Thursday, March 26, 2009
HELLO EVERYONE -- THIS IS MAXINE WITH THE NEWEST UPDATES.
We had an appointmnet with our general oncologist on Tues. She was very nice and answered a lot of our questions. What she could not answer she said she would try to find someone who could. She took a lot of time with us and was very pleasant and helpful. She gave us the number for the radiation oncologist and we called when we got home and made an appt. The soonest they could get us in was April 7. Which we were a little concerned about as there was so much time between my surgery and that date.
We took Chris and Linda to the airport on Wednesday and on our way home we were talking about calling to see if we could get in sooner. When we got home we had 3 phone calls from Kaiser, one was with radiation oncology for today at 1:30 one was from Dr. Hui for me to have blood work done ASAP and the other was with a neurologist as some of the questions Dr. Hui thought they could answer. We thought the message said 10:45 this a.m. and after rushing down to Sac it was actually for 10:15 so we missed that one. In actuality, the radiation oncologist answered most of the questions
We met with him this afternoon and he was very nice as well and answered most of our questions. He went over the side effects of radiation and told us that some people breeze right through when others really struggle. I had a CT scan and they marked my head for the radiation treatment which begins next Wednesday. April 1. I will have 6 weeks, 5 days per week, Mon through Fri. I'll have Sat. and Sun. off. and I will have the oral chemo at the same time. He said some people do get nausea from the radiation, but some don't. Each treatment will take about 15 minutes. We will need to drive down to Rancho Cordova for these treatments. All of the people in the radiation dept. are very nice. There is a 91 year old woman who crochets hats and donates them for people to use while losing their hair. Both oncologists seemed to think it would be OK for me to go to China in May, (the 18-28) It all depends on how I feel, I told Marty that I would love to go, gut if I am not feeling OK, I won't go.
Last week I received a package in the mail and it was a beautiful lap quilt made by the women at the Sparks United Methodist Church. They do this through an organization called prayers and squares, and everyplace it is tied they said a prayer for me. Isn't that awesome. I love it. There are so many things we can do to help others instead of just thinking about ourselves all the time.
Tomorrow we are going to Jackson, it is grandparents day at Makenzie Johnson's school and it is a fundraiser. These are always fun. Marty will share a little in the service on Sun. a.m. about his trip to Bangladesh. We will come home on Sun. evening after we go to a healing service at the Penryn Faith 4 Square church. This is where Bob and Kay Owens serve. Bill and Barbara Seal worship there also.
We have been out running around everyday this day this week and let me tell you about 3:00 p.m. I hit a wall and I am done. As soon as I finish this, I am going to bed.
Keep up the prayers and I love the comments. Love to all of you, Maxine
We had an appointmnet with our general oncologist on Tues. She was very nice and answered a lot of our questions. What she could not answer she said she would try to find someone who could. She took a lot of time with us and was very pleasant and helpful. She gave us the number for the radiation oncologist and we called when we got home and made an appt. The soonest they could get us in was April 7. Which we were a little concerned about as there was so much time between my surgery and that date.
We took Chris and Linda to the airport on Wednesday and on our way home we were talking about calling to see if we could get in sooner. When we got home we had 3 phone calls from Kaiser, one was with radiation oncology for today at 1:30 one was from Dr. Hui for me to have blood work done ASAP and the other was with a neurologist as some of the questions Dr. Hui thought they could answer. We thought the message said 10:45 this a.m. and after rushing down to Sac it was actually for 10:15 so we missed that one. In actuality, the radiation oncologist answered most of the questions
We met with him this afternoon and he was very nice as well and answered most of our questions. He went over the side effects of radiation and told us that some people breeze right through when others really struggle. I had a CT scan and they marked my head for the radiation treatment which begins next Wednesday. April 1. I will have 6 weeks, 5 days per week, Mon through Fri. I'll have Sat. and Sun. off. and I will have the oral chemo at the same time. He said some people do get nausea from the radiation, but some don't. Each treatment will take about 15 minutes. We will need to drive down to Rancho Cordova for these treatments. All of the people in the radiation dept. are very nice. There is a 91 year old woman who crochets hats and donates them for people to use while losing their hair. Both oncologists seemed to think it would be OK for me to go to China in May, (the 18-28) It all depends on how I feel, I told Marty that I would love to go, gut if I am not feeling OK, I won't go.
Last week I received a package in the mail and it was a beautiful lap quilt made by the women at the Sparks United Methodist Church. They do this through an organization called prayers and squares, and everyplace it is tied they said a prayer for me. Isn't that awesome. I love it. There are so many things we can do to help others instead of just thinking about ourselves all the time.
