Monday's coming too soon.

Hello,

Monday is another big chemo treatment day for me. I will be receiving all three chemotherapy drugs and will be in the hospital overnight. This round of chemo is really hard on my body and it makes me feel like crap for a good two weeks. I would appreciate all of your prayers as this is hard on me emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I hope my parents are able to drag me into the hospital because I am starting to feel a little bit better and may be able to put up a pretty good fight :). I will be praying that the Lord lifts me up and carries me through the treatment and pain that follows.

Nathan

Prayer Suggestions

Hello,

Jane Davis and Becky Widmer inspired me to create a list of specific prayer requests for persons who are praying for me. Since cancer is such a broad concern, this may help you pray for some of my specific needs.

1. Pray that the chemotherapy continues to melt away the tumors growing in my abdomen, behind my trachea, in my neck, and throughout my lymph areas in my torso.
2. Pray that there is no more tumor growth in my groin where one tumor has already been surgically removed.
3. Pray for the destruction of the cancer cells in my bone marrow.
4. Pray for spiritual and emotional strength for my family and I as there is still a long road ahead with treatment.
5. Pray for my physical strength.
6. Pray that the side effects of chemo will be kept to an unusual minimum. They are nausea, pain, weakened immune system, numbness in my hands and feet, possible kidney damage, and just feeling sick.
7. Pray that my body will be able to avoid any life threatening infections.

Roger Farmer, a friend of mine who also encouraged me to make this prayer list, suggests the following ways for people to pray.

1. Pray for Nathan, Tim, Carol, Erika and Caleb (maybe 5 – 10 minutes for each person).
2. Focus on the healing stories in the Gospels where Jesus preformed incredible miracles and ask God to do the same for Nathan.
3. Pray the various Psalms that focus on healing: Psalms 6, 22, 38, 41, 88, 103 are a few Psalms to start with.

Thanks for all your prayers,

Nathan

Chemo Went Fine Today

Hi everyone,

This morning I got up and took a shower to get ready for my third treatment of chemotherapy. To my surprise, as I washed my hair my hands were covered in hair. I was told that loosing my hair would happen, but never the less it was still a shock. Loosing my hair isn’t the greatest worry though, even though it will be noticeable, since there are worse possible side effects.

By 9:30, my parents and I were heading up highway 218 to Iowa City for my treatment. Today was fortunately the second of my lighter doses of chemo. It is only one shot and its side effects are not as painful as when I receive all three of my drugs at once. So, I am actually feeling pretty good today even though I received chemotherapy. I haven’t even felt very nauseous lately, but eating is still difficult. I don’t find very many foods appealing and it is hard for me to eat large amounts of what I do like. Therefore, keeping my weight up is something I am constantly working at.

Even though I don’t enjoy going to the hospital in the least bit one thing that is nice about the cancer center is the wonderful staff they have. Every one from the receptionists to the doctors are incredibly nice, which makes the biggest difference in how I perceive my treatment. The nurses that I have had have been so incredible that even though they poke me with sharp objects and make me swallow things I would rather not swallow I still like them and that makes the hospital visits so much easier to manage.

I have been asked to include some of the things that people can be praying for. One thing I would appreciate prayer for is my upcoming chemo treatment. It is the big one (all three drugs) and my body can use all the preparation and prayer it can have in a week for this treatment. While I have found many ways to manage my pain, I still do have some pain and would like to be getting off some of my pain medication as soon as possible. So, that is something I would also appreciate prayer for.

Even though it may sound redundant that I end most of my writings with a thank you, I must continue to do so as I am still receiving so many cards, packages, and prayers!

May God be present in everyone’s life that is involved with my struggle with cancer,
Nathan

Good News

Good News,
Just a quick update to let you know we brought Nathan home from the hospital this evening. Nathan’s white blood cell count came up and his fever is under control so the doctor said he could come home. We learn to celebrate these kinds of victories and to thank God for answered prayers. We are also very grateful for the wonderful care Nathan gets from his doctors and nurses at the University Hospital in Iowa City. They have been great. Thanks for your ongoing prayer support!!

