Diane update, 3-22-14

Thursday Diane started her second round of chemo. Sorry, I’ve been negligent in keeping you updated. Heather and family arrived from Idaho Saturday and the extended family has gathered most of the week at their Pleasure Point beach rental. Monday, Hope and Jordan hosted 22 grandkids, our children and spouses (35 in all). It was a refreshing time of fellowship, feasting and rejoicing as family united by both blood and Spirit. I was fully occupied.

Yesterday Diane started her second round of chemo. Wednesday, we met with our oncologist who was encouraged the tumor “softened” but concerned that it appeared not to have shrunk. She said without evidence of shrinkage when the PET scan is done at Stanford, April 15, she’d advise a difficult surgery.This is not what we had hoped to hear, but we continue to rest in God’s will, not ours. He knows the end from the beginning. He is the author of this tale. We were created to glorify Him in all we do in the time He has allotted. Our time is in His hands.

Continue to pray the tumors will respond to the treatments and will shrink. Pray that the nausea will be minimal this time and that the various alternative treatments designed to eradicate the tumor and dietary supplements/nutrients to build Diane’s immune system will keep her in fighting condition.

A note from Diane, 3-18-14

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” G.K.Chesterton

This quote has been in my head all week as I continue on this journey. I have so much to be thankful for and want to express my gratefulness for each of you who have been walking with me through my chemo treatments. Your gifts, cards, emails, and calls have meant so much and have strengthened me along the way.  Each day there are cards with encouraging scriptures and sweet notes that put a big smile on my face as I thank God for putting each of you in my life.

This week Heather and family are here from Idaho. God answered prayers and has given me the strength to visit long hours with them each day. They rented a beautiful home overlooking the ocean and it has such a peaceful time watching all the grandkids (22) together and enjoying each of their unique personalities. Last night we celebrated St.Patrick's Day at the Brownlees with everyone and as I looked out over the yard with the kids and their parents I could not help but thank God again for His faithfulness and blessings. I am rich because of Him.

The Wilsons came this week because of the kids' school break without knowing that it was my last week before chemo starts again. God's perfect timing! Thursday morning I begin the treatment again and I will be out of commission so this time we have had is even more precious. Please continue praying for me to respond to the treatments and to be strengthened during this time.

The Lord bless and keep you all.

Diane update 3-10-14

Over two weeks since chemo. Diane continues to be nausea free and feeling, generally good. Friday a blood test revealed a low white blood cell count. She’s eating high nutrient balanced meals and taking supplements designed to build the immune system. Today’s test showed the white blood cell count is up to an acceptable level; however she’s been increasingly tired.

Heather, Nate, and their children come Saturday for a week’s visit which we’re looking forward to. The doctor suggested a blood infusion would increase her energy and enable her to enjoy time with our twenty-two grandkids and their parents next week. Please pray Diane’s strength allows her to be fully present while the Wilsons are here and that the children are all healthy (a miracle) so they can lavish joyous strength on their beloved Nana.

We’re committed to a medical protocol overseen by some of the leading doctors for this type of cancer. We’re also employing nutritional therapy and products introduced by trusted friends experienced with their immune boosting properties, and in some cases cancer eradicating abilities. Pray for wisdom in responding to many well meaning tips we receive about products that’ll eradicate the cancer.

Two weeks after the next round of chemo Diane goes to Stanford Hospital for another PET scan. Pray it will reveal the tumors are responding to the treatments and are shrinking.

We continue to be blessed by God’s grace expressed through family and friends. All our material needsare being met, as well as emotional and spiritual support. It’s humbling to be on t he receiving end of so much unearned love and makes us ever more appreciative of the ultimate exchange, His life for our sin.

While praying, please lift up my (Bill’s) mother who had a stroke a few weeks after Diane’s diagnosis. I had tickets to visit her in Arizona, but canceled to stay with Diane. Since then I’ve been unable to leave. My brother brought her to his home in Los Angeles. Tomorrow, I’ll fly down for the day. May my visit encourage her (and my brother) and minister to her spirit.

A friend from Moscow put together this new website (www.goteamgaraway.com) that will carry these updates and provide a means for contributing to the deductibles necessary to cover our medical bills. Your generosity has been overwhelming, but most important are the prayers for our reliance is not on doctors, diet or financial gifts, as important as they are, but rests on God’s good providence.

Update, 3-2-14: GOOD NEWS!!!

Mom was told a week after she completed the chemo she’d begin to feel better.  Yesterday she didn’t vomit for the first time, nor was she even nauseous.  This has continued today, so I’m confident she’s turned that corner ahead of schedule. 

