call from Jannie telling us Mom VT is not doing well at all; we are expecting her to leave us any time now.  She is very tired; it will  be a mercy for her  to rest until Jesus comes. 

Sunday, July 29, 2012

What an extremely busy time we have had this past week!  A trip to Portland for a Dr. appt and shopping took one entire day.  Besides that, several consultations with Dr. Daniel and the regular chores that need doing took the rest of the time.

Leland is doing fairly well at present, but tired most of the time.  The nausea still is troublesome, but we have a remedy for that which is very helpful, so at least he is not suffering from that all the time.  Interestingly, hunger manifests itself as nausea to him, so I try really hard not to make him wait for meals.  If he gets hungry too far ahead of time a few raw almonds seem to  help.

We completed the cleanse yesterday, all 6 days of it. We were both pretty tired of juice with a lot of fiber and only raw foods.  However, I think it accomplished the purpose of restored bowel function. ( dysfunction brought on by the Zofran generic)

We are still waiting for Leland to be able to get his blood work done, and waiting to find out where the MRI will be done-in Portland somewhere.  There was an office snafu, but a phone call on Friday got it straightened out, so hopefully the blood work will be done this week, and the MRI sometime next week. 

My brother asked me a valid question on Friday which was "If the natural treatments make him nearly as sick as chemotherapy, then what is the difference?"  OK, the difference is this: chemotherapy is extremely toxic and destroys normal tissue and the immune system right along with the cancer-if indeed it does eradicate the cancer at all. Even in the event that "natural " therapy does not destroy the cancer it at least leaves the normal tissue and immune system intact, allowing for these systems to be strengthened by nutritional supplements when necessary.  Prostate cancer does not respond well to chemotherapy so it is seldom used, hormone therapy is the medical first treatment for advanced Prostate Cancer, then radiation.  Hormone therapy may buy some time, but is not considered a cure by any reputable doctor;  only a temporary "fix" to buy time before starting radiation.    Radiation has the same effects basically as chemotherapy, destroying all normal tissue and organs in the nearby area-extremely damaging. 

According to my study, chemo is effective against ovarian cancer and two others which I don't remember right now, so many times is effective for that, but is very risky for other types of cancer.

It seems there is no way to deal with cancer which does not make the host sick!

Cherilyn has been here this weekend, which is wonderful.  Mark, Tina and Grant will come tomorrow and stay until Friday, then Norm arrives on Friday.  So lots of family and lots of love.

 God is good, He makes no mistakes and has a plan for each one of us; we know we fit in there somewhere!

Sunday, July 22, 2012 5:48 am. 

Friday we went to The Dalles to do some shopping and see Dr. M who suggested another prescription and a surgical procedure called a TURP if the drugs don’t work. We are only considering this.    Dr M also ordered several tests which we will have to schedule, blood work and and  a MRI which will have to be done in Portland.  So it will be a couple of weeks before this is all  completed.   We are already struggling with the side effects of the Zofran generic (elimination problems) so are wary  of trying something else with even more listed side effects.

The prescription was called into the Wal-Mart pharmacy by mistake.  We got a phone message from them saying it would cost us 187.00;  that is with our Wal-Mart drug card thru Medi-Care. The Zofran was 37.15 here in town at KC Pharmacy but at Wal-Mart was 145.00!  We are required  to pay 17.00 per month for this card which makes no sense to use, as so far everything we have used or inquired about is much less money here where the card is not accepted.  We got the Wal-Mart drug card when our insurance agent said it was the most economical even tho the closest Wal-Mart is in Hood River.  We reasoned that we so seldom get prescription drugs that convenience was not an issue and most times it would probably pay to pick it up here in town and save the gas.  So far that is the case.  Makes no sense to have to pay for a drug card every month;  something in the system is broken. 

We consulted with Dr D also this last week;  it is his opinion that Leland has an overload of toxic stress and needs to do a cleanse.  We will be able to get the materials needed for that on Monday, and will begin the cleanse then.  It will not be easy, but something needs to change here, and we are hoping this will do it along with dropping several of the cancer fighters he is on and retaining only the Protocel and the nutrition builders for now. 

Yesterday afternoon Leland felt well enough that he suggested a drive and a picnic, so we packed a simple lunch and drove to Trout Lake then  north where we had beautiful views of Mt Adams and lots of lovely wildflowers. When he got tired, we came home;  had a light supper on the deck  and watched the day end. 

We have another appointment in Portland for a consultation  on Tuesday this next week, so it will be a busy week again-

Thank you Bob and Annie for your visit and the lovely box of garden goodies-it was very good to see you.  We appreciated the thoughtful selection of vegtables, Menucha Honey and potted plants plus the tiny corn.