Tim & Carol

Nathan Update and prayer list

Greetings,
A quick update so you know how to pray for Nathan. Nathan’s white blood cell count was still too low for him to come home yesterday, so he continues to be at the hospital. We are thankful that his pain seems to be better managed with medication and that he has been eating a little better (breakfast kinds of things). We are also thankful that Nathan’s attitude is good. Yesterday Carol commented about how long it was taking for his meds to arrive after he requested some pain medication. Nathan responded, “you just have to have patience mom.” This whole cancer thing is all about patience. Pray for Nathan that his white blood cell count will increase and that he will be protected from a life threatening infection. Continue to pray that Nathan’s appetite will continue to improve, that his pain can continue to be managed well, that the chemo continues to kill the cancer growing in his body and that his body can grow back the good cells his body needs to heal. Nathan’s third chemo treatment is scheduled for Monday. Words are not adequate to express our thanks and appreciation for all your concern, prayers and support. May you know God’s blessing in your life and in your family as you pray for Nathan. Thank you!

Tim & Carol

Another Side Effect

Greetings All,
This afternoon Nathan developed a fever so we took him to the cancer clinic to see the doctor. His white blood count was very low so Nathan is now in the hospital for IV fluids and antibiotics. The doctor said this is to be expected and is a sign that the chemo is working. We are thankful that Nathan has had less nausea, however, yesterday he had increased pain. Pray with us that Nathan’s body will rapidly build new white blood cells so his body can fight infection and that his pain will decrease. We never know what each day will bring, but we do know that Nathan is in God’s hands. Thanks for your prayers.

Tim Detweiler

Many Steps Yet To Take

Hi,
It has almost been a week now since I received my first chemo treatment, and it has been a hard week. Receiving chemo zapped all my energy plus made my stomach nauseous. After being awake for two hrs., I am generally ready for another nap. But, I really don’t mind sleeping because when I am sleeping, time seems to go faster and this is one time of my life that I don’t mind if time slips away. The worst thing for me right now is constantly feeling nauseous and keeping food down is my biggest challenge. For the most part, I drink juices, milkshakes, applesauce, water, pills, and have been able to eat a little bit of raisin bran. I need to be careful about what I eat though because even the smells of regular food makes me want to vomit, and the sight of food has actually caused me to spill my beans.
I enjoy visitors stopping by for short visits because it helps speed up my day. My most recent visitors, Jerry and Lois K. helped me to talk about God and my relationship with him during this time. It isn’t the easiest of conversations but one thing that I learned from the conversation was the importance of worshiping God every day of my life, even now. That doesn’t always mean that times are joyful and peaceful but rather expressing my desire to remain connected to God, no matter how much pain I may be going through. I think that is a valuable lesson.
Kendra King also visited me this weekend. It was great to be able to spend time with her. She took me out on a drive to Crooked Creek Christian Camp which was so much fun since I spend so much of my time in my living room. It was also nice to have Emily Summers and Jill Widmer, who were in Iowa for the weekend, stop by.
I unfortunately was unable to go to church on Sunday because of my stomach. It is so frustrating how my stomach is in complete control of my life right now! Throughout this coming week, I ask for prayers for my nausea to decrease and for other side effects to be minimized.
Today, I went to see the dr because of a sore throat, nausea, and pain. They gave me IV fluids and decided to give me my 2nd chemo treatment while I was there. I had planned to have it tomorrow. It’s not supposed to give me more nausea. Thanks for all your prayers.
Nathan

Nathan's chemo update

Nathan received his first round of chemotherapy treatments yesterday, 11/10/04 and was able to come home this afternoon. The chemo hit him pretty hard. Last evening was difficult with some unpleasant side effects from the treatments. This afternoon and evening he has been able to rest well with the help of his medications. Our hope and prayer is that the chemo will begin shrinking the tumors growing in Nathan’s body and kill the cancer cells. We also know that the side effects of chemo can be very hard on the body. This journey of chemo treatments is uncharted territory for us. We do not know what all lies ahead on this journey, but we do know that Nathan is in God’s loving arms and that Nathan’s healing is in God’s hands. We trust in the healing grace of God to see us through this journey. Pray with us that the good cells in Nathan’s body will quickly grow back following his chemo treatments and that the cancer cells will be destroyed. Thank you so much for all your prayers and support. Nathan’s dad,

Tim

Chemo Starts Tomorrow

Hi!

