Well, it's been two years since discovery of the cancer in Darrell's thyroid. God has been so good to us over the last couple of years. We have both had opportunities to share and pray with others who are going through cancer and to share God's love and tell of His healing power. This is the week that Darrell has his 2 year full body scan, to check his body for any signs of cancer. He started yesterday and today with shots, tomorrow is bloodwork, and Friday will be the full body scan. We're trusting God for a clean report and hopefully NO more of these tests! Please pray with us!
Sunday before last (April 11th), Darrell sang his first solo in church since all this happened. During choir practice, there was lots of excitement and cheering for him, many said he sounded better and stronger than ever before. We just thank the Lord that He saw fit for Darrell to regain his voice, and return to him his "singing voice"! God is so good!!!
During this last month, we lost a really great friend and mentor, James Cole, to cancer. He was such a precious man and has such a precious family, and I know that God must have really needed him in Heaven for Him to take James from his family and friends. James had just started his treatments for cancer when Darrell first found out about his cancer. He was so positive and uplifting to me and Darrell and we will be forever grateful for his inspiration.
Thank all of you for your prayers! God is faithful!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
Time for an Update
Haven't updated anything lately, so thought I would take a few moments to do that. Darrell has completely recovered from his shoulder surgery. He visited a massage therapist in Tuscaloosa (James Carmichael) several times over the summer and he really helped Darrell as well as finishing up physical therapy. No more pain in his shoulder and he can lift his arm over his heard without pain (maybe not as fast in earlier years, but then again he's aged a little bit, too ).
It's been almost 2 years now from all the thyroid surgeries, etc. and thank the Lord, all of that is in the past. God truly has been good to the Sullivan family. To God be the glory!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Shoulder surgery
Well, we're rid of the cancer, and hopefully after today, we're on our way to "complete" good health. Darrell has been suffering for about 6 months now with a frozen shoulder. He's been to physical therapy and massage therapy, been put to sleep so that the doctor could "manipulate" it, and taken a thousand pain pills, but still has pain. Today, he had minor surgery (if there is such a thing as minor surgery) on his shoulder at the Surgery Center. They found a small spur and shaved it off. The doctor also "manipulated" the shoulder some more, and hopefully this time it worked. Tomorrow starts round two of his therapy. We're ready for good health!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The Report is In!
Cancer free! That's the report. Darrell went to the doctor last Thursday (March 26, 2009). He went to see Dr. Falkenberg. She excitedly clapped her hands and told him the good news. I'm not good at all the "medical" terms, but here's the results of all his recent bloodwork: his thyroid globin? count last year after the radiation treatment was a 5.0. What is normal is 2.0, so that's what the doctor was looking for. That count has something to do with possible tumors in the body. Darrell's count from the bloodwork was actually a 1.7--better than what it was supposed to be! Also, the full body scan that he had done last week showed no signs of cancer in his body. Ain't God good?
Darrell got the opportunity to testify in church on Sunday morning and tell his good news. It surprised me cause I didn't know he was going to do that. He got a standing ovation from the congregation. (and lots of tears).
God has been so very good to the Sullivan family throughout Darrell's sickness. We have truly been blessed by God and His goodness. We appreciate all the prayers of our family, friends, and others for all your prayers, inquiries, words of encouragement, and best wishes.
Whew! What a year! and what a testimony!
Darrell got the opportunity to testify in church on Sunday morning and tell his good news. It surprised me cause I didn't know he was going to do that. He got a standing ovation from the congregation. (and lots of tears).
God has been so very good to the Sullivan family throughout Darrell's sickness. We have truly been blessed by God and His goodness. We appreciate all the prayers of our family, friends, and others for all your prayers, inquiries, words of encouragement, and best wishes.
Whew! What a year! and what a testimony!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Still Waiting and Vickey's Day at the Hospital
We're still waiting on results from Darrell's body scan and blood work. They have not called with the scan results, so we're guessing he will find out about them tomorrow at his doctor's appointment with Dr. Falkenberg. We're still trusting God that it will be good news!
