Hi prayer warriors!
Today Sarah's sister inlaw Rebekah Knapp & her husband Derek took their little daughter Natalie to the hospital at Johns Hopkins. Natalie is tiny. She needs her tonsils & adenoids removed but the drs are leery of putting her to sleep, due to her size. Today the J H drs said her skull is smaller than usual & she needs to have the pressure on her brain relieved. They want to do this at the same to eliminate a second time putting her to sleep. She'll have to have an MRI prior. Please pray for the Knapp family in this situation.
I called Rebekah and assured her that I'd call up my prayers!!! Don't let me down.
Prayerfully,
Barbara
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Biliary Examination
On April 29, 2010, at Fair Oaks Hospital I had a biliary tube and drainage bag installed to drain my gall bladder and liver. For the past 21 months it has done its task without problems. I have kept a bandage of gauze around the entry into my side and home health nurses, hospital nurses, Hampton, and finally I have changed this regularly. After 17 months I was questioned how often I flushed it with saline. I replied that it had not been flushed. When the nurse recovered from shock, she suggested that I begin daily flushing. Feeling that was a drastic change, I maintained weekly flushes. That kept everything clear.
On January 20, 2012, I had a scheduled appointment to have the "system" fully checked. It took most of the day to have it all examined and a new tube inserted as well as a new tube and biliary bag connected externally. When it was completed the doctor then talked to Hampton and me about selecting alternative treatments. I now have an appointment on March 8, 2012, with a surgeon. He will determine what would be the safest way to continue my bile drainage. My gall bladder is full of stones so something must be done. There are several options. Since my only gall bladder indication of problems has been my turning yellow on April 28, 2010, I am not changing my life plans to get this done immediately.
Very early in my pancreatic cancer stage 4 cancer treatments my oncologist recommended I continue life activities, particularly including travel. I have done this throughout these 21 months since my diagnosis. When I had my last orthopedic appointment, following my knee replacement and physical therapy, my doctor said "Get out and live your life!" When I said the PT said I wasn't quite done with therapy he replied "I'm the doctor." He'd explained earlier that he'd started to be an oncologist in medical school but had changed when he realized oncologists help their patients feel better while orthopedists can get you well.
The patient must do physical therapy but the doctor can take away the pain. Cancer doesn't work that way just as it didn't when he was in med school 30 years ago!
The reason I made my appointment March 8 is because we're going to "The Greenbrier Resort" in West Virginia in February and Hampton's 75th birthday is February 23. Everything is going well with my health currently so we're "living life!" If you're interested in visiting the website for Greenbrier make sure to spell it with an e, not a as Virginians do! The resort is celebrating "Tribute to the Virginias" currently with GREAT PRICES.
God has been right with me during this experience. I appreciate the prayers which have been prayed around the world in my behalf! May God be with all of us as we continue to "Live our lives."
On January 20, 2012, I had a scheduled appointment to have the "system" fully checked. It took most of the day to have it all examined and a new tube inserted as well as a new tube and biliary bag connected externally. When it was completed the doctor then talked to Hampton and me about selecting alternative treatments. I now have an appointment on March 8, 2012, with a surgeon. He will determine what would be the safest way to continue my bile drainage. My gall bladder is full of stones so something must be done. There are several options. Since my only gall bladder indication of problems has been my turning yellow on April 28, 2010, I am not changing my life plans to get this done immediately.
Very early in my pancreatic cancer stage 4 cancer treatments my oncologist recommended I continue life activities, particularly including travel. I have done this throughout these 21 months since my diagnosis. When I had my last orthopedic appointment, following my knee replacement and physical therapy, my doctor said "Get out and live your life!" When I said the PT said I wasn't quite done with therapy he replied "I'm the doctor." He'd explained earlier that he'd started to be an oncologist in medical school but had changed when he realized oncologists help their patients feel better while orthopedists can get you well.
The patient must do physical therapy but the doctor can take away the pain. Cancer doesn't work that way just as it didn't when he was in med school 30 years ago!
The reason I made my appointment March 8 is because we're going to "The Greenbrier Resort" in West Virginia in February and Hampton's 75th birthday is February 23. Everything is going well with my health currently so we're "living life!" If you're interested in visiting the website for Greenbrier make sure to spell it with an e, not a as Virginians do! The resort is celebrating "Tribute to the Virginias" currently with GREAT PRICES.
God has been right with me during this experience. I appreciate the prayers which have been prayed around the world in my behalf! May God be with all of us as we continue to "Live our lives."
