The outpouring of love for our family has been overwhelming. The support and prayer for us means so much. Thank you. Thank you.
Visitation: 3-5 pm, Saturday, May 2
Celebration service: 2 pm, Sunday, May 3
Both will be held in the South Hall, Hope Presbyterian Chuch, 8500 Walnut Grove, Cordova, TN, 38018.
Memorial Park Funeral home has charge, 901.767.8930
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Hebrew 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Precious loved ones and friends, Frank has completed the run set before him. And he finished the race with honor, courage and dignity.
Frank went to be with the Lord early this morning. He passed away in my arms as I held him close and with our children with him. Our hearts are broken. Yet we know that he is in no more pain, and rejoicing with his Saviour, his Comforter, his Healer, and his friend.
Yesterday was the best day Frank has had in a while. We played hookie from radiation, and the new pain meds did indeed give him relief yesterday. He enjoyed the nice day on the porch for several hours. He told us funny stories, and watched a movie last night he'd been wanting to see for a week.
We will post more information about the service when it is planned.
As I know you will - our precious prayer warriors - keep our whole family in your prayers.
Thank you for walking this road with us. Frank and I thanked God for you so often.
In His grace, Peggy
Precious loved ones and friends, Frank has completed the run set before him. And he finished the race with honor, courage and dignity.
Frank went to be with the Lord early this morning. He passed away in my arms as I held him close and with our children with him. Our hearts are broken. Yet we know that he is in no more pain, and rejoicing with his Saviour, his Comforter, his Healer, and his friend.
Yesterday was the best day Frank has had in a while. We played hookie from radiation, and the new pain meds did indeed give him relief yesterday. He enjoyed the nice day on the porch for several hours. He told us funny stories, and watched a movie last night he'd been wanting to see for a week.
We will post more information about the service when it is planned.
As I know you will - our precious prayer warriors - keep our whole family in your prayers.
Thank you for walking this road with us. Frank and I thanked God for you so often.
In His grace, Peggy
Monday, April 27, 2009
Well, it's 1:40 in the morning and I was determined to update before I went to bed! I hope your Sunday was relaxing. After a week of absolutely gorgeous weather, we are expecting rain all week. Life's been sort of like that around here! Sunny one minute, raining the next. But the SON is always out ~ rain or shine!!
Frank didn't need any blood or platelets Friday. Yeah! That gave us more time to spend at the Radiologist. Dr. Lee talked with Dr. Weir, and they decided to order an MRI of his head to try and pinpoint the source of mouth numbness and tongue deviation. The MRI showed a lesion on the side of his face, in front of the ear, that effects 3 facial nerves. But they couldn't find a lesion around the 12th facial nerve. That is nerve causing the tongue to deviate to the right and give Frank trouble talking. They started radiation to the other rib (that they didn't do last time) and the side of his face on Thursday.
Dr. Weir wants Frank to see a new doctor about the other issue, so we have an appointment tomorrow afternoon. The main concern is that the myeloma may be in the spinal fluid now, with that being the cause of the 12th nerve irritation. We'll know after tomorrow's visit. Please pray for wisdom for the doctor and a clear plan of action that is best for Frank.
Frank's pain has intensified again. Today's been a rough day. He was, however, really glad he got to spend time with Scott on Saturday. They had a plan to "rate" famous BBQ from Memphis. They got ribs from 4 stores and the men all tried out the goods for the competition. I'll try and encourage Frank to post soon and share the results!
Tomorrow will be long. Labs at Bapt outpatient, radiation after that, and then our appointment with the new doctor. Days like this are hard on Frank with so much moving around. We are praying in advance for a manageable day with good pain control.
My daddy is in the hospital again. He's getting his gallbladder out tomorrow. It was too pretty of a day to be cooped up in the hospital, esp because it was my Mom's birthday too ~ Happy Birthday Mom! Daddy's heart is back in atrial fibrillation, so please pray for him as well, that his surgery will be successful and he'll have a fast recovery.
