He Speaks!!

Oh, what a happy day this is for me!

After almost 5 days of what I guess was his detox time, DJ Bigelow is awakening!  He is emerging!  He is speaking and interacting!  He is ALIVE!!

On our early evening walk yesterday around downtown Paso Robles, we happened upon three different sets of persons, and DJ exchanged words with them!

And today he spent some more time interacting and speaking and working on a little project in which his body was upright (although he did sit as much as he could, rather than stand).  And this evening we paid a short visit to his friends at the police station; and we shared a sushi meal with a friend and several 12-and13-year olds (including our own).  DJ has returned!  His body has been here, but it felt as if his soul or his essence or his nature had left - but he is back. This makes me so HAPPY!

DJ's body is still very tired, which is completely understandable in light of the major surgery he has recently undergone.  He continues to take acetaminophen and ibuprofen around the clock to manage his pain (which remains minimal).  But it is so wonderful that his personality is returning!

I need to get a little more creative at my photo journalism.  Here is a selfie, taken while DJ spoke on the telephone.

My advice to you, dear reader - Don't do drugs!

Here are beautiful words I read this morning in A Path Through Suffering: Discovering the Relationship Between God's Mercy and Our Pain, by Elisabeth Elliott: "She asked for God's help and she got it.  Grace enables us to do what we can't."  Wow.  These words were not written about me 20+ years ago; but they are true of me!  I cannot say it enough - I am so deeply humbled and grateful for the prayers you offer to the LORD on our behalf.  He hears you; He is answering; thank you so very much.  Please don't stop!  :-)  

Nine Days Post-Partum - I mean, Post-Op

Hello, there, Family and Friends,

Well, it's a strange space I find us in this week, nine days after DJ's rib resection and at the end of the week in which we have returned to our home.  He tolerated the surgery so well, it is such a relief from the pain that the tumor is removed, DJ worked so diligently to get himself out of the hospital, and it is so good to be home; his pain is minimal, he and I continue to walk twice a day for a total of a mile or more (today we cranked out two miles!); he is doing "fine".  But...he feels very lethargic and lacking in energy.  He is very quiet and mostly non-interactive.  He is often uncomfortable, and he is restless and sleepless at night.

I speculate that a few things are at play:  firstly, that being operated upon is energy draining, and that it takes time to heal and recover from such an ordeal.  It reminds me of a "postpartum" lull.  As well, after 4.5 weeks of taking narcotic drugs for pain management, DJ was weary of the effects they had on his digestive system and on his body in general - so he abruptly discontinued their use last Wednesday and switched to Tylenol and Ibuprofen for pain management.  I wonder if he is experiencing symptoms of withdrawal from those drugs.  In addition to what is happening in DJ's body, there is also a lot of unknown in regards to the future, as well as the likelihood of chemotherapy and additional anti-cancer treatment (not exactly pleasant and happy expectations for him).  Surgery is past, but there is a lot going on!  Thank you for praying for him - please don't stop! 

I am hopeful that as each day passes, his body and his heart and his mind will regain strength and energy and hope and vision and healthy stimulation and usefulness and contribution.  I am sure that one day soon he will wake up and say, "I feel better!"  Well, perhaps he won't express himself in quite that manner; but I am hopeful!  :-)  I am happy to report that tonight, a longtime-friend paid a short visit, and his crazy and funny manner coaxed a smile or two out of DJ.  Hooray!  This makes me happy, and feeds my hope!  

Even more than that, I am given much opportunity to exercise my faith in the grace and the goodness and the presence and the power and the glory and the beauty of Jesus.  Every day, I ask the LORD to give us some more and some more and some more and some more grace.  I wonder that sometimes people think we annoy or bother God when we come to Him asking for help; but I think it is quite the opposite - I believe that God is magnified and honored when we ask Him again and again and again for more and more grace.  God is the Giver of life and help and grace, and I think that we honor the LORD by asking again and again.  "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  So I shall continue to ask.  And I pray that my faith will be strengthened and that it will continue to grow as we pass through these times.