Yesterday, for the first time she was awake all day, rather than dozing every two hours.  She slept in until 8:30am for the first time, rather than sleeping restlessly and waking at 6am.  She’s eating “heartily” vs. me forcing her to take a few bites.  It helps when you’re not throwing up everything you swallow.

Yesterday, for the first time mom got on the web, checked Facebook messages and paid bills.  Today she watched TV dramas rather than “mindless” cooking, decorating and talent shows, though I now understand the competitive drama of this entertainment form since I love sharing time with my wife.

Yesterday, mom stopped taking most as needed meds to control nausea and is more than halfway through withdrawing from her pain narcotic, which I’m sure, contributes to her clear-headedness. 

This is all good news, for which we thank God.  Please continue to pray that mom’s immune system continues to strengthen, the chemo continues to be efficacious in eradicating tumors and the grace of God fills her with peace and joy which we recognize as essential to the healing process.

We also thank each of you for your support.  Most of all for the encouraging emails, cards and calls.  Since the last family update I added 150+ names to the update list and each of the siblings are posting on Facebook, which is bringing a flood of new heartening responses.

Mom and I are overwhelmed by responses from friends we’ve not connected with in nearly 40 years, as well as from more recent friends throughout the world.  We hope to be able to respond personally to everyone, but that may take a while.  Know that each little kindness, in word or deed, is appreciated and is bearing physical, emotional and spiritual fruit.

Finally, a friend is helping create a Paypal donation site to cover medical deductibles. Medicare pays most costs and we’ve been able to pay for medicine and auxiliary items, but mom closed her “bookstore” and I’ve curtailed consulting. Meals and store gift cards meet food costs, but Medical only kicks after deductibles are paid. Help in this area would be appreciated.  When I get details, I’ll send them to those who’ve asked how they can help.

Some backround, Feb-24-14, From Bill

Many of you on are aware Diane was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive, form of cancer late October. On the advice of an international specialist on this particular cancer we immediately started daily radiation, and weekly chemo for five weeks and a final week of Brachytherapy at Stanford. This was combined with dietary, natural supplements and other practices designed to build her immune system and assist in shrinking the tumor. There was much prayer, fasting and laying on of hands; our church, our daughter's church in Idaho and many others participated.

The hope was the tumor would be eliminated or be small enough that a simple surgical procedure would remove it. The doctors were pleased that the original tumor responded as hoped, but a final PET scan revealed a new, fast growing, tumor. You are receiving this because we believe that the Great Physician will provide the solution, either by His Sovereign will or through the excellent medical team He has assembled.

To those who have not heard from me for the past six months, I've been consumed with supporting Diane. For those who haven't had the privilege of meeting Diane, she has been the ultimate helpmate, matriarch of a passel of 6 godly children and 24 grandchildren and a "mother" to many fruitful young people in our community. You are receiving this email because we'd like you to join us in interceding on Diane's behalf. Please feel free to share these requests as appropriate with those who we've co-labored with. Thank you for your support.

The following is provided so you can pray with understanding. Wednesday we met with the oncologist directing the chemo treatments and the palliative care nurse. We were provided the proposed schedule, which was modified today, when Diane began the first round of the new protocol.

It began with six hours of chemo early a.m. and continued with a different chemo drug in a “fanny pack” also containing a “pump” which connects to her “port” and delivers it into a vein at a proscribed rate for four days, at which time it’ll be disconnected.

Wednesday she’ll get the first of three weekly tests to monitor her blood counts. Thursday, March 20th she’ll repeat the process. After the conclusion of that round she’ll get another PET scan to see it the tumors are shrinking. At that time they’ll decide to continue this regimen, surgically remove the tumor or to try another protocol that’ll be more effective.

The concern is the cancer’s aggressive nature as the tumor grew even during the prior chemotherapy. The doctor proscribing this treatment was the leader of the Stanford Brachytherapy team. At a meeting last week she said there is a chance the tumor can be eliminated (#1 prayer request). If not, the tumor may be significantly shrunk so surgery is viable. (#2 request).

This treatment compromises the immune system making the body vulnerable to viruses and bacteria. (#3) Pray her system stays strong and she avoids compromising situations. (#4) pray we use the best available diet, supplements, nutrients and any other products to help strengthen the immune system and even help shrink the tumor.<br>Continue to pray for all of our doctors, counselors and family whose wisdom, care and love are invaluable, a source of encouragement and a means of God’s grace. Diane has placed the situation in God’s hands and we take comfort in His good providence.

Love you all.