Vickey has had a couple of interesting days. I was scheduled for my first colonoscopy (yuck). I had heard from lots of people about their episodes but I was not at all prepared for what the "preparation" was going to be. Everyone had said how horrible the stuff that you have to drink to "clean you out" before the procedure, but I had never asked anyone what it tasted like. I cannot describe how horrible it tasted. Darrell says that it tastes like ocean water. Someone today at the hospital said it tasted like "alka seltzer slime". Not sure what I would call it, but it was so bad that even holding my nose, I still tasted it. YUCK! I finally drank it all on Tuesday night and endured the night visiting the bathroom dozens of times.
All went well with the procedure. A couple of pollops, but everything was good. "Come see me in another 10 years" was the doctor's response. I told Darrell that I hope they either have a better way of preparation before then or either I hoped the rapture takes place before then so that I don't ever have to do that again.
Vickey has had a couple of interesting days. I was scheduled for my first colonoscopy (yuck). I had heard from lots of people about their episodes but I was not at all prepared for what the "preparation" was going to be. Everyone had said how horrible the stuff that you have to drink to "clean you out" before the procedure, but I had never asked anyone what it tasted like. I cannot describe how horrible it tasted. Darrell says that it tastes like ocean water. Someone today at the hospital said it tasted like "alka seltzer slime". Not sure what I would call it, but it was so bad that even holding my nose, I still tasted it. YUCK! I finally drank it all on Tuesday night and endured the night visiting the bathroom dozens of times.
All went well with the procedure. A couple of pollops, but everything was good. "Come see me in another 10 years" was the doctor's response. I told Darrell that I hope they either have a better way of preparation before then or either I hoped the rapture takes place before then so that I don't ever have to do that again
Monday, March 23, 2009
Awaiting Test Results
No news from the scan on Friday yet. The hospital folks told Darrell on Friday when the scan was over that the results would be ready either late that afternoon or on Monday. He had to get some bloodwork done, also, but those results won't be ready til Thursday, so he might not hear from any of the results til Thursday. So, we're waiting, again. .
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
A Week of Doctors and Hospitals
This is the week that we have been waiting for the last year. Darrell will have his final "full body" scan on Friday to show a "cancer-free and clear" body! He went to Clearview Cancer Institute here in Huntsville yesterday and this morning to get two shots (these shots in essence stop the effects of his thyroid medicine-Synthroid). Then on Wednesday he will go to the hospital and take the radiation pill which will help show on the scan on Friday if there is any lingering cancer cells from the thyroid cancer from last year. We're praying for a
no show" report! Darrell should know the results on late Friday or the following Monday. Just keep praying with us that everything will turn out A-OK!
no show" report! Darrell should know the results on late Friday or the following Monday. Just keep praying with us that everything will turn out A-OK!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
A year later
A year has come and gone and we are continuing to thank God for bringing Darrell through the whole cancer episode. He is doing well - no complications with the medicine or anything dealing with the cancer. His medication took a little while to adjust to the correct level, but everything is fine now. He will be undergoing a "full body scan" pretty soon to look to make sure there are no "tags" of cancer left in his body. We are believing God that all is well. There's been a little glitch with what the insurance wants to do and what his doctor wants to do, so we're still waiting for that to get settled. If the insurance thing doesn't get worked out, he will have to wait til June to do the scan.
Back in the fall, Darrell's shoulder "froze" up on him and he couldn't lift his left arm very far. He took therapy and it didn't seem to change anything, so in December he went into the hospital for Dr. Jansen to put him to sleep and "break up" that frozen shoulder. He is still continuing to take therapy (for at least 5 or 6 more weeks) and is at about 75% back to normal, but his shoulder is not quite healed up yet. Pray that he regains full movement in that arm/shoulder so that he can get back to normal.
I told him he was just getting old and all his body parts are proving that to him. (but then again, I have to remember that I'm that age, too, so I better not talk too loud.