Tomorrow we are going to Jackson, it is grandparents day at Makenzie Johnson's school and it is a fundraiser. These are always fun. Marty will share a little in the service on Sun. a.m. about his trip to Bangladesh. We will come home on Sun. evening after we go to a healing service at the Penryn Faith 4 Square church. This is where Bob and Kay Owens serve. Bill and Barbara Seal worship there also.
We have been out running around everyday this day this week and let me tell you about 3:00 p.m. I hit a wall and I am done. As soon as I finish this, I am going to bed.
Keep up the prayers and I love the comments. Love to all of you, Maxine
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Dear ones:
Just wanted to let you know that I did a no-no this morning. I was curious to see what the American Cancer Society said about what I am going through and I wish I had not clicked on that web-site as it was not very encouraging. I told Marty that maybe I have been in some denial because it really hit me that this is very serious.
Then I got to thinking about the actress Natasha Richardson that passed away today and realized how fortunate I have been, she was not able to get her heart right with the Lord, unless she was a believer and she did not get to say goodbye to her children and family. How sad. My family means everything to me.
I know that my great physician can override any doctors verdict and report and when He feels it is time for me to come home, He will take me. I AM READY. I PRAY THAT IF YOU HAVE NOT GIVEN YOUR LIFE TO JESUS YOU WILL, DO NOT WAIT ANY LONGER, DO IT NOW, NATASHA DID NOT KNOW THAT WHEN SHE WENT TO TAKE THAT SKI LESSON IT WOULD BE THE LAST DAY OF HER LIFE.
When Marty and I drove to Chico on Sat. we saw several crosses along the roadside which usually represents someone died there. I told Marty what was so ironic was that here I was going through this but we could have a car accident and it would all be over in seconds.
JESUS LOVES YOU AND SO DO WE, MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU IN HIS CARE. TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION. II Corinthians 6:1-2 Maxine
HELLO EVERYONE! THIS IS MARTY. I HAVE BEEN READING YOUR COMMENTS AND MY HEART IS OVERWHELMED WITH THE BLESSING OF YOUR LOVE AND JUST HOW BIG OUR FAMILY IS AND THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE TOGETHER FOREVER!
Coming home to this was such a surprise for me and it simply illustrates a verse that I have read so many times from Proverbs 27:1, "do not boast about tomorrow for you do not know what a day may bring forth." Wow! How true. Also, I have been singing all over the world, "The joy of the Lord is my strength" and now I have the opportunity to see how true that is. Some have been calling me THE APOSTLE OF JOY so now I can see if that is really true in my own home.
Maxine is so strong and it really helps me when I get shakey. Her faith has been such a testimony to me and I praise God for it. It is helping me. How thankful I am for the regular discipline that has been a part of my life for several years of reading at least five chapters from Psalms a day and then one chapter from Proverbs.
Without fail the Spirit of God has spoken to me the very words that I have needed for that day. With what Maxine and I face I know that we must have our lives anchored in the word of God. How wonderful to be encouraged to believe that God is in charge and that He and His word are eternally powerful and even in the midst of circumstances we can stand with confidence in our God and His promises. Again, how wonderul it is to have people of LIKE faith who believe in the power of God. James says that the "prayer of faith will heal the sick". THAT IS OUR CONVICTION. THAT IS WHERE WE STAND. And we are so thankful for so many others all over the world who believe and stand with us. God's presence is so real for us each day and how thankful we are for that. It makes me think of the statement by Fenelon who said,
"He prays well who is so absorbed with God that he doesn't realize he is praying." Isn't that beautiful? Paul said it in 1 Thess. 5 to pray without ceasing. Yes, it seems that is becoming more and more a way of life for us.
THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO PRAY FOR US AND WHAT JOY COMES IN KNOWING THAT WE ARE LOVED NOT ONLY BY OUR HEAVENLY FATHER BUT BY SO MANY OF YOU. MARTY
I wanted to add one more thing. A number of years ago I met an older woman(in her 80's) named Jean at the church where Mark and Martha are. She had cancer of the stomach and the doctors had given her only a couple of months to live. If I remember right, she lived for about 5 years longer. She was an encouragement to many people. She gave me this poem that I have carried in my Bible ever since and have shared with many people.
WHAT CANCER CANNOT DO!!!
cANCER IS SO LIMITED
It cannot cripple love
It cannot shatter hope
It cannot corrode faith
It cannot destroy peace
It cannot kill friendship
It cannot suppress memories
It cannot silence courage
It cannot invade the soul
It cannot steal eternal life
It cannot conquer the Spirit
AMEN!!!
