Hello all. As I mentioned in my last post, Dr. O has recommended dad be released from the hospital and to a rehabilitation facility where he can begin the process of relearning some of the basic physical functions such as walking, arm control, etc. Mom and I met briefly today with Dr. O and we discussed this a little more. The only rehab center he could be moved while he is still undergoing radiation is over at UNC-CH, because they are equipped to continue doing his radiation sessions at that hospital with minimal transport. So, the hospital case worker is trying to get him cleared to be in that facility.
Here's where the prayer request comes in-- we need specific prayers for dad to be cleared to be accepted to this center and for a bed to open up quickly. Our preference is for him to be able to get over there as soon as possible, but we are keenly aware that this is all in God's timing. So, will you please pray for a spot to open up if that is God's will?
By way of an update, dad is resting nicely tonight. He had his 7th of 14 radiation treatments this afternoon, so we're half-way done. Please continue to pray for complete and total healing so that the cancer is completely removed from his body.
As always, thank you for your continued support and prayers!
Showing posts with label UNC Hospitals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UNC Hospitals. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Post-Treatment Update
Hello all. Dad completed the cyber knife treatment late this afternoon and he's doing well. The procedure started about 1:30 and finished up around 4:30. Dad was a little concerned traveling over to UNC-CH this morning as he had a headache and was concerned that it might affect the ability to do the treatment, but soon after arrival, the medical team assured him that taking some pain medication was OK and he felt much better after he did.
I spoke with dad after the treatment and he said he was very impressed at the medical team. They were right there with him the entire time and were quite responsive to his needs. He had to go to the bathroom a couple of times and they gladly stopped the process, he took a break and they went right back to it. Dad also said that the procedure was indeed painless as he never felt anything. In fact, all he could pick up on was the movement of the machine.
Dad told me that he feels even more confident now after having completed the cyber knife process that he is indeed on the right path for treatment. As someone mentioned to me today, staying positive with a good outlook is critical, and we couldn't agree more.
So, with the first step done, we move on to the steps ahead. Dad will go back over to UNC-CH on Dec. 17 for a follow-up consultation on this procedure and they will do another MRI in 3 or 4 months to see if the process was successful. Also, as I noted earlier, dad will meet with his medical team at Rex Hospital next week to evaluate the process for whole-brain radiation and the timetable for doing that.
For now, dad said he was planning to go home, get some dinner, put on some comfortable clothes and relax for the remainder of the evening. He's even talking about going to the Duke/State football game tomorrow afternoon if he feels up to it!
Thank you for your prayers today and I ask that you will continue to pray for him over the next few days that he will continue to feel good and strong. Also, please continue praying for ultimate healing in that the cancer will be completely eliminated from his body.
I spoke with dad after the treatment and he said he was very impressed at the medical team. They were right there with him the entire time and were quite responsive to his needs. He had to go to the bathroom a couple of times and they gladly stopped the process, he took a break and they went right back to it. Dad also said that the procedure was indeed painless as he never felt anything. In fact, all he could pick up on was the movement of the machine.
Dad told me that he feels even more confident now after having completed the cyber knife process that he is indeed on the right path for treatment. As someone mentioned to me today, staying positive with a good outlook is critical, and we couldn't agree more.
So, with the first step done, we move on to the steps ahead. Dad will go back over to UNC-CH on Dec. 17 for a follow-up consultation on this procedure and they will do another MRI in 3 or 4 months to see if the process was successful. Also, as I noted earlier, dad will meet with his medical team at Rex Hospital next week to evaluate the process for whole-brain radiation and the timetable for doing that.
For now, dad said he was planning to go home, get some dinner, put on some comfortable clothes and relax for the remainder of the evening. He's even talking about going to the Duke/State football game tomorrow afternoon if he feels up to it!
Thank you for your prayers today and I ask that you will continue to pray for him over the next few days that he will continue to feel good and strong. Also, please continue praying for ultimate healing in that the cancer will be completely eliminated from his body.
Today's Prayer Requests
Hello all. As I mentioned in yesterday's post, dad will begin his first treatment today at UNC-Chapel Hill. This is the gamma knife procedure and it is scheduled to begin around 12:30 today. It will take about 2 hours and the focus of this treatment is to kill off the affected tissue on his brain.
We have a couple of prayer requests for today:
1. Pray for wisdom for the doctors and medical staff so that they will know exactly how to conduct this procedure so that it will eliminate the affected tissue.