What do you think of that?  

As always, I am deeply grateful for your love and kindness and prayers and expressions of generosity.  You are the administration of God's grace to us; thank you!  

Here is a screen shot of today's selection from "Jesus Calling", very apt for me at this time:

And here is a cute and funny photo of Caedmon Van Bigelow, ready to take an evening walk with his father and mother one day this week, in his pajamas, even.  

The end, for now.  Thank you for loving us!!

Home again, Home agin...

Hi, Friends!

I was very happy to drive all the way home to Paso Robles yesterday - there is no place like home!  We returned to Alexandra, who had remained in Paso Robles while we were away on a surgical adventure in order that she could continue to participate in the Cuesta College History class she is taking this summer, as well as to bake and to watch Broadway musicals and to care for the animals .  Alexandra also helped to work a parking lot fundraiser for DJ's volleyball team while we were away - she is a good kid!  I love and appreciate her!

 

The car ride from San Jose to Paso Robles was uncomfortable for DJ's body, but he endured it and settled in peacefully to resting on our couch at home and taking a walk for proper exercise.  He calls me the "Slave Driver", since I suggest often that we continue walking at home as we did in the hospital, to continue the recovery from surgery as well as for overall health and well-being.  Have you taken a walk today?  Many functions of the body are improved by the simple movement of walking - I highly suggest it!

Oh, how happy is Bradley the dog that DJ has returned home!

DJ and Alex took a walk around our neighborhood, but neither of them would smile for my camera

 

For now, the agenda is to recover fully from surgery.  DJ is trying to wean himself from the prescription pain meds - he does not like the other affects that they have on his body.  I hope and pray that his body is healing and strengthening with each passing hour post-surgery; and that infection will not come to him (he has had have a low-grade temperature along with some body chills and sweats the past couple days).  Thank you for loving us and for praying for us!  God's grace and mercy are ours in abundance, and I am CERTAIN that your prayers are a part of that administration!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Three Days Post-Op and Discharge!

Good evening!  

This has been an eventful and happy day!  This morning after breakfast, DJ and I walked 7 laps around the hospital halls of floor 10, which equals more than 1/2 mile (yesterday we walked a total of 18 laps, which equals 1.5 miles); we began another game of cribbage (yesterday DJ won a game and I won a game):

Dr. Theodore paid a visit and removed DJ's JP drain; the nurse removed all other IV's and heart and blood pressure monitors; 

An IV-free hand!  Hooray!!

A member of the thoracic team stopped by to give us discharge instructions; we reviewed the instructions and DJ signed the paperwork; 

GI oncologist Dr. Ko happened to be at the hospital, and he paid a visit to discuss with DJ next-step treatment options regarding the two nodules which remain in DJ's mediostinum (the middle part of his chest), and next-step treatment options regarding keeping the disease from recurring (more on that later); and, we departed the UCSF and drove to DJ's parents' home in San Jose.  The car ride was a bit uncomfortable for DJ's post-surgical body, so we decided to rest in San Jose for the night and return to Paso Robles tomorrow. 

DJ took a shower and a nap; 

I beat the kids and the mother-in-law TWICE at Monopoly Empire; 

and DJ and I walked four blocks around the neighborhood in the FRESH air.  DJ and I finished the cribbage game begun this morning (he won).  What a great day!  I am very grateful and hopeful!

Thank you for loving us!

Two Days Post-Op

I think I may have neglected to mention in prior posts what exactly occurred to DJ's body with the surgery; whoops! Dr. Theodore removed 2 of DJ's ribs along with a fairly large tumor (he told me that it measured near to 3x5 inches - yikes!  No wonder he was in such pain these weeks and months prior to now!)  Dr. Theodore had presented DJ's case to the Tumor Board prior to surgery, and they decided to not introduce a foreign object in the way of a reconstructive mesh into DJ's chest cavity, in order to spare him the chance of infection.  So DJ's strong muscles are holding him together!

