The past several months have been life changing to say the least! I have seen God's guidance, healing, and comfort grow in me through Jim and Matt's surgeries. The last several months have also shown me something that I've tried to express in my other (personal) blog about enjoying and learning something every day for the blessings as well as the unexpected events that are in my 24-hour time frame. My hope in His plan, and His way has grown stronger as well.
I can not say that I have had days throughout these last several months where my heart was heavy, the tears poured quickly from my eyes, but I can say with confidence, my Hope in the planned outcome never faltered.
I "preached my little sermon" to basically show you all that have been following this blog, that it is because of your prayers, support, encouragement we have all grown in our walk and are changed for the good because of these experiences.
Matt has been back at his condo since Christmas night and is doing well. He will not be able to lift anything heavier than a typical grocery bag for some time and will not be able to start back to his exercise training for awhile as well, but he is able to drive and walk as often as possible. He can begin his regular routine with the stipulations mentioned about. He continues to listen to his body and over a period of time his stamina is getting better. He will be having followup visits with a local oncologist and regular followups with his internist as well as a yearly exam with Dr. Lavu (Jefferson-surgeon) for the next 5 years. As we have mentioned to Matt, God has great plans for his life. He has a definite purpose in mind for just Matt. Matt definitely realizes this and sees how blessed his life truly is and is looking forward to the adventures that are coming his way. GIG
Jim continues to do well and we have an appointment this Friday which is not only a regular transplant appointment, but we are looking forward to getting the biopsy results from Jim's 3-month routine kidney biopsy procedure. We are not expecting any issues and are thankful for how things continue to progress for Jim. He continues to work on building his stamina and he is very compliant, as he was before his surgery...all signs of uneventful, success recovery.
Thank you for the prayers, thoughts, encouragements. This will probably be one of the last posts I will do on this particular blog. I'd love for you to follow my babblings on my personal blog if you choose to from time-to-time. http://livingrlivestogether.blogspot.com/
May you look forward to the blessings, known and unknown that are planned for you and yours in 2012. God is in control and I'm so thankful that He is.
~Tina
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
12.22.11
Updating on both today.
Jim:- his biopsy went well. He is in a short-stay private room for the next several hours as he will be monitored. We will then be able to return home. We have our regular transplant appointment next Friday morning and we should have all or most of the results from the biopsy. Though Jim is a bit sore at the site, all is going exactly as expected. GIG
Matt:- he had a good appointment with his surgeon. The drainage tube was removed!! He must be ver cautious about lifting and training for the next several months, but he is able to drive and start back to his regular activities for the most part. He will have several follow up appointments throughout the next several years. All things look very good for Matt. The fatigue will get better with time for Matt. GISG
Thank you for the ongoing thoughts and prayers.
Have a blessed holiday season!
-Tina
Jim:- his biopsy went well. He is in a short-stay private room for the next several hours as he will be monitored. We will then be able to return home. We have our regular transplant appointment next Friday morning and we should have all or most of the results from the biopsy. Though Jim is a bit sore at the site, all is going exactly as expected. GIG
Matt:- he had a good appointment with his surgeon. The drainage tube was removed!! He must be ver cautious about lifting and training for the next several months, but he is able to drive and start back to his regular activities for the most part. He will have several follow up appointments throughout the next several years. All things look very good for Matt. The fatigue will get better with time for Matt. GISG
Thank you for the ongoing thoughts and prayers.
Have a blessed holiday season!
-Tina
Thursday, December 15, 2011
12.15.11
Exactly one month about this afternoon Matt under went his major surgery. Today he returned to his surgeon for a check up. He had a CT as well as an office visit. The CT showed that all the area is healing very nicely and he is doing very well. Dr. Lavu decided to remove the tube from the pancreas but not from his side cavity at this time. Though we were hoping that he would have drainage tube removed completely today, it is comforting to have a doctor that errs on the side of cautiousness. Matt is to call Dr. Lavu's office on Tuesday and most likely the tube will be removed next Thursday.
Timing throughout all of this time of recovery for both Jim and Matt, have been the hardest thing for me personally to come to grips with. This recent visit is no difference. Jim is scheduled for his 3-month kidney biopsy next Thursday, so thankfully our daughter and/or son-in-love, Megan and/or Lindsay will be taking Matt back to Jefferson next Thursday. All indications are looking like the tube will be removed at that time. Matt will be able to drive when the tube is removed. He is dealing with this recent news pretty well, though he too is feeling better to a degree and is ready to be working on complete healing, which willl progress to that status when the tube is completely removed.
My timing is obviously not the barometer to gage their recoveries, but I'm so thankful that God's timing is perfect. He has guided me as the caretaker since the beginning of Jim's recovery and I'm thankful I've allowed Him to continue guiding through Matt's recovery. Keep those prayers coming and again we are thankful for the ongoing support.
Check out our year-in-review letter on my personal blog. ( http://livingrlivestogether.blogspot.com/ ) Have a great holiday season.
