ON THE CUSP OF A NEW YEAR...

December 30, 2011

The Lichi Report

Dear Friends,

Thanks for standing with us in prayer and supplication to our Lord Jesus Christ for complete healing from both acute pain and, especially the Multiple Myeloma Cancer.

Here is the weekly update from our end. 

I have now completed my second round of Chemo-therapy as of today. Thus far I have had no negative side effects with the exception that I feel quite tired and exhausted most of the rest of the day following treatment.

The sciatic pain is like an unwelcome rollercoaster ride at Cedar Point in the middle of the winter! For example on Tuesday (Dec 27) I had my best day in over 7 weeks. Relatively pain free; chemo therapy, breakfast with Marcie at Bob Evans, trip to the library and four trips walking up and down the drive. Yippee! I thought....how great is this! "I'M PAIN FREE!" And it was for the day...even a trip over to my sister's in the evening to see my nephew and niece who were in town.

Then Wednesday and Thursday arrived with fairly intense pain. So to all of you advice givers...I'm doing everything you say...work it out...stretch...take it easy...don't push it....push it to the limits...rest more...rest less...get up...get down....  See? I'm a good patient!

I'm reminded of the passage of scripture in 1 Corinthians 12:26, "If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad."  This is true for the pain we suffer in our physical bodies, but more importantly don't forget this is also true for those in the Body of Christ who are in any kind of pain at all. There are many amongst us who suffer from loneliness, depression, anxiety, fear, trauma, etc. and simply need someone in the Body of Christ to feel their pain.  I know that I'm going to get better and with the strength of God and support of love ones like you I know that God will provide!

NEXT STEPS

Next Wednesday, Marcie and I meet with Dr. Lazarus at University Hospital to chart out the steps for the next phase of cancer treatment. If it looks as though the isolation and donor match/marrow transplant is a few months off, my goal would be to return to work as soon as possible at least during the days to see clients who I miss very much!  If the "bubble boy" treatment is sooner than later, I'll wait to return to work when the treatment is completed.

In the meantime, I'll be working on an exciting project with the EMERGE clinical team to write a book for pastors on the topic of Christian Counseling. We have over 40 topics to cover and the book will be translated into several languages and used widely to assist pastors in this important sphere of ministry. Please pray for the selection of those who will write various chapters and that the Holy Spirit will superintend the entire project!

God's best till next time,

Don

Merry Christmas!

The Lichi Report

Update as of Saturday December 24, 2011

Dear Friends,

First and foremost...thank you. Thank you for your love, your prayers, your dinners, gifts, support and numerous other ways in which you have expressed the love of Jesus to Marcie and me since we got the word in November that I have Multiple Myeloma.

For those who want the quick story just read the following bullets: For more details see my sister's blog "Life Between the Buns"

Bullets:

<!--Diagnosed with MM on November 8th

<!- MM went after my L5 (lumbar) causing stress fracture pushing on my sciatic nerve root

<!--PAIN PAIN PAIN!!!

<!--Did I mention Pain?  Yes indeed!

<!--Two hospitalizations; lots of pokes, pulls, blood tests and finally... home for Thanksgiving.

<!--Began radiation and chemotherapy (Velcade) in November. Treatments to deal with pain were not effective so we decided to do a Kyphoplasty procedure on Dec 14. The surgery was successful in that a balloon was inflated to reposition the L5 and cement it. Still have some pain especially in the mornings and believe it to be related to the fact that the sciatic nerve was so traumatized for so long...it is just going to take time to heal.

<!--Started second round of chemo therapy this week. Two weeks on and one week off.

<!--Scheduled to meet with MD from University Hospital on January 4, 2012 to determine next steps.

<!--Trying to get cancer into remission and eventually I'll be in isolation at UH for 3-6 weeks as they take out the old and put in the new...bone marrow that is.

<!--I suspect I'll be known as the new "bubble boy"

<!--Loving having the grandkids around for the holidays...makes me so thankful for life and the joy of laughter, childlike faith and just plain fun!

<!--I have had so much time to reflect on the goodness of God expressed through the Body of Christ.

<!--Frankly...totally overwhelmed! Can't even begin to say thank you enough. Just know that I am SO APPRECIATIVE FOR EACH AND EVERY PRAYER, MEAL, GIFT, ACT OF KINDNESS AND JUST PLAIN LOVE!

Will work harder to keep you updated!

Have a blessed Christmas in our Lord.