Today I am happy to report that DJ's recovery is moving steadily forward!  Part of the reason is that he is dedicated to getting himself out of the hospital, so he walks and hydrates and does the things that cause a body to heal from surgery.  Part of the reason, as I have heard him tell the nurse and the doctors, is that the pain of the tumor was so great prior to surgery that he is relieved with having undergone the procedure - even though getting cut into is also painful.  Most of the reason is that you are praying and God's grace and mercy are abundant.

DJ's epidural was weaned to the lowest dose possible during the night; he and I walked 4 laps this morning; the Thoracic Fellows paid a visit and are almost astonished at how well his post-surgical pain is managed (as I mentioned before, the pain of the tumor in his body was so great that he is relieved by having had it removed), and they ordered the epidural line to be removed completely from his body.  We watched the last hour of the British Open; he took a little nap; he ate his lunch sitting upright in a chair; the anesthesiologist removed the epidural catheter; DJ is doing remarkably well!

(The grimace you see on DJ's face in the photograph below is due to the intense pain he feels when the tape that holds catheters and tubes is RIPPED away from his body.  I think that the tape removal pain is greater for him than the post-surgical pain, to this point.)

The next walk we took was 5 laps, unhindered by the IV line since the epidural was removed.  Hooray!  And DJ's parents and Brooke and Caed visited after lunch, each one taking a lap or two with DJ around floor 10.

The first walk without an IV pole!

Only one thing remains protruding from within him, a small "JP drain" to keep yucky stuff from filling up inside DJ's chest cavity.  (I learned that the JP drain is named after the man who invented the device; "JP" are his initials.  Perhaps I can invent something that will be called the "HB Something"  :-)  DJ could possibly have been released from the hospital today, but that means that we would be responsible to care for the drain.  Since I have not yet received my nursing degree, I opt for one more night's stay in order that Dr. Theodore may visit tomorrow and hopefully order the removal of that last tube before we depart. 

DJ's pain management now consists only of oral medications and a patch, which are essentially the same as what he has been taking the past month since we learned of the tumor's presence and have awaited surgery.  Except now that the tumor has vacated the premises, and every day that passes his cells are regenerating, I am hopeful that he will feel increasingly well and good and healthy!  Hooray for surgery!

Thank you for loving us!  

One Day Post-Op, Part Two

Good evening -

It is the end of the day, and it has been a pretty good one as far as I am concerned.  It was the aim of DJ's nurse that he walk three times today, and he walked four times - "extra credit", she said.  Twelve laps equals one mile, and we walked three laps per time, for a total of one mile of hospital-hall walking today.  Hooray!

DJ's pain continues to be managed well.  The epidural flow will begin to lessen during the night in hopes that it will be removed from his body tomorrow.  He is eating and digesting well, the Foley catheter was removed this afternoon, and things are moving right along.  I am grateful for the healing process, and for the determination and courage and work that DJ does to move through that process.

Thank you for praying for us!  Thank you for loving us!  Good night!  xoxoxo

One Day Post-Op

Good morning!  

DJ was moved to the tenth floor, to "Cardiac/Vascular/Thoracic" land, at 7:00 pm yesterday.  He suggested to the Recovery nurse that patients should be roomed together according to their tastes in television: there could be a sports room, a game show room, a cooking show room, et cetera.  DJ has been assigned the bed farthest from the door and nearest the window, which is lucky for him.  I left him at 9:00 pm and returned today at 7:45 am.  His pain seems to be managed well - even though the epidural is set at a fairly low dose, he hasn't pushed the button at all to request more.  I hope that is a good indicator of things to come, although the test will come when the epidural is removed.