~Tina
Timing throughout all of this time of recovery for both Jim and Matt, have been the hardest thing for me personally to come to grips with. This recent visit is no difference. Jim is scheduled for his 3-month kidney biopsy next Thursday, so thankfully our daughter and/or son-in-love, Megan and/or Lindsay will be taking Matt back to Jefferson next Thursday. All indications are looking like the tube will be removed at that time. Matt will be able to drive when the tube is removed. He is dealing with this recent news pretty well, though he too is feeling better to a degree and is ready to be working on complete healing, which willl progress to that status when the tube is completely removed.
My timing is obviously not the barometer to gage their recoveries, but I'm so thankful that God's timing is perfect. He has guided me as the caretaker since the beginning of Jim's recovery and I'm thankful I've allowed Him to continue guiding through Matt's recovery. Keep those prayers coming and again we are thankful for the ongoing support.
Check out our year-in-review letter on my personal blog. ( http://livingrlivestogether.blogspot.com/ ) Have a great holiday season.
~Tina
Thursday, December 8, 2011
12.8.11
Matt:
This morning Matt had his visit to Jefferson and things are looking and going great! He will continue to have the drainage tube, but is suppose to call the office Tuesday or Wednesday with the amounts that are continuing to come from the drain. This is a normal process with the pancreatic fluid and though we all have some fluid that are pancreas absorbs, the cc's need to be considerably less and consistent, before the surgeon removes the last tube. This tube is actually allowing Matt to heal and stay healthy since the fluid is not building up in his body at this time while the pancreas and surrounding area continues to heal. If the levels are at the range that the surgeon wants, Matt will again go up to Jefferson possibly next Thursday for the removal, but it might not be until the following week. All will depend on the phone "visit" in the middle of next week.
The traveling to and from Jefferson in Philadelphia was not as hard on Matt this week. Again, a sign of gaining strength and improvement. He is resting now. His pain is minimal and that too is a great improvement over last Thursday's visit.
Matt is looking very good as well, his appetite is good, though he eats much smaller portions and a few snacks now between, which is a good "new way of eating". We are so thankful for how his road to recovery is going. Keep the prayers coming and pray specifically that the pancreas heals enough that the tube will be able to be removed later next week, but not too soon for any type of setbacks. He is only allowed to walk for exercise at this time. He is 3 weeks post-op and doing remarkably well. GIG
I am thankful and grateful indeed,
~Tina
This morning Matt had his visit to Jefferson and things are looking and going great! He will continue to have the drainage tube, but is suppose to call the office Tuesday or Wednesday with the amounts that are continuing to come from the drain. This is a normal process with the pancreatic fluid and though we all have some fluid that are pancreas absorbs, the cc's need to be considerably less and consistent, before the surgeon removes the last tube. This tube is actually allowing Matt to heal and stay healthy since the fluid is not building up in his body at this time while the pancreas and surrounding area continues to heal. If the levels are at the range that the surgeon wants, Matt will again go up to Jefferson possibly next Thursday for the removal, but it might not be until the following week. All will depend on the phone "visit" in the middle of next week.
The traveling to and from Jefferson in Philadelphia was not as hard on Matt this week. Again, a sign of gaining strength and improvement. He is resting now. His pain is minimal and that too is a great improvement over last Thursday's visit.
Matt is looking very good as well, his appetite is good, though he eats much smaller portions and a few snacks now between, which is a good "new way of eating". We are so thankful for how his road to recovery is going. Keep the prayers coming and pray specifically that the pancreas heals enough that the tube will be able to be removed later next week, but not too soon for any type of setbacks. He is only allowed to walk for exercise at this time. He is 3 weeks post-op and doing remarkably well. GIG
I am thankful and grateful indeed,
~Tina
Monday, December 5, 2011
12.5.11
Several good days are happening here!! Matt is doing well and he is improving nicely. Though he tires easy, he started going for walks at the mall before it opens with Jim as well as some walks around our development with me. He has been able to sleep through the night the last several nights as well.. His pain is manageable and his draining tube is doing exactly what it is suppose to do and doesn't seem to be as irritating to his skin as previous weeks. Tomorrow it will be 4 weeks he had his surgery and 3 weeks post-op home. He is healing exactly as his surgeon had hoped. We are so thankful for his ongoing recovery and results. It is good to see color in his face and brightness back in his eyes as he continues to get stronger and stronger. Matt had some good friends visiting with him Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon as well as individuals who are providing several meals for us to eliminate some of the "load" in being a full-time care giver; I am so thankful for all (especially Jim, Megan and Lindsay for all their assistance whenever asked and even when I don't).
Jim is doing well and though he states he is working part-time, he tends to work longer days on the days that he works now, and as long as he can manage it, that is okay! His recovery is going very well and will be an ongoing process for several months.