Our sermon was on worry. Hummm... I don't know why all those other people were there.... that sermon was just for me! Oh, I am so thankful for His timely words to us.
"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Matthew 6:34 (Msg)
It's a daily surrender to trust God with every detail of what we are going through. Give us the strength Lord, and increase our faith all the more!
Frank didn't need any blood or platelets Friday. Yeah! That gave us more time to spend at the Radiologist. Dr. Lee talked with Dr. Weir, and they decided to order an MRI of his head to try and pinpoint the source of mouth numbness and tongue deviation. The MRI showed a lesion on the side of his face, in front of the ear, that effects 3 facial nerves. But they couldn't find a lesion around the 12th facial nerve. That is nerve causing the tongue to deviate to the right and give Frank trouble talking. They started radiation to the other rib (that they didn't do last time) and the side of his face on Thursday.
Dr. Weir wants Frank to see a new doctor about the other issue, so we have an appointment tomorrow afternoon. The main concern is that the myeloma may be in the spinal fluid now, with that being the cause of the 12th nerve irritation. We'll know after tomorrow's visit. Please pray for wisdom for the doctor and a clear plan of action that is best for Frank.
Frank's pain has intensified again. Today's been a rough day. He was, however, really glad he got to spend time with Scott on Saturday. They had a plan to "rate" famous BBQ from Memphis. They got ribs from 4 stores and the men all tried out the goods for the competition. I'll try and encourage Frank to post soon and share the results!
Tomorrow will be long. Labs at Bapt outpatient, radiation after that, and then our appointment with the new doctor. Days like this are hard on Frank with so much moving around. We are praying in advance for a manageable day with good pain control.
My daddy is in the hospital again. He's getting his gallbladder out tomorrow. It was too pretty of a day to be cooped up in the hospital, esp because it was my Mom's birthday too ~ Happy Birthday Mom! Daddy's heart is back in atrial fibrillation, so please pray for him as well, that his surgery will be successful and he'll have a fast recovery.
Our sermon was on worry. Hummm... I don't know why all those other people were there.... that sermon was just for me! Oh, I am so thankful for His timely words to us.
"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Matthew 6:34 (Msg)
It's a daily surrender to trust God with every detail of what we are going through. Give us the strength Lord, and increase our faith all the more!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Happy Birthday Jim! We love you and hope you have a great day!
Thank you all so much for your prayers and notes to us after the last post. The intensity of Frank's pain has gotten better since we posted last Wednesday. Thank you, Lord!
After meeting with Dr. Weir, the meds changed and a radiation plan was set into motion. Thursday he got a unit of platelets (they were 4) and then we saw Dr. Lee for radiation. He started that afternoon with the first of 5 treatments. The last one is today.
We are so thankful he's getting some relief, but the real proof for us is when he feels like being more active. We don't get out much, so we were most encouraged when a trip to Gus's Fried Chicken sounded like a good idea to Frank for Friday night. Frank LOVES Gus's. Zach and I rolled him right up to a table and and we all enjoyed a deep fried southern cooked meal ~ and even left with a souvenir t-shirt! We even saw a movie Sunday night too!
Monday, his blood counts were low again. His Hct was 25, and Platelets 4, so spent all day at Baptist getting 3 blood transfusions. I pushed him across the street for radiation while we waited on his lab results and had a great time strolling outside. The weather was so nice! We talked trees and flowers and made plans for our yard. The day was productive and fun! The nurses there are so caring and accommodating. They take great care of Frank and our time there never seems burdensome.
Today is Wednesday ~ doctor day. After his last radiation treatment, we'll be at Dr. Weir's office getting Aredia (to lower his calcium levels in the blood and harden his bones) and then we'll meet with him.
Please be praying for our next step. Frank has a lesion on the right side of his face that is pressing on a facial nerve. At first was only making his mouth numb, but is has progressed over the weekend. His speech is slurred quite a bit and he's only comfortable eating soft food for fear of choking. We will talk to Dr. Weir about having that spot radiated. Like the lesion above his eye, we are very hopeful that the symptoms its causing now that seem so scary will go away quickly and he'll have full recovery from those effects.