Friday, January 6, 2012
Inspiration
Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer has been a BIG INTERRUPTION in my life! Priorities have been rearranged dramatically. Some things must be neglected, thus a change in life's schedule. Cancer was not in my life's plan.
Following next came my divine intervention. God has a plan for me and I had to undergo lots of health issues to continue living within God's plan for ME! The most recent issue was revision of my right knee. Revision is the word used to describe replacing your first prosthesis. The recovery time and physical therapy is the same as your first surgery. It was 14 weeks between removing my first artificial knee and replacing it with a new prosthesis. During that time I could bear NO WEIGHT on my right leg. That meant using a walker and hopping on one foot. Talk about limitations! I have healed from the surgery and finished physical therapy. I use a cane to walk, generally. When I go for a walk outside I use a walker for safety.
Now comes the inspiration. I have been inspired to share my experiences with others, particularly other pancreatic cancer patients. I hope to be able to instill confidence that with God all things are possible. Each illness can be devastating without the hope of Jesus Christ in our lives.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE
Following next came my divine intervention. God has a plan for me and I had to undergo lots of health issues to continue living within God's plan for ME! The most recent issue was revision of my right knee. Revision is the word used to describe replacing your first prosthesis. The recovery time and physical therapy is the same as your first surgery. It was 14 weeks between removing my first artificial knee and replacing it with a new prosthesis. During that time I could bear NO WEIGHT on my right leg. That meant using a walker and hopping on one foot. Talk about limitations! I have healed from the surgery and finished physical therapy. I use a cane to walk, generally. When I go for a walk outside I use a walker for safety.
Now comes the inspiration. I have been inspired to share my experiences with others, particularly other pancreatic cancer patients. I hope to be able to instill confidence that with God all things are possible. Each illness can be devastating without the hope of Jesus Christ in our lives.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE
Thursday, December 15, 2011
The Lord is my Shepard
Currently I'm doing a home Bible Study. The title is Walking with God (Learning discipleship in the Psalms) by Richard D. Phillips. Today I read "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:2 & 3"
Next month it will be two years since I started this health/illness marathon. I am feeling better than I have since it all began. I still tire following a half day of being busy but that's a vast improvement. Yesterday I accompanied Hampton on a routine visit to his cardiologist. As he walked into the room he asked me how I am. I explained that my pancreatic cancer is stable and my right knee has been revised and I can walk, using a cane. (Revision is replacement of an earlier prosthesis) The technician had done vitals and an EKG on Hampton. The cardiologist commented that all his readings are good. He shook Hampton's hand then came to me and said "You get a hug!" He was very pleased with both of us.
We're preparing for Christmas with a brighter outlook than last year. May God grant you peace and happiness during this Advent Season and throughout 2012.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Barbara
Next month it will be two years since I started this health/illness marathon. I am feeling better than I have since it all began. I still tire following a half day of being busy but that's a vast improvement. Yesterday I accompanied Hampton on a routine visit to his cardiologist. As he walked into the room he asked me how I am. I explained that my pancreatic cancer is stable and my right knee has been revised and I can walk, using a cane. (Revision is replacement of an earlier prosthesis) The technician had done vitals and an EKG on Hampton. The cardiologist commented that all his readings are good. He shook Hampton's hand then came to me and said "You get a hug!" He was very pleased with both of us.
We're preparing for Christmas with a brighter outlook than last year. May God grant you peace and happiness during this Advent Season and throughout 2012.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Barbara
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Orthopedist's Words
Today, December 1, 2011, I had an appointment with my orthopedic doctor. As I entered the exam room he said "You're using a cane. A cane." I replied yes I am. He came into the examining room and said "First, Thank you for the recognition letter you sent to the hospital. That was a very nice thing for you to do." I told him I appreciated his efforts in getting me back on my feet AGAIN. "Next, how are you?" I said that I'm doing well. "How much pain do you have?" I replied I have no pain. "You have no pain, right?" I reiterated, I have no pain. "Aren't you tired of therapy?" I answered YES. "I think you should quit going to therapy. I do not recommend you have any more therapy." I said that I have an appointment tomorrow. First he replied "Cancel it." Next he said that I should go to it and tell the therapist that I am done--well cooked. I said I'll cancel future appointments. Dr. said "Good, I won't approve any more. Come back to see me in 4 months."
This is very good news. I stopped at the therapy office to cancel further appointments. My former therapist (who's now director for 2 offices) was there. She'd not been there any time I'd had therapy. She was amazed at how well I'm doing. She said I looked good. She said my color is exceptionally good. She'd seen me when I first started having knee problems. I was "kinda gray" back then.