Just wanted to let you know that I did a no-no this morning. I was curious to see what the American Cancer Society said about what I am going through and I wish I had not clicked on that web-site as it was not very encouraging. I told Marty that maybe I have been in some denial because it really hit me that this is very serious.
Then I got to thinking about the actress Natasha Richardson that passed away today and realized how fortunate I have been, she was not able to get her heart right with the Lord, unless she was a believer and she did not get to say goodbye to her children and family. How sad. My family means everything to me.
I know that my great physician can override any doctors verdict and report and when He feels it is time for me to come home, He will take me. I AM READY. I PRAY THAT IF YOU HAVE NOT GIVEN YOUR LIFE TO JESUS YOU WILL, DO NOT WAIT ANY LONGER, DO IT NOW, NATASHA DID NOT KNOW THAT WHEN SHE WENT TO TAKE THAT SKI LESSON IT WOULD BE THE LAST DAY OF HER LIFE.
When Marty and I drove to Chico on Sat. we saw several crosses along the roadside which usually represents someone died there. I told Marty what was so ironic was that here I was going through this but we could have a car accident and it would all be over in seconds.
JESUS LOVES YOU AND SO DO WE, MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU IN HIS CARE. TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION. II Corinthians 6:1-2 Maxine
HELLO EVERYONE! THIS IS MARTY. I HAVE BEEN READING YOUR COMMENTS AND MY HEART IS OVERWHELMED WITH THE BLESSING OF YOUR LOVE AND JUST HOW BIG OUR FAMILY IS AND THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE TOGETHER FOREVER!
Coming home to this was such a surprise for me and it simply illustrates a verse that I have read so many times from Proverbs 27:1, "do not boast about tomorrow for you do not know what a day may bring forth." Wow! How true. Also, I have been singing all over the world, "The joy of the Lord is my strength" and now I have the opportunity to see how true that is. Some have been calling me THE APOSTLE OF JOY so now I can see if that is really true in my own home.
Maxine is so strong and it really helps me when I get shakey. Her faith has been such a testimony to me and I praise God for it. It is helping me. How thankful I am for the regular discipline that has been a part of my life for several years of reading at least five chapters from Psalms a day and then one chapter from Proverbs.
Without fail the Spirit of God has spoken to me the very words that I have needed for that day. With what Maxine and I face I know that we must have our lives anchored in the word of God. How wonderful to be encouraged to believe that God is in charge and that He and His word are eternally powerful and even in the midst of circumstances we can stand with confidence in our God and His promises. Again, how wonderul it is to have people of LIKE faith who believe in the power of God. James says that the "prayer of faith will heal the sick". THAT IS OUR CONVICTION. THAT IS WHERE WE STAND. And we are so thankful for so many others all over the world who believe and stand with us. God's presence is so real for us each day and how thankful we are for that. It makes me think of the statement by Fenelon who said,
"He prays well who is so absorbed with God that he doesn't realize he is praying." Isn't that beautiful? Paul said it in 1 Thess. 5 to pray without ceasing. Yes, it seems that is becoming more and more a way of life for us.
THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO PRAY FOR US AND WHAT JOY COMES IN KNOWING THAT WE ARE LOVED NOT ONLY BY OUR HEAVENLY FATHER BUT BY SO MANY OF YOU. MARTY
I wanted to add one more thing. A number of years ago I met an older woman(in her 80's) named Jean at the church where Mark and Martha are. She had cancer of the stomach and the doctors had given her only a couple of months to live. If I remember right, she lived for about 5 years longer. She was an encouragement to many people. She gave me this poem that I have carried in my Bible ever since and have shared with many people.
WHAT CANCER CANNOT DO!!!
cANCER IS SO LIMITED
It cannot cripple love
It cannot shatter hope
It cannot corrode faith
It cannot destroy peace
It cannot kill friendship
It cannot suppress memories
It cannot silence courage
It cannot invade the soul
It cannot steal eternal life
It cannot conquer the Spirit
AMEN!!!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Hello again Everyone:
First off, Tara is our precious daughter-in-law, wife of Michael and mother of 3 of our 14 grandchildren, Michael John, Taylor and Tyler (born Dec. 23). She is a blessing to our family. We are so thankful for Tara, Sheela (Matthew's wife), Mark Johnson (Martha's husband) and Brad (Mary's husband). We have been blessed to have such wonderful son's and daughter's -in-law. And we look forward to Mark finding a wonderful wife and Mikala a wonderful husband. When they get married, there will be 29 in our family until more grandchildren come along. Ifeel truly blessed among women.
