Sudden Changes

You know, you go along for a long time and nothing really changes that much. Then suddenly, one word from someone and you're whole life is turned upside down. That's what's happened with us.

You see, my husband is suddenly very sick. He's the sole support of our home and now he's in the hospital. The diagnosis? Lung cancer.

What follows is a journal of what's been happening the past few days. In future days, I'll post new blogs with new journalling. I know many have trod this path before me, and many will follow. And I know my Lord Jesus is right here with us every step of the way. I really don't know how I could bear up if I didn't have that knowledge deep within my heart. I also know that prayers are being said not just locally, but really worldwide, thanks to the internet and all the wonderful online friends I've made over the years.

Answer me this, though: Just how do those who have no firm foundation in the Lord Jesus ever cope?

~~Thursday, August 19, 2005~~

Danny coughed all Wednesday night and wound up trying to sleep sitting up at the kitchen table. When he laid down, he couldn't breathe at all. He'd been pretty sick all day Wednesday but we allowed that it was a summer flu bug or something.

In the middle of the night he mentioned calling an ambulance. I said I'd just drive him to the ER myself since we live so far out and our house is hard to find under the best circumstances. However, he opted to wait.

He woke me up around 7 AM Thursday saying we need to go to the ER - he was coughing up blood. I got dressed and our 19 year old son also got ready to go. Danny had already taken a shower in anticipation of going. Isn't it funny what we think we need to do in situations like this?

I emailed my grown daughter and my older sister, plus a few others, telling them what was going on. Called younger daughter (she was spending the night with a friend) and left a message on her voicemail. Then we left to go to the ER.

We arrived there around 9 AM. Triage took him back pretty quickly. He was to a point where he was in a lot of pain and couldn't sit or lie down without extreme pain and loss of breath.

Son and I waited for a long time to be called back to where Danny was. I finally asked what's going on? Was told he'd had an X-ray that showed a mass in his chest and was taken for a CT scan.

Finally we were taken to him. At that point he hadn't had the CT after all because he couldn't lie still on the scanner bed. They gave him meds for pain and to help him breathe. I talked to him and told him he HAS to do the CT so they can know how to help him. Otherwise, they would probably just send him home, and I can't help him there.

He agreed to try again. This time it went better. The CT showed a large mass behind his heart that wrapped around his windpipe and some arteries. He was admitted to the hospital.

Two doctors saw him. They said he has a tumor, probably cancer, and it's very big. (They also both said if we hadn't brought him to the ER when we did, he might have died right here at home.) They said the tumor was pressing on his lung and causing him to have a hard time breathing. Also, he has pneumonia in the other lung. They started him on oxygen and antibiotics and morphine.

His heart rate was rapid and uneven, so they gave him meds to slow it and to even it out. Most of the night was still spent with him sitting up, coughing up blood, and being treated mainly for symptoms since they didn't yet have a firm diagnosis.

~~Friday, August 20, 2005~~

A needle biopsy was scheduled and done in the morning. It'll be after the weekend before results are known. In the meantime, he could start on steroid breathing treatments as soon as his heart rate was normalized.

He is still in pain and still getting morphine but was able to at least lie down and sleep for a little while. Breathing treatments are finally started. They increase his heart rate but only temporarily.

~~Saturday, August 21, 2005~~

Breathing much better but still coughing up blood. One doctor said he'd schedule a bone scan for Monday. Both doctors are convinced it's cancer but don't know what kind it is so they can't treat him until all the test results are in.

He was told he'd be on 3 breathing meds from now on and was switched to an inhaler adn 2 powder inhalers - the steroid one can make his mouth get a yeast infection.

He's eating well and resting better. Has some minor back pain, but he's off the morphine and is just being given Tylenol or something else non-narcotic. He's also getting 2 kinds of antibiotics. But, they've taken him off oxygen and an all-the-time IV drip. They've added 2 kinds of heart meds for him to take.

~~Sunday, August 22, 2005~~

It's Sunday. Not much new or different. We were a little surprised there were no visitors today. However, there have been lots of visitors up to this point, and I'm grateful since it lets Danny know others really do care.

~~Monday, August 23, 2005~~

We were told this morning that Danny would probably need a brain scan after the bone scan to see if cancer cells have gone to his brain. He was taken for the bone scan right after lunch. PTL! It came out clear - no "hot spots" on any bones. The doctor thinks there's probably none in the brain either since Danny isn't exhibiting any symptoms.

The biopsy results came - it's definitely lung cancer. It seems to be localized, though, and only the lymph nodes near his lungs seem to be affected. The doctor has called in an oncologist who will see all the test results and talk to us on Tuesday. She will know exactly what kind of cancer it is and how to proceed with treatment.

Now that we have a diagnosis, and after we talk to the oncologist, we'll also know how to proceed with applications for assistance. We don't have health insurance and really never were able to afford it.

We are praying for a mighty move of God for healing and for our other needs to be supplied.