Monday July 16, 2012

Ups and Downs

The week has been just what the title says; Ups and Downs.  Lots of downs, as Friday, Sabbath and Sunday were not good days.  Leland has had a lot of pain and nausea.  We  have tried all the natural stuff, ginger, mint, changing the protocol, but none of that really works for very long.   We went to his primary care Dr here in Goldendale on Friday and he gave us a prescription for Zofran for the nausea.  We decided to wait until we could talk to Dr. D. before filling it, but he was so sick on Friday night and again on Sabbath that I went to town Sabbath afternoon and filled it. 

The nausea improved right away, and then the pain began.  Lower back pain.  He thought it was muscle pain from lying around too much.  I was afraid it was bone pain because it was right in the area the bone scan showed some activity was ultimately judged “inconclusive”.  We tried message, Infra Red, changing positions, and White Willow Bark (the natural substance from which aspirin was originally derived then changed in order to patent) The WWB is fairly effective, but Ibuprophen is more so.  

Last night, another sleepless one for Leland, he took Ibuprophen, slept well except for his usual interruptions, and awakened this morning feeling well.  Unfortunately, Ibuprophen is not harmless if used long-term, or he would take it every day, since he feels so much better with it on-board. He is feeling well enough that we will go to The Dalles this morning to do some errands, and have lunch there.  It is always so nice when he is able to get out and go somewhere with me, even if it just errands and lunch at Subway! 

We have an appointment with Dr. M, the Urologist on Friday.  He will order some more testing and then hopefully we will have an objective indication of progress or lack thereof. 

Thank you Kathy K for coming over yesterday and attacking the weeds in the garden. It looks so much better and I begin to  think more positively about the possibilities there.  Thank you also for the lovely fresh peas from your own garden-and shelled no less!  It was a real labor of love, and much appreciated!

Thanks to each of you for your continuing prayers. Sometimes we just have to keep reminding ourselves that God knows all about this. He is working in our lives, He cares even more than we do, and He will make it all come out as it should.  How do people who do not know God do this?  For us that seems an utter impossibility!

July 9, 2012

It is a lovely morning, 62 degrees, sun filtering through the pines and sparkling on the water droplets in the grass. We were awakened not by all this summer beauty, but by the aroma of skunk being drawn into the bedroom by the window fan.  Skunks are so cute-and smell soooooo bad!

Leland has been feeling better-we were able to take a drive and picnic for our aniversary which was really great.  The rest of the week was up and down, but the downs were better most of the time.  The weekend was good.  We were able to go to church then spend the evening at Books Park with Del and Chuck to celebrate their 55th aniversary along with our very good friends, David and Yvonne. A wonderful day! 

Sunday was also a good day.  Lara and Kathy came to visit in the am.  Was good to see them both, then in the pm we went to the Open House for the new Better Living Center just opened by our church; a beautiful new building for fellowship and Community Service made possible by funds from church members and countless hours of volunteer labor by very special and dedicated volunteers.

The new protocol seems to be alleviating Leland's  nausea which has been such a problem, and his energy levels are better.  We are thankful and grateful!

This really speaks to me today-From Jesus Calling page 200:

 "Stop worrying long enough to hear My voice. I speak softly to you, in the depths of your being.  Your mind shuttles back and forth, hither and yon, weaving webs of anxious confusion.  As My thoughts rise up within you, they become entangled in those sticky webs of worry.  Thus, My voice is muffled, and you hear only "white noise."

Ask My Spirit to quiet your mind so that you can think My thoughts.  This ability is an awsome benefit of being My child, patterned after My own image.  Do not be deafened by the noise of the world of that of your own thinking.  Instead, be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Sit quietly in My Presence, letting My thoughts  reprogram your thinking."
                                              Deuteronomy 30:20;  Genesis 1:27;  Romans 12:2

Thank you Dolly and Stanton for the lovely tomatoes, chard and other things. And to Kathy for the spinnach and mizuna and to so many of you for your loving hugs, thoughts and prayers.  We are truely blessed.

46 Years

July 2, 2012

46 years ago  tomorrow, July 3,  Leland and I promised before God and some of you to love and honor each other in prosperity and adversity, in sickness and in health.  We have happily kept that promise.  Every year for at least the last 30 years, we have taken at least a day and often several to celebrate our anniversary. This year will be different, as we never know how Leland will feel from one hour to the next. So we will celebrate quietly at home, and if he feels well enough, maybe drive down to Mary Hill Park for supper and a change of scenery. 

Last week was really hard, tough on both of us.  I did not post for that reason, as we have tried to face this with courage and faith and reflect that in this blog.   But honestly, sometimes that is just not how either one of us feel.  It is really difficult when Leland is so sick he can  hardly eat or drag himself down the road for his 20 minute walk.    It is hard when he weighs himself once a week, then tells me he has lost two more pounds.  Not that he needs to tell me, I can see it.  I don’t want to whine or complain, but this is the most difficult era of our lives;  there is no end in sight, no guarantee, nothing to hold onto except each other and the knowledge that God really does care and has our best good in mind.  And that has to be taken on raw faith which sometimes staggers under the day to day reality of dealing with a Stage IV cancer. 

