Thursday, August 27, 2009

Pray, PRay, PRAy, PRAY

I have a couple of requests I'd ask you to please, please pray for. First, my cousin Sherry's husband has cancer. Here is my latest update from her:

Here's the latest on Paul:
*His cancer is stage 3, but the doctor said that people put too much emphasis on those numbers, and even if it was stage 4 they would give him a 50% cure rate.
*Paul has to have all of his teeth pulled before they start radiation. He goes to the dentist on Tuesday for that.
*We have to go to Marquette 5 days each week for 7 weeks for radiation treatments.
*Chemo will also be necessary and they'll schedule it around the radiation treatments.
*On a scale of 1 to 10, Paul's pain will be at least a 9. Apparently there are a lot of nerves in the neck area and that's why it's a bad spot to have cancer. They said pain wise brain cancer would be easier.
*The PET scan did not show where the cancer actually started, which has the doctors puzzled. We went for a tonsil biopsy today and are hoping that's where the cancer originated. If they can pinpoint the origin, they can aim the radiation directly at it instead of basically covering a larger area and hoping they get it all.
*Paul won't be able to eat solid food after about 3 weeks of treatment. We are really going to have to get what nutrition we can into him, otherwise he'd end up on a feeding tube and I know he would not like that. I guess people get sores in their mouth and can't eat, etc. This is all just so scary ~ I still feel like we are talking about someone else.
*We got denied for Medicaid....go figure. We have no health insurance. We had to let it go last Jan. because we just couldn't afford it.........not sure what will happen in that area. We will apply for disability next. He should be on it for his back anyway, but you'd think cancer would certainly be a disability. Nothing will surprise me though.
I can't think of anything else right now. I just know that Paul is really nervous and I have to be the strong one and get us through this, even though I've never been more scared in my life. My brain cannot even consider any outcome other than the cancer being cured. I just can't imagine anything else, and maybe that's a good thing. I don't think it's really sinking in my brain yet ~ in a way it is but I still feel like "maybe they made a mistake", I don't know. Sorry, I'm probably rambling......nerves, lol. I'll let you know as I know more.

Please pray for them. It is unreal and hasn't even hit me yet. I spent more time with Sherry this summer when I was home than I probably ever have as an adult. It was just so nice to visit with her and that side of the family that I barely get to see.

On another note is prayers for my friend Jennifer. I've known there was a 'situation' for awhile and to be praying and only recently was brought to 'light' on what it was. Her husband is seeking a divorce. They have two small children, ages 4 and 2 and she is 7 months pregnant. I'm not sure what triggered it, but it's almost like he's not thinking straight. He was leading a small group for their church and seemed to be growing in Christ, left for a TDY and then called and told her the news. He's been home for not even 2 weeks yet and just moved out last night. Jenn meets with a lawyer tomorrow. He is supposed to be meeting with a church elder sometime in the near future. It is such a devastating situation, so much more than I can type here. My heart is breaking for my friend and her family. Please pray for them. Pray that his heart turns back to God. Pray that he just hits a brick wall and realizes the mistake he's making here. Pray for Jenn, the children and the unborn baby (she's already been to the hospital a few times with many contractions).

Thank you so much my friends!!! I've seen God work in other situations and I know He can work in these ones as well.

5 comments:

Kim said...

Wow Jamie such devastating news. I will definitely pray for them. They're both just really sad situations breaks my heart as well.Trust in the Lord!I'm sure maybe you'll be a huge help and comforter to them both in their time of need. I'll pray for you also

Our4Monkeys said...

I'm praying... What kind of cancer does your cousin's husband have? Nate's dad had cancer in a similar area so that's why I'm curious--he had most of the same things done! He had tonsil cancer.

DDanielle said...

What just horrible news in both situations. But nothing is impossible to God. Praying for them both!

Sherry said...

Hi,

This is Jamie's cousin Sherry. I would like to thank you all for thinking about and praying for us ~ we really appreciate it.
Wildcat asked what kind of cancer Paul has ~ It is called Squamous Cell Cancer of the head and neck, with an unknown primary, which means they don't know where it originated. We are waiting on the tonsil biopsy report to see if it started there. If that is not the point of origin, we move on and start treatments without knowing the source. The doctor said that the treatment will pretty much be the same anyway. I'm curious to know what happened to the person that you mentioned having tonsil cancer, but at the same time, I'm afraid to know......I hope it turned out well.

Thanks again,
Sherry

I am OK said...

I will certainly add these to my prayer list.

Jamie