All is going well here at the home base. We drove to Chico on Sat. to a wedding of some dear friends and then stopped by to see Dana and Cindy Hagman on our way home. That was fun, but after we left there, I told Marty that I was done, and needed to be in bed. I came home, took a Vicadan and went straight to bed. I have been sleeping great, get up maybe 2 times to go to the bathroom. One of the things that has been affected by my surgery is that when I need to go, I need to go and should go ASAP. If I wait too long, I take the chance of not making it. I am wearing depends a lot of the time.
We are so excited, my nephew Chris Anderson and his wife, Linda, are coming in from Lubbock, TX on Thursday night and will be here over the weekend. His sister Robin called today and they may come in June. My oldest brother John and his wife Dorthy may come in May and bring my mother. My brother Pete may come also in May. It will be great to see all of them. Please keep my mother in your prayers also, she will be 98 in August and has already lost 2 of her children to cancer. My sister had breast cancer and passed away in 1990 and my brother Paul passed away last year with a brain tumor, the same kind I had but it was in a place where they could not operate.
I have truly enjoyed reading the comments in the blog, some of the scriptures that have been shared have been a great encouragement. Keep them coming. I especially like Isaiah 46:3-4. Jer. 29:11 is a good one also.
I better go and get in bed it is getting late. We are thankful for all the prayers that are going up on our families behalf and all the love we feel from so many. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU ALL ABUNDANTLY.
First off, Tara is our precious daughter-in-law, wife of Michael and mother of 3 of our 14 grandchildren, Michael John, Taylor and Tyler (born Dec. 23). She is a blessing to our family. We are so thankful for Tara, Sheela (Matthew's wife), Mark Johnson (Martha's husband) and Brad (Mary's husband). We have been blessed to have such wonderful son's and daughter's -in-law. And we look forward to Mark finding a wonderful wife and Mikala a wonderful husband. When they get married, there will be 29 in our family until more grandchildren come along. Ifeel truly blessed among women.
All is going well here at the home base. We drove to Chico on Sat. to a wedding of some dear friends and then stopped by to see Dana and Cindy Hagman on our way home. That was fun, but after we left there, I told Marty that I was done, and needed to be in bed. I came home, took a Vicadan and went straight to bed. I have been sleeping great, get up maybe 2 times to go to the bathroom. One of the things that has been affected by my surgery is that when I need to go, I need to go and should go ASAP. If I wait too long, I take the chance of not making it. I am wearing depends a lot of the time.
We are so excited, my nephew Chris Anderson and his wife, Linda, are coming in from Lubbock, TX on Thursday night and will be here over the weekend. His sister Robin called today and they may come in June. My oldest brother John and his wife Dorthy may come in May and bring my mother. My brother Pete may come also in May. It will be great to see all of them. Please keep my mother in your prayers also, she will be 98 in August and has already lost 2 of her children to cancer. My sister had breast cancer and passed away in 1990 and my brother Paul passed away last year with a brain tumor, the same kind I had but it was in a place where they could not operate.
I have truly enjoyed reading the comments in the blog, some of the scriptures that have been shared have been a great encouragement. Keep them coming. I especially like Isaiah 46:3-4. Jer. 29:11 is a good one also.
I better go and get in bed it is getting late. We are thankful for all the prayers that are going up on our families behalf and all the love we feel from so many. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU ALL ABUNDANTLY.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
HELLO EVERYONE!
I am so thankful for my family -- and especially Tara for setting this up for me. I had planned on updating sooner but decided to wait until we went to see my Dr. on Thurs. 3/12. Had a good visit with him, his name is Dr. Shakrabarti, pronounced (schockrabarti) He is from India, very congenial and up front. He told us that the pathology report came back just as he thought it would. I had a glioblastoma, (look this up on webmed, it is very interesting). and it was a stage 4 malignancy, which they feel they removed 98% of the tumor. This is the same kind of tumor my brother Paul had, the difference is that mine was in a spot they could easily operate on, his was not. This is a very aggressive tumor and can come back so radiation and chemo will be necessary to totally zap it. He told us many people go through the surgery and then decide they do not want to go through radiation and chemo and the tumor comes right back. I plan on taking the radiation and chemo. We have an appointment on the 24th with the oncologist who will then map out my treatment. They cannot start radiation until my scar heals really well, so that is what we are waiting on right now. The doctor said if they start radiation too soon before the incision heals, it can cause problems with the incision which we don't want, it is big enough now. It starts at the beginning of my hairline right in the middle of my forhead, goes back about 6" then curves down to my right ear. I cannot wear any wigs or hats until it heals well, don't want it to keep moisture in the scar. It looks pretty ominous right now but is healing well, (itches a lot)
The doctor took me off the seizure medicine, have not had any seizures. He said most people if they are going to have seizures, have them in the first week after surgery. He was very pleased with my progress and told me I could do anything I wanted, of course, still get lots of rest which I am trying to do. The first few days after coming home from the hospital, I could not seem to stay warm. Marty's sister was here and went home and brought me back an electric blanket, which I have used every day and night since.
