Just wanted you guys to know that today the doctor called Darrell and told him that the results of his full body scan from last Friday were good--that there were no signs of cancer and he would not have to undergo any more radiation treatments. He has spent the day shouting, "I'm cancer free"!
Thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement. They really helped us make it through these few months.
God is good (all the time)!
Vickey
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Monday, March 31, 2008
Body Scan Update
On Friday, March 28th, Darrell had the full body scan at Huntsville Hospital. It took less than an hour to do that. The guy doing the scan (Frankie--the man who administered the radioactive iodine pill) couldn't tell Darrell any results of the scan, but he did tell him that if he was comparing the pill that Darrell took back on March 17th to regular radiation, it would have been equivalent to about 40 treatments. Wow!
There have only been a couple of side effects of the treatment. Everything that he eats tastes very bland. He's eaten much more Mexican food and hot spicy food than anything else. Even that doesn't taste very good to him, but it's about the only thing that has any flavor. The doctors told him that would happen and it should go away at some point.
He's lost some of the weight he had gained and the swelling in his face has almost gone away. His voice is almost back to normal, just not the full volume yet and singing isn't there yet--not enough breath yet. But it will be back!
Thank the Lord we're at the end of this process. I'll post again when we get the final results from the body scan. I'm claiming that Darrell will be screaming "I'm cancer-free" (similar to Dave Ramsey's radio show where people call in and shout I'm debt free).
By the way, we are planning to walk in Relay for Life, sponsored by the American Cancer Society on May 1-2 @ John Hunt Park here in Huntsville. We will be on the Piano Man team, in memory of Dwayne Andrews (our church piano player) and also in celebration of Darrell "surviving" cancer, along with others like James Cole, etc. I'll post the website later if you would like to make a donation to the cancer society.
There have only been a couple of side effects of the treatment. Everything that he eats tastes very bland. He's eaten much more Mexican food and hot spicy food than anything else. Even that doesn't taste very good to him, but it's about the only thing that has any flavor. The doctors told him that would happen and it should go away at some point.
He's lost some of the weight he had gained and the swelling in his face has almost gone away. His voice is almost back to normal, just not the full volume yet and singing isn't there yet--not enough breath yet. But it will be back!
Thank the Lord we're at the end of this process. I'll post again when we get the final results from the body scan. I'm claiming that Darrell will be screaming "I'm cancer-free" (similar to Dave Ramsey's radio show where people call in and shout I'm debt free).
By the way, we are planning to walk in Relay for Life, sponsored by the American Cancer Society on May 1-2 @ John Hunt Park here in Huntsville. We will be on the Piano Man team, in memory of Dwayne Andrews (our church piano player) and also in celebration of Darrell "surviving" cancer, along with others like James Cole, etc. I'll post the website later if you would like to make a donation to the cancer society.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Darrell's home
Darrell came home today at about 10:00 a.m. The "safety/security" guy checked his radioactive level and it registered 3.5. The State of Alabama requires that he be at least a 5.0 before leaving.
Now that he's at home he still has to follow a few rules for the next 3 days til the level is a "zero". He will have to sleep in a different bed (and get a new pillow on Sunday), take showers and use a separate bathroom than the rest of us, and use paper products to eat on for the next few days. But other than that, it's over. Thank the Lord! He goes back to the hospital on March 28th to have a full body scan to ensure that there are no more cancer cells in his body. But we're believing that they are ALL gone with this procedure!
He was a little nauseous this morning, but seems to be getting better this afternoon. He wanted something to eat other than the boring stuff that he had been eating for the last few days on this low iodine diet, so we ate pizza for lunch today!
He will now start on a new drug - synthroid - and he will have to take that for the rest of his life. We hope that drug will help real soon with the swelling and weight gain during the last couple of weeks and also increase his energy level. He'll be off work the rest of the week while his body adjusts to this new drug.
Thanks so much for your prayers during this whole procedure. We know that God has honored those prayers. Check back on March 28th for the last report.
Continue to pray for our friends, James and Annalie, who are both undergoing either chemo/radiation or are waiting on test results from a tumor. We know God will deliver them to good health again, too.
Vickey
Now that he's at home he still has to follow a few rules for the next 3 days til the level is a "zero". He will have to sleep in a different bed (and get a new pillow on Sunday), take showers and use a separate bathroom than the rest of us, and use paper products to eat on for the next few days. But other than that, it's over. Thank the Lord! He goes back to the hospital on March 28th to have a full body scan to ensure that there are no more cancer cells in his body. But we're believing that they are ALL gone with this procedure!
