Good evening. It has been a few days since you have heard from us and so much is happening. Advent is full of exciting things – class parties, church music programs, shopping, cooking, decorating, wrapping, time with family and heart families – and much, much more. Make the most of the time you have and make lots of memories. The list is long of all the things I want to be involved in but, alas, the spirit is willing but the body is very weak. I’m still trying to learn how to pace myself but in that area, I’m a very slow learner. I think I’m doing pretty well until the day after and I’m paying for my transgressions. Some things are worth the recliner days: like the day after I’ve been to church and had lots of wonderful hugs and warm smiles and being with our heart family. It doesn’t get any better than that. We have cherished friendships and those blessings can’t be counted or denied. This is a week of doctor visits on a daily basis, church staff party, MRI, PT for Mark, Hiller, B&R Christmas lunch, and a new doctor. I’m happy to explain the last. Some of you may know our son Nathan works for Surgical Care Affiliates, a company that does business with free-standing outpatient surgery facilities. His territory includes Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio. That’s the reason he gets to stop by here on his way to meetings and we get quick but wonderful visits. Until recently Vanderbilt was one of his facilities. He has offered on several occasions to contact doctors connected with Vandy on our behalf. Even though SCA is no longer connected with Vandy, he met a lot of wonderful doctors. After our last meeting with Dr. Penley when he told us there really were no other viable options for my medical treatments, Nathan again offered to help any way he could. Mid-Sunday morning he contacted a Dr. Sternburg at Vanderbilt via e-mail asking if Dr. Sternburg could look at my medical records and maybe suggest an oncologist at Vandy that we could see. As Mark and I sat down in the balcony Sunday morning, we received a Nathan-forwarded e-mail from a Dr. Neuss, Chief Medical Officer at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, saying he would be glad to talk to us about my case and to call him on Monday morning. I also talked to Sharon Sims, a church member and oncology nurse at Vandy, about doctors there. At 8:05 Monday morning I called the number Dr. Neuss had given Nathan and the doctor himself answered on the first ring. I was very surprised. It was evident he had been looking at my information before I called and we talked about 15 minutes. He said he would talk to some people and get back with me. Shortly after lunch, Pam called from Dr. Neuss’ office, took some more information and set up an appointment for me with Dr. Berlin for 2:00 p.m. Friday, as in this coming Friday. Again, everyone I talked to was so nice and helpful. We feel very good about this and so appreciate Nathan having wonderful contacts and doctors who are so helpful and compassionate. Dr. Neuss was very open and let us know that there may not be another treatment option and we certainly know that, but he was willing to look at all my records and scans (and there are many) and see what can be done. We do not believe in coincidences but providence. From the beginning of the cancer journey, doctors have been in the right places at the right times and we have felt good about our treatment and our doctors and nurses. We are going to the appointment with feelings of excitement, optimism, and thankfulness. If Dr. Berlin finds a new plan, we will be thankful. If he doesn’t, we will be thankful. God has been working in and through all of this for 20+ months now and we don’t expect He’ll quit now. Our faith is still strong and sure, and we know Who holds the future. That was a very long explanation of things that have happened in that area just since Sunday morning. Please pray for Dr. Berlin and that if there is some treatment out there, that he will find it and I might be a candidate. Thank you, wonderful herd, but your continued faithfulness on our behalf. We love you and are so overwhelmed by your love, prayers, support, generosity during these long months. We could not ask for anyone more giving than you have been. You are wonderful and we are thankful. The meal train has been running – so generous and yummy. We truly have the best cooks ever. When upon life’s billows we are tempest tossed, when we are discouraged thinking all is lost. Count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done. That is so true but why are we surprised? I’m embarrassed to say I am and shouldn’t be. I hope you have a blessed rest of the week. Always remember that we love you, appreciate you, pray for you, thank God for you. You continue to be God’s hands and feet on earth and you do it very well. Hugs to each of you, Honey and Mark
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 03:36:41 +0000
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