2. Pray for dad that he will remain strong before, during and after the procedure.
3. Pray for our family so that we can be a strong support system as he begins the treatment process.
4. Pray for ultimate healing for dad and that the cancerous cells will be completely eliminated from his body.
I spoke with dad at length last night and he's in a good frame of mind. He's ready to get started with the treatment process and is ready to do what is necessary to beat back this cancer. Thank you for all of your support and I will update this blog later in the day once the procedure is complete.
We have a couple of prayer requests for today:
1. Pray for wisdom for the doctors and medical staff so that they will know exactly how to conduct this procedure so that it will eliminate the affected tissue.
2. Pray for dad that he will remain strong before, during and after the procedure.
3. Pray for our family so that we can be a strong support system as he begins the treatment process.
4. Pray for ultimate healing for dad and that the cancerous cells will be completely eliminated from his body.
I spoke with dad at length last night and he's in a good frame of mind. He's ready to get started with the treatment process and is ready to do what is necessary to beat back this cancer. Thank you for all of your support and I will update this blog later in the day once the procedure is complete.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Treatment Update
Hello all. I want to provide you with a brief update on where things are with dad's treatment schedule. Mom, Dad and Cassie went over to meet with two doctors at UNC-Chapel Hill yesterday to discuss treatment options (I wasn't able to make the trip over). Dad began the day with another MRI (likely better at UNC-CH than the one done in LB) and upon closer inspection, they found what they believe to be a 4th lesion on the top of his brain. Then, they met with the first doctor of the day. He is a specialist that does the cyber knife treatment I mentioned on Monday. The doctor laid out the details on what the cyber knife treatment is, what it does and what the side effects are. Essentially, they go in for one treatment that takes about 2 hours and use a system of lasers to burn off the tissue of the affected areas. As of right now, the main side effects we are aware of-- and these are just possibilities-- are being very tired and the possible loss of some motor skills. The doctors indicated that these are potential side effects, but they can't say for certain whether or not they will actually happen. So, we'll pray that they do not. The cyber knife treatment is mainly designed to eliminate the spots that are currently there, but they do not treat any other cells that may be lurking under the surface.
Then, they met with a neurologist to discuss in more detail what the game plan should be to treat all of this. The neurologist let them know that melanoma is one of the hardest cancers to kill because it reacts differently in different bodies. But, with that said, the doctor laid out a plan that is designed to aggressively go after it and eliminate it from dad's body. So, here's the plan:
1. Dad will undergo the cyber knife treatment on Friday afternoon (tomorrow) at UNC-Chapel Hill. It will take about 2 hours and he has to remain perfectly still during the treatment. They created a head mold yesterday to use on Friday to help him remain still. During this treatment, the lasers will be used at different angles to burn off the affected tissue. Dad should be able to go home soon after the procedure is finished and he'll need lots of rest. As far as we know, there will only be one cyber knife treatment session. The downside: it will take about 4 months to get the results of this procedure as they will need time to allow the tissue to either be absorbed by the body or hang around waiting to be removed. During that time, they will be looking to see if any new cancerous cells have appeared. If none, then it looks good. If there are more, we go back to the drawing board.
2. Early next week, dad will go back over to Rex to meet with Dr. O and Dr. Wu. They will do a consultation to begin dad on whole-brain radiation. I know I wrote on Monday that it looked like we wouldn't have to do that, but the medical team at UNC-CH recommended it as a way to get any of the cancerous cells that are under the surface. It kind of makes sense-- you need to go after the root of the problem or you will always be dealing with whatever pops up. Still, it's kind of tough to hear. Nonetheless, the sessions will be done at Rex, they should take about 3 weeks (Monday - Friday) and last about 10 - 15 minutes per session. The side effects here include hair loss, weakness and potential loss of appetite.
The medical team we are working with is still very positive and focused on eliminating the cancer from dad's body. And that's exactly what we are praying for. Dad continues to stay positive about the situation as well, and that is critical as the next few weeks will be challenging.