We'll update again after the "full body" scan. God has been so very good to the Sullivan family and we are very thankful for His many blessings. We are also extremely thankful to great friends and family who have been so faithful to pray for us and encourage us through all of the sickness we have endured this past year. You will never know what your encouraging words have meant to us. God bless you all!
Back in the fall, Darrell's shoulder "froze" up on him and he couldn't lift his left arm very far. He took therapy and it didn't seem to change anything, so in December he went into the hospital for Dr. Jansen to put him to sleep and "break up" that frozen shoulder. He is still continuing to take therapy (for at least 5 or 6 more weeks) and is at about 75% back to normal, but his shoulder is not quite healed up yet. Pray that he regains full movement in that arm/shoulder so that he can get back to normal.
I told him he was just getting old and all his body parts are proving that to him. (but then again, I have to remember that I'm that age, too, so I better not talk too loud
We'll update again after the "full body" scan. God has been so very good to the Sullivan family and we are very thankful for His many blessings. We are also extremely thankful to great friends and family who have been so faithful to pray for us and encourage us through all of the sickness we have endured this past year. You will never know what your encouraging words have meant to us. God bless you all!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Relay for Life
On Friday, May 2nd, Darrell participated in Relay for Life (at two locations). We attended the Survivor's dinner at Hazel Green High School. They provided a free t-shirt and other goodies and a nice meal from Nothing but Noodles. Afterwards, Darrell walked in the Survivor's lap, and then I joined him in the Caregiver's lap. There were lots of friends and co-workers there cheering us on.
Afterward walking those 2 laps, we left and went to the other site for Relay for Life at John Hunt Park, where we joined in with the other members of The Piano Man team, named in honor of Dwayne Andrews, our dear friend (and piano player at our church) who lost the fight against colon cancer. We walked several laps there and then enjoyed the Luminary ceremony.
It was a terrible weather night later that night and it had to end early (due to rain and heavy winds), but the walk was successful as everyone honored cancer survivors, paid tribute to the lives lost to the disease, and raised money to help fight the disease.
It was our first attendance of this event and we plan to really get involved in the future.
See the pictures of Darrell walking the Survivor Lap.
Afterward walking those 2 laps, we left and went to the other site for Relay for Life at John Hunt Park, where we joined in with the other members of The Piano Man team, named in honor of Dwayne Andrews, our dear friend (and piano player at our church) who lost the fight against colon cancer. We walked several laps there and then enjoyed the Luminary ceremony.
It was a terrible weather night later that night and it had to end early (due to rain and heavy winds), but the walk was successful as everyone honored cancer survivors, paid tribute to the lives lost to the disease, and raised money to help fight the disease.
It was our first attendance of this event and we plan to really get involved in the future.
See the pictures of Darrell walking the Survivor Lap.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Cancer Free!!!!!!!!!!!!
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
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
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.
Darrell's visit to the Radiation Oncologist
Thursday, February 14th
Darrell had his first appointment today with Dr. Elizabeth Falkenberg, who is a radiation oncologist with Clearview Cancer Institute in Huntsville. It was a good visit. All these visits to cancer clinics have made us appreciate Darrell's condition. There are so many others out there who are in really bad health and their cancer is causing such pain to them. God has been so good to Darrell.
Darrell had to tell the story a couple of times today about all the surgeries and other doctor visits, how they found the cancer, how he lost his voice, etc. Each time that he tells the story about how they found the cancer, the doctors and nurses seem amazed at how they found the cancer, since thyroid cancer is so hard to detect and there are not really any symptoms associated with it. We know that God allowed the doctors to find it in this early stage.
Dr. Falkenberg scheduled Darrell's radioactove iodine (RAI) treatment for Monday, March 17th. He'll have to check into Huntsville Hospital and stay there for about 48 hours. They'll give him an "internal" treatment rather than external treatment. He'll swallow a pill and then he will be considered radioactive for awhile and will have to be in the hospital room by himself. We've teased him about being one of those "glow worm" dolls that were popular when Amy was a child and that he'll be like a "glow in the dark" figure..
