January 9, 2009....the evening edition…

OK, now the details…. First off, I have to give a BIG OLE "thank you" to my local oncologist Dr. Al Weir. He is just a fine person all around and we really appreciate his attentiveness. All week long he has called me (or made me promise to call him) to give him an up to the minute status of how things are working out. His attention to detail has made the switch to Memphis much, much smoother.

If you recall, we recently made a quantum leap in our approach to treatment by deciding to do our treatments here in Memphis instead of Little Rock. As in the past, Dr Barlogie still is in charge of "managing" my case, but the actual treatments themselves will take place here in Memphis.

In Little Rock, everything is on auto-pilot, one goes to see Dr. Bart, then you march down the hall and everyone just knows what to do. Here in Memphis, the drugs are a bit on the fringe, the staff has to “think” about what labs to run. It seems odd to some that we would want to run an MRI after a week of treatment, etc….but basically, the oncology world in Memphis doesn't revolve around Myeloma. In Little Rock, it's all they do and it's second nature to them.

Sooooo... it has taken us this week to get everyone into a groove. Peggy mentioned this in her previous post, but it was almost funny talking to the nurses. They sat down with us to “explain” our drugs, etc. as they read out of book. We would start laughing (just between us of course) because we knew more about the chemo, the side effects, and how often to give the drug, etc. than they did.

Yet we don't consider these issues as important, we both have said more than once how good it is that we are here. It's working out fine. And again, we have Dr. Weir, our family & friends, and our Lord, to thank for the difference.

As for me and my physical condition, I have had a miraculous turn of events. As late as Tuesday evening, I was suffering from extreme pains that were shooting down my leg. Everyone thinks it was/is the cancer pressing on the sacral nerve. There are lesions pressing on the L3-L5 area. But let me tell you, what ever it was/is, when the pain hits, it's like getting shot through the leg with electricity. Ever seen one of those taser videos? Well, I could be on TV with the way I was twisting on that nerve.

I am happy to say that I haven’t had one of those since Thursday…..thank you for your prayers.

I am also now using a walker. I can make it around without it, but "safety first" I always say.

We are getting lots of offers from people that are wanting to provide meals. If you are one of these people, contact Jennifer Young. She's been sweet enough to coordinate this for us and has a schedule so that we don't wind up with too much food and no one to eat it.

Her email address is jennifer@hopepres.com And thank you in advance!

BTW – I do like fruitcake. If your Aunt Grandie gifted you, then you can re-gift me. I was told that six week old cakes provide extra anti-oxidants and that those are good for my health. Bring em on…..

To top off this week of activities, the Carlton-House Academy of Sciences (CHAOS) started back this week.

We are very happy to report that no one was tardy to home school and that the kids have really stepped it up and got down to business this week. Esp with us gone every day with appointments this has been a big help. I am very proud of my kiddos. They started out on a roll.

We love you guys. Thank you for all you do, and as things roll, we shall carry on.

Frank

Is it Friday already? Wow, the week really did fly past.

Today, Peggy and I make our way through the healthcare maze by starting at Baptist Healthcare’s Outpatient Center. The chemo that I’m currently taking is really working my platelets over so Dr Weir has ordered a transfusion. No big deal, just takes us getting in line and letting the professionals do their thang.

The plan is to hit the Outpatient Phlebotomy Lab to give them samples to type & match, then I’ll go and get “radiated”, and then we’ll go back to the Blood Lab to actually receive the blood. That should take till at least noon-thirty.

After that Peggy and I were going to go to GPAC and play racquetball. If anyone wants to join us, come on over, we can play mixed doubles.

Speaking of this week, each day has brought so many new and wonderful surprises. I continue to be blown away at the generosity and downright passion that God’s people have for me and my family. There are many verses in scripture that encourage us to care for one another so I should not be surprised. It seems that this week everyone has been working overtime and the love has just been pouring out.

We will have to fill in more of the details a little later, but I did want to post this Friday morning update as a way of saying thank you! We love yall too!

All things considered, Friday is going to be a great day!


1 Thessalonians 3:7,8 Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we are encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.

This is the week everyone gets back to their old routine. Vacation time is over. School is back in session. The decorations are back in the attic. Back to normal.

We have a new normal. We have gone through new normals before. And over all, we are each adjusting pretty well. Our decorations are not up yet. I still get up and turn on the tree lights each morning. School time was sporadic today between appointments, and Frank's vacation time is about to morph into disability. But all these "new normals" come with new blessings as well.

Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7

I am so appreciative of the decision to home school right now, and I think the kids are too. The time together is good, and hopefully we'll have some flexibility with our schedule.

Frank got the second dose (of 4) of Velcade on Monday at Dr. Weir's office. Getting chemo in a new place was sort of different after 6 years of the same routine. Another new normal. Our nurse couldn't pronounce Thalidimide. And the Velcade had to be special ordered since they don't "give it very often". In contrast, Little Rock has Velcade sitting on the shelf, in bulk, with their own full time nurse that does nothing but handle Thalidimide. Frank filled in the gaps for them and now she's a pro on all the above. It's a beautifully equipped and quiet facility. Everyone was nice and it all got handled as it should. Best of all, we drove back to our house and slept in our bed at the end of the day. Blessings..... Awesome!

We also met with Dr. Lee about the radiation to his pelvis. They measured him and got him all ready yesterday, and he stared today. Dr. Lee says he's planned 5 treatments. This should shrink the tumors that are causing the shooting leg pains and give him relief. We are looking forward to that! I have been so worried about the stability of his hips. I hope this makes him stronger and reduces his discomfort.

This week is filled with more appointments. We see Weir again and get labs Wednesday and Thursday is the 3rd installment of Velcade.