As for the rest of the family, everyone has been busy. Chandler went to UT - Knoxville for the weekend and had a wonderful time. That campus visit put UT at the top of her choices for colleges. She's working hard to finish school and is looking forward to the prom in a few weeks.
Zach's having to rest from soccer this week for inflammation under his growth plate, around the knee area. I have no idea what that means, but we were all excited to hear that he's not done growing! He quit listening to the doctor after he said that .... either way, we are hoping for him to have a quick recovery.
Chase has a cold and is running fever. Please pray he can get over this FAST and keep his germs away from Daddy and the rest of us.
We are so thankful for your prayers, the meals, the help, calles, notes, etc. We are so so blessed to not walk this journey alone.
peg
Thank you all so much for your prayers and notes to us after the last post. The intensity of Frank's pain has gotten better since we posted last Wednesday. Thank you, Lord!
After meeting with Dr. Weir, the meds changed and a radiation plan was set into motion. Thursday he got a unit of platelets (they were 4) and then we saw Dr. Lee for radiation. He started that afternoon with the first of 5 treatments. The last one is today.
We are so thankful he's getting some relief, but the real proof for us is when he feels like being more active. We don't get out much, so we were most encouraged when a trip to Gus's Fried Chicken sounded like a good idea to Frank for Friday night. Frank LOVES Gus's. Zach and I rolled him right up to a table and and we all enjoyed a deep fried southern cooked meal ~ and even left with a souvenir t-shirt! We even saw a movie Sunday night too!
Monday, his blood counts were low again. His Hct was 25, and Platelets 4, so spent all day at Baptist getting 3 blood transfusions. I pushed him across the street for radiation while we waited on his lab results and had a great time strolling outside. The weather was so nice! We talked trees and flowers and made plans for our yard. The day was productive and fun! The nurses there are so caring and accommodating. They take great care of Frank and our time there never seems burdensome.
Today is Wednesday ~ doctor day. After his last radiation treatment, we'll be at Dr. Weir's office getting Aredia (to lower his calcium levels in the blood and harden his bones) and then we'll meet with him.
Please be praying for our next step. Frank has a lesion on the right side of his face that is pressing on a facial nerve. At first was only making his mouth numb, but is has progressed over the weekend. His speech is slurred quite a bit and he's only comfortable eating soft food for fear of choking. We will talk to Dr. Weir about having that spot radiated. Like the lesion above his eye, we are very hopeful that the symptoms its causing now that seem so scary will go away quickly and he'll have full recovery from those effects.
As for the rest of the family, everyone has been busy. Chandler went to UT - Knoxville for the weekend and had a wonderful time. That campus visit put UT at the top of her choices for colleges. She's working hard to finish school and is looking forward to the prom in a few weeks.
Zach's having to rest from soccer this week for inflammation under his growth plate, around the knee area. I have no idea what that means, but we were all excited to hear that he's not done growing! He quit listening to the doctor after he said that .... either way, we are hoping for him to have a quick recovery.
Chase has a cold and is running fever. Please pray he can get over this FAST and keep his germs away from Daddy and the rest of us.
We are so thankful for your prayers, the meals, the help, calles, notes, etc. We are so so blessed to not walk this journey alone.
peg
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Good morning,
Frank didn't' need any blood transfusions on the 6th, but when we saw Dr. Weir on Wednesday, his platelets were 9, and Hct down to 27. So, Thursday morning, we went in for a bag of platelets.
Frank stays busy during the day working at the computer and "taking care of business" with breaks to nap, or change to a position that brings relief. As always, he's up before me and continues the be the hard worker he's always been - always finding ways to be productive. It's a quality of his I fell in love with a long long time ago!
Friday, April 10th was Chandler's 17th birthday! She's pretty excited... as any teenager would be. She has other close friends that share an April birthday, and they spent the time together doing what teen girls do.... talking and giggling (and don't forget texting) all night!
We were so happy that Frances came to spend Easter weekend with us. We loved having her and hope she enjoyed some much needed rest and change of pace for a few days. We made it to church and enjoyed a wonderful dinner over at mom's with the family.