I want to relate one final thought. I was listening to a Bible study on the drive in this morning and Dr. David Jeremiah was discussing the concept of thanksgiving, why we should thank God (in good times and in bad) and how hard it seems to do that. As he was discussing this, I thought about something that dad said to me yesterday. He was talking with the doctors and said, "you know, I eat reasonably well, I work out, I take care of myself and I'm just a little puzzled and frustrated as to how my body can develop this." And the doctors in turn replied, "you know we look at it a little differently. We see patients that come in having smoked a pack of cigarettes each day, they are significantly overweight and have other medical issues to deal with in addition to something such as melanoma. So we are thankful that in your case, all we have to deal with is the melanoma." And with that, dad was able to change his viewpoint and stay a little more positive about this situation.
I tell you that story to say this-- stay positive and look at the different possible perspectives of the situations you are facing in life. We are choosing to give thanks to God for a few different things: 1) that other than the melanoma, dad is in pretty good health. 2) that we live in an area with top-level medical professionals that are the best at what they do. Not everyone has access to that kind of care. 3) that we have a great network of support from family and friends like you.
Please continue to pray specifically for healing for dad and for this melanoma to be eradicated from his body. Pray for the medical team and that God will grant them the wisdom to know exactly what to do to treat dad. Pray for strength for our family as we help dad during the next few weeks.
As always, thank you for your prayers, kind words and loving support. And, be sure to keep up the comments as they mean a lot to dad.
Many thanks.
Then, they met with a neurologist to discuss in more detail what the game plan should be to treat all of this. The neurologist let them know that melanoma is one of the hardest cancers to kill because it reacts differently in different bodies. But, with that said, the doctor laid out a plan that is designed to aggressively go after it and eliminate it from dad's body. So, here's the plan:
1. Dad will undergo the cyber knife treatment on Friday afternoon (tomorrow) at UNC-Chapel Hill. It will take about 2 hours and he has to remain perfectly still during the treatment. They created a head mold yesterday to use on Friday to help him remain still. During this treatment, the lasers will be used at different angles to burn off the affected tissue. Dad should be able to go home soon after the procedure is finished and he'll need lots of rest. As far as we know, there will only be one cyber knife treatment session. The downside: it will take about 4 months to get the results of this procedure as they will need time to allow the tissue to either be absorbed by the body or hang around waiting to be removed. During that time, they will be looking to see if any new cancerous cells have appeared. If none, then it looks good. If there are more, we go back to the drawing board.
2. Early next week, dad will go back over to Rex to meet with Dr. O and Dr. Wu. They will do a consultation to begin dad on whole-brain radiation. I know I wrote on Monday that it looked like we wouldn't have to do that, but the medical team at UNC-CH recommended it as a way to get any of the cancerous cells that are under the surface. It kind of makes sense-- you need to go after the root of the problem or you will always be dealing with whatever pops up. Still, it's kind of tough to hear. Nonetheless, the sessions will be done at Rex, they should take about 3 weeks (Monday - Friday) and last about 10 - 15 minutes per session. The side effects here include hair loss, weakness and potential loss of appetite.
The medical team we are working with is still very positive and focused on eliminating the cancer from dad's body. And that's exactly what we are praying for. Dad continues to stay positive about the situation as well, and that is critical as the next few weeks will be challenging.
I want to relate one final thought. I was listening to a Bible study on the drive in this morning and Dr. David Jeremiah was discussing the concept of thanksgiving, why we should thank God (in good times and in bad) and how hard it seems to do that. As he was discussing this, I thought about something that dad said to me yesterday. He was talking with the doctors and said, "you know, I eat reasonably well, I work out, I take care of myself and I'm just a little puzzled and frustrated as to how my body can develop this." And the doctors in turn replied, "you know we look at it a little differently. We see patients that come in having smoked a pack of cigarettes each day, they are significantly overweight and have other medical issues to deal with in addition to something such as melanoma. So we are thankful that in your case, all we have to deal with is the melanoma." And with that, dad was able to change his viewpoint and stay a little more positive about this situation.
I tell you that story to say this-- stay positive and look at the different possible perspectives of the situations you are facing in life. We are choosing to give thanks to God for a few different things: 1) that other than the melanoma, dad is in pretty good health. 2) that we live in an area with top-level medical professionals that are the best at what they do. Not everyone has access to that kind of care. 3) that we have a great network of support from family and friends like you.
Please continue to pray specifically for healing for dad and for this melanoma to be eradicated from his body. Pray for the medical team and that God will grant them the wisdom to know exactly what to do to treat dad. Pray for strength for our family as we help dad during the next few weeks.