The hospital is a busy place to be - the phlebotomist comes to draw blood, the x-ray technician pushes the big machine into the room to take pictures, the team of weekend doctors come to check in, the nurse makes her rounds; sadly, none of these persons ask if I would like to take a photograph of them to be featured here.  So in order to protect their privacy, I have resorted to convincing DJ to be the subject of my photographic efforts (he does so begrudgingly); I also attempt to make use of inanimate objects:

Good morning!  One day post-op!

This morning DJ stood up and took two steps toward the window to lean against the sill and look out at the view.  The doctors told him to take some more steps today - and the nurse would like him to walk at least three times.  She suggested that the Foley catheter may come out, as well.  Inch by inch, little by little, hour by hour.  I'm so grateful for cells that regenerate and for the ability of the body to heal as time passes.

For now DJ alternates between watching the British Open and taking little cat naps.  He is mostly quiet but very lucid.

The end, for now.  Thank you for loving us!  :-)

Dear Diary, Part 2

Dear Diary, 

Here is how I have spent the rest of my day since noon -

12:00 pm - posted "Surgery Update" to this blog, and waited a little longer in the Surgery Waiting Area.

12:45 pm - I joined DJ in the Post-Anesthesia-Care Unit, a.k.a. PAC-U (which happens to be the same place in which pre-op occurred).

Since then, I have been sitting by DJ's bedside while he waits for a bed to be ready in a hospital room.  Apparently, the UCSF Medical Center Hospital is a very popular place to be, and the beds are filled up!  Which doesn't matter much to us, since DJ's pain is managed very well (hooray for an epidural!).  With pain managed well, we are patient and happy for whatever.

DJ has been visited by a pain-management specialist, by Dr. Theodore, and by a medical student who assisted or observed the procedure.  He also has been visited and x-rayed by the x-ray girls.  This PAC-U place is an interesting place to wait, since there is a fair amount of activity happening around us with other post-operative patients coming and going.  One man was very chit chatty with his nurses, and I think he was feeling very happy with his pain meds!  DJ is mostly quiet, his eyes are closed 98 per cent of the time as if he is asleep; although he tells me that he is not sleeping and aware of everything occurring around us.  He has eaten some applesauce and jello. He seems peaceful and at ease.  

The end, for now.

Surgery Update

Dear Diary, Here is how I've spent my day thus far:

4:15 am - my alarm sounded, so that I could shower and groom and be fresh for the day!

5:00 am - DJ and I drove away from his parents' home in San Jose where Caedmon and Brooke are hanging out.

6:00 am - DJ was admitted for surgery.

6:30 am - DJ changed into his hospital gown and visited with the admit nurse, the anesthesiologists, the OR nurse and Dr. Theodore.  "What was the last thing you ate?" was a frequent question (can you guess what DJ consumed most recently?).

A selfie before surgery

7:30 am - I kissed him goodbye and watched DJ be wheeled away to the Operating Room.

10:10 am - I took a walk and climbed 5 flights of stairs for exercise; I bumped into Dr. Theodore in the stairwell - we both seemed surprised to see each other there.  "I am reviewing films and I will see you in a bit", he said; "I'm climbing the stairs for exercise!" I said.

11:20 - am Dr. Theodore found me in the Surgical Waiting Area to report that the procedure is complete and that DJ tolerated it well.  We expected him to be sent to the ICU after recovery, but Dr. Theodore believes that DJ will be moved directly to a hospital room - hooray!  That's a good sign, I'd say!  I hope to wait only one hour more, then join DJ either in recovery or in his room.

Thank you for loving us!

Softball Excitement and Surgery Date

Hello, People Whom We Love!  Thank you for loving us!

DJ and I returned to lovely Paso Robles late Wednesday night from visiting with Dr. Theodore at the UCSF.  I was weary of traveling and suggested that we stay home for a spell while we waited for a surgery date.  The very next day, Thursday July 10, our daughter Brooke Bigelow traveled with her softball team to San Diego, California to participate in the California State Games.  DJ had been feeling very ill on Wednesday as we traveled back and forth, and my body was weary of driving the car.  But DJ really wanted to watch Brooke's team play in the games (the last tournament of this season, for which her team had worked hard to qualify to participate).  After contemplating and praying, we decided to attend.  And boy howdy, how glad I am that we did!