Monday's labs at Baptist were not surprising to us. He needed 3 bags of blood: 2 units of red cells and a bag of platelets. His Hct was 25 and Platelets 2. That takes up most of the day and we were glad to get home and rest.
Dr. Weir changed his steroid schedule last week to try and help with side effects he was experiencing, but one of the trade offs is that he's more sore in the evening. We've since found out that this trade off was much bigger than we anticipated. His discomfort in the evening and middle of the night has become pretty intense. I know the pain I feel watching him suffer and can't imagine how it feels for him to be one dealing with it all. My heart is committed to help him be as pain free as possible.
Please pray that a solution will be found in order for Frank to be comfortable! Whether this means changing the drug schedule again, or increasing/adding more pain meds, or trying radiation to some of these painful areas... we are praying for relief, and for a clear direction in this area.
Romans 8:18-20, 24-27
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed....
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
We love you all so much are so very grateful for each one of you! We thank the Lord for YOU!
Peg and Frank
Frank didn't' need any blood transfusions on the 6th, but when we saw Dr. Weir on Wednesday, his platelets were 9, and Hct down to 27. So, Thursday morning, we went in for a bag of platelets.
Frank stays busy during the day working at the computer and "taking care of business" with breaks to nap, or change to a position that brings relief. As always, he's up before me and continues the be the hard worker he's always been - always finding ways to be productive. It's a quality of his I fell in love with a long long time ago!
Friday, April 10th was Chandler's 17th birthday! She's pretty excited... as any teenager would be. She has other close friends that share an April birthday, and they spent the time together doing what teen girls do.... talking and giggling (and don't forget texting) all night!
We were so happy that Frances came to spend Easter weekend with us. We loved having her and hope she enjoyed some much needed rest and change of pace for a few days. We made it to church and enjoyed a wonderful dinner over at mom's with the family.
Monday's labs at Baptist were not surprising to us. He needed 3 bags of blood: 2 units of red cells and a bag of platelets. His Hct was 25 and Platelets 2. That takes up most of the day and we were glad to get home and rest.
Dr. Weir changed his steroid schedule last week to try and help with side effects he was experiencing, but one of the trade offs is that he's more sore in the evening. We've since found out that this trade off was much bigger than we anticipated. His discomfort in the evening and middle of the night has become pretty intense. I know the pain I feel watching him suffer and can't imagine how it feels for him to be one dealing with it all. My heart is committed to help him be as pain free as possible.
Please pray that a solution will be found in order for Frank to be comfortable! Whether this means changing the drug schedule again, or increasing/adding more pain meds, or trying radiation to some of these painful areas... we are praying for relief, and for a clear direction in this area.
Romans 8:18-20, 24-27
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed....
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
We love you all so much are so very grateful for each one of you! We thank the Lord for YOU!
Peg and Frank
Monday, April 6, 2009
BUT GOD
Frank and I have been saying everyday that we need to update the website, and have gone back and forth about who will do it. We’ve been busy (that’s our story and we’re sticking to it), but behind the excuse, the truth is, sometimes it’s hard to sit down and write what’s going on.
The last entry talked about Frank getting set up for radiation. After seeing Dr. Weir the next Wednesday, the plan changed a bit. Frank is not going to get radiation right now. His pain has increased with respect to intensity, and there are also a few new areas of concern. But I am so happy that the medicine is still giving him the relief he needs. With a tweak here and there, he’s comfortable most of the time. Frank wants to remain out of the hospital setting as much as possible and there was a chance our insurance was going to make us go to Little Rock for further radiation (long story) so he decided to hold off for now. It’s been a week and he says he’s really happy with that decision.
His blood counts were really low again Wed. With a platelet count of 3, the doctor is concerned that Frank may not be making platelets anymore. We’re now set up with a standing order on Mon/Thurs for labs and transfusions if needed… which is where we are now.