I have been extremely blessed by my family. Our children have been so helpful. Today at our worship service we were talking about thankfulness and I tought of so many things I am thankful for. My children's persistance, the fact that I live in a country where they can do this kind of treatment even though many say our health care is lacking, I am thankful for what I do have,and I am thankful for Marty. He is doing a great job taking care of me and comes at my beck and call.
Sometimes you wonder, do I really have friends, going through this, I have realized how many wonderful friends I have. People have been bringing meals which have been fantastic, we have received lots of words of encouragement and cards and offers to do anything that needs to be done. One young man has come and worked outside for many hours, so Marty can be in the house with me. We truly feel blessed and loved.
I have decided to not answer the phone everytime it rings, but that is so hard especially when it is someone I have not heard from in a long time. I have a hard time letting the answer machine take it, but I am trying.
We will try to keep you posted as to how my progress is going. I really do feel quite great now. We are going to a service on the 29th at a church that Bob and Kay Owens work with, they have a healing service the 4th Sunday of the month. I am looking forward to this. Love to all of you, keep us in your prayers. I have heard mixed comments on radiation and chemo. It depends on the person, I guess. We will see how I respond and how I can handle it. Someone sent this scripture to me. Isaiah 46:3-4 God says he knew me before I was even conceived, isn't that awesome and that He has carried me since I was born,and will continue to do so til I am old and gray. WOW, WHAT A SAVIOR!!
I am so thankful for my family -- and especially Tara for setting this up for me. I had planned on updating sooner but decided to wait until we went to see my Dr. on Thurs. 3/12. Had a good visit with him, his name is Dr. Shakrabarti, pronounced (schockrabarti) He is from India, very congenial and up front. He told us that the pathology report came back just as he thought it would. I had a glioblastoma, (look this up on webmed, it is very interesting). and it was a stage 4 malignancy, which they feel they removed 98% of the tumor. This is the same kind of tumor my brother Paul had, the difference is that mine was in a spot they could easily operate on, his was not. This is a very aggressive tumor and can come back so radiation and chemo will be necessary to totally zap it. He told us many people go through the surgery and then decide they do not want to go through radiation and chemo and the tumor comes right back. I plan on taking the radiation and chemo. We have an appointment on the 24th with the oncologist who will then map out my treatment. They cannot start radiation until my scar heals really well, so that is what we are waiting on right now. The doctor said if they start radiation too soon before the incision heals, it can cause problems with the incision which we don't want, it is big enough now. It starts at the beginning of my hairline right in the middle of my forhead, goes back about 6" then curves down to my right ear. I cannot wear any wigs or hats until it heals well, don't want it to keep moisture in the scar. It looks pretty ominous right now but is healing well, (itches a lot)
The doctor took me off the seizure medicine, have not had any seizures. He said most people if they are going to have seizures, have them in the first week after surgery. He was very pleased with my progress and told me I could do anything I wanted, of course, still get lots of rest which I am trying to do. The first few days after coming home from the hospital, I could not seem to stay warm. Marty's sister was here and went home and brought me back an electric blanket, which I have used every day and night since.
I have been extremely blessed by my family. Our children have been so helpful. Today at our worship service we were talking about thankfulness and I tought of so many things I am thankful for. My children's persistance, the fact that I live in a country where they can do this kind of treatment even though many say our health care is lacking, I am thankful for what I do have,and I am thankful for Marty. He is doing a great job taking care of me and comes at my beck and call.
Sometimes you wonder, do I really have friends, going through this, I have realized how many wonderful friends I have. People have been bringing meals which have been fantastic, we have received lots of words of encouragement and cards and offers to do anything that needs to be done. One young man has come and worked outside for many hours, so Marty can be in the house with me. We truly feel blessed and loved.
I have decided to not answer the phone everytime it rings, but that is so hard especially when it is someone I have not heard from in a long time. I have a hard time letting the answer machine take it, but I am trying.