The pitcher and the catcher resting between innings

Besides being loved on and spoiled by friends in Carlsbad on the way down and in Agoura on the way home, and being loved on and spoiled by our softball family for the entire weekend, the softball tournament was SO EXCITING!!  The Bearcat All-Stars played 9 games in total, 4 do-or-die games on Saturday and 4 do-or-die games on Sunday, to win first place (and Brookelow caught all 9 games)!!  They just never gave up; they kept on going and persevering and fighting and diligently working hard- and I am so proud of their excellence of character!  The fact that they won first place was very fun and wonderful and exciting!  And it was such a great way to pass the time as we waited some more to be scheduled for surgery; DJ alternated between standing at the end of the dugout with the team (but not too close to the action, since his rib is compromised) and sitting or lying down on the bleacher bench.  Between games, he rested at the hotel.  It was the perfect blend of moving and breathing and engaging and being alive, and resting and finding relief from his pain by lying down.  I am so glad that we attended!  :-) 

I am also very grateful for our daughter Alexandra, who tags along and goes with the flow and helps carry all the gear back and forth, and plays with the little brothers so the mommas and daddys can watch the games.  Alex is a groovy chick! Several persons have suggested that she consider being a pre-school teacher.  :-) (Caedmon is not represented in these photos because watching multiple softball games in the hot weather with hardly a break in between is not his idea of a good time; he spent the weekend with gramma).

Alex and the boys, playing in the mud

Whew!  What a weekend, what a fun time, and what a great way to pass the time some more as we wait!

We learned upon our arrival home that DJ's surgical procedure is scheduled for this coming Friday, July 18, bright and early - which is great, since that means Dr. Theodore will be fresh and energetic and able to do his best work on DJ's body!  The nurse suggested that the recovery in the hospital could be a week or so; and now we are making what preparations are needed for that to occur.  Hooray!  After a month of waiting since the June 20 CT scan/diagnosis, I am happy for some action!  

Here is what I will be praying and working to memorize as the procedure occurs this Friday: "I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.  I keep my eyes always on the LORD.  With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  Therefore, my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.  You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand" (Psalm 16:7-11).

This blog is a handy-dandy way to keep ya'll informed of DJ's progress, and I will do my best to update it often.  Thank you again for loving us!

A three-fold plan

Dear Everyone Who Loves Us, 

Thank you for loving us!  I am deeply and humbly grateful for the ways that God's grace is administered to us by your prayers and support and generosity and expressions of love and friendship.  Surely this is the reason that we are sane and patient and sustained.  Thank you very much!

On Wednesday most recently, DJ and I visited with Dr. Pierre Theodore at the UCSF Medical Center.  Dr. Theodore reviewed DJ's CT scan of June 20 and his PET scan of July 3.  The good news is that "No worrisome hypermetabolism is present" in the head, neck, abdomen/pelvis, musculoskeletal, extremities, or skin.  Hooray!  At least the cancer is limited to DJ's chest cavity. 

The other news is that the tumor that is on DJ's rib, which measured 7 centimeters on June 20, grew to measure 8.4 centimeters on July 3 (that is 3.31 inches); that tumor is growing - rapidly, in my unprofessional opinion.  Which, as I said before, accounts for DJ's pain.  Additionally, 2 other little "nodules" are detected at the middle part of his chest, near to the surgical clips remaining from the prior surgery of DJ's lung being removed.  Grrrr!!  All these tumors need to leave!  Vacate the premises!  Dissipate and disappear and never return! 