So many times, I am asked, “How are you doing?” I answer with the specifics… details like I’ve typed today. But sometimes, with a gentle touch, or a change of voice inflection, I get, “Yes, but how are you doing?” Humm, I don’t know exactly. I wish I could hold myself and the family up to a chart and check it out – like when you check the chemicals in the pool. That would nice wouldn’t it? Oh… I see that I’m a little low on peace today, and my fear is high. It’s seems silly, I know.
“I love the Lord, because He listens to my prayers for help, He paid attention to me, so I will call to Him for help as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1-2
In respect to this website, it seems to have gotten harder to approach the computer. Frank and I have always done this together – regardless of who’s typing, we read each others entries and it’s a joint effort in the end. That’s still true. But we both admitted that sometimes we secretly wish the other would update.
I think it’s because since the beginning of the year, things have been different. There’s been a different outlook, change of approach, a “new normal” to adjust to. It has been an adjustment, but God……
BUT GOD. Those words have been in on my heart for days now. It doesn’t matter what the day brings, what my fears are, what the prognosis is, or what challenges our “new normal” brings. God is the same today as he was yesterday, and He will provide all we need to face each day – for Frank, for me and he kids, for our loved ones… and for you.
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Heb 6:19
Well, great news! As I type this entry from the hospital, the nurse just came in to tell us Frank’s counts were high enough to not need a transfusion today! Platelets 26 and Hct 29. This means he made some platelets on his own. Praise the Lord! What a great start to the week.
The last entry talked about Frank getting set up for radiation. After seeing Dr. Weir the next Wednesday, the plan changed a bit. Frank is not going to get radiation right now. His pain has increased with respect to intensity, and there are also a few new areas of concern. But I am so happy that the medicine is still giving him the relief he needs. With a tweak here and there, he’s comfortable most of the time. Frank wants to remain out of the hospital setting as much as possible and there was a chance our insurance was going to make us go to Little Rock for further radiation (long story) so he decided to hold off for now. It’s been a week and he says he’s really happy with that decision.
His blood counts were really low again Wed. With a platelet count of 3, the doctor is concerned that Frank may not be making platelets anymore. We’re now set up with a standing order on Mon/Thurs for labs and transfusions if needed… which is where we are now.
So many times, I am asked, “How are you doing?” I answer with the specifics… details like I’ve typed today. But sometimes, with a gentle touch, or a change of voice inflection, I get, “Yes, but how are you doing?” Humm, I don’t know exactly. I wish I could hold myself and the family up to a chart and check it out – like when you check the chemicals in the pool. That would nice wouldn’t it? Oh… I see that I’m a little low on peace today, and my fear is high. It’s seems silly, I know.
“I love the Lord, because He listens to my prayers for help, He paid attention to me, so I will call to Him for help as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1-2
In respect to this website, it seems to have gotten harder to approach the computer. Frank and I have always done this together – regardless of who’s typing, we read each others entries and it’s a joint effort in the end. That’s still true. But we both admitted that sometimes we secretly wish the other would update.
I think it’s because since the beginning of the year, things have been different. There’s been a different outlook, change of approach, a “new normal” to adjust to. It has been an adjustment, but God……
BUT GOD. Those words have been in on my heart for days now. It doesn’t matter what the day brings, what my fears are, what the prognosis is, or what challenges our “new normal” brings. God is the same today as he was yesterday, and He will provide all we need to face each day – for Frank, for me and he kids, for our loved ones… and for you.
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Heb 6:19
Well, great news! As I type this entry from the hospital, the nurse just came in to tell us Frank’s counts were high enough to not need a transfusion today! Platelets 26 and Hct 29. This means he made some platelets on his own. Praise the Lord! What a great start to the week.
This picture is from the Chris Tomlin concert last Tuesday at the Fed Ex Forum. Thank you Darrin, for making it happen. We had such a great time. Chris Tomlin has great music, so worshipful, and it was a good show.
We say it all the time, but it’s never enough from our vantage point: THANK YOU for your prayers, generosity, friendship, love and concern for our family. Every day we realize how very blessed we are. Peg and Frank
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)