Moment by Moment Updated! March 26, 2008

Tom Here!  Up

We went to see Dr. Sjak-Shie and Amy’s blood was very good, just about normal.  Although the booster shot she has to take is not allowed by insurance until a 14-day period, which would be Monday.  So she didn’t get a Chemo treatment today.  We are waiting to hear from the Dr. office.  Maybe this Friday for Chemo and Monday for the booster.  We definitely want to wait for the insurance because Dr. Sjak-Shie said “the booster cost a lot of money, not exactly sure but it has three zeros.”

We will keep you informed.  Thanks for all the help.  Dr. Sjak-Shie was very encouraged with Amy’s health.  Amy is doing great and continues to have a great approach to her circumstances.  Her hair is beginning to come out as she runs her fingers through it.  But it’s just hair and thanks to Mary D., Amy and Katie have brand new Pink Cardinal Cancer Caps.

We will keep you posted.  Bye for now.

Wednesday Evening 10:00pm Update.

Amy’s next Chemo is Wednesday April 2nd and the booster April 3rd.  She should be on a regular schedule then of every other week. 

The hair is gone!  Katie shaved Amy’s head down to about 3/8 in.  It’s different, but Amy still looks good.  Katie told her that her beauty isn’t on the outside, but the inside!  That statement really was a great boost.  I shaved my head and I really look goofy, but I wanted to show Amy that she’s not alone on this journey.  

Love you all.  thanks for the prayers.  Amy is doing great because of them. 

The Journey Is Too Much For You March 24, 2008

Hello all, this is Tom. 

We had a great visit with Corey, Diane, Kaylee, Tyler and Melissa.  It was tough to let them go, but very thankful for the visit.  My mom also visited with us on Good Friday and we enjoyed BBQ at it’s finest.

As we walk through this season of life we’re trying to honor God with our lives.    To be honest, it’s tough!  One reason is because we desire to be in control.  During this past 6 weeks we have realized more than ever, we are not in control, but God is. 

It’s seems like Amy is better at dealing with this than I am, and if you know us well that doesn’t come as a surprise!  But each day, I realize that my story is similar to Elijah in 1 Kings 19:5-7–All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water.  He ate and drank and then lay down again.  The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.”

It is so amazing how God continues to provide for us during this season of life.  God has brought many people to our aid and they have been the ones telling us, encouraging us, to “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.”  This journey is too much for us.  This journey is too much for me! 

Tonight another one of God’s messengers came our way, disguised as a Blacksmith!  He gave Amy this cross as a way of showing support for her and our family during this time.  A note was attached “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you  1 Peter 5:7  God’s timing is perfect.  It came at a time when I needed the boost and a reminder that this journey is too much for me and I can’t carry this load!  Thanks Doug, we value your friendship.  This journey maybe too much for Tom and Amy Denton, true.  But we know God knows, God cares and God is able to carry us the entire distance.

Thanks to all, for all.

Easter Weekend March 21, 2008

Hello everyone.  Happy Easter to all. 

We are celebrating Easter with Amy’s sister and family–The Troyers, all the way from Kearney, Nebraska. 

Amy’s Dr. appt.  went well yesterday and her blood work looked fine.  The next few days are very critical because her immune system is very low from the Chemo last week.  The Dr. told us 7-10 after Chemo is a very tough time.  Amy is doing well, but the emotions of not being able to do as you want is still tough.  Although it is good to have family here just to hang out, visit and not be expected to do anything. 

This morning we played a game together with Katie and Ian, that was fun.  Then Ian and I sorted and did laundry. Not our favorite thing to do, but we have to step up. 

Thanks for the posts, prayers and encouragement.

God is good! March 18, 2008

Wow!! Thanks for all the blogs. Tom has been such a blessing to keep up with the blog and updating whats going on at this time of our life. God has blessed me with many friendships. I appreciate and are so encouraged by everyone who has blogged me. It is amazing how God brings people in our lives when we go through difficult times. But I really don’t look at this as a difficult time it is just life and it is making me lean on God more. I haven’t talked to a lof of people that have blogged me in a long time. So I kinda want to update what has happened in my life.

