Saturday, January 10, 2009

We waited...

I know it seems like we are not posting very often. Obviously, there is a lot going on. To bring you up to date from the last post...

The stent came out on Monday. But even before that, on Sunday, Donna had noticed her belly getting larger. This was not from overeating, as she has not had much of an appetite, between the nausea and the pain of the stent, but from something else.

The Urologist, when he removed the stent, said it was nothing to worry about and she should give it 24 hours to get back to normal. He didn't examine her, he didn't push on anything. To us, he just blew it off.

Well, we waited...

Tuesday came and it was no better. It had not gone down. In fact, it seemed slightly bigger.

But, we waited...

By Thursday, it was getting noticeably bigger. Now keep in mind, we are not ones to just sit around and wait. We knew something needed to be done with it, but we also knew that she was going to see the oncologist on Friday when she was scheduled to get chemo.

On Thursday afternoon, our favorite chemo nurse sent Donna to have an abdominal ultrasound, which showed fluid built up in her abdominal cavity. This is known as ascites.

(The procedure itself was one of the most traumatizing experiences Donna has ever had. Even now, days after the procedure, she cannot really talk much about it without getting very emotional. I don't want to detail the experience here, but please pray that if they need to do that procedure again, that we would have the option to do it while she is under anesthesia.)

When Donna went for chemo on Friday, a wonderful Dr.'s assistant quickly made her an appointment to have the fluid drained at the hospital, then tested to see if cancer cells were present in the fluid. We will receive those results tomorrow, as well as start chemo again.

Donna's prayer requests are:
  1. If fluids need to be drained again, that the procedure take place while she is under anesthesia.
  2. Wisdom for the Dr. and the assistant in making decisions about which direction to take next.
  3. That we would not fear the worst, that we would trust Christ every moment.

5 comments:

Bunchy said...

:( I'm so sorry that things have been rough on my sister lately. Please know that we are praying continually here and that I believe God when He says our faith can move mountains! We love you guys so much. xoxo

Anonymous said...

DONNA
REMEMBER YOU ARE A FIGHTER--YOU KEEP FIGHTING,WE LOVE YOU AND ARE PRAYING FOR YOU ALL DURING THE DAY, EVERY DAY. REMBER "ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE"
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE BUMPER STICKER THAT SAYS CHRISTIANS ARE STRONGER THEN HELL(WITH FLAMES UNDER THE WORD HELL)? I JUST SAW IT ON FRI. TO ME SOME OF US HAVE TO GO THROUGH HELL ON EARTH WITH WHAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH,BUT WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT WE ARE CHRISTIANS AND WE CAN GO THROUGH ANYTHING BECAUSE WE HAVE CHRIST AND WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US ON THE CROSS,AND HE IS THE REASON WE CAN BE STRONG. LOVETO YOU ALL
THE A'S

Anonymous said...

Scott and Donna, You both are enduring trials that would cause a loss of faith in many people. It's so good to hear you continue to trust. What an amazing family you are! My prayers continue for all four of you. Mary Jo

Jaina said...

Love and prayers. Thanks for keeping us updated.

Anonymous said...

Donna and Scott...
I am so sorry for all you are going through, but you are so strong and I know you will not give up!! I have you on our Prayer List at church, along with several of my friends at their church. Please be strong, and know that we Love you always.
Aunt Cappy