Once again, I want to thank you all for the many ways you are supporting me through your prayer, cards, phone calls, packages, meals and on and on. I am truly impressed with the many creative ways you find to show your support. It means a lot!

I had another visit to the University of Iowa yesterday (Monday). The nature of this visit was to find out how far the cancer has spread throughout my body. But, first I think I should share one of my joys from the hospital, as strange of a joy as it may seem. I had the surprise of getting my blood tested again. Although I hate needles, this time was the best blood drawling experience I have ever had. It was amazing, not that I would think of it as being a Friday night activity, but it was the least painful blood test I have ever had. I just wish they were all that painless.

So far, my visits at the University have been a game of waiting and yesterday was no different. After getting my blood tested, I waited for a room. Then I got a room and I waited for my first doctor to come in and after talking with her I waited for my second doctor to come in. But, I am actually quite used to it by now and it really doesn’t bother me. After talking with my first doctor, and then both of them together, I learned that my cancer has fortunately not spread to my bones. Although, I do have some cancer cells in my bone marrow, but not enough yet to effect my blood cell production. Even though they found cancer cells in my bone marrow, it does not change my treatment plan. As of now, I will be going to the University tomorrow (Wednesday) to begin my chemotherapy. My treatment plan is that I will receive three different kinds of chemotherapy every first in a rotation of three weeks, which will require me to stay over night in the hospital due to the severity of the possible side effects. On the second and third week, I will only be receiving one of the drugs and will be able to receive this chemotherapy as an outpatient. On the bright side, I will only be receiving chemotherapy once a week, which means I don’t have to spend all of my time in the hospital.

As you pray for me this week, pray for strength. I ask you to pray that the chemotherapy is effective in destroying the cancer cells and that I experience very minimal side effects. And also pray that God remains right by my side as I go through this difficult treatment among any other prayer that may come to your mind.

May the peace of God be with us all,
Nathan

More doctors all the time :)

Hello once again-

I am sitting at home realizing that there is a lot that has happened in the past week that I should tell you about. On Monday, I had an appointment with my new doctor, Dr. Hohl. He is the director of the Cancer Center of the University of Iowa. So, I guess I get to work with the top guy. It isn’t because I am so special that I get this doctor, but rather because my cancer is so rare. He has worked with around 13 other clients in the past 15 or so years with rhabdomyosarcoma. It is nice to know that the person I will be working with has dealt with this cancer before. In addition, since this cancer is more common in younger children, Dr. Hohl will be working closely with the pediatric doctors and I will be following their protocols as I begin to receive treatment. During this meeting, it sounded like I would begin to receive Chemotherapy this coming Monday. But, I don’t think it will happen that soon anymore. I will just have to wait and see. After having this meeting with Dr. Hohl, my family’s spirits were lifted as he gave us hope for even the possibility of curing my cancer. But, we will have a more accurate idea of how my specific cancer will respond once I start Chemo. It seems that each person’s who has rhabdomayosarcoma responds a bit differently. I hope and pray that my cancer will be defeated by Chemo, and that God will help me through it all.

Then on Tuesday, I spent another long day at the University of Iowa. This time my visit was to see just how far the cancer has spread throughout my body. I had a bone scan, and a bone marrow biopsy to see if the cancer has spread to my bones. The bone scan was simple with only an injection of some sort of chemical that glows and then spending 20 minutes lying on a bed that moved with big radio cameras taking pictures of me. It was interesting to watch my skeleton slowly show up on the computer screen. The second test of the day was not so much fun though and I am still feeling the results of it today as the two spots they poked and prodded in my lower back ach and ach all day long. While they numbed the two spots they took the biopsy from and I had a sedative and morphine in me, the bone marrow biopsy was the strangest pain that I have ever experienced. I don’t know quite how to describe it. You will have to try it someday, but be prepared because it hurts a lot during and after. Oh, one more thing, during the biopsy, it was my job to tell the doctor if he was putting his needles in the numbed areas of my back or if he was missing, not a fun job!