How thankful we are for all the blessings God has giving our family this year. Please go over to my personal blog and enjoy our annual "end-of-the-year" newsletter. I don't know how people handle the uncertainties of life and even some expectancies without a strong faith and network. Thank you "special network", you are a blessing to me and my entire family.
~Tina
http://livingrlivestogether.blogspot.com/
Jim is doing well and though he states he is working part-time, he tends to work longer days on the days that he works now, and as long as he can manage it, that is okay! His recovery is going very well and will be an ongoing process for several months.
How thankful we are for all the blessings God has giving our family this year. Please go over to my personal blog and enjoy our annual "end-of-the-year" newsletter. I don't know how people handle the uncertainties of life and even some expectancies without a strong faith and network. Thank you "special network", you are a blessing to me and my entire family.
~Tina
http://livingrlivestogether.blogspot.com/
Friday, December 2, 2011
12.2.11
Jim: Today he had his appointment at the Transplant Center and his numbers are right where they need to be!! GIG We received the information needed for his upcoming routine 3-month kidney biopsy, which is scheduled for Thursday, Dec 22nd. He got the okay today, to "carefully" pick up our grandson, Jackson now and he is thrilled about it. I also mentioned to him that since he is able to do that, the garbage cans weigh about that or less when they are full and need to be taken to the end of the curb Thursday evenings, LOL!! Our wonderful neighbor has been doing it for us for several weeks now since he saw me doing it right after Jim's transplant. He and Jim didn't want me doing it, which was very sweet of both of them. Jim doesn't return to the transplant center until the day of the biopsy. We have a holiday get-together next Tuesday with the transplant center and we are looking forward to seeing several and only wish our "angel" and hubby would be able to attend with us, but Stephanie and Bobby live too far away to travel up this early for the small get-together. They are planning on being in the Hershey area over the Christmas break for a few days and we look forward to spending some time with them when they are in this "neck-of-the-woods".
Matt: It's been 2 1/2 weeks since his surgery and he has been home 1 1/2 weeks. Most of those days since he has been home have been more good days then not. We are so thankful for those days and his healing process. He does have a long road ahead with his healing, but he is moving in the right direction. Yesterday, with his visit and exam, which was in Philly at Jefferson, he got very tired and needed the rest of yesterday and all of today to get feeling less weak. He also has had a little more pain yesterday and today, which is extremely normal after having an exam and having to travel back and forth to inner city Philadelphia for his doctor's visit. He is looking wonderful and we are thankful that there hasn't been any signs of infection or problems to this point. We are so thankful for the reports of his biopsy and how everything showed all-clean margins and no cancer in the 20-lymph nodes that they took along with his spleen and tip of the pancreas and tumor. GISG.
May your weekend be one of enjoying "the little things", those are the precious and most important. It is sometimes hard to see them with all the hurrying that goes on in our daily lives. Being an "extreme" care-giver for the last few months I've come to appreciate the daily little things and see the importance of them.
~Tina
"...as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many." ~2Cor. 1:11
Matt: It's been 2 1/2 weeks since his surgery and he has been home 1 1/2 weeks. Most of those days since he has been home have been more good days then not. We are so thankful for those days and his healing process. He does have a long road ahead with his healing, but he is moving in the right direction. Yesterday, with his visit and exam, which was in Philly at Jefferson, he got very tired and needed the rest of yesterday and all of today to get feeling less weak. He also has had a little more pain yesterday and today, which is extremely normal after having an exam and having to travel back and forth to inner city Philadelphia for his doctor's visit. He is looking wonderful and we are thankful that there hasn't been any signs of infection or problems to this point. We are so thankful for the reports of his biopsy and how everything showed all-clean margins and no cancer in the 20-lymph nodes that they took along with his spleen and tip of the pancreas and tumor. GISG.
May your weekend be one of enjoying "the little things", those are the precious and most important. It is sometimes hard to see them with all the hurrying that goes on in our daily lives. Being an "extreme" care-giver for the last few months I've come to appreciate the daily little things and see the importance of them.
~Tina
"...as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many." ~2Cor. 1:11
Thursday, December 1, 2011
12.1.11
December is starting out to be a great month!! This morning Matt had his 2-week appointment at Jefferson with his surgeon. He got his results back and the pathology report was very good. No cancer. The tumor that was removed was cancer, but the lymph nodes were clean and all surrounding areas of the tumor and nodes were clean. He will be monitored for prevention purposes for about 5 years on a yearly basis (I believe). Dr. Lavu, said this is the best possible outcome and how thankful we should all be for the kidney stone episode in August that enabled this tumor to be found and removed!! He will continue to have the last drainage tube for another week. He has an appointment next Thursday morning and the tube should be removed at that time. We are so thankful for the ongoing prayers and support. Matt still has a recovery period ahead of him and he is doing very well. Dr. Lavu was very pleased. God continues to cover Matt and we are thankful for His Will being ours through this whole process. Jim and I are still coming to terms that our 29-year old son is a "cancer-survivor"!
Over flowing with joy,
Tina
Over flowing with joy,
Tina
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