The kids are doing okay. As parents we are watching them closely to see how they are handling things. I am seeing healthy signs out of them so far. Emotions are showing that have been stuffed in the past. Chandler sleeps with us about every other night. We are saving money on electricity... one more person makes it hot, so we don't need our space heater! Another blessing... We've told the kids to come to us anytime no matter what and I'm glad they are listening.... that is the real blessing ~ I was just kidding about the heater.

I have told you this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

Frank and I are in good spirits. Frank tells the same kind of stories, but sometimes, without any warning, you just start crying. I'm pretty good at holding things together - at least I used to be. I'm ok until I'm alone. In the shower or the car. (I can feel you nodding your head in agreement.) I took Zach for a haircut Saturday and started crying in the salon and couldn't stop. I'm was so thankful that 2 of the girls that worked there were Hope people and were very understanding.

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.
John 14:1

Thank you so much for the comments on the blog. Frank really does look forward to reading them. Thank you for the emails, calls, hugs, meals, Facebook messages, etc. We feel loved and cared for in so many ways.

But most of all for your constant prayers as you lift Frank and the rest of our whole family up to our heavenly Father. We feel it. We couldn't live without it. And we are so appreciative.

For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
2 Corinthians 4:17

We are all curled up on the couches watching Mizzou and N'Western play football. Chandler is asleep, but they boys are keeping up. I don't know what's going on, but a football just hit an umpire in the face... that was kinda funny.

Frank and the boys got home yesterday from their hunting trip down in the Mississippi Delta. Chase shot his first deer! I got a phone call about 7:30 Saturday morning from a very excited and proud young man.....and after that, I got to talk to Chase.... :) Zach did a lot of duck hunting with his uncle Dave and a good time was had by all. Chandler worked Friday, Sat and Sunday, but we squeezed in some girl time and saw the movie Marley and Me.

The boys wouldn't have missed that hunting trip for anything, and we're so glad they got to go, but Frank came home admitting his pain has increased each day. He's having a lot of discomfort in his pelvic area, with pain shooting down his leg. He's also having some shoulder, sternum and rib pain. The good news is he doesn't wear his eye patch anymore (and subsequently stopped growling like a pirate) and the double vision has gotten better. Praise the Lord!

We got up early for his last radiation treatment. We also met with the Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Lee. We had a good talk with him and got some questions answered. We've been impressed with how detailed and attentive he is. We are so thankful we were able to do these treatments at home.

Frank and I were up all last night. He had trouble getting comfortable. We tossed and turned, took little white pills, and talked and rested until they seemed to help him. With Frank's increasing discomfort, we talked this morning and decided to call Little Rock. They scheduled an MRI, Cat scan and labs for tomorrow instead of next week. We will still see Dr. Barlogie on Jan 2 as planned.

It's half time for football now..... so we are switching typing duties, Peggy has been itching to watch the University of Memphis basketball game. Our family has deep ties to this game in particilar. Lisa & Jim and Jim's parents are torn (kinda) about who to root for. Mr. Amann and Lauren are both Cincy Alumni and they are all sitting together pulling for........heck, I don't know...but I hope the right team wins ! Peg's trying to find them on TV.

To elaborate a bit more on the weekend hunting event, Chase did bag his first deer, but Zach also had success shooting ducks and the three Carlton grandsons ( Zach, Chase, and Read) all enjoyed shooting a REAL machine gun and riding 4-wheelers. Grand-daddy Carlton is a gun collector and brought out a vintage WW II submachine gun. Compared to today's guns, this kind of weapon is not that effective. But to be able to shoot a 45 caliber, WWII, tanker machine gun was still pretty cool..... and I left my camera at home!
Go Memphis!

Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Please join us in prayer as we thank God for all He's done and for wisdom as we prepare to discuss the next phase of treatment for Frank, for pain relief for Frank, and comfort for every need.

Peg and Frank

Good morning,

No doubt, with the last weekend before Christmas behind us, everyone is very busy. We opted out of several parties to have a more focused and relaxed weekend, but even at that, we've been on the move trying to "get ready".

Our pastor encouraged us last week to .... "Be still and know that I am God"..... to "get ready" for Christmas inside and out. What a timely message! A lot of our quiet moments have been in the middle of the night, as Frank nor I are sleeping that much. We haven't had so many 3 am conversation since the kids were in diapers. My other quiet moments are wet most of the time. His have too. I wish my tear ducts would have mercy on me and allow me at least some control. But even with all we have on our hearts, everytime I look in my yard I see a cradle and a cross. I am so thankful for the faithfulness and promises of our Lord and for His unfailing love.

Frank started radiation this morning. It went just like they said it would, FAST. Frank's parents are here with us so we all went to the clinic. We got there early and were done around 8:30 so we went and had McDonald's coffee (and the Big Boy Breakfast) to celebrate.

The treatments are everyday this week except Thurs, with the last one on next Monday, making a total of 5.

We have an appointment to see Dr. Barlogie in Little Rock on Jan 2.

Our devotion out of Jesus Calling yesterday ended like this:

Do not fear your weakness, for it is the stage on which My Power and Glory perform most brilliantly. As you persevere along the path I have prepared for you, depending on My strength to sustain you, expect to see miracles -- and you will. Miracles are not always visible to the naked eye, but those who live by faith can see them clearly. Living by faith, rather than sight, enables you to see My glory.

2 Cor 5:7 We live by faith, not by sight.

Please join us as we pray and look for miracles! We feel like Frank is a miracle already!

Please pray we see fast results from the radiation and his double vision will subside.
Pray that Frank will have a clear cut answer before him as new plans for treatment are discussed and that he (we) will feel a peace about what to do next.
Pray for strength: emotional, physical and spiritual for each of us.

Much love, peg and frank