Chemo Day Today

I will be getting my second dose of chemo this morning. Will be a weekly rotation 3 on and 1 off. Will do that for a couple months and then take tests (cat scans, etc) to see how cancer is responding. Always an adventure to see how the Lord is writing our story.

I continue to be in complete AWE at how God worked out the tracheotomy situation, improving my breathing and not allowing a surgery date until later so it would give me time to reconsider. I am so overwhelmingly grateful that I don't need that procedure done (at least right now). Our son Nathan is coming home in 4 days!!! He is in North Carolina training for his upcoming deployment to Iraq. His second tour. We are sooooo proud of our son. He has a great attitude and is a fine young man. We are all looking forward to his 11 day visit, especially his wife Michelle.

Thought for today: "Happiness is a feeling, JOY is an attitude"

dougvetsch@roadrunner.com

Many Friends

"It is better to weather the storms with Christ than to sail smooth waters without Him". And I add to that "better to sail with many friends in the boat than to go it alone". It continually brings tears to our eyes the outpouring of love, support, meals, cards, words of encouragement and prayer for me and the family. Kurt Elmer blessed us with the installation of a newer dishwasher that Debbie and Dan Morris found for us.
Pain meds continue to be adjusted and bringing blessed relief and comfort. A friend drove me down to Moscow, ID so I could watch Jason and Aaron play high school soccer games. As a parent, it is always such a joy to watch your children's activities. Pray for the children that they would look to God for comfort and strength. Love to all. dougvetsch@roadrunner.com

Just Say 'No' to Trache Tube!

Monday PM: Thank you for answered prayer. Susan's doctors agreed that there is no hurry to have the tracheotomy. Susan just did not feel that it was needed at this point and all agreed. We are still going to see a cardiologist about her heart. She is still feeling OK, comfortable when she stays up on her pain meds. Pray for the cardiologist visit that questions will be answered.
Email address: dougvetsch@roadrunner.com .

Decisions

Monday; Please pray as we reconsider having the tracheotomy surgery on Wed. I just don't know if I want that included in my quality of life. I'm already dealing with my heart issues and side effects of hard chemo. Right now I am comfortable living with what oxygen I get for my activity level right now. Long conversations are the hardest. But with this site and email, we get around that (our email address is ( dougvetsch@roadrunner.com ). I like my wheelchair and it isn't like I'll be running ever again. Another thing is my hot tub. I live in it and love it. But having a trach tube would seriously be an issue. Having a wonderful time with Leah and of course all the kids. Leah goes back to fighting fires in Oregon (summer job for college $) tonight. We are truly being blessed by everyone's love and outpouring of prayers and concern.

Leah came home!

Today, Susan is actually doing well. I think that the pain meds are now taking hold and the pain is in control. We had a good evening on Friday. Leah suprised us all and showed up just when we were falling a sleep. She will be here for three days. Susan was soooo excited. This morning Susan, Leah and Hannah went to pick out flower ideas for Hannah's wedding in January. They were like a bunch of kids. Good times.
"This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us Rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Another Chapter

My dear family and friends,

It is our greatest desire to keep you informed with accurate, detailed information. This blog site seems the best way to do this. Please know how important you are to us. Your concern and care for us at this time means so much.

Let me update you at this point. Monday the 20th, I went to the ER with a heart rate of 174. They stopped my heart and started it with no problems. It continues to run at about 115. Tuesday morning we went to the voice doctor to see why my voice had taken such a turn and why I was having difficulty talking and breathing. Unfortunately, tumors have paralyzed my voice box completely and I am breathing out of a hole the size of a straw.

A tracheotomy is the only solution since this is a permanent condition. This will be performed Wed. the 29th, at KMC at 12:30. I hope to stay 2-3 days to get used to it, how to manage it and most importantly, having time with the Lord. This is going to be a big adjustment for all of us, so we request no visitors so I can save my strength and spend time with the kids as they get comfortable with the new me.

On Wed. the 22nd, I did cat scans with Dr. Tezcan followed by an appointment to go over the results. I had been off chemo since March and since that time the cancer has advanced into the soft tissue of my chest area and torso. We are in a serious spot in this fight in that we need to get ahead of the cancer. For the next 2-3 months we are going to hit it with hard chemo and hope that it will give me more time.

Wed. night I was back at the ER with a heart rate of 188. Once again they stopped my heart and restarted it. It continues to run high but we are trying to manage it with a heart drug. It is not known at this time why it is racing. There are tumors in that area that could be irritating my heart. I am scheduled to see a cardiologist.

Friday 24 Aug: Susan started first round of chemo treatment. She will be doing a cocktail of three drugs weekly. Pray that she would tolerate it well and pray that the cancer would respond to the drugs. Also pray for wisdom for the cardiologist to better understand the interaction of the heart racing and her cancer history.

The children are grasping the reality of the situation in their own sweet way. Of course it is our prayer that they will turn to their Lord for comfort and strength for the days ahead of us. As for Doug and I, there have been sweet tears of surrender but mainly peace and joy amidst the storm.