Another bump

It's been quite the week. I started back to work parttime on Monday but then the weather took over and it went downhill from there. All Ric's doctor appts this week got pushed out each day until there were no days left in the week. All the snow caused power outage at our place and with the temperatures dropping in the house we went to a friends house close by who still had power. Shortly after we got there Ric's nose started bleeding badly. We couldn't get it stopped and he kept saying he was going to pass out. His blood pressure was fairly high so we called for EFR to come. They transported him to Swedish Issaquah where he got his nose packed on one side, had some blood tests done and several hours later released. We headed back to our friends house and within a couple hrs was bleeding again alot out of the other side. So drove him back to Swedish Issaquah ER and they packed the other side of his nose. Back to our friends house. I was getting pretty good at driving in the mucky, slushy, icy, snowy stuff by this time. The rough ride back caused the packing to move a little so more blood - but was able to get it to stop for awhile. Basically all night it was off and on. Since he had the packing in his nose the main place it was going was down the back of his throat. So he did not get any sleep and neither did I. This morning he was still having issues and was also having really low blood pressure. He wanted to get up to go to the restroom and proceeded to pass out. I was right beside him so he just basically crumpled to the floor. It was very scary as I wasn't sure exactly what was going on so had my friends call 911 and I kept talking to him to stay with me. He came to fairly quickly and was pretty confused about what had just happened. He was transported to Swedish First Hill in Seattle. His blood count was down from the night before so the Docs said they may have to give him blood but so far they have not. He will be getting an MRI at some point tonight so they can take a look at what's going on in the area of his nose and the bleeding. It does happen to be one of the side effects of the Avastin that he is being treated with. And Ric has had a history of nose bleeds. It's just this was much more than he's had since he was a kid. He had his nose cauterized as a kid and that may end up being what has to be done again. He has eaten today but is pretty much napping in spurts. His blood pressure went back up to normal but on occasion has been a bit high. They gave him some valium to relax him as he still has some occasional bleeding and down the throat. Saw the Ear Nose Throat Doc and he said Ric has to keep the packing in for 3 days so maybe Sunday but probably Monday will get them out. Once they get the MRI done tonight they may release him tomorrow if nothing else is going on. Poor guy - this is not fun at all but once again no complaining from him! He told me after he got into the room that "We are gonna get through this - this is just another bump". He helps me keep my attitude positive. Prayers for Ric's nose bleeds to stop so that when they take out the packing he won't have any other fun stuff done and that he gets the rest he needs now. I am very tired so would appreciate prayers for good sleep tonight and to be re-energized. We are also really bummed that we won't be able to make it to the MacMiller Company Party tomorrow night. We were so looking forward to being able to see everyone!

2012

Realized the other day that it's been awhile since I posted last so thought I'd better update. Those who are friends with me on Facebook know that Ric is up 20 lbs as of last Tuesday - we certainly had to celebrate that!

Things have been going very well. Nothing exciting for New Year's. I think we were in bed by 10:30pm - this exciting life that we lead :).

Ric has been doing alot of art work lately which I love! I have been trying to get him back to drawing & painting for about 15 years now. He's done several dog sketches, Holly's boyfriend and just recently finished a couple portraits of my brother-in-law Randy who lost his battle with brain cancer a little over 3-1/2 yrs ago. I've posted a picture of him with the portraits although they weren't complete at the time.

Ric's blood work numbers continue to improve. Of the 3 liver panels that they track, he is back in the normal range in 2 of the 3 and the last one is moving in the right direction. We are doing everything we can to help his liver - beets in our juicing, milk thistle, lemons....seems to be working.

We are back to eating most everything but be healthy as possible. He is still taking some supplements but not as many as before.

Ric will be getting another CT scan & Brain MRI on the 24th with results on the 31st. Prayers till then is that the tumors continue shrinking (disappear) and that all the side effects from the treatment continue to stay away.

I will be going back to work part-time starting next week. Am really looking forward to it as I really do enjoy my job and the people I work with. Please keep us in your prayers that it will go smoothly during this transition.

Appreciate all the well wishes for 2012! We are glad that 2011 is behind us and are looking forward to whatever path God has us on for this new year.

Believe

• "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24
• This is our daily verse. We truly believe that Ric is being healed and if you can see him you will understand why we say that. Even his Doc is amazed at where his blood work numbers are at in relation to where they were just a couple months ago. Doc has no explanation for it other than a Higher Power is doing it. Ric is continuing to gain weight - absolutely no pain - gaining strength every day - appetite is tremendous. We praise God every day for what He is doing for Ric. It is our miracle - we are so blessed.
• Thank you so very much for your continued prayers for him as your prayers are making a difference. One thing that most people don't understand is the power of prayer and especially when many people pray together for the same result. If all did truly believe it then we could change the world with our prayers.
• We had a very nice Christmas - spent time with our families in Othello. It was an energizer for Ric and seeing him energized also energizes me. We have recharged our batteries and are ready to continue moving forward. We also are looking forward to what 2012 will bring us all.
• 2011 is pretty much a blur with so many ups & downs - blows to the gut - several times wondering if Ric was going to make it or not. A rollercoaster ride it has truly been. Our family understands that life is precious & not to be taken for granted. Our life before this was what most people would think nearly perfect but we now really understand what a perfect life is. Spending time with those you love EVERY day. All the other stuff is just that STUFF. We have everything that we need - our family, a roof over our heads, food to eat, clean water, good jobs, wonderful friends & neighbors. Could not ask for ANYTHING more!
• Our prayer for each & every one of you is that you have good health, love in your life, and friends & family to surround you . May God bless you all. Happy New Year!

