Hi,
It's been a very busy week. Denny has been working diligently at his occupational and physical therapies and the kids and I think his progress is quite measurable. He's up to 670 steps and once we made it all the way around the block. Right now I'd have to say he's at about the same place (strength and endurance-wise) he was before the whole shingles thing hit. What is noticeably better is the swelling in his legs and feet from the blood clots--that is nearly gone.
A second radiologist reviewed the most recent MRI and concluded, too, that there is no blood flow to the tumor. I also had a long talk with Dr. Yazbak because we wondered just how often something like this happens, etc. Like Dr. Meena, he said that the real miracle is that Denny at home, able to participate in physical activities and has the energy and ability to be helping with lesson plans for next year. Being cautiously optimistic is good for all of us and we will just live from one MRI to the next, enjoying each day. Grade 4 glioblastomas are nasty and no two are the same or react the same to treatments. We are just continuing to pray that this one has given up on its quest to bring a great guy down!
Because so many people have asked if we tried something new, i.e. vitamins, minerals, etc., I do want to share that there is one thing that we started using shortly after Denny returned home from Mercy Hospital. In view of what has transpired, we call it "miracle water," and really want to share this information.
Many of you know Amanda Lauer. She is a Xavier mom and is the one who organized the "O Team" in Appleton's Sole Burner for cancer. Her daughter has two autoimmune diseases, both of which, her doctors say, cannot be cured. She and her husband, John, have been been looking for anything that would offer hope to her. A few months ago they heard about alkaline water from a gentleman from Utah. This water is ionized and has antioxidant properties as well. The technology for transforming tap water into two streams of water, one alkaline and one acidic, has been available in Japan for more than 30 years. One out of five households and most hospitals in Japan have these water machines. That may explain why Japan is the healthiest nation on the planet. Enagic brought this technology (called Kangen water --check it out at www.checkoutkangen.com) to the U.S. three years ago.
The Lauers tried the water for three weeks before purchasing their own machine. The results they have witnessed in their daughter's health and fitness have been amazing. Amanda told me about this one day while I was at work and she was there answering phones and selling Scrip. She explained that the water itself isn't a miracle, but the human body is. Diseases can only exist in an acidic state. If a body is in an alkaline state, a person should have ideal health. Aging and diseases are the result of oxidization (like an apple turning brown after it's been cut open). That's why antioxidants have been so heavily promoted in the health field lately. This machine that they purchased is hooked up to their tap and filters that water to make it alkaline.
Shortly after Denny got home in early June, Amanda brought over two gallons of water. While at Mercy, Den was told over and over the importance of drinking lots of water to hydrate his atrophied muscles. So, he started drinking the "magic water" each day. His MRI was on June 25.
John and Amanda are more than happy to give water away to anyone who will stop by their house and pick it up. If you want to contact them, please call (920) 739-5717 or e-mail them at allauer@att.net.
A year ago I might have read such a testimonial and the word "gimmick" might have come to mind, but when you've put in a year like we have, you regard things like this differently. The Lauers have talked to people with a range of medical issues who have had amazing changes after drinking this water.
As long as this blog is, I thought I had to share this story. We'll never know what part this drinking water has played in Denny's health. We do know that God's hand is in everything that has transpired since June '08, and we are eternally grateful for whatever number of extra days we have because of Him.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I am still painting over at the State Street house, but soon that entire renovation will be complete. If you know of anyone who would like to rent or buy a nice 4 bedroom home in a quiet neighborhood, tell them to call us!
Love,
Carla
Friday, July 31, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
July 24
Hi!
We have just returned from the appointment with the oncologist, and things are good. The written report from the radiologist regarding Denny's most recent MRI indicates that there is no perceived blood flow to the tumor. In essence, the tumor appears to have died as a result of the chemo and/or radiation. The mass itself is still there, which is the unusual part of this. Dr. Meena's theory is that Denny's body has been working so hard to overcome the incredible hit it took when he had the blood clots, that it couldn't absorb the dead cells in the tumor.
Naturally, nobody is telling us he is cancer free, but she did say that there is no need at this time to consider more chemo. We are just going to stay the course with all of his current meds, physical therapy program, and keep thinking very positive thoughts!! He will be closely monitored and will have another MRI in September.
This is all because of you and your prayers, so thank you from the bottom of our hearts. This business of taking one day at a time will be a little easier with this new optimism!
Love to all,
Carla
We have just returned from the appointment with the oncologist, and things are good. The written report from the radiologist regarding Denny's most recent MRI indicates that there is no perceived blood flow to the tumor. In essence, the tumor appears to have died as a result of the chemo and/or radiation. The mass itself is still there, which is the unusual part of this. Dr. Meena's theory is that Denny's body has been working so hard to overcome the incredible hit it took when he had the blood clots, that it couldn't absorb the dead cells in the tumor.