He'll be able to go home after 48 hours, but will need to be at home for about a week after that, but kinda hang out by himself (sleep in a room by himself, eat out of paper products, etc.). The next week, he can hang out with folks, but not for more than 8 hours at a time. The state of Alabama still requires that he do this. The doctors say that most of the other states don't have as stringent standards as Alabama still has on the effects of this radiactive iodine on the others around whoever has taken the RAI.
After about 10 days, Darrell will have to go back to the hospital and they will do a full body scan to see that all the cancer is gone (or if any had made its way to other parts of his body). This will determine if he will have to have another RAI treatment. If all goes as expected, ALL cancer will be gone from his body and they will continue to just do checkups every few months to see how he's doing.
He will have to take Synthrol (not sure of the spelling--have ya'll noticed I'm not the best speller in the world--especially medical terms?), which is a thyroid hormone--it will make Darrell's body think it still has a thyroid.
Darrell's doing pretty good. Today was a really good day. His medication is not making him feel so "funny" anymore and he didn't have as many "numb" feelings today. One good thing from today was the nurse that checked him in at the cancer institute had similar surgery, lost her voice, was a singer at church, and now her voice is back, good as new. She was able to share things with Darrell that he had wondered about, and that no one else could really understand (one of those "had to be there" situations).
We just thank the Lord that he's doing so well.
We found out tonight that one of our very dear friends found out she had a "mass" in her brain and will need to see a neurosurgeon about what's going on. Please pray for Annalie. She's a "very" special person in our lives--more on that later. Also, remember her husband, Gordon, who will be having some neck surgery very soon. They both need our prayers!
Darrell had his first appointment today with Dr. Elizabeth Falkenberg, who is a radiation oncologist with Clearview Cancer Institute in Huntsville. It was a good visit. All these visits to cancer clinics have made us appreciate Darrell's condition. There are so many others out there who are in really bad health and their cancer is causing such pain to them. God has been so good to Darrell.
Darrell had to tell the story a couple of times today about all the surgeries and other doctor visits, how they found the cancer, how he lost his voice, etc. Each time that he tells the story about how they found the cancer, the doctors and nurses seem amazed at how they found the cancer, since thyroid cancer is so hard to detect and there are not really any symptoms associated with it. We know that God allowed the doctors to find it in this early stage.
Dr. Falkenberg scheduled Darrell's radioactove iodine (RAI) treatment for Monday, March 17th. He'll have to check into Huntsville Hospital and stay there for about 48 hours. They'll give him an "internal" treatment rather than external treatment. He'll swallow a pill and then he will be considered radioactive for awhile and will have to be in the hospital room by himself. We've teased him about being one of those "glow worm" dolls that were popular when Amy was a child and that he'll be like a "glow in the dark" figure.
He'll be able to go home after 48 hours, but will need to be at home for about a week after that, but kinda hang out by himself (sleep in a room by himself, eat out of paper products, etc.). The next week, he can hang out with folks, but not for more than 8 hours at a time. The state of Alabama still requires that he do this. The doctors say that most of the other states don't have as stringent standards as Alabama still has on the effects of this radiactive iodine on the others around whoever has taken the RAI.
After about 10 days, Darrell will have to go back to the hospital and they will do a full body scan to see that all the cancer is gone (or if any had made its way to other parts of his body). This will determine if he will have to have another RAI treatment. If all goes as expected, ALL cancer will be gone from his body and they will continue to just do checkups every few months to see how he's doing.
He will have to take Synthrol (not sure of the spelling--have ya'll noticed I'm not the best speller in the world--especially medical terms?), which is a thyroid hormone--it will make Darrell's body think it still has a thyroid.
Darrell's doing pretty good. Today was a really good day. His medication is not making him feel so "funny" anymore and he didn't have as many "numb" feelings today. One good thing from today was the nurse that checked him in at the cancer institute had similar surgery, lost her voice, was a singer at church, and now her voice is back, good as new. She was able to share things with Darrell that he had wondered about, and that no one else could really understand (one of those "had to be there" situations).