He was a little nauseous this morning, but seems to be getting better this afternoon. He wanted something to eat other than the boring stuff that he had been eating for the last few days on this low iodine diet, so we ate pizza for lunch today!
He will now start on a new drug - synthroid - and he will have to take that for the rest of his life. We hope that drug will help real soon with the swelling and weight gain during the last couple of weeks and also increase his energy level. He'll be off work the rest of the week while his body adjusts to this new drug.
Thanks so much for your prayers during this whole procedure. We know that God has honored those prayers. Check back on March 28th for the last report.
Continue to pray for our friends, James and Annalie, who are both undergoing either chemo/radiation or are waiting on test results from a tumor. We know God will deliver them to good health again, too.
Vickey
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Big Progress
The "safety" guy came around to check the radioactive iodine level on Darrell at about 3:30 today. The pill that he took yesterday was 150 millicuries. When they did the check on the outside of his body about 30 minutes later, the level was 20. He has to be down to at least 5 before he can go home. Darrell's level today was a "7". He ALMOST got to go home today. So, the guys is going to come earlier in the day tomorrow and most likely Darrell will be able to go home before noon. Praise the Lord! He's been "chugging" down the water to wash that stuff out of his body.
Just remember him in prayer. He's become nauseous today and is still feeling that way this afternoon. The nurse gave him something for it this afternoon, so hopefully it will take affect really soon.
Vickey
Just remember him in prayer. He's become nauseous today and is still feeling that way this afternoon. The nurse gave him something for it this afternoon, so hopefully it will take affect really soon.
Vickey
Monday, March 17, 2008
The "Pill" Day
Darrell was called by the hospital today about noon and he checked into his room a little after
1:00 p.m. They prepared his room by wrapping everything with cellophone--the doorknobs, the remote control, telephone, faucet in the sink, etc. Everything was set up and several folks kept going over all the details to make sure he understood what was about to take place. Two guys (one with the nuclear medicine division--Frankie and the other from some kind of security/safety division--Cecil) came at about 3:00 today and adminstered the radioactive iodine pill. This pill will only be "taken in" by thyroid cells, whether they are in the neck or if they have travelled to other parts of Darrell's body and "zap" away all the remaining particles of the thyroid cancer and any remaining thyroid tissue.
The radioactive materials in this pill are so strong that no one can be around him for awhile and if so, the radioactive materials could affect their "thyroid", too. So, he can't have visitors. I can go visit him and stand by the door, but to go in the room, you have to put on a gown, cover your shoes, etc. Housekeeping can't even come into the room. The nurses have to "suit up" to come check his vitals during each shift.
I had to leave the room when Darrell took the pill. One guy (Cecil) left the room and the nuclear medicine guy (Frankie) took the pill off of a cart that he had rolled into the room. The pill was in a glass vial that was placed in a heavy lead container. The nuclear medicine guy transferred the pill by a pair of tongs to a styrofoam cup and Darrell swallowed the pill (he said it looked like a grey Advil capsule).
That's all he has to do. They told him to drink LOTS of water and juices. The 2nd guy (Cecil) had a "geiger counter" and he held it up to Darrell's stomach for him to hear. Darrell said it sounded like a machine gun going off. They'll check him several times to make sure the level gets to an acceptable level for him to go home on Wednesday.
Just pray for Darrell that the pill does not make him sick/nauseous and the medicine from the pill will leave his body quickly.
We appreciate all your prayers so far! God has been so very good to us! Darrell's voice is back at about 50% now, maybe even a little better at times. PTL!
Vickey
1:00 p.m. They prepared his room by wrapping everything with cellophone--the doorknobs, the remote control, telephone, faucet in the sink, etc. Everything was set up and several folks kept going over all the details to make sure he understood what was about to take place. Two guys (one with the nuclear medicine division--Frankie and the other from some kind of security/safety division--Cecil) came at about 3:00 today and adminstered the radioactive iodine pill. This pill will only be "taken in" by thyroid cells, whether they are in the neck or if they have travelled to other parts of Darrell's body and "zap" away all the remaining particles of the thyroid cancer and any remaining thyroid tissue.