Naturally, nobody is telling us he is cancer free, but she did say that there is no need at this time to consider more chemo. We are just going to stay the course with all of his current meds, physical therapy program, and keep thinking very positive thoughts!! He will be closely monitored and will have another MRI in September.
This is all because of you and your prayers, so thank you from the bottom of our hearts. This business of taking one day at a time will be a little easier with this new optimism!
Love to all,
Carla
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
July 22
Hi,
It's been a very good week in so many ways. First, Denny continues to get a little stronger each day. His physical therapist has stepped things up a notch, which means Den has to follow through on the days he doesn't have pt. Starting tomorrow we have to walk at least 600 feet (no stopping) with a goal of increasing that 10 feet per day. It's quite a workout because he is still feeling weak, but this is the only way to build up endurance. We tried to establish a walking routine when he got out of the hospital, but it's better that he has to be accountable to someone else.
Next, I am grateful to report that the mess at the house on State Street is diminishing. What was so overwhelming at first has now become a real project that I don't resent anymore. So many people have helped the kids and me--it's been an incredible couple of weeks. Besides Kathy and Adam Bates, (for any alumni reading this, Adam is off to college next month! Time flies!!) Sarah Simon, and the Voss family, Lori Schuh also helped me paint. Then last week, a service group from Texas
spent three full days working there. Eleven students and two chaperones divided themselves into groups and during their time there accomplished more than I ever could have imagined. They cleaned out and painted the basement, finished painting all of the bedroom closets, and scraped and painted the lower half of the entire house. They were the greatest group of kids. Their dedication to serving others and to helping us was inspirational, to say the least. I'll never forget those kids or their leaders, David and Troy. I was happy that Denny was able to get there to meet and talk to all of them.
But, it doesn't end there. As I write this, the wonderful Lingg family is over at that house refinishing the hardwood floors in the upstairs!! They came over to see how the service group was doing, and suddenly Mike was hauling all of the junk from the basement to the dump, taking down the old clothesline poles, and he and Jackie were offering to refinish the floors! It's all so humbling. I took Denny over there last night so he could see the transformation and he left with tears in his eyes. When people say that Xavier is like a big family, it's true. You just don't realize how true it is until you are on the receiving end of all of the prayers, meals, and incredible gifts of labor and love. That's the real Xavier--not the circus portrayed by the media last spring.
So, that's been life with the O-Team for the last couple of weeks. Den has an appointment with the oncologist on Friday, so I'll write again then. I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful summer!
Love,
Carla
It's been a very good week in so many ways. First, Denny continues to get a little stronger each day. His physical therapist has stepped things up a notch, which means Den has to follow through on the days he doesn't have pt. Starting tomorrow we have to walk at least 600 feet (no stopping) with a goal of increasing that 10 feet per day. It's quite a workout because he is still feeling weak, but this is the only way to build up endurance. We tried to establish a walking routine when he got out of the hospital, but it's better that he has to be accountable to someone else.
Next, I am grateful to report that the mess at the house on State Street is diminishing. What was so overwhelming at first has now become a real project that I don't resent anymore. So many people have helped the kids and me--it's been an incredible couple of weeks. Besides Kathy and Adam Bates, (for any alumni reading this, Adam is off to college next month! Time flies!!) Sarah Simon, and the Voss family, Lori Schuh also helped me paint. Then last week, a service group from Texas
spent three full days working there. Eleven students and two chaperones divided themselves into groups and during their time there accomplished more than I ever could have imagined. They cleaned out and painted the basement, finished painting all of the bedroom closets, and scraped and painted the lower half of the entire house. They were the greatest group of kids. Their dedication to serving others and to helping us was inspirational, to say the least. I'll never forget those kids or their leaders, David and Troy. I was happy that Denny was able to get there to meet and talk to all of them.
But, it doesn't end there. As I write this, the wonderful Lingg family is over at that house refinishing the hardwood floors in the upstairs!! They came over to see how the service group was doing, and suddenly Mike was hauling all of the junk from the basement to the dump, taking down the old clothesline poles, and he and Jackie were offering to refinish the floors! It's all so humbling. I took Denny over there last night so he could see the transformation and he left with tears in his eyes. When people say that Xavier is like a big family, it's true. You just don't realize how true it is until you are on the receiving end of all of the prayers, meals, and incredible gifts of labor and love. That's the real Xavier--not the circus portrayed by the media last spring.