As always, thank you for your prayers, kind words and loving support. And, be sure to keep up the comments as they mean a lot to dad.
Many thanks.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Monday Update
Hello all. We traveled over to Rex Hospital this morning to meet with a couple of doctors at the Rex Cancer Center. I previously thought that we were there to actually begin treatments, but instead, today was to be a consultation and a "dry-run" for the whole-brain radiation treatment, if that's the approach they felt we should take. First up was a meeting with Dr. Wu. He is the doctor that administers the whole-brain radiation treatments. After reviewing his MRI from St. Mary's in LB, he said that it appears that there are 3 lesions that he can find. Additionally, he said that he believes dad would be a good candidate for a specific type of radiation that pinpoints on the lesions (called gamma knife), instead of doing the whole-brain radiation treatment. This is very good news because it means there will be less of an impact on dad with the treatments as whole-brain radiation is rather intensive. Instead, this pinpoint approach only treats the affected area and the impact is much smaller. It also has the benefit of being more precise. So, Dr. Wu got on the phone and consulted with Dr. Morris at UNC-CH to see if he agreed that dad would be a good candidate and Dr. Morris agreed that dad should come over for a consultation and it looked likely that the pinpoint treatment would be the way to go. So, we're currently trying to schedule an appointment to get over to UNC-CH for that consultation. If we end up going this route, Dr. Wu said we're looking at 3 treatments for the affected areas and that should be it (unless they find something else in there). Also, we believe that UNC-CH will want to do their own MRI, which is fine with us as we feel very good about their knowledge and abilities and want them to have the most accurate test information available. As a result of this meeting, there was no need to do the dry-run of the whole-brain radiation. Additionally, they've put the chemo treatments on hold as well as there may not be a need for them pending the decision about the gamma knife approach.
Following that meeting, we met with Dr. O, dad's oncologist. She, too, was quite positive about the gamma knife approach and spoke highly of Dr. Morris and his ability to provide diagnosis/treatment. She wants dad to monitor his blood-sugar levels and his blood pressure, but for now, she says that if he's feeling up to it, he can return to work and do things just as he was doing prior to the seizure. And since he's on anti-seizure medication, he's at a much lower risk of any further seizures at this point in time.
Dad will continue to be on a lot of different medications (some of which they will wean him off of over the next few weeks), but for now, the prognosis looks to be quite good. We continue to take the stance that we'll respond to this aggressive appearance of the lesions with aggressive treatment options.
Please continue to pray for healing for dad, specifically that dad will be a candidate for the gamma knife approach and that it will eliminate the lesions from his brain. Additionally, please pray for wisdom for the doctors so that they will know how to treat dad during this time.
I know I can't say it enough, but thank you for your continued support during this time. We stand in awe of what God has done in taking care of dad during this time and in how He has united so many people through this incident to see how He works.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, you are welcome to call dad or shoot him an e-mail. His e-mail address is nparks68@nc.rr.com. Thank you for your love and support!
Following that meeting, we met with Dr. O, dad's oncologist. She, too, was quite positive about the gamma knife approach and spoke highly of Dr. Morris and his ability to provide diagnosis/treatment. She wants dad to monitor his blood-sugar levels and his blood pressure, but for now, she says that if he's feeling up to it, he can return to work and do things just as he was doing prior to the seizure. And since he's on anti-seizure medication, he's at a much lower risk of any further seizures at this point in time.
Dad will continue to be on a lot of different medications (some of which they will wean him off of over the next few weeks), but for now, the prognosis looks to be quite good. We continue to take the stance that we'll respond to this aggressive appearance of the lesions with aggressive treatment options.
Please continue to pray for healing for dad, specifically that dad will be a candidate for the gamma knife approach and that it will eliminate the lesions from his brain. Additionally, please pray for wisdom for the doctors so that they will know how to treat dad during this time.
I know I can't say it enough, but thank you for your continued support during this time. We stand in awe of what God has done in taking care of dad during this time and in how He has united so many people through this incident to see how He works.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, you are welcome to call dad or shoot him an e-mail. His e-mail address is nparks68@nc.rr.com. Thank you for your love and support!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Today's Focus
Good morning all. My mom, Aunt Betty and I went back over to the hospital last night for a brief visit. Dad was the most lucid he's been yet. We were able to carry on nearly full conversations with him. He wanted to know once again what happened that got him to the hospital. We explained the situation and he's able to recall most everything up to dinner on Friday evening. I also got the chance to share your comments with him by reading each and every one of them to him. He was moved to tears to know that so many people care so deeply for him and are praying for him. I know I keep saying this -- and I don't know how to put it any other way-- but you'll never know how much your love, prayer and support means to us-- all of us.