Dr. Theodore suggests a three-fold plan:  First and foremost, he will surgically remove the rib (perhaps two) from DJ's chest cavity.  I smiled my most broadly and winsomely and suggested that the surgery happen VERY PROMPTLY, since that tumor is just growin' like a weed.  We have received indication since the visit that the procedure will take place Thursday or Friday of next week, July 17 or 18; although we await confirmation of that date. I hope that comes to fruition!

Secondly, Dr. Theodore would like the UCSF radiation oncologist to be consulted and to recommend radiation to the two smaller nodules that are in the middle of his chest; and then at some point it will be wise for us to meet with the UCSF GI oncologist (because, if you recall, DJ's primary cancer is colon cancer, metastasized to his lung and now to his chest cavity since the lung is removed), to discuss chemotherapy or alternative treatment in attempt to keep the cancer from returning.  Blech.  Surgery is hard, but chemotherapy is hard and long.  That makes me sad for DJ.  :-(

So, in our "meantime", we wait and we manage DJ's pain, and we spend time with our children, and we appropriately stimulate our bodies and minds without overstimulating DJ's painful body.  He seems patient and courageous with the process.  It will be nice, though, to have surgery and these phases of  "The Plan" in the past.

I pray Isaiah 26:3 for DJ - "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You."  

DJ's pain is managed by the strong medicines prescribed by the doctor, so that the pain is minimized when he lies down and greater when he is upright and moving - but a person can't lie around for their entire life, they've got to move!  DJ is not able to work at this time, but he tries to balance doing things and going places with resting and finding pain relief (and waiting for treatment).   Attending Brooke's softball tournaments has been a welcome distraction from the waiting and the wondering.  Also, our son Caedmon attended Hume Lake Wagon Train camp last week, and so DJ and the girls and I went to Hume and spent a couple nights before retrieving Caed from camp to bring him home.  The travel was not particularly pleasant for DJ, but the activity keeps him going and stimulated - balanced with lots of time resting and lying down.  Here are some photos:

Holly Bigelow is the only person in the photo not sporting Hume apparel  

"Sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters..." - name that musical

Resting

 The end, for now, thank you for loving us!  And don't wait for your test - study now!  Draw near to Jesus and practice the presence of God and put your hope in the LORD - so that if a pop quiz comes your way, you will be unshaken.  

"But I trust in Your Unfailing Love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation.  I will sing the LORD's praise, for He has been good to me" (Psalm 13:5).

How shall I share the news? And Psalm 9:10

Dear Reader,

I am not sure which is the better way to break the news to you.  Quickly, like ripping off a bandaid?

It was discovered on June 20 that DJ has a tumor in his chest cavity which is causing "extensive erosion" to a rib.  We have consulted with his oncologist and with his local surgeon, and now we are waiting for the next step - which we think may be surgery, but we're not quite sure.  This is a sudden and unexpected turn of events for us.  Bummer.

I think that some of you prefer to just have the facts given, "short and sweet", as in above.  But that's not my way.  I like to tell a story!  So here is version number two:

Dear Reader, Thank you for loving us!  Thank you for coming here to see how and what we are doing!  Here is an update:

After a clear CT scan in February of this year, DJ began to experience some pain in his right side, the same part of his body which underwent a surgery last May to remove his lung.  He returned to patrol work in early April and we moved to a new home in late April.  He helped to coach Brooke's softball team during those months; and the discomfort and pain continued, in spite of chiropractic treatments and a couple massages and frequent icing of the painful area of his body.

On May 14 at a 12-month post-operative appointment with the surgeon at the UCSF (Dr. Theodore, who performed DJ's pneumonectomy in May 2013), everything seemed to be fine.  The CT scan of February 14 was reviewed, and there was no sign of disease.  DJ mentioned his pain to Dr. Theodore, but was told that there shouldn't be post-surgical pain past 3 months.  I speculated that he had overused and strained himself from lifting heavy boxes and furniture when we moved, and in throwing and catching softballs 4-5 days per week.

Wow!  If looks could kill!  Do you see those darts his eyes are throwing at me?  DJ does NOT want me to snap his photograph!  But here is an image of him on May 14,2014 for a 12-month post-op at the UCSF.