Up another pound!

• Ric had his treatment today & is up another 1.2lbs since last Thursday. He said that he feels so good today - the best that he has in 9 months. Yes it has been 9 months already since Ric was diagnosed with cancer! Crazy. In some ways it seems as if this year has just passed by but then at other times it's dragged out :)
• Saturday we had a nice visit with Octaviano, his girlfriend Berta and his mother Irene. Octaviano also has cancer - multiple myeloma.
• Sunday our friend Stu Hill fixed us a wonderful salmon dinner - it was great having dinner with him, Robin, Lauren and Stu Jr.
• Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas! We know that this will be our best Christmas ever.

Climbing!

• Another really good week. Went to Monday Night Football game with our neighbors Tom & Wendy. Had a great time hanging out with them. That's where we took our picture with our Seahawk Santa hats.
• Ric had his bi-monthly Dr appt yesterday and he's up another 3 lbs for a total gain of 13 lbs since his low weight point on Nov. 8th. All his lab work numbers continue to improve - some pretty amazingly so in the last couple weeks. Doc stated that Ric's miraculous recovery is not due to anything that he is doing but is definitely God working. It's good to hear others saying what we definitely know to be true. Doc said he doesn't want to see him again till after the holidays so we get a little break from Dr. appts. He will still be getting his Avastin treatments every two weeks with his next one coming up on Tuesday.
• Ric is looking more like his old self although he still tires easily and needs at least another 20 lbs to be at a healthy weight. His appetite is still really great - he amazes me on how much he's putting away. Maybe the steroids are finally kicking in.
• I just want to thank you all for the prayers especially for me as I cannot tell you what total peace I have been feeling over this past month. Please continue your prayers as they are truly working! Love you all!
• If I don't get a chance to post again before Christmas, hope you have a very Merry Christmas and get to spend wonderful memory time with your families. Don't forget to do something special for someone else who is struggling right now as that is the reason for the season - love others more than you love yourself - that's what Jesus did and we are to be like him!
• Oh yes and since Ric's oncologist is Jewish want to make sure that we say Happy Hanukkah - which begins on Dec 20th!

Woohoo!

This is gonna be a short update - Ric is up another 5 lbs! YESSSSSS! Had another treatment today. We are enjoying things going in a positive direction now. Please keep Ric in your prayers for protection from side effects, continued weight gain, continued appetite and those tumors to be getting smaller and disappearing! Thanks for your love, prayers & support!

Even More Thankful - Revised @ 10:25pm

So I've revised this to add a couple more items that needed to be told in this post! You'll have to re-read it to get the added news. :)
• The last couple weeks (other than the fall) have been really good. We had a very nice Thanksgiving - Holly's boyfriend John cooked a wonderful spread with some side dishes also made by his mom. John's family, Rocky & Ember and my sister Renee, her husband Ted & son Johnny joined us. Johnny is with the Stryker brigade & getting ready to ship out to Afghanistan so we were very happy to be able to see him. Ric ate alot of food so hopefully that will result in some added weight when we go to his dr appt this afternoon. His appetite has been fabulous so just been praying that some of it sticks to his ribs literally!
• Friday night we had dinner with former Rebels players Molly & Megan and Megan's parents Mike & Nancy. Molly & her boyfriend Russ attend WSU so of course there was banter between them & Ric about the upcoming Apple Cup. Megan goes to college at University of Missouri so we were excited to be able to see her during this break.
• Went to Apple Cup - weather was great & Ric had lots of energy to be able to enjoy the whole game & a couple hours of pre-game in the event center. As you can see by the picture above, we finally got to meet Jim Lambright (former UW Football Coach) in person. In a previous post on the blog, Jim had called Ric to encourage him in his battle. It was really great to talk to him in person and thank him.
• Thursday before Thanksgiving we were blessed with a visit from my wonderful friend Danette & her two daughters Alyssa & Nichole. Danette & I have been friends since Junior High & she lives in Oregon. She brought us some of her homemade salsa which Ric is now enjoying.
• Sunday we had a wonderful phone conversation with our longtime friend Ive who lives in Florida. Ive is our older "sister" from UW college days. We'd lost her phone number & finally was able to get her to contact us thru her son Brandon as we knew she would want to know about Ric's battle & be praying for him (and as she said call everyone she knows to pray for him).
• Ended the holiday weekend with a very nice visit with Glen & Becky yesterday evening. Had to drop off some gifts for them to take to the children we sponsor in Nicaragua & for some good friends there as they will be heading to Nicaragua later this week for the graduation ceremony at Dario Christian Academy. It had been our hope that we would be able to attend the graduation since this will be the first graduating class from high school. We hope & pray that God will allow us to return to Nicaragua sometime next year. The staff & the children at Dario Christian Academy have been praying for Ric's healing also & have sent us many encouraging videos, letters, e-mails.
• Ric had his doctor appt today and he is up 3 more lbs for a total of 5 lbs since November 8th! You should have seen the smile on his face as he was standing on the scale & saw where his weight was. I have not seen that smile in way too long so it was FABULOUS to see him smile like that again!
• Thanks again for all your prayers, love & support. Please continue to pray for no side effects from the Avastin & that those tumors keep shrinking smaller & smaller and that Ric continues to gain weight. Also please pray for Ric's youngest sister Minerva as she's been having some health issues lately. She is the one he donated the kidney to in 2000.