Before Feb. 1996 I lived my life for me. When I found out I was pregnant with Katie my life changed. She was born in Oct. 1996 and I decided to stay home with her and started going back to church. My life was not about me anymore it was about her. But I always had an empty feeling inside of me that nothing was filling it. I started to get more involved in church as far as Bible studies and such and I started to have a relationship with God. Tom wasn’t attending to much with me so it was a hard couple of years. Then I was pregnant with Ian and gave birth to him in April 1999. I knew then that I needed to rededicate my life to God and live for him not for me. After that Tom soon started getting involved in Bible studies and rededicated his life. Now we live at church as Tom has been the youth pastor for five years. I still laugh to this day that Tom and I are in the ministry because 20 years ago it would of never crossed my mind.  But I enjoy and love the youth so much. Tom and I have gotten so close to some of the youth they are like our own kids. They keep us on our toes.  

So I look at this experience I’m going through as a growing period with God. God did not give me this cancer it is just part of the world. But I know I can use this experience to Glorify Him. Esther is my favorite book in the Bible. She had such God strength and I have always have wanted to follow her example of faith. There is a verse her cousin tells her “For such a time as this”. She had to stand up for God and I feel this time in my life is “For such a time as this”.

Easter is this Sunday and it’s going to be so hard on me not to be at church to celebrate what God did for you and me. God sent His Son to die on a cross because He loves us so much.  But I will be praising God and thanking God at home. I’m not perfect by no means but I am a child of God and with God on my side I will not let Satan take me down with cancer. I am feeling really well and I know it is all the prayers giving me strength. Thank you so much for taking the time to pray and to think of me. Love ya lots and God Bless.

Thankful March 15, 2008

Tom here once again.  This is Amy’s blog but she may never write anything! 

Today was another good day, no major side effects.  Although she really doesn’t have the desire to eat, nothing is tasting good. 

 Although the physical side effects haven’t been a problem the emotional side effects are alive and well.  Just not being able to do the things she has always done.  Now the fear is sickness, not wanting to catch a cold or other viruses.  This may seem minor to most men but to a mother, missing a ball game or not being able to hug a sick daughter is very major. 

We had a few visitors today, which helped boost her spirits.  Thanks Vickie for the ice cream and stuff.  Thanks Clayton for always making us laugh.  And to Doug and Jean, thanks for just being good friends and hanging out with us for some brats and pork-steaks.  I have posted a picture of Amy and Jean, smiling and having a good time. 

We have met a few new friends during this season of life.  But we have also drawn a little closer to some old ones. 

Amy is planning on going to the Upward Awards Night tomorrow and hide out in a side room. Thanks for the prayers. 

Resting Well, But Katie Is Sick March 14, 2008

Tom here! 

Amy is doing great today!  Although Katie is sick with a cough and junk.  I took her to see the good Dr.–Dr. Edwards this morning and she is now on an antibiotic.  It’s so cool to live in a small community, where you know the Dr. personally, the staff and nurses at the clinic and the folks at the pharmacy.  Owensville is a great community to live, work and raise a family. 

Although Amy is hanging tough with the chemo treatments, she’s not doing so well with Katie being sick.  She can’t be the mom she wants to be for her.  I am trying my best, but it’s tough to beat a mother’s love.  Especially Amy! 

We are so blessed to have so many good friends that we can call on.  With Katie being sick and Amy needing to go back to the Dr. to get a booster shot, we needed help!  I called upon Robin Lenauer and she came to our rescue to hangout with Katie while we traveled to Washington.  Another blessing has been all the meals that Donielle Farrar has coordinated. 

As the Easter season is upon us, I hope you will remember all that Christ has done for you.  As I watched Amy and the many other receive their treatments, I couldn’t help but to think about their suffering.  Then I was reminded of the suffering that Christ went through for me.  Amy is receiving the remedy for NHL through her iv, but she has received the remedy from her sin, through the death, burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Praise HIM this Easter!

1st Treatment 3-13-08 March 13, 2008

We arrived at the www.tcccr.com around 8:45 in the morning.  I think we both had a little anxiety, knowing that this visit was going to be different. It’s hard to tell you everything that went on today, but I will try to capture a few of the highlights.  I know some of you would want to be here with Amy firsthand if you could and we appreciate that, so I will try to give you a good picture of the day. 

First off, the staff is wonderful and very knowledgeable.  Teresa, Amy’s nurse was very kind, gentle and communicated very well with us, so this really helped us to rest easy. 

The treatment room is a little unsettling at first, but is very well kept.  It appears to us that Amy is the newbie and the youngest being treated today.   The unsettling part is that the room is wide open with 14 different treatment stations.  They all have curtains that close but today none have been closed today..  We are learning that it’s like one big happy family between the staff and patients.  At first we came in and went to the far end of the room but after a negative reaction to one of the nausea medicines we moved closer to the nurse’s station.  As I am writing this Amy is involved in a conversation about dogs with Katie, another nurse and a few of the patients receiving treatment. 