But, that is all done with, and other than an achy back, I am feeling the best I have felt since my surgery last Tuesday (the doctors say that my surgery was similar to hernia surgery). I can actually get off the couch fairly quickly (by myself) and my 90-year-old hobble is nearly gone. In addition, my sister and Kendra came up from Kansas to visit me this past weekend, which was really nice.

I also want to thank all of you for the many cards, e-mail messages, flowers, phone calls, and prayers that you continue to provide me with. They all mean so very much to me. Cancer has just sort of interrupted and changed my life. And while I am learning a lot, please continue to remember me in your prayers as I am going through the toughest thing I have ever had to deal with in my life before.

Nathan

Life is full of surprises, but they're just not all fun!

Hello-

It is me again . . . another mass e-mail to tell you how I am doing. And, unfortunately, I don’t bring good news. Friday afternoon I got back the preliminary results of pathology report on the lump they took out of my body. A lump that quite frankly I didn’t care to lose :). My doctor explained to my family and I that I have a type of cancer that is called sarcoma, which is a cancer that develops in the fleshy parts of one’s body (muscles, tendons, and fatty tissues). So, that is what I have. It is crazy that after you are diagnosed with something that is worse than a previously bad diagnosis, you end up wishing for what you were first diagnosed. For me it started out as a simple cyst, and now I have sarcoma!!!! I want the lymphoma, which I never thought I would have said until after finding out that I had sarcoma.

In short, the road to recovery will be very long and hard. I was reading that I will receive chemo for around 10 months accompanied with radiation therapy and more surgery. The way I see it is that the only way for me to get over this is with a miracle from God, so please keep praying for me. There are survivors and I pray that I will be one of them.

I also want to thank all you have prayed for me, given me cards, called, and sent me flowers. The flowers are really beautiful, thanks Goshen College and Emily Sommers (tell your family thanks for me too)!

May our Lords peace be with us all,
Nathan

Fearful Possibilities of Cancer

Hi Everyone-

Today was another day at the doctors with my parents. As many of you know, but not all of you, I have received the unfortunate news that I may be dealing with lymphoma. I found this out last week after having x-rays taken of my chest because of extreme pain in my ribs, followed by a CAT scan. Since then I have left Goshen College, hoping to return shortly, and am now at home with my family. I am having a really relaxing time with my family, despite the pain, which I am taking painkillers for. So, since I am sure you all may be wondering how I am doing I thought I would send you this e-mail to give you an update to how I am doing.

Last Friday was a really hard day for my family and I as we got the news. I think I may have cried more that day than ever before in my life. I think I may have slept all day Saturday because I haven’t had a good night of sleep for the past month, because of all the pain. Then on Sunday, I had a wonderful church service. I was anointed for healing and we had a lot of powerful prayer and singing. Then the pastors opened the service up for anyone who wanted to be anointed for any pain (emotionally, physically, spiritually) and there were a number of people who went up to pray and be anointed. It was a really powerful worship service. Then as I was relaxing at home I began to get phone calls from people from Ohio all the way to Mexico and I was touched as I realized how many people where really praying for me. It means a lot to me!

Today I had an afternoon full of doctors and needles in Iowa City. The newest information is that I need to have surgery tomorrow morning to remove one of the suspected primary masses that will be used for a biopsy. So, after tomorrow, the doctors are saying that we will have a much better idea of what I am dealing with. My surgery is at 9:30am, so I would really appreciate all of your prayers.

One thing that I have done is given this whole thing over to God. I realize that it is completely out of my control. So, I have been praying a lot and really appreciate the prayers that all of you are praying.

May we all be taking plenty of time to pray, I need it!
Nathan
p.s. fell free to forward this to anyone who you think would like to know how I am doing. They can send me their e-mail address if they would like further updates.