Love,

Don

My new favorite word - kyphoplasty!

Hello friends,
This is the name of the procedure they are going to perform on Don's back this Wednesday.  They are hoping it will lift the broken L5 off of the sciatic nerve, thus relieving the excruciating pain he gets when he stands up and tries to walk.  There is a chance that it may not work.  It will relieve some pain that is from the broken disc itself, but whether or not they can inflate the bone enough to lift it off of the nerve is another question.  PLEASE PRAY THAT THIS WOULD WORK!

He had a good weekend this past weekend.  He spent quite a bit of time in the easy chair and was able to move from one room to another a couple of times with the walker.  One of our friends built a ramp from the house down into the garage, so we are able to get the wheelchair in and out of the house easily.  We actually took a spin up and down the sidewalk on Sunday! He has been clear headed and in good spirits, now that they have his pain medication stabilized.  His oxygen levels are back to normal and so he is not currently having to use the oxygen tank.  So far, very little negative side effects to the chemo treatments.  He has this week off, then will begin the second cycle of chemo the following week.

As you can read - lots of things to praise God for!  Meals are still being provided and they are absolutely wonderful!  God continues to bless us with people who pray, sing, bring insightful messages via the Internet, deliver easy chairs, provide a Christmas tree, and the list goes on.  Don is especially encouraged by your emails and text messages.

Please continue to pray:
That the procedure Wed. would be effective.
That the chemo would be effective.
That Don is able to enjoy visiting grandchildren and Christmas festivities with family.
That medical insurance coordination of benefits for the bone marrow transplant would be handled smoothly.
Thanks again, everyone for your love and interest in our unexpected journey.
Marcie and Don

Sunday, December 4, 2011

The last week of November seemed to be a very busy one,  as Don  had 2 chemotherapy treatments and another appointment with the pain doctors.  So far, we thank the Lord that he has not had any significant reactions.  We have seen an increase in his pain, which has resulted in a decrease in his mobility, so we are not sure what is going on with that.  We had hoped we might begin to see some improvement in his pain.

2 more chemo treatments this week, then a week off.  The pain doctors have increased his medication for pain - so including all the other medications that makes 14 medications!  Some are for nausea, some are antiviral or antibiotic to boost his immune system, some are for nausea if that should occur and some are to help with ridding his body of the waste from the chemotherapy.  One is a muscle relaxant to calm the muscle spasms in his back and leg.  I have a list I follow "religiously" so I don't get mixed up!

He is in good spirits, trusting the Lord and very thankful for friends and family who continue to lift him up in prayer and help us with all the logistics.  We are especially thankful for Don's sister Jacque and her husband, Bob, and Don's mom Rachel who have spent the entire past week caring for Don so I can continue working.  He also had a very precious visit from his brother, Bob, who lives in Columbus.  His sister, Marcella, writes him notes and beautiful scripture verses a couple of times a week.  His other sisters, Cindy and Barb, have done some very practical things to help as well as continually convey their love for him.  It is in situations like this that it pays off to come from a big family!

Praises:  All of our needs are being met - including meals through all of December!  Leaves raked, snowblower winterized, sheets sewn to fit the hospital bed.  If I start naming all the people who have helped us, this would be a really long blog! You know who you are, so please just know that you have blessed us beyond measure and a mere "thank you" doesn't seem adequate.

Prayer requests:  Alleviation of pain.   That he would continue to have minimal reaction to the chemo.  Good communication with the doctors.  That he would be able to increase his mobility so he doesn't have to lay in bed all day.

Thanks everyone, for your interest and concern.
Marcie and Don

Thankful hearts

Don is home from the hospital as of the day before Thanksgiving.  We are truly thankful!  God continues to walk with us on this journey.  He is using His people to be his hands and his feet and his heart in countless ways to us - spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally.  We are deeply thankful for all of you, family and friends alike, who have supported us.

Don had his first chemo treatment today.  He will have 2 a week for 2 weeks, then a week off.  This will run  for 2 cycles. that will take us through Christmas.  In early January we meet with doctors to talk about a bone marrow transplant.

Specific prayer request:  That the pain in his leg would diminish as soon as possible as both radiation and chemo treatments affect the cancer.  He still has severe pain when upright and trying to walk.

That he would not suffer the severe side affects chemotherapy can cause.

Thanks for your concern and continued prayers for us.  They are deeply felt and appreciated.
Marcie and Don