About 11:30 Teresa gave Amy the last of the medicine and it was completed around 3:15.  What a long day! 

All in all the first day went very well!  Other than the reaction to the nausea stuff, she hasn’t had any side effects yet.  We hope it stays that way. 

Our kids are over at The Roach’s and should be home in just a little bit.  Amy is in her new chair and watching The Cosby Show with Zoie on her lap.  All is well for now, thanks for your prayers.  The side effects have been minimal.

We go back tomorrow for a booster shot that will boost her system to help prevent infection while taking the treatments.

Will post tomorrow before going to see Dr. Sjak-Shie.  Say that fast 5 times.  lol

Love you all.

Tom

Test Results, Treatment Plan March 12, 2008

Tom here!  We went to see Dr. Sjak-Shie today and our results showed the cancer is Stage III.  Meaning it is above and below the diaphram.  Amy is scheduled to begin a combination of  RITUXAN and CHOP treatments tomorrow at 8:30am. That’s the Chemo.  Dr. Sjak-Shie is a great Dr. and is hitting this stuff head on with a big hammer!  I like that!  Friday she goes back for a shot that will boost her system  and then she will have her treatments every two weeks.  If all goes well she will be done by the end of May. 

Will add more later tonight.  The shopping went well, some cool hats etc… 

Rachel Stone–the best hair stylist in Mid-Missouri gave Amy a cute short hair cut to ease the hair loss.  Thanks so much to our friends who have been side by side us. 

The photos show the hair cut and the change of look.  The disclaimer:  Amy’s shirt say “Don’t go to church” but the back which you can’t see says “Be the church”.  A simple reminder to us Christians to Love God and Love People.  We often get so inward focused and forget that every day people are going to a Christ-less enternity. 

Thanks so much for the comments and prayers.

Tom

Testing Complete, Bone Marrows HURT! March 7, 2008

Well, I am glad that is over.  That hurt worse that birth and my tattoos!  Ouch!  But the staff at www.tcccr.com is awesome!  Julie, the nurse practitioner doing the Bone Marrow test made it so easy, and she rides a Harley. How cool is that? Vera was so relaxing and then there’s Myra!  She is the general in charge!  She reminds me of Carolyn, if you want it done tell her, then get out of the way.  I love people who are passionate about their jobs!

Well once again we stopped by The Narrow Path and as always Kyla and Tom acted just like siblings.  But it was good to see Faith and Lela today.  They are so cheerful and upbeat. 

Next week is when the tough stuff begins.  We see Dr. Sjak-Shie Wednesday. 

Katie and I are going hat, scarf and do-rag shopping Saturday if all things go well.  I want this to be a fun time for the two of us.  I have been blessed with good kids, who really love me.  I want them to know that a person can walk through cancer or any other trial in life, knowing God can and will provide the strength needed. 

Today Tom asked Julie, the nurse the following:  “Are you sure she’s going to lose her hair?”  She said, “yes”  Tom can be such a dork, but that’s why I love him so much.  So Monday the greatest hair stylist in Mid-Missouri is coming to my house to give me a “funky” short hair cut.  I really feel that this will help Tom, the kids and myself as I am soon to lose my hair.  As I tell parents of teenagers after they get a mo-hawk or color their hair a weird color–”it’s just hair”. 

Love you guys. 

Staging Scans are Done March 6, 2008

Hello everyone!  Tom and I spent the day in Washington at St. John’s Mercy.  Thankful I was able to complete the PET and CT scans by 12:30 pm.  This was awesome cause I wasn’t suppose to finish until around 2:00 pm.  To celebrate Tom took me to Arby’s to get their new Rebuen Wrap.  I enjoyed eating the wrap while hanging out at my favorite bookstore.  The Narrow Path!  Thanks Vickie, Lela and Kyla for letting us hang with you guys.  A trip to Washington really isn’t complete without stopping by so Tom and Kyla can fight like brother and sister.  After a trip to the LazyBoy store to pickup a new chair, we headed back to St. John’s for the heart test and then the trip home. 

We have a sign hanging in our house “We Are So Blessed”.  That is very true!  The day went well and our kids were right at home with our friends.  Thanks so much for the prayers.  We need them!  Pray for the bone marrow test tomorrow.  Dr. Sjak-Shie said it will hurt.  I am grateful this is the only time I will have to do this while being treated.  Dr. Sjak-Shie told us some people must have them once a month. 

Thanks for checking in, will most likely post again Friday evening.