4 Down! 4-30-08 April 30, 2008

Tom Here! 

Well there is a lot to say about today!  First of all it’s Ian’s 9th b-day.  Amy finished her 4th of 6 treatments.  And the best news of all is that the CT scans showed that the Chemo is knocking out the cancer. 

Praise The Lord!  Dr. Sjak-Shie is very well pleased with Amy’s progress.  We can’t say enough about the the staff at www.tcccr.com They have been great to work with, from the ladies at the front desk to the nurses and doctors.  We are very blessed to have a great staff. 

Amy is feeling a good and we just ate Chinese with our good friend Lyle Witcher from the Missouri Baptist Convention in Jefferson City is speaking to our student group tonight. 

I have posted some pictures of Ian’s B-day cake and The Cards game.  While he and I were enjoying the game, Amy and Katie went to town on his guitar hero cake.  It tastes as good as it looks. 

Amy will probably head to bed here in a little bit, but she is engaged in one of her favorite shows.  Jon and Kate Plus 8. 

Thanks for all the prayers and support.  The young lady I spoke of last week was there again today.  I talked with them again and gave the mother a book that has helped us.  Everday Strength–A Cancer Patient’s Guide To Spiritual Survival.  This week’s treatment was much better for them.  Continue to pray from them and us!

Getting Ready For # 4 4-27-08 April 27, 2008

Tom here!

Well Amy is getting ready to tackle Chemo #4 this Wednesday.  It also happens to be Ian’s birthday this Wednesday so he and I are going the the Cardinal game Tuesday evening. 

Amy slipped into our 2nd service at church this morning and went up to the balcony.  Katie played in the hand-bell choir and Amy really wanted to watch her.  Amy was joined by Marsha(a breast cancer survivor) and I joked with them by saying “do I need to have cancer to sit here”?  They both laughed, as they knew I was joking. 

Amy is doing great, but really tired at times.  She has been enjoying her morning trip around the block with Zoie(our dog) when she feels like it. 

Will keep you posted about the treatment and CT scan results, by Wednesday night.

 

 

Half Way Scans 4-21 April 21, 2008

Tom Here!

Well in a few hours Amy will be enjoying a smooth drink of CT Barium! Can you say “yummy”!  Dr. Sjak-Shie has ordered these test to check the status of the cancer and progress of the chemo.  This is normal in the treatment process, nothing to be alarmed about or concerned. 

One good thing is Amy’s good friend Stella is going to Washington with her today.  Look up in the dictionary good people and you see a picture of Stella.  Next to her is a small picture of Jim.  Not because he’s good, but because he’s married to Stella.  Ha. Ha.  It has been really encouraging with all the people willing to help out and just hang out. 

I know from reading the blog you probably think we are walking through this with flying colors and things have been good.  We are learning a lot about life and each other.  We have shared so many emotions together and are finding out this isn’t easy.  But life isn’t easy and we are just trying to live life, moment by moment.  Just like many of you, we do it good some days and some days we do it bad.  But as we live, we have opportunities to learn how to live better and treat others better. 

This season in the Denton family has been a difficult one.  But we are excited to be in the game and are giving it all we have.  We want to win the game, not just so we can cheer and get excited about winning or increase our win percentage.  We want to win the game to make our Owner–God, get a standing ovation. 

You might be saying to yourself–man that Tom Denton has a way with words.  Well to be honest the last paragraph was inspired by my good friend Doug Knight as we talked on the way home from Columbia last Friday.  If you don’t know Doug he is the Blacksmith who made Amy the cross.  He’s also about 6′6″, one big dude.  A real gentle giant, who has been a great encourager to me and my family during this time. 

Half way! 4-16-08 April 16, 2008

Tom here!

Amy is half way done with her treatments as of about 3:00pm today.  Dr. Sjak-Shie said she is doing excellent and is very pleased with her.  Today was very busy at www.tcccr.com  At one point during the day all the chairs but two had patients.  That’s a lot of sickness, cause I think there is 14 stations. 

Amy is really tired today, very fatigued.  Dr. Sjak-Shie told us that each treatment takes a little bigger hit from the energy level.  But with rest, prayers and good friends Amy will make it through. 

A few weeks ago we commented on being the youngest people getting treatment.   Well a learning experience came today as we saw two young girls, probably teen years getting chemo.  I have been told and I have told others that there’s always someone who has it worse than you.  Today, Amy and I experienced that first hand as we watched the mother of one of the girls breakdown in tears.  I understand a little of her emotions, cause you feel helpless when the patient has a reaction to the drugs.  There is really nothing you can do and that doesn’t go well for most human beings, me especially.  But we are so thankful to God that He stirs in the hearts of the nursing staff to give such amazing care and comfort. 

As I close out, I have a request.  As you pray for Amy, please lift up that young girl and her mother.  I tired to encourage them today with words but in this case the best words are the ones directed to God the Father.  Pray that God would give them peace in their difficult situation and they would sense His presence during this time. 

Thanks so much, the comments, cards, meals, visits and all the prayers and thoughts have been a great blessing to us.

A Good Day April 7, 2008

Tom here.

Amy had a great day attending a clinic for beauty stuff.  She was accompanied by the famous hair-stylist, Rachel Stone.  Check out this web site for more information.  www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org 

This was a much needed get out of the house.  Ian was sick most of the weekend and I was tied with a student event. 

Thanks so much for the encouraging words.  Wednesday through Saturday will be the time Amy’s system is at the lowest.  Pray that sickness will stay away!  We are doing well and Amy is enjoying hats, do-rags and today she was able to get a night-time cap. 

It’s amazing to see how many views this site gets.  Over 6,500 total since we started, that’s amazing.  Thanks so much.

 

4-2 Round Two, Over! April 2, 2008

Tom Here!  As I type the beeper is going off and round two is officially over!

Today was good, really good!  Amy is doing great and she is now finished with her second round of Chemo. As you may tell from the photo, Amy is sporting the do-rag look.  Thanks to our good buddy Q, she has a Denver Broncos rag. 

Dr. Sjak-Shie is such a neat lady and is very well qualified.  Once again the staff at www.tcccr.com was wonderful to work with and made us feel right at home.  They treat us like family! 

Look at the photo, Amy is right at home, she loves puzzles.  I posted it because I have been so encouraged by her attitude and outlook during this season of her life.

Amy finished the 1000 piece puzzle that someone else started.  She is looking forward to coming back in two weeks to work on another.  It was kind of cool to watch her work it and interactive with the other patients.  Everyone was so proud that she finished it.  Amy can’t wait until her and Auntie Stell can work on puzzles when Jim and Stella return from Arizona. 

Continue to pray that the next few days go without side effects. We will post again in a few days. 

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.