We will try to keep you posted as to how my progress is going. I really do feel quite great now. We are going to a service on the 29th at a church that Bob and Kay Owens work with, they have a healing service the 4th Sunday of the month. I am looking forward to this. Love to all of you, keep us in your prayers. I have heard mixed comments on radiation and chemo. It depends on the person, I guess. We will see how I respond and how I can handle it. Someone sent this scripture to me. Isaiah 46:3-4 God says he knew me before I was even conceived, isn't that awesome and that He has carried me since I was born,and will continue to do so til I am old and gray. WOW, WHAT A SAVIOR!!
Well......
Hello again-
Mom had her appointment on Thursday and spoke with Dr. "Shake your booty". Another great nick-name for the good doctor. So, he confirmed what we all pretty much knew. Mom's tumor is cancerous and is in what they call Stage 4. It is very aggressive and will grow back. Radiation will be about 6 maybe 8 weeks long. She should be starting this withing the next two weeks. She is scheduled to meet with the oncologist on Tuesday the 24th. This will give us a much better idea of what it to come with the radiation process. That is pretty much it for now. Mom is going to be getting on here herself in the next few days and give a longer, more detailed update. Look for her to get on and enjoy the fact that she will be writing and not me! First hand info!
Thanks everyone for your support. We love you all.
Tara
Mom had her appointment on Thursday and spoke with Dr. "Shake your booty". Another great nick-name for the good doctor. So, he confirmed what we all pretty much knew. Mom's tumor is cancerous and is in what they call Stage 4. It is very aggressive and will grow back. Radiation will be about 6 maybe 8 weeks long. She should be starting this withing the next two weeks. She is scheduled to meet with the oncologist on Tuesday the 24th. This will give us a much better idea of what it to come with the radiation process. That is pretty much it for now. Mom is going to be getting on here herself in the next few days and give a longer, more detailed update. Look for her to get on and enjoy the fact that she will be writing and not me! First hand info!
Thanks everyone for your support. We love you all.
Tara
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tomorrow, Tomorrow!
Hey everyone-
Just wanted to let you all know that Mom has an appointment with her Neuro-Surgeon or affectionately referred to by some of us as Dr. "Shock your body" (pretty much because we can't pronounce his real name that sounds like the one above), tomorrow at noon. We are hoping that mom will get her results from the tumor whether or not it is cancerous. So please be in prayer around that time tomorrow. I believe in the power of prayer and that the Lord is faithful to answer!
So I will be posting the results from her appointment tomorrow sometime in the afternoon. Other than that, she is doing well. Things are somewhat "back to normal", if there is such a thing. Matthew, Sheela and Mark are back home. Mikala flew back home to North Carolina yesterday. Mary and Martha have been going over to the house to help out this week. Michael and I haven't been able to make it but plan on going over on the weekends when we can. Our family who lives over in the area have been great, stopping by and helping when they can. Thank God for large families!
Also, a huge, ginormous thank you to those of you who have been making meals and bringing them to the house. You all know who you are and I'm sorry I can't list all of you! So until tomorrow...............keep the Hooper family in your prayers and know that God listens and answers in His own way.
Blessings-
Tara
Just wanted to let you all know that Mom has an appointment with her Neuro-Surgeon or affectionately referred to by some of us as Dr. "Shock your body" (pretty much because we can't pronounce his real name that sounds like the one above), tomorrow at noon. We are hoping that mom will get her results from the tumor whether or not it is cancerous. So please be in prayer around that time tomorrow. I believe in the power of prayer and that the Lord is faithful to answer!
So I will be posting the results from her appointment tomorrow sometime in the afternoon. Other than that, she is doing well. Things are somewhat "back to normal", if there is such a thing. Matthew, Sheela and Mark are back home. Mikala flew back home to North Carolina yesterday. Mary and Martha have been going over to the house to help out this week. Michael and I haven't been able to make it but plan on going over on the weekends when we can. Our family who lives over in the area have been great, stopping by and helping when they can. Thank God for large families!
Also, a huge, ginormous thank you to those of you who have been making meals and bringing them to the house. You all know who you are and I'm sorry I can't list all of you! So until tomorrow...............keep the Hooper family in your prayers and know that God listens and answers in His own way.
Blessings-
Tara
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Hello Everyone!
So Sorry I haven't been able to write anything for a few days! But here we go!
