Thursday Night Update on Daddy (5)

Sorry I have neglected to update my blog with updates for my Daddy (Jim or Richard McDonald).

Short explanation on his name. He grew up as Richard McDonald so childhood friends & family call him Richard. When he joined the Army, he became Jim (because his first name is James). Also, at Oscar Mayer where he worked as a supervisor for 20 years, he was known as Jim. So depending on where or when people met him determined which name he went by. =0)

Short summary:

Daddy came home from the hospital on Sunday morning, and he's been doing great since!

He has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins, B-Cell Lymphoma. This is actually an aggressive type of cancer, so that isn't great news. However, the doctors seem hopeful that he will respond well to treatment.

The e-mail update I sent out tonight:

Thursday, July 30^th

^{Main Prayer Requests:}

For Daddy’s complete healing.

For the Lord to give Daddy strength to REMAIN SMOKE-FREE!

For Daddy’s appointment Friday morning.

For an accurate diagnosis of the type of lymphoma.

For a treatment plan that will STOP the cancer and not cause suffering on Daddy’s part.

For Daddy to make healthy choices to aid in his healing (food, exercise, not smoking, etc.).

Answered prayers:

Daddy’s pain has gotten less every day!

Saturday night when he was still in the hospital, I asked if he was glad he’d had the surgery… and he said, “YES!” (but maybe not that loudly). At that time while I was looking at him & seeing the pain he was in, I was wondering if he had regretted it, but he said he didn’t. As a matter of fact, he said he could breathe easier and talking was easier even that soon after surgery. He even said then that each day the pain was getting better. He even surprised us by coming to Olivia’s birthday party Sunday night! (Olivia is my oldest daughter.)

This week Daddy has continued improving. He is healing wonderfully. It is kind of misleading, because we think… ahhhhhhhhh, it’s over, & Daddy is doing great. But then we realize that this surgery is not the end; instead, it marks the beginning of this journey. So please don’t stop praying. Please let this just be the beginning of our prayer journey for Daddy.

Today (Thursday) was Daddy’s follow up appointment with his ENT, Dr. DeMoville. The doctor said Daddy was doing great & healing wonderfully. He will follow up with him 3 weeks from today. He said the “swelling” Daddy had was actually air that was forced under his skin from coughing that Daddy was doing as a result of the tracheotomy. This has gone down dramatically!

The doctor said if Daddy hadn’t done the surgery, that the mass “would have gotten him.” Basically, he was saying that Daddy would have died from suffocation because the mass was growing so quickly. Praise the Lord that Daddy went to the ER when he did (2.5 weeks ago)!

Tomorrow (Friday) morning is Daddy’s first appointment with his oncologist, Dr. Shipley. From what I understand, we’ll find out his complete diagnosis at that appointment. Right now we know he has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins, B-Cell Lymphoma. Even though it is “non,” this is NOT what we had hoped for. Hodgkins Lymphoma is considered curable. Non-Hodgkins is not curable; however, they can put it into remission with treatments. Also, B-Cell is an aggressive type of Lymphoma. I don’t say this to sound like a downer or to say we have no hope; instead, I share this to say… we DO HAVE HOPE! Our HOPE is in the LORD! God can do ANYTHING!! He can heal Daddy totally & completely! We hope that you will pray for this.

The doctors thus far have also been full of hope.

I plan to send out an update tomorrow after we meet with Dr. Shipley. Not only should we find out the complete diagnosis (meaning we’ll find out the stage); we’ll also find out the suggested treatment plan. Please pray for us all to have wisdom and discernment… the doctor, Daddy, and the family. As of now, we don’t know if radiation will be involved or not.

Dr. DeMoville said even though this cancer is aggressive, often aggressive cancers respond more quickly to treatment!

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:30-31

Father, I pray that you would heal Daddy completely and wholly. Father, I pray that you would renew his strength. Our hope is in you. Father, enable him to run and not grow weary; walk and not be faint. Give us faith to believe. You ARE God and able to do all things. Father, may your will be done, and may you receive all the glory. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen

Blessings,

Melinda for Richard & family

Daddy's Surgery Update (4)

Daddy (a.k.a. Jim or Richard) came through surgery great! I just love his wonderful attitude. Nothing can get him down! Praise the Lord!

Main Prayer Requests:

For complete healing.

For Daddy’s pain to be minimal during recovery.

For the Lord to give Daddy strength to QUIT SMOKING! Daddy has said this is the hardest part of it all.

For an accurate diagnosis of the type of lymphoma.

For Daddy to make healthy choices to aid in his healing (food, exercise, not smoking, etc.).

