Where we Stand
August 13th, 2009Four Days
I wanted to give a little update on my sister’s situation. I can’t say a whole lot. Maybe I’ll never be able to write about it in any detail, but I can give a few general facts.
This has been a perfect storm for her. I wish I could explain, but I can’t. There are a number of problems we will have to deal with. It’s not just the cancer itself. I would almost draw a parallel to the story of Job, although his situation hit harder and faster.
It would have been great to get her into chemotherapy this week, but there were reasons it couldn’t be done. So we’re hoping to get it going on Monday. I believe we are looking at over four months of treatment, and I suppose I’ll be driving her to and from the hospital three days a week. It depends on how she reacts. My mother didn’t get very ill from chemotherapy, but people are different, and the drugs may be different.
There will be more work to do. I know about the three weekly trips now, but we’ll find out about other needs and obligations as we go. We’re hoping to give her house a going over this weekend, for example. Maybe it’s good that I’m not working on a project right now.
The suffering cancer causes concentrates at the beginning and end. The first couple of weeks are very hard, and if things don’t work out, problems ramp up later on. That’s a general observation from a person who has seen several relatives endure this disease. I’m not predicting anything regarding the outcome in my sister’s case. These last two weeks have been difficult. Some days have been especially heavy with upsetting information. I think things should level off somewhat now that we’re about to begin the treatment routine. We’ll have to get proficient at living with cancer.
I recommended she find a support group. The assistance of professionals is no substitute for the fellowship and insights of other sufferers and their families.
We are hoping to end up with a powerful testimony of God’s power. No one is ceding the battle.
I felt I owed this update to all the folks who have prayed for her. I would write more if I thought it was wise.
August 13th, 2009 at 1:10 PM
I’ve been praying for you and your sister.
August 13th, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Gob Bless and sustain you.
And praise to God that he brought healing to your relationship, if I may say so.
August 13th, 2009 at 2:35 PM
May the Lord have mercy on your sister and your entire family. May He grant her full healing and ease her suffering. You, and she, and your family, are in my prayers.
August 13th, 2009 at 4:52 PM
Steve, Barb and I are keeping you, your dad and especially your sister in our prayers.
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Everyone’s prayers were a blessing when Barb had cancer and I hope the prayers will be a blessing for your sister as well.
August 13th, 2009 at 6:25 PM
I lost my mother to cancer. It started with breast cancer in the mid-80’s, and it was lung cancer that took her in January of 1991.
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I drove my mother to her radiation therapy sessions – 3 days a week for who knows how long. Hard memories. I miss her to this day.
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I then lost my uncle (mother’s brother) in 1993 to cancer. My maternal grandfather passed from cancer. Both of my paternal grandparents survived cancer.
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Cancer sucks. I hate it with a searing passion. I pray I don’t get it, despite the odds of family history.
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My prayers will continue to be with her, you and the rest of your family.
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Not to sound corny, but LIVE STRONG. Lance Armstrong has shown what can be done after defeating cancer.
August 13th, 2009 at 8:41 PM
I’ve been praying for your sister and for you, and I will continue to do so.
August 13th, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Steve, you all(sister, dad & yourself) are in my prayers daily and have been for quite a while. Don’t mean to be pushy or intrusive but maybe your sister might want to blog about her treatments and what is going on with her. There is a free website service called Caring Bridge that has a lot of support for cancer patients and also offers blog services.
http://www.caringbridge.org/
If she decides to set one up please pass it along to us.
From our experience with my mom’s cancer the radiation is very difficult. The other patients that we talked to at the ACS’s Hope Lodge all agreed. There is a wonderful anti nausea drug-Zofran-it’s now available as a generic for around $4-make sure that her doctors give her a prescription for it to have on hand.
God Bless!
August 14th, 2009 at 7:27 AM
Sad news. I’ve been in your position. Not fun. Hang in there.
Best,
Brian