Mom is doing well. We just spent the weekend with her and all the Hooper family! It was a little crazy(normal) but great! We all spent time working around the house and doing things we could to help out. A big thanks to Macy from our church (Grace Fellowship) for coming and doing yard work around the house. He was such a HUGE help! We all had a great time together and mom is making progress everyday. She is up walking when she needs to and doing some physical therapy at home with dad and whoever is there to help. Her left side is still a little weak but she seems to be getting stronger all the time. She's looking forward to going to the doctor on Thursday and hopefully getting the results from the biopsy the doctor's took of the tumor. We are all praying that it is benign. She should be meeting soon with the Oncologist and beginning some Chemo and Radiation if the results come back malignant. We ask that you all just continue to pray for the family. Mom remains in good spirits and is enjoying all the time spent with kids and grandkids.
A little update on the account that has been set up for donations for Mom and Dad. If you would like to send donations, you can send them to:
El Dorado Savings Bank
P.O. Box 1091
Georgetown, Ca. 95634
Please write on the envelope or in quotation somewhere on your check:
Marty & Maxine Hooper Donation Fund.
The Hooper family would like to express there sincerest regard to everyone one of you who have been holding them up in prayer. We all love everyone of you and rejoice that we have so many close friends who we can rely on in times of need!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Tara
So Sorry I haven't been able to write anything for a few days! But here we go!
Mom is doing well. We just spent the weekend with her and all the Hooper family! It was a little crazy(normal) but great! We all spent time working around the house and doing things we could to help out. A big thanks to Macy from our church (Grace Fellowship) for coming and doing yard work around the house. He was such a HUGE help! We all had a great time together and mom is making progress everyday. She is up walking when she needs to and doing some physical therapy at home with dad and whoever is there to help. Her left side is still a little weak but she seems to be getting stronger all the time. She's looking forward to going to the doctor on Thursday and hopefully getting the results from the biopsy the doctor's took of the tumor. We are all praying that it is benign. She should be meeting soon with the Oncologist and beginning some Chemo and Radiation if the results come back malignant. We ask that you all just continue to pray for the family. Mom remains in good spirits and is enjoying all the time spent with kids and grandkids.
A little update on the account that has been set up for donations for Mom and Dad. If you would like to send donations, you can send them to:
El Dorado Savings Bank
P.O. Box 1091
Georgetown, Ca. 95634
Please write on the envelope or in quotation somewhere on your check:
Marty & Maxine Hooper Donation Fund.
The Hooper family would like to express there sincerest regard to everyone one of you who have been holding them up in prayer. We all love everyone of you and rejoice that we have so many close friends who we can rely on in times of need!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Tara
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
How can I help?
Some of you might be wondering how can I help or what can I do? Well it's your lucky day! We have come up with some ways for you to contribute. A big thanks to Debbie Hamilton for setting this up for us. Debbie and her family have been a huge help to us. This is from Debbie:
We know all of you love Marty and Maxine as we do. They have touched all our lives in such special ways through the years that we want to give you an opportunity to help them now in their hour of need. We are assessing what those needs are on a daily basis and the immediate need at this time is to bring meals into Maxine and the family. Most likely she will be released from the hospital today. We will start providing meals for the family this evening. If you would like be on the list for bringing meals to them please contact;
Mary Hershey @
jmhershey@juno.com or
Phone 530-389-2628
Another area of concern we have identified for the days and weeks ahead is the extra financial burden that comes from this kind of situation. We are in the process of setting up the best way for people to give money for the pertinent financial needs as they arise. The information will be available on this blog site as soon as we have worked out the details.
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many....
If one part suffers every part suffers with it,
if one is honored every part rejoices with it.
1 Cor 12:14,2
If you have any further questions you can always email me at tarahooper@sbcglobal.net
and I will find the answer!
Maxine should be coming home today and we praise God for that! She is making strides to recovery every hour of every day. She is looking forward to bringing you all up to date on this blog when she is able. We ask that you continue your prayers now as she comes home and starts this new "venture" with Marty. Pray that Marty has the strength to help her in every way possible and that the help from others would be overflowing!
Thank you all again for your support.
Tara
We know all of you love Marty and Maxine as we do. They have touched all our lives in such special ways through the years that we want to give you an opportunity to help them now in their hour of need. We are assessing what those needs are on a daily basis and the immediate need at this time is to bring meals into Maxine and the family. Most likely she will be released from the hospital today. We will start providing meals for the family this evening. If you would like be on the list for bringing meals to them please contact;
Mary Hershey @
jmhershey@juno.com or
Phone 530-389-2628
Another area of concern we have identified for the days and weeks ahead is the extra financial burden that comes from this kind of situation. We are in the process of setting up the best way for people to give money for the pertinent financial needs as they arise. The information will be available on this blog site as soon as we have worked out the details.
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many....