I am feeling much better. I'm still weak, due to anesthesia and chemotherapy. It takes a LONG time to get each out of your system. I have requested a lot from my body in the last 20 months, since my pancreatic cancer diagnosis, not to mention the 4 months prior to that when I had the back inflammation. I haven't needed chemo for a year - November, 2010 to November, 2011. I can and do eat very well, having lost 70 lbs. during treatment for cancer.
"We might never be awakened to the intelligence of the Creator in His creation unless we also experience
some suffering in this life." James P. Gills, MD
Prayerfully, Mary Barbara Hoge
This is very good news. I stopped at the therapy office to cancel further appointments. My former therapist (who's now director for 2 offices) was there. She'd not been there any time I'd had therapy. She was amazed at how well I'm doing. She said I looked good. She said my color is exceptionally good. She'd seen me when I first started having knee problems. I was "kinda gray" back then.
I am feeling much better. I'm still weak, due to anesthesia and chemotherapy. It takes a LONG time to get each out of your system. I have requested a lot from my body in the last 20 months, since my pancreatic cancer diagnosis, not to mention the 4 months prior to that when I had the back inflammation. I haven't needed chemo for a year - November, 2010 to November, 2011. I can and do eat very well, having lost 70 lbs. during treatment for cancer.
"We might never be awakened to the intelligence of the Creator in His creation unless we also experience
some suffering in this life." James P. Gills, MD
Prayerfully, Mary Barbara Hoge
Friday, November 18, 2011
Recently I've been reading a book by James P. Gills, M.D. The title is "God's Prescription for Healing."
"The prescription for all your healing has already been designed within you by your Creator - contained within a single microscopic cell. By faith you'll come to know His purpose for your life, your suffering, and your healing. The integration processes for healing within the body are your practical proof of the Creator's existence. His love and continuing concern for you are revealed in His amazing design for your healing."
This quote is taken from the cover of the book.
Through my illnesses I've often prayed that my life's purpose be revealed to me so I could get on with doing it! This has been a L O N G 22 months in my life. I'm currently in physical therapy (PT) for my knee revision surgery. Once you've had knee replacement surgery and the prosthesis has to be replaced, it is called knee revision. I contracted a staph infection in my right knee and it had to be cleaned of infection and a cement spacer inserted to "hold the space." 14 weeks I waited to have revision surgery. PT is very tiring as I'm weakened by the 2 surgeries on my right knee and chemotherapy to treat my pancreatic cancer
stage IV. The cancer is termed stable thus I could have my knee treated. I'm now up and about with a walker and/or walking cane. I can do most things, at least for short amounts of time. I get tired quickly and rest often.
Last Sunday at our church it was Senior Adult Sunday. Hampton was asked to speak on caregiving. He has learned a great deal about this subject recently! He's been an outstanding caregiver for me. I would no longer be here if it weren't for Hampton as I've been totally helpless numerous times.
I appreciate all the prayers and acts of kindness friends around the world have offered.
"The prescription for all your healing has already been designed within you by your Creator - contained within a single microscopic cell. By faith you'll come to know His purpose for your life, your suffering, and your healing. The integration processes for healing within the body are your practical proof of the Creator's existence. His love and continuing concern for you are revealed in His amazing design for your healing."
This quote is taken from the cover of the book.
Through my illnesses I've often prayed that my life's purpose be revealed to me so I could get on with doing it! This has been a L O N G 22 months in my life. I'm currently in physical therapy (PT) for my knee revision surgery. Once you've had knee replacement surgery and the prosthesis has to be replaced, it is called knee revision. I contracted a staph infection in my right knee and it had to be cleaned of infection and a cement spacer inserted to "hold the space." 14 weeks I waited to have revision surgery. PT is very tiring as I'm weakened by the 2 surgeries on my right knee and chemotherapy to treat my pancreatic cancer
stage IV. The cancer is termed stable thus I could have my knee treated. I'm now up and about with a walker and/or walking cane. I can do most things, at least for short amounts of time. I get tired quickly and rest often.
Last Sunday at our church it was Senior Adult Sunday. Hampton was asked to speak on caregiving. He has learned a great deal about this subject recently! He's been an outstanding caregiver for me. I would no longer be here if it weren't for Hampton as I've been totally helpless numerous times.
I appreciate all the prayers and acts of kindness friends around the world have offered.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)