So, we turn our focus to today. Our number one objective is to talk with both doctors back in NC and get them more involved in the situation. We really need them and their expertise in the situation. We need everyone to be praying for us to be able to get in touch with these doctors, for them to be able to understand the situation and for them to begin to take as much control of the situation as possible as they are some of the nation's leading experts on melanoma and neurology. Will you please pray for us to be able to speak with these doctors and for them to get involved to help?
Beyond that, we are beginning to have to think about what we need to do for accommodations beyond Thursday night. We are staying in a hotel in the tourist area (where the convention is being held) and the rooms are a little on the expensive side. If it looks like we're going to be here for an extended period of time, we may need to find some alternate arrangements. But we have no idea what we're going to do or how we're going to do it. So, please pray for clarity on what we need to do in that situation.
Lastly, Josh (Cassie's husband) is catching a flight home today. I'm taking him to LAX around 9:45 so he can begin the trek back across the country. It has meant a lot to Cassie and all of us to have Josh here with us during this time. Please pray for safe travel for him.
Once again-- thank you for your love and support. Please continue to pray for healing as God is the great physician and if it is in His will that this cancer be eliminated, we know it will be.
Much love and many thanks.
So, we turn our focus to today. Our number one objective is to talk with both doctors back in NC and get them more involved in the situation. We really need them and their expertise in the situation. We need everyone to be praying for us to be able to get in touch with these doctors, for them to be able to understand the situation and for them to begin to take as much control of the situation as possible as they are some of the nation's leading experts on melanoma and neurology. Will you please pray for us to be able to speak with these doctors and for them to get involved to help?
Beyond that, we are beginning to have to think about what we need to do for accommodations beyond Thursday night. We are staying in a hotel in the tourist area (where the convention is being held) and the rooms are a little on the expensive side. If it looks like we're going to be here for an extended period of time, we may need to find some alternate arrangements. But we have no idea what we're going to do or how we're going to do it. So, please pray for clarity on what we need to do in that situation.
Lastly, Josh (Cassie's husband) is catching a flight home today. I'm taking him to LAX around 9:45 so he can begin the trek back across the country. It has meant a lot to Cassie and all of us to have Josh here with us during this time. Please pray for safe travel for him.
Once again-- thank you for your love and support. Please continue to pray for healing as God is the great physician and if it is in His will that this cancer be eliminated, we know it will be.
Much love and many thanks.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Finally Able to Connect with Doctor at UNC
We received a call this morning from the office of the doctor that was treating the previous bout with melanoma. That doctor is based at UNC Hospitals and since everything took place over the weekend, it was difficult to get in touch with anyone over there. We've been able to give them a capsulated summary of the situation and provided a phone number to get them in contact with the medical team here at St. Mary's in LB. As we've said previously, we're trying to see what has to be done to move dad back home so this situation can be handled there.
Thank you once again for your e-mails, prayers and support. I would like to ask everyone to pray for two specific items today:
1. That dad will do well when the breathing tube is removed this morning to the point that he can sustain breathing on his own. This will allow us to move closer to getting the MRI done.
2. For strength for me, my mom, my sister, my wife and my brother-in-law. Each of us, with the exception of Melinda, are here in LB, which is an unfamiliar place and this is difficult to handle without the familiarity of home. Melinda is back at home with our children, Anna and Ryan. She is holding down the fort with both kids on her own and that's a challenge under any set of circumstances. So, prayers for strength would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you all for your love and support.
Thank you once again for your e-mails, prayers and support. I would like to ask everyone to pray for two specific items today:
1. That dad will do well when the breathing tube is removed this morning to the point that he can sustain breathing on his own. This will allow us to move closer to getting the MRI done.
2. For strength for me, my mom, my sister, my wife and my brother-in-law. Each of us, with the exception of Melinda, are here in LB, which is an unfamiliar place and this is difficult to handle without the familiarity of home. Melinda is back at home with our children, Anna and Ryan. She is holding down the fort with both kids on her own and that's a challenge under any set of circumstances. So, prayers for strength would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you all for your love and support.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)