Update....Thursday, September 9th
I had a very busy week preparing for my trip to Duke. Dr. Friedman wanted a fresh MRI Scan brought with me. I had to get this done in Cumming (which is about an hour from my house) at Northside Forsyth Hospital (this is where my medical oncologist is located, and I guess he is responsible for these tests. I am still learning how every thing works). The MRI is then recorded onto a CD for Dr Friedman to review. Good thing is I didn't have to go back to pick it up. They had it ready in 15 minutes and I left with a copy. That was a blessing in itself. I need to take a second and give thanks to my Mom o has been wonderful during this whole process. She has picked up where Kandi had to leave off at, which allows Kandi to go back to work and get re-focused on her job and regain some of her sanity :-). Kandi works for a wonderful company. They have been so supportive and understanding, working with her and allowing her the time she needs to deal with me and my needs. I am now in Durham, North Carolina about three miles from the campus of Duke University at the Hilton, watching the Saints game in the hotel bar while eating dinner with my wonderful wife. I am so enjoying life right now. God is truly awesome! He is surrounding me with truly amazing, beautiful-natured people that are understanding and supportive. Before this mess, I was always suspicious of most people, worried about what they were thinking, and suspecting people of ulterior motives. Now that the tumor has been removed and I am beginning to recover, and God has been working hard in my heart, transforming me into a new person with wide open eyes, I see the world a lot differently now. Okay, back to the update. My appointment is at 10 am Friday morning at the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke. It is supposed to be a two day evaluation, but after talking with them, they said it will be completed in 1 day, and I should be done about 3 pm. I don't know if we will drive back tomorrow or not. We may go half way, and stay somewhere overnight, because all the driving is on Kandi's shoulders. Please pray for her, she needs strength to handle my increased needs. They (the doctors) still won't let me drive, and if I did, and, God forbid, some thing happened, I would be in a world of trouble. I don't believe the risk is worth the benefit. I do feel mentally able now, but let's see how I feel after I start the radiation. I still haven't received my chemo drug Temodar yet. I called my oncologist and told me that they want to wait and see what Dr. Friedman is going to recommend. He may put me me in a trial and either change the drug or add to it. They have been communicating with each other about my case. (That was reassuring to find out).
I would like to share a text message my daughter sent me Thursday morning- quote - ..."we're going over topics and descriptions and such. And she put topics up there for us to discuss and one is who you consider your hero. And your the first thing that popped into my head. My hero. :) ..." - I immediately started crying like a baby. She is such a wonderful child, with a heart of gold. I love her so much. Please include her in your prayers. I have run out of steam and need to bring this to an end. As always, please make sure you stop and tell your loved ones how much you love and appreciate them. Don't assume they know. Remember that God will not put more on your shoulders than you can handle, and will help you carry your current burden, all you have to do is ask and believe in him. I have personally witnessed and my faith is super strong right now! I am not trying to preach, but share what I have experienced. I take everything to God. You can't ask to much. Please remember me in your prayers, and thanks to everyone that is currently praying for me. It is working! I love you guys!
Lamentations 3:4-5 "It is of Jehovah’s lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not, they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. "
No comments:
Post a Comment