We just thank the Lord that he's doing so well.
We found out tonight that one of our very dear friends found out she had a "mass" in her brain and will need to see a neurosurgeon about what's going on. Please pray for Annalie. She's a "very" special person in our lives--more on that later. Also, remember her husband, Gordon, who will be having some neck surgery very soon. They both need our prayers!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Followup Appointment with the First Surgeon
Darrell went to see Dr. Fernandez today (Monday). He was the first surgeon (from January 17). He was impressed with how good Darrell's voice was sounding compared to a couple of weeks ago. He referred him to Dr. Elizabeth Falkenberg, who is a radiation oncologist. She will be in charge of Darrell's radioactive iodine treatment. Dr. Fernandez said that she will probably put him on a low iodine diet for a little while before the radiation treatment for better success. Darrell has an appointment on Thursday with her. Also, Darrell will revisit Dr. Fernandez in about a month. He just wants to make sure that all the "pieces" are coming together for Darrell's complete recovery, from the cancer to the vocal chords.
Also, Dr. Peters, the surgeon from UAB, wants Darrell to stay in touch with Dr. LaFrentz, the ENT that he saw right after the first surgery and who referred Darrell to Dr. Peters at UAB. He wants Dr. LaFrentz to keep a check on the vocal chords. Darrell has an appointment with him on Friday. We will eventually get in touch with the endicronologists that Dr. Peters referred Darrell to, but that will be after the meeting with the oncologist.
Darrell also had additional bloodwork done today at Crestwood Hospital to check status of his calcium level. He keeps having "numb" experiences, and that is partly due to low calcium. He'll find out those results in a couple of days.
Darrell is not working this week, and we hope this break from work will allow his body to heal up even more from both of the surgeries and get adjusted to the new medicines. It will also allow him to have some down time to "slow" down life just a little and allow for some mental healing and some spiritual reflections. Everything has happened so fast. We're just so grateful to God for being right there with Darrell every step of the way. God has sent the right person at the right time with the right word to encourage Darrell throughout this whole ordeal.
One last note. Several folks have been concerned about how Darrell should be saving his voice, and not whispering. Darrell wants everyone to know that he is NOT whispering, that what you hear is the actual volume of his voice. His left nerve is what is damaged, not his vocal chords, so there is no damage being done to his vocal chords when he talks. That beautiful tenor voice will return again some day. That part is more discouraging than the cancer part, simply because it's more noticable, but we know that the vocal chord left nerve will begin functioning again--we're praying for SOON.
Also, Dr. Peters, the surgeon from UAB, wants Darrell to stay in touch with Dr. LaFrentz, the ENT that he saw right after the first surgery and who referred Darrell to Dr. Peters at UAB. He wants Dr. LaFrentz to keep a check on the vocal chords. Darrell has an appointment with him on Friday. We will eventually get in touch with the endicronologists that Dr. Peters referred Darrell to, but that will be after the meeting with the oncologist.
Darrell also had additional bloodwork done today at Crestwood Hospital to check status of his calcium level. He keeps having "numb" experiences, and that is partly due to low calcium. He'll find out those results in a couple of days.
Darrell is not working this week, and we hope this break from work will allow his body to heal up even more from both of the surgeries and get adjusted to the new medicines. It will also allow him to have some down time to "slow" down life just a little and allow for some mental healing and some spiritual reflections. Everything has happened so fast. We're just so grateful to God for being right there with Darrell every step of the way. God has sent the right person at the right time with the right word to encourage Darrell throughout this whole ordeal.