So, that's been life with the O-Team for the last couple of weeks. Den has an appointment with the oncologist on Friday, so I'll write again then. I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful summer!
Love,
Carla
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
July 24
Hi,
Just a note to let you know that Denny is doing well. His therapists and doctors are very satisfied with his progress. It's slow, but steady. He doesn't need the walker anymore, but occasionally he'll use my shoulder to steady himself. He has disciplined himself to just a single nap each day, so the fatigue is definitely decreasing. The reduction in his steroids is likely responsible for all of his improvements. It's so odd how he reacts to steroids--opposite of everything the doctors would expect. It was the same thing with the narcotics and the anti-seizure meds. The doctors just shake their heads.
The kids and I have been busy working over at the State Street house. That's another slow but steady project. Sarah Simon, Kathy Bates, Lori Schuh, and Patti, Pat, and Ryan Voss helped me paint. What a huge help that was!! And tomorrow Sarah is sending a group of 15 teens over to help scrape and prime the outside of the house. She is hosting a service trip of over 200 kids from all over the country
and has placed them all for three days of service to various non-profits and families
who are in need of help. Sarah Simon is an angel to so many people. She is an inspiration to all of us.
While I hope you are enjoying an exciting, fun-filled summer, please pray that ours continues to be a little boring!
Thanks for checking in -- we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Carla
Just a note to let you know that Denny is doing well. His therapists and doctors are very satisfied with his progress. It's slow, but steady. He doesn't need the walker anymore, but occasionally he'll use my shoulder to steady himself. He has disciplined himself to just a single nap each day, so the fatigue is definitely decreasing. The reduction in his steroids is likely responsible for all of his improvements. It's so odd how he reacts to steroids--opposite of everything the doctors would expect. It was the same thing with the narcotics and the anti-seizure meds. The doctors just shake their heads.
The kids and I have been busy working over at the State Street house. That's another slow but steady project. Sarah Simon, Kathy Bates, Lori Schuh, and Patti, Pat, and Ryan Voss helped me paint. What a huge help that was!! And tomorrow Sarah is sending a group of 15 teens over to help scrape and prime the outside of the house. She is hosting a service trip of over 200 kids from all over the country
and has placed them all for three days of service to various non-profits and families
who are in need of help. Sarah Simon is an angel to so many people. She is an inspiration to all of us.
While I hope you are enjoying an exciting, fun-filled summer, please pray that ours continues to be a little boring!
Thanks for checking in -- we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Carla
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
July 7
Hi,
Things are going well. Today we saw all of the doctors and everyone is pleased at Denny's progress. He is walking much better, usually without the walker, and seems to be getting a little stronger each day. His doctor appointments will now be two weeks apart, physical therapy will be reduced to twice each week, and his visits to the chiropractor will diminish as he gets stronger. There's no doubt that adding the chiropractic element has certainly enhanced what he's accomplished in physical therapy.
It's great to be able to say that Denny is pain free and is regaining the mental strength he lost when he was given all of the pain and anti-seizure medicines. His short term memory still isn't the best, but all of the doctors have said that it will improve over time. He's been meeting with Amy, the teacher who took over for him last year, and he plans to be as involved as much as possible with those classes this year.
We know that the thoughts and prayers of all of our family and friends have made this possible. None of us knows what lies ahead, but we do know that today was a good day and we are thankful. The steroid amount has been reduced, so our only immediate worry is how his body will tolerate that adjustment. There's always something specific to pray for in addition to thanking God for all of His blessings.
Thanks for thinking of us!
Love,
Carla
Things are going well. Today we saw all of the doctors and everyone is pleased at Denny's progress. He is walking much better, usually without the walker, and seems to be getting a little stronger each day. His doctor appointments will now be two weeks apart, physical therapy will be reduced to twice each week, and his visits to the chiropractor will diminish as he gets stronger. There's no doubt that adding the chiropractic element has certainly enhanced what he's accomplished in physical therapy.
It's great to be able to say that Denny is pain free and is regaining the mental strength he lost when he was given all of the pain and anti-seizure medicines. His short term memory still isn't the best, but all of the doctors have said that it will improve over time. He's been meeting with Amy, the teacher who took over for him last year, and he plans to be as involved as much as possible with those classes this year.
We know that the thoughts and prayers of all of our family and friends have made this possible. None of us knows what lies ahead, but we do know that today was a good day and we are thankful. The steroid amount has been reduced, so our only immediate worry is how his body will tolerate that adjustment. There's always something specific to pray for in addition to thanking God for all of His blessings.
Thanks for thinking of us!
Love,
Carla
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