The radioactive materials in this pill are so strong that no one can be around him for awhile and if so, the radioactive materials could affect their "thyroid", too. So, he can't have visitors. I can go visit him and stand by the door, but to go in the room, you have to put on a gown, cover your shoes, etc. Housekeeping can't even come into the room. The nurses have to "suit up" to come check his vitals during each shift.
I had to leave the room when Darrell took the pill. One guy (Cecil) left the room and the nuclear medicine guy (Frankie) took the pill off of a cart that he had rolled into the room. The pill was in a glass vial that was placed in a heavy lead container. The nuclear medicine guy transferred the pill by a pair of tongs to a styrofoam cup and Darrell swallowed the pill (he said it looked like a grey Advil capsule).
That's all he has to do. They told him to drink LOTS of water and juices. The 2nd guy (Cecil) had a "geiger counter" and he held it up to Darrell's stomach for him to hear. Darrell said it sounded like a machine gun going off. They'll check him several times to make sure the level gets to an acceptable level for him to go home on Wednesday.
Just pray for Darrell that the pill does not make him sick/nauseous and the medicine from the pill will leave his body quickly.
We appreciate all your prayers so far! God has been so very good to us! Darrell's voice is back at about 50% now, maybe even a little better at times. PTL!
Vickey
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Darrell's preparation for his radiation treatment
Sunday, March 2nd, was the last day that Darrell took the medicine Cytomel. Cytomel is a thyroid hormone. It works by replacing or supplementing the natural thyroid hormones in your body.
He began a low-iodine diet on Monday. This is a little different from a low-sodium diet, but most of the items that he can eat are low in sodium, anyway. He can't eat or drink any dairy product or any seafood (which he won't miss anyway since he was allergic to shrimp already). He can only have about 5 or 6 ounces of meat each day and very little bread.
Why is he on this diet? They are trying to get him to have as little iodine in his body as possible before the radiation treatment. His radiation will be swallowing a radioactive iodine pill. He still has some thyroid tissue left in his body (and it is cancerous) and when he swallows that pill, the iodine will search out the body for the thyroid. Thyroid cells are the ONLY cells in the body which are able to absorb iodine. Iodine is a vital trace mineral which is found in food.
So, when he swallows that pill and it searches out to find the remaining traces of thyroid tissue in his body, the radioactive materials that are in the pill will KILL the remaining cancer cells in his body.
He will have to go into the hospital and stay for about 48 hours. The date of that treatment is March 17th. About a week later they will do a body scan to see how well the radioactive iodine treatment did. We're praying for a "clean sweep" and being cancer-free! PTL!
As far as his voice, on a scale of 1 - 100, he's back at about 35% of his volume. You can actually hear him now, and he's not whispering. Thank the Lord! We'll be hearing his voice again FULL VOLUME real soon!
I'll report more on the specifics of the treatment in a few more days.
Thanks for your prayers. We couldn't have made it without them! We know that God has a purpose for everything that happens in our lives and we are thanking God for all that he has accomplished throughout this whole ordeal. There are a LOT of good things that have happened and we have so much to be thankful for!
Vickey
He began a low-iodine diet on Monday. This is a little different from a low-sodium diet, but most of the items that he can eat are low in sodium, anyway. He can't eat or drink any dairy product or any seafood (which he won't miss anyway since he was allergic to shrimp already). He can only have about 5 or 6 ounces of meat each day and very little bread.
Why is he on this diet? They are trying to get him to have as little iodine in his body as possible before the radiation treatment. His radiation will be swallowing a radioactive iodine pill. He still has some thyroid tissue left in his body (and it is cancerous) and when he swallows that pill, the iodine will search out the body for the thyroid. Thyroid cells are the ONLY cells in the body which are able to absorb iodine. Iodine is a vital trace mineral which is found in food.
So, when he swallows that pill and it searches out to find the remaining traces of thyroid tissue in his body, the radioactive materials that are in the pill will KILL the remaining cancer cells in his body.
He will have to go into the hospital and stay for about 48 hours. The date of that treatment is March 17th. About a week later they will do a body scan to see how well the radioactive iodine treatment did. We're praying for a "clean sweep" and being cancer-free! PTL!
As far as his voice, on a scale of 1 - 100, he's back at about 35% of his volume. You can actually hear him now, and he's not whispering. Thank the Lord! We'll be hearing his voice again FULL VOLUME real soon!
I'll report more on the specifics of the treatment in a few more days.