One last note. Several folks have been concerned about how Darrell should be saving his voice, and not whispering. Darrell wants everyone to know that he is NOT whispering, that what you hear is the actual volume of his voice. His left nerve is what is damaged, not his vocal chords, so there is no damage being done to his vocal chords when he talks. That beautiful tenor voice will return again some day. That part is more discouraging than the cancer part, simply because it's more noticable, but we know that the vocal chord left nerve will begin functioning again--we're praying for SOON.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Followup Appointment @ Kirklin Clinic
Darrell had a followup appointment today with Dr. Peters at the Kirklin Clinic. Everything is looking good. The pathology report from the 2nd surgery showed no cancer on the right side. It did report that there was scarring and the Hishimoto disease, but NO cancer! (Thank the Lord!)The incision is healing well.
The numbness that Darrell has been feeling since the 2nd surgery is only temporary and he needs to keep eating "Tums" to get the extra calcium in his body and the numbness will then go away. He was a little worried about eating the extra calcium since he has had kidney stones related to too much calcium in his body in the past.
Dr. Peters recommended an endocrinologist here in Huntsville to do the next phase, which will be radioactive iodine treatment (this will be taken orally). Darrell will have one of these treatments to destroy any lingering thyroid cells. This is normally done at a one or two day hospital stay, but we won't know all the details til Darrell meets with the new doctor.
Dr. Peters asked Darrell to keep seeing Dr. LaFrentz and Dr. Fernandez to keep an eye on the "numb nerve" in the vocal chords. He said that if his vocal chords had not begun working within 6 months, that he wanted to see him again and see what could be done surgically. We're praying that they will begin working again soon. His voice is stronger, but not back to normal yet. The left side is the only damaged side.
We certainly appreciate all the prayers so far and ask that you keep Darrell in your prayers throughout the remainder of this process. It's been a scary process but God has been so good! We love all you guys!
~Vickey
The numbness that Darrell has been feeling since the 2nd surgery is only temporary and he needs to keep eating "Tums" to get the extra calcium in his body and the numbness will then go away. He was a little worried about eating the extra calcium since he has had kidney stones related to too much calcium in his body in the past.
Dr. Peters recommended an endocrinologist here in Huntsville to do the next phase, which will be radioactive iodine treatment (this will be taken orally). Darrell will have one of these treatments to destroy any lingering thyroid cells. This is normally done at a one or two day hospital stay, but we won't know all the details til Darrell meets with the new doctor.
Dr. Peters asked Darrell to keep seeing Dr. LaFrentz and Dr. Fernandez to keep an eye on the "numb nerve" in the vocal chords. He said that if his vocal chords had not begun working within 6 months, that he wanted to see him again and see what could be done surgically. We're praying that they will begin working again soon. His voice is stronger, but not back to normal yet. The left side is the only damaged side.
We certainly appreciate all the prayers so far and ask that you keep Darrell in your prayers throughout the remainder of this process. It's been a scary process but God has been so good! We love all you guys!
~Vickey
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Learning to live with the medication
Today started kinda "tense", but got better as the day went on. Darrell was experiencing "numbing" around his mouth, in his hands, feet, legs, arms, and stomach. They had said at the hospital if he felt any numbness to call the doctor for further instructions. They suggested that he wasn't getting enough calcium (he was supposed to be eating 9 Tums tablets a day and he had not done that). He added more Tums today and it seems to be better. I think this will be a "process" that will be ongoing for awhile til he learns how to take the medication.
Other than that, it was a pretty easy day. I stayed at home with Darrell today, but plan to go back to work on Friday. I might have to fill out a job application to get back into my office.
Rene Cole brought over lunch today (roast and all the goodies and one of her great pecan pies). We sure did enjoy it!
Tomorrow, Darrell goes back to Birmingham for a followup appointment and hopefully we'll get some more details on the next phase of this process--the radioactive iodine pill.
~Vickey
Other than that, it was a pretty easy day. I stayed at home with Darrell today, but plan to go back to work on Friday. I might have to fill out a job application to get back into my office.
Rene Cole brought over lunch today (roast and all the goodies and one of her great pecan pies). We sure did enjoy it!
Tomorrow, Darrell goes back to Birmingham for a followup appointment and hopefully we'll get some more details on the next phase of this process--the radioactive iodine pill.
~Vickey
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