Sorry for the delay in the update. Surgery didn’t start til almost 5 p.m. and lasted about an hour or so. Then he went to recovery. After that he was moved to his room. We couldn’t see him til visiting hours started at 8:30 p.m. I didn’t get home til about 9:30 p.m. (I just called the nurse at 10:19 p.m., and he’s still doing great.)

1. We still don’t know the type of cancer; however, it still looks like all we are dealing with is lymphoma. We should know what kind on Monday or Tuesday (Hodgkins or Non-Hodgkins). The doctor even said the location of the mass on the base of his tongue is consistent with lymphoma.

2. The doctor said he removed as much of the mass from the base of his tongue as he could without causing problems with his epiglottis. He said the rest of the mass would hopefully respond to treatment and shrink.

3. Daddy is in CCU (aka ICU) but not because he is in critical condition. Instead he is there so that he will get more attention through the night. His nurse has him and only one other patient. We really liked her. When a tracheotomy is first put in, it requires a lot of attention. Sometime tomorrow (Friday) he should get to move to a regular room. We do not know when he’s going home, yet.

4. Daddy looked great when we first got to see him (at 8:30 p.m.), and he was cracking jokes as usual…even though he couldn’t talk! We took a notebook so that he could jot things down. However, he was in a lot of pain which the doctor told us to expect beforehand. He cannot talk right now because there is a balloon in his throat. This is very temporary, but I can’t remember when the balloon will be gone.

5. He is not on a ventilator, but he is receiving air.

6. We don’t know when treatment for the cancer will begin. The doctor wants him to recover from this surgery then we’ll move to that step. He said it will be a week or two before he has his first appointment with the oncologist. Most likely there will be further testing to determine if/where the cancer is throughout his body.

Thank you, again, for all your prayers!! They mean so much to Daddy and to our family!!

Once again, Michelle’s calendar had the perfect verse for today:

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27

Blessings,

Melinda for Richard & family =0)

Update on Daddy (3)

My Daddy
Jim McDonald or Richard McDonald
(depending on when/where you met him)

Today’s appointment was at 2 p.m. We didn’t find out as much as we’d liked to, but we did find out more.

Main Prayer Requests:

For the Lord to give Daddy strength to QUIT SMOKING!

For an accurate diagnosis of the type of lymphoma.

For protection of Daddy during his surgery this Thursday, July 23, 2009 and for wisdom & discernment for all involved in the surgery, specifically Dr. DeMoville.

For Daddy to make healthy choices to aid in his healing (food, exercise, not smoking, etc.)

What type of lymphoma?

When does chemo start?

We don’t know yet. Read below.

Daddy is going to have surgery Thursday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. at Hendersonville Hospital. He will be staying overnight, maybe two. Alicia is spending the night with him. (Isn’t that sweet!?)

The surgery is to put in the temporary tracheotomy and to debulk the mass in his throat. When the doctor is debulking the mass, he will send some tissue samples to pathology to determine what type of lymphoma Daddy is dealing with and also to be sure there is no squamous cell cancer. The needle biopsy from the lymph node is not adequate to get a complete diagnosis. This is why we don’t know yet. Also, if he finds NO cancer in the mass, then he will take a “slice” from the lymph node while Daddy is still sleeping. So when Daddy gets out of surgery, we should know exactly what we’re dealing with.

After surgery, his throat and tongue will be very sore (not shocking). I believe he said the surgery would be performed through his mouth not his neck.

Dr. DeMoville is referring Daddy to Dr. Dianna Shipley, an oncologist in Gallatin. He HIGHLY recommends her. Presently there are no appointments set up with her. I guess this will come after we know the type of lymphoma. She will be the one to determine the treatment plan.

If you are wondering why Dr. DeMoville is not removing all the mass, it is because it would not change the treatment as long as we are dealing only with lymphoma. If there is squamous cell cancer then I’m pretty sure the mass will need to be removed. That will be a much more intensive surgery which could result in permanent voice loss, etc. It would be handled at Vanderbilt.

Thank you for your continued prayers. They mean so much to all of us. Daddy continues to be full of faith not fear. Feel free to call here at the house or JA or Alicia. My family is here until August 3^rd. We will be answering the phone, or the answering machine will get it. Daddy seems to feel great other than swallowing food.

Monday morning my sister, Michelle, read this verse on her daily calendar which so appropriately applies to this season in our lives:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

May the Lord bless you!

Melinda for Richard & family

Happy Birthday Granny

Granny (Beth), Wesley, & PawPaw (Stan)

Dano, Wesley, & PawPaw (Stan)

Today, Tuesday, is Dano's Mom's birthday! Our plans were to take her to breakfast at Cracker Barrel. It was just going to be Dano, me, & the two little ones, but since we were waiting on the doctor to call for my Daddy's appointment, Dano & Wesley went alone. By looking at the pictures, it seems they had a good time! =0)

Happy Birthday, Granny! Thank you for my husband!