I try to take photos of DJ while he is busy filling out paperwork or not looking toward the camera.

The pain continued to increase as the weeks passed.  It intensified so much that on June 20 a CT scan was taken of DJ's chest, abdomen and pelvis, and the presence of a 7cm by 4 cm by 4.7 cm tumor was found.  The tumor is eroding a rib and bothering some nerves - which explains DJ increasing and intensifying (and excruciating) pain.

Bradley the dog seems to be happy that DJ is seeking pain relief so often these days.  

 

 

We consulted with DJ's local oncologist Dr. Spillane on Monday, June 23, and discussed the finding of the tumor and treatment options.   Most likely, the tumor is colon cancer metastasized yet again; although perhaps it is a different strain of cancer, or perhaps something else.  Regardless of its DNA, the tumor is causing pain and needs to be dealt with. Dr. Spillane prescribed pain management medications for DJ, and last week we waited and waited to be able to consult with Dr. Hayashi, our local surgeon whom we love.  He is a very busy and very popular surgeon, and it seemed to take forever to be able to meet with him.  We did that at the end of the day last Friday, June 27. 

DJ hoped that Dr. Hayashi would say, "Let's go to surgery Monday."  But he did not.  Dr. Hayashi showed us the CT images of the tumor and the rib; to me it looked like Pac-Man Tumor was chomping and eating and consuming DJ's rib (although I confess that I am not trained to read CT scans).  The erosion is extensive, as the report says, and Dr. Hayashi feels that the necessary surgery is too much for him to perform.  Because DJ has no lung in that space, and since he speculates that 2 or 3 ribs might need to be removed and reconstructive surgery performed, Dr. Hayashi has referred us back to Dr. Theodore at the UCSF.  In addition, all three of the doctors (Spillane, Hayashi and Theodore) want a PET scan of DJ before they proceed.

So we wait some more.  I am very grateful for insurance and for low co-payments and for modern medicine which provides pain management in the interim.  I am also grateful that this is occurring during summer vacation; taking care of cancer business is easier when is school is not in session! :-)

DJ varies between lying on his back and his stomach to minimize pain.  Bradley the dog is never far behind.

For now, DJ is scheduled for a PET scan this coming Thursday July 3, and for a consultation with Dr. Theodore at the UCSF on Wednesday, July 9.  I am grateful for something to look forward to, even though we wished for more speedy of a process.  I am also grateful for the outpouring of love and support we are receiving from our local and far-away friends and family; our support network is large, generous, gracious, and good!  God's grace is given to us in abundance through ya'll!

Psalm 9:10 - I found this verse the day after we received the CT report, and this is my "Go To" for now:  "Those who know Your Name trust in You, for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You."

I do not like to post all of these words without adding some photographs and visual activity.  "A picture's worth a thousand words".  :-)

Caedmon and HollyB (a selfie)

Alexandra, Grammy Catherine and HollyB

Caedmon showcasing his school work at "Open House"

Brooke's All-Star softball team took second place at the San Luis Obispo tournament (pictured above in late May); her team took 1st place at the Hanford Father's Day tournament; and most recently her team took 3rd place overall (pictured below) to qualify for the California State Games to be held in San Diego in mid-July.

 

 For the moment, it seems to me that we are adjusted to the "new normal" - pain management, summer vacation, waiting for the next steps.  World Cup soccer is a good distraction for DJ, Caedmon is at Hume Lake Wagon Train camp this week, Brooke Bigelow is well-engaged with softball and youth group and her social life, Alexandra Bigelow is happy to be quiet at home listening to musicals, and she is working diligently on her Cuesta College online History class.  I personally feel patient and hopeful and unshaken and supported and loved and quietly trusting; sometimes I feel tired and sad.  Mostly I sense the love of God that will never leave us. 

"In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength"...

Ta-ta-for-now!