Thanks for your prayers. We couldn't have made it without them! We know that God has a purpose for everything that happens in our lives and we are thanking God for all that he has accomplished throughout this whole ordeal. There are a LOT of good things that have happened and we have so much to be thankful for!
Vickey
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Revisit to Dr. John LaFrentz - ENT
Friday, February 15th
Darrell went back to see Dr. John LaFrentz, an ENT here in Huntsville. He is one of the nicest doctors you'll ever meet. He spends so much time with you, explaining every detail of what's going on, answers "every" question that you have, etc. He's kinda like Dr. Marcus Welby, if you remember anthing about the 1970's, except that he's really young (and not bald).
He re-examined Darrell's throat again (ran that tube down his nose-yuk) and said that he thought he saw some "slight" activity in that nerve. He said it still looked extremely weak, but that there might be a little movement. That was great encouragement to us.
He will continue to monitor Darrell's nerve to his vocal chords through the next few months. He talked about what Darrell would be going through with the radioactive iodine treatment and what to expect during and after the treatment. He also checked on his calcium test from earlier this week and said that it was "perfect". He said that Darrell could adjust the amount of Tums he was taking since this was a good score and that his "numbness" was lessening. Darrell was excited abut this since the Tums are beginning to affect his stomach and his eating.
He said that we might not want to go to an endocrinologist, that he and Darrell's regular family doctor could work with him on the administering of the Synthroid(or however you spell it) and not involve another set of doctors. He says it's pretty hard to get in to see an endocrinologst since there are only a couple here in Huntsville.
So, we're just waiting now on the last stages of this whole process--the radiation treatment.
Continue to pray for Darrell. It's still a "roller coaster" ride--emotions up and down, still some pain and "weird feelings", incision that still needs to heal, etc. But we thank God for everything--knowing that He has a purpose in all this.
We're awaiting the day of "normalcy", if there ever is such a thing.
We've decided that maybe we don't won't to grow old and retire if this is what we have to look forward to--lots of doctor's visits and medicines.
Throughout all of this, Darrell has constantly said to me, "just be patient with me, Vickey". I told him that wasn't what he married me for, that patience wasn't one of my "virtures". I have never wanted to pray for patience, cause I know what the Bible says about patience and trials and tribulations. I have learned so much through all this--Darrell, too. Psalms 27, which the Lord showed to Darrell early one morning, says it best in its last verse - "wait for the Lord". That's what we're standing on now.
Psalms 27
The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, [a] when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.
4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, "Seek his [b] face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
13 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Darrell went back to see Dr. John LaFrentz, an ENT here in Huntsville. He is one of the nicest doctors you'll ever meet. He spends so much time with you, explaining every detail of what's going on, answers "every" question that you have, etc. He's kinda like Dr. Marcus Welby, if you remember anthing about the 1970's, except that he's really young (and not bald).
He re-examined Darrell's throat again (ran that tube down his nose-yuk) and said that he thought he saw some "slight" activity in that nerve. He said it still looked extremely weak, but that there might be a little movement. That was great encouragement to us.
He will continue to monitor Darrell's nerve to his vocal chords through the next few months. He talked about what Darrell would be going through with the radioactive iodine treatment and what to expect during and after the treatment. He also checked on his calcium test from earlier this week and said that it was "perfect". He said that Darrell could adjust the amount of Tums he was taking since this was a good score and that his "numbness" was lessening. Darrell was excited abut this since the Tums are beginning to affect his stomach and his eating.
He said that we might not want to go to an endocrinologist, that he and Darrell's regular family doctor could work with him on the administering of the Synthroid(or however you spell it) and not involve another set of doctors. He says it's pretty hard to get in to see an endocrinologst since there are only a couple here in Huntsville.
So, we're just waiting now on the last stages of this whole process--the radiation treatment.
Continue to pray for Darrell. It's still a "roller coaster" ride--emotions up and down, still some pain and "weird feelings", incision that still needs to heal, etc. But we thank God for everything--knowing that He has a purpose in all this.
We're awaiting the day of "normalcy", if there ever is such a thing.
We've decided that maybe we don't won't to grow old and retire if this is what we have to look forward to--lots of doctor's visits and medicines
Throughout all of this, Darrell has constantly said to me, "just be patient with me, Vickey". I told him that wasn't what he married me for, that patience wasn't one of my "virtures"
Psalms 27
The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, [a] when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.
4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, "Seek his [b] face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
13 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
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