Love,

Melinda =0)

Free Homeschool Stuff

If you live near us and are interested in homeschooling, contact this store (www.thehomeschoolroom.net) because they are giving away free stuff this Friday starting at 8:30 a.m. You can also contact me, & I can forward you the e-mail. Blessings, Melinda =0)

Fun at the Park

The three oldest kids are at my two oldest sisters' houses for "camp." They're having a blast. In the meantime, we are enjoying some special time with Wesley & Virginia. This afternoon after nap, we took them to the park. My Daddy & "little" brother, JA, joined us, too. Virginia enjoyed the swing. Wesley enjoyed all the park equipment (in the shape of a ship) and the ducks, but I don't think the ducks enjoyed him! The "men" are looking at the fish in the water. We were able to enjoy this nice afternoon thanks to my Aunt Beck (Daddy's twin sister who lives next door) because she called to tell us she was bringing us dinner! So, I got the night off! =0)

This is a short video. My card was full. I have a longer one, but I'm sure you don't want to hear my voice on it!

Blesings,

Melinda =0)

More Updates on Daddy (2)

Below are the two most recent e-mails I sent out about my Daddy. Thanks for praying. (Some of you know him as Jim but others know him as Richard.)

From Friday, July 17, 2009

Please pray for:

#1 complete healing

#2 accurate results of the biopsy

#3 wisdom & discernment for the doctors

Biopsy update:

Daddy & I went this morning to get his biopsy done.

The doctor took two samples from different directions out of his lymph node. He said the results would hopefully be back by Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning. He seemed hopeful for Monday afternoon. The nurse seemed to think Tuesday morning was more likely. The doctor told us to call Monday afternoon to check if they didn’t call us. Visually, he can’t tell what he drew out; however, he did say some of it looked like pus which is a sign of infection. (BTW, Daddy was a real trooper… there was no numbing, & it looked painful. I think I flinched more than him!)

Here is a little clarification:

Regardless of the results, Daddy will have a temporary tracheotomy until the mass is taken care of. He didn’t say when this would be done. The results of the biopsy will determine this. He has to have the tracheotomy because when he has a procedure done to take care of the mass, a tube may not fit around it which would result in an emergency tracheotomy. If he already has one, then this “emergency” will be avoided. Also, JA and I can stop checking on him in the morning to make sure he’s still breathing. =0)

Again, if no cancer is found, the doctor here in Hendersonville will take care of everything. He will “debulk” and drain the mass. I didn’t think to ask if this would be done in the office or if it was a hospital procedure. I’m thinking hospital.

If cancer is found, everything will be done at Vanderbilt. There are several options depending on what would be found. Hopefully, we won’t even have to think about these options!

Thanks for your continued prayers.

From today, Monday, July 20, 2009

Good news, the doctor called this afternoon. The biopsy from the lymph node did NOT show squamous cell cancer; however, it does suggest Lymphoma. As you probably know, this is a cancer. The doctor was relieved that it was not squamous because that would have been a much more intrusive surgery perhaps resulting in a permanent voice loss. Lymphoma is very treatable with a very high survival rate.

What now?

We go sometime tomorrow to find out more. The doctor is going to call with a time.

He doesn’t know yet which type of lymphoma we are dealing with (Hodgkin’s or Non-Hodgkin’s). By the little bit of research I was doing this morning, Daddy has just about all the symptoms of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. However, the symptoms for Non-Hodgkin’s are almost identical. The only way to tell the difference is for a doctor to detect the presence or absence of a particular type of cell. I’ve pretty much gotten this info from http://www.mayoclinic.com . If you go there, you can do a search for these & read lots of different things.

As of now, Daddy will most likely receive chemo but not radiation. He will still have the temporary tracheotomy. The doctor will “debulk” the mass in his throat. When he does this, he will send it off for a biopsy to be certain Daddy is not dealing with 2 types of cancer. The doctor is hopeful that the mass is not squamous.

Since Daddy will not need an intensive surgery at this point, the doctor is not sending him to Vanderbilt. It will be handled here.

We realize what a blessing this HUGE mass in his throat has become. It was its presence that finally got some action and treatment for something that perhaps has been present for a while. It seems the mass may be “nothing” except a gift from God to get treatment for the lymphoma.

Thank you for your continued prayers for complete healing! Please also continue to pray for wisdom & discernment for all involved.

Blessings,

Melinda for Richard and family

PS We’ll update you again tomorrow, most likely.