Sabbath we started out for church, but turned around about halfway there, as the nausea reared its’ familiar head yet again.  We spent a quiet day at home with him resting while I read aloud to him. 

Dr. D has changed the protocol again, hoping to alleviate the nausea, and perhaps that is working as this morning Leland felt well enough to run the rototiller across a garden bed for me.  But then he was sick all afternoon.

Our garden is producing wonderful organic strawberries for which we are thankful and enjoying very much. I have been able to put 8 quarts in the freezer, give a few away and eat all we want fresh. 

 Del and Chuck went to Mary Hill Orchards to pick cherries and apricots and also picked some for us.  Thank you, we have really enjoyed the cherries, and are anticipating the apricots getting ripe.  Alice brought by a couple dozen eggs this afternoon, much better than the store bought, even the organic supposedly free range range ones.  We are using eggs again because some animal protein is necessary with the Protocel Protocol. 

The roses are all in bloom, our favorite being a lovely red climber we see out the kitchen window gracing the garden shed trellis. A beautiful sight!

Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

The Fence is Finished

Here are a few pictures of last week's work on the fence-beautiful job Mark and Grant! Now I can do a little landscaping and the west end of the house will look finished- I think another climbing rose on the south end of the fence where the deer can't get to it would be very pretty.  Now to decide which one!

 The last pic is the red climbing rose Dortmond with Multi-Blue Climatis on the garden shed as seen through the kitchen window.

Leland felt well enough yesterday to help out with the fence project yesterday afternooon, but has been pretty tired today.  Today has been a quiet restful Sabbath after a very busy week.  Tomorrow I will drive Mark and Grant to Hood River and give "the boys" back to Tina who will meet us there.  It has been really special to have them here.  I had forgotten how much a 14-almost-15 year old can eat!

Fences

Thursday, June 21, 2012

A whole week has passed very quickly since I last posted here.  Last weekend all the kids were here for Father’s Day.  We had a great time with them, and then everyone but Mark and Grant had to leave. They stayed for the week, and have been working very hard building the fence at the end of the house which Leland was going to do this summer.  They have done a beautiful job and the only thing left to do is put on the top decorative paneling.  Then the stain.  I will probably do the staining myself, as they will not have time before they need to go home. This will make that end of the house look much more finished and make it clear that our bedroom sliding door is not the front door : ).

Leland has had a fairly good week, with the exception of yesterday, which was difficult.  By a fairly  good day I mean he has enough energy to do a small chore or two outdoors and is able to watch one of his programs on DVD.  On the bad days, he does not even have that much energy. This feels as though it is stretching out a long time, but we have to keep reminding ourselves that we are  only 10 weeks into a 20 week program when we should be able to get an objective measurement of progress made and either stay on the present course, or make any necessary alterations.

Minerals and Toxic Metals

Minerals and Toxic Metals

 On Wednesday this week, Leland was feeling as well as he ever does, even  felt like going to Hood River and The Dalles to do some errands with me.  It was a lovely day; we took the back roads along the Klickitat River and then along Hwy 14 where the poppies and lupines created a glorious riot of oranges, golds and blues.  It was a long day, and he was tired by the time we got home, but it was so nice to have him along, I could almost believe things were “normal” again.

 On Thursday, we had an appointment with Dr. D to interpret the results of the Hair Analysis we had done on Leland a few weeks ago.  Turns out there are quite a few issues with mineral imbalance and  an excess  of toxic metals, Aluminum, Copper and Mercury.  The body has no defense against Mercury which causes a condition known as Mineral Transport Derangement.   Several of the toxic metals are very similar in molecular structure to the essential minerals which allows the toxic metals to lock in  where the essentials should be, causing a cascade of mineral absorption problems  which in turn cause immune system deficiency or failure.    Dr. D has several solutions for all of this which we will be implementing very soon.  We are very grateful for the knowledge he has and so carefully shares with us to discover the cause of disease and correct it  rather than just treating the symptoms.

 From where did the Mercury come?  Most likely from his amalgam fillings, possibly  his mother’s breast milk from her fillings.  The aluminum could have come from the fluoride toothpaste he has used for years, the antiperspirant, baking powder and/or  the aluminum anode in the hot water tank.  So we have corrected the things we can; the toothpaste, the baking powder and no longer use hot water from the tank for anything we eat or drink. We had problems with acid water degrading our copper pipes in our Washougal home, and possibly the copper excess is partially from that.

 Mercury causes retention of copper and zinc.  Excess copper then causes hormone, blood and liver disruption, lower iron levels, impairs excretion of other toxic substances and causes inflammatory processes.  Very complex interactions happen inside our bodies, most of which we never realize unless we become sick. Truly we are “fearfully and wonderfully made”