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
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
posted by Nathan's Blog... at 1:30 PM
7 Comments:
Nathan, Thank you for the update. You are learning all about the world of medicine. You spoke about morphine and other medical terms you knew little about two weeks ago.
Did you happen to watch the Iowa Purdue game today? It was an awesome game. I usually watch the game on the fly, that means I am cleaning or some other very important task :) and as I rush past the TV I catch a glimpse of what is happening. It got my attention today and I actually sat down and enjoyed the last quarter. It really annoys Matt when I say "Which team is wearing the red uniforms?" or whatever color and he knows I really am out in left field. :)
We will see you in church tomorrow. Have a good night. Sleep well, wake refreshed and rested. My prayer this evening is for a good night's sleep and a prayer of thanksgiving for the good Doctors you have had give you care the past two weeks. It seems they have been very prompt working you into their schedule and even though you have a very rare cancer, you have a Doctor who has treated patients with the same disease.
We are grateful that you are near the UIHC and don't have to travel for several hours each day for treatment.
Thanks for the update. Phyllis Litwiller
Hi Nathan. Thanks for posting your update. It is really nice to be able to keep track of your progress. It sounds like you have all the right doctors, we are thankful for them.
Jon is working late nights in the field now that the rain has finally stopped again. We are hoping he can finish towards the end of the week.
Our weekend consisted of trying to catch up on those things that we fell behind on during the busy week. I took the kids to cosmic bowling Saturday night, they had so much fun I lost track of how many games they bowled, but we were there for hours.
We didn't see you in church today becuase the Methodist Church, where we have been attending lately, had a celebration service to celebrate the ending of our 40 day of the purpose of life study. We held small study groups weekly for six weeks. It was a little different since I didn't know many people, but it was a good experience. Have you read that book? If not, I would be glad to give you mine. It is very thought provoking.
Jason has baseball practice every Sunday afternoon. Jacayla and Justin have piano lessons during this time as well.
Jacayla and I go to our Cooking Club again on Wednesday and plan to make some more meals for you. We will probably bring them by on Saturday.
Now that I have bored you to tears with my rambling. I will just close with reminding you that we are praying for you every day.
May Gods grace and healing be with you.
Becky Litwiller
Nathan,
Your brother gave me your website address. Thanks for sharing in what I know is a difficult time. When I was dealing with the surgery on my tongue, I figured the more people who knew about it and the more people I had praying for me, the better off I would be. We will be praying for you and your family along with the doctors.
Marcus
Nathan,
Browsing blogs always seems to have a theme. Today is God and Virginia. I just want to say that you are brave (I know I don't know you but you sound calm and in a difficult situation, I think that indicates bravery). I hope for great healing for you.
Hi Nathan,
I don't think you know me, but I know your folks and your brother Caleb grew up with my son, Peter. I just wanted you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers daily.
Kate Glinsmann
Nathan,
This is Wendy Pusey. My husband, Bob, and I know your parents. We have a son, Nathan, who is 20, so when we heard about you, it made us realize how this could be happening to our own son, and how difficult this must be for you and your family. Bob and I and all of us at Eicher Church have been praying for you and will continue to pray for you. One of the members got your blog site and forwarded it to many of us to update us. You and your family will be in our daily prayers as you face this detour in your life. That was the theme of Herb Yoder's sermon to us last Sunday. I think he had you in mind as he spoke and challenged all of us to look to Jesus when we face detours. You have already made a difference in our lives.
Hi Nathan,
It's been a while. I do believe that it is wonderful that you have this site. I know that you have touched many lives and you will be in many prayers. You are about to experience some very very tough times, but you will soon find that you and God (as one) are the winners. Through him you will find an inner strength you didn't know you had and when you believe that your fight will become mighty powerful. I do know that there are many inspiring cancer stories available, I do hope you take advantage of those. Cancer survivors are some of the most influential people on earth. You will be in my prayers.
With Love -lindsey van duyn
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