If one part suffers every part suffers with it,
if one is honored every part rejoices with it.
1 Cor 12:14,2
If you have any further questions you can always email me at tarahooper@sbcglobal.net
and I will find the answer!
Maxine should be coming home today and we praise God for that! She is making strides to recovery every hour of every day. She is looking forward to bringing you all up to date on this blog when she is able. We ask that you continue your prayers now as she comes home and starts this new "venture" with Marty. Pray that Marty has the strength to help her in every way possible and that the help from others would be overflowing!
Thank you all again for your support.
Tara
Monday, March 2, 2009
Latest news about Mom!
Hi everyone... Michael here. Today was another eventful day. Martha, Mikala, and I left early this morning to go to the hospital to be with Mom and Dad. We found Mom doing well and making more positive strides as she recovers from her surgery. Praise the Lord for how well Mom is responding from the removal of the tumor. The surgeon who performed the operation visited us and confirmed that Mom is doing very well. They were able to remove 98% of the mass and from the post-op MRI there is nothing they can see as far as significant swelling or bleeding. The doctors are pretty certain though that the tumor is malignant and Mom will start cancer treatment in two weeks. We will find out the results of the tests hopefully by the end of this week. I asked the doctor today if there was a chance that the tumor might not be cancer which would then make it unnecessary for Mom to need chemo/radiation... His response was that there is always a chance. But again they are all insisting that that chance is very slim. Monty and Mary joined us later, as well as our Aunt Veda(Dad's sister) and Uncle Dick. They live in Garden Valley near Mom and Dad. We are so blessed by how available both sides of the family have been. Thanks to all of you who have been by our sides. And to those of you who can't be here physically we know you are here in spirit. The physical therapists also came and spent some time with Mom and Mary trying to walk and see how Mom could handle more movement. She did pretty well but is lacking strength and coordination on her left side. Her peripheral vision on the left side is also weak. WE BELIEVE... that as we plan for the worst potential outcome that our great God could do otherwise according to His perfect will. We know that He is able and Mom is is in His hands. We are praying and trusting that God will be glorified in the midst of all of this. We all have something to learn about our faith and daily walk with Jesus experiencing this with Mom. She is a great blessing with her attitude and her consistent desire to lift up the name of the Lord as her strength. Already we have had numerous opportunities to be an encouragement to those serving Mom at the hospital. Everyone can see that there is a peace in Mom's spirit... We are at peace as a family too. Yes we have many things that we are uncertain about, and yes we are grieving. But we serve the God of all creation. HE IS KING! We met as a family tonight to discuss the road ahead. Our time together was sweet and there was great unity. Mom should be going home either tomorrow or Wednesday... She is excited to be the one keeping you all updated with this blog so keep checking in. We love you all and appreciate the prayerful support. More News Tomorrow!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Sunday night
Hi everyone-
Just returned home from visiting with Mom tonight. She is doing so much better. She was so glad to see everyone and the kids! Mom didn't get moved yet to a different room but she will tomorrow. When we were leaving tonight, I asked Mom what she would like me to put on here tonight. She wanted to express how in awe she is of everyone's support and prayers. We are hoping for her to go home in about two-three days! Can you believe it? That was such great news to hear that she could actually be out of the hospital so soon! When she is feeling up to it, I will have her take over the blog and she will be communicating to everyone herself.
She showed all of us her incision tonight. I have to say, it is gnarly! It lookes like a backwards question mark or a kidney bean. I wish I would have had a camera when she showed some of the grandkids. Their faces were priceless. All of them had a look of disgust but totally intrigued! She was so happy to see the grandkids.
That's it for now. We hope to have good news from the doctor tomorrow morning and I will be blogging again tomorrow night! Until then................
Just returned home from visiting with Mom tonight. She is doing so much better. She was so glad to see everyone and the kids! Mom didn't get moved yet to a different room but she will tomorrow. When we were leaving tonight, I asked Mom what she would like me to put on here tonight. She wanted to express how in awe she is of everyone's support and prayers. We are hoping for her to go home in about two-three days! Can you believe it? That was such great news to hear that she could actually be out of the hospital so soon! When she is feeling up to it, I will have her take over the blog and she will be communicating to everyone herself.
She showed all of us her incision tonight. I have to say, it is gnarly! It lookes like a backwards question mark or a kidney bean. I wish I would have had a camera when she showed some of the grandkids. Their faces were priceless. All of them had a look of disgust but totally intrigued! She was so happy to see the grandkids.
That's it for now. We hope to have good news from the doctor tomorrow morning and I will be blogging again tomorrow night! Until then................
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)