Easter, Mammoth, Compton

Thu 03/20/08
Susan visited the podiatrist to check out her infected toes. She had a pedicure a few weeks ago and while she hasn’t had any problems before, her toenails were cut pretty short – the doctor believes that’s how the infection started. He prescribed daily Epsom salt soaks and an antibiotic. Once again I realize Susan’s compromised immune system requires us to be more cautious about ordinary activities. It’s hard getting used to our “new normal.”

We enjoyed a marvelous weekend of worship for Good Friday and Easter services at Emmanuel including meals and conversation on the weekend with each side of our family. We receive our greatest comfort from our Lord Jesus who conquered sin, death and hell for us on the cross and rose again on the third day to make eternal life a reality. This is the very hope that gives us strength in the face of brain cancer since live or die, God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. Pastor Harold Korver puts it well: “God does His best work in graveyards.”

Mon 03/24/08
Susan and the boys left this morning for several days in Mammoth with her parents and Randy & Dorothy and their sons. She’ll be taking some extra meds to reduce brain swelling in the altitude and have another med along in case she has a seizure. While she won’t be skiing this year, she’s looking forward to the family getaway and spending time with her mom. Lexie and I are staying home. We’ll each be at work this week and are looking forward to a date night.

Fri 03/28/08
The family returned safely from Mammoth and had a great week. Susan did well all week and had no complications. I arranged for her to have a blood draw at Mammoth Hospital so her monthly labs could be faxed to UCLA prior to starting chemotherapy – it went smoothly also.

Sat 03/29/08
Austin, Adam and I had a terrific time working with about a thousand other people on another memorable Compton clean up day, part of a long-term initiative to restore, renew and re-birth the City of Compton. One week ago, we were diverse people from churches, businesses, schools, and universities from Compton, Southeast LA, OC, even Santa Cruz and Iowa. Today we wore yellow t-shirts bearing “The Church of Compton” emblem and worked together to beautify Whaley Middle School, Citizens of Zion and Faith Inspirational churches, and several houses. It’s fulfilling to see the transformation that results from thousands of man-hours given in just one morning. It’s phenomenal to see people of all ages, backgrounds and races work together to help one another. And it’s awe-inspiring to witness the joy of those who work and those who receive help as the kingdom of God is being established in the city.

Joy at church, at home, with improvements

Sun 03/09/08
Today was Super Soul Sunday at Emmanuel’s Noon Service, our annual celebration of worship in the African American tradition. Pastor Larry’s promise of a hand-clappin’, foot-stompin’, finger-lickin’ good time did not disappoint. We were privileged to have Pastor Rafer Owens of Faith Inspirational Church in Compton deliver the sermon at all the services. He greatly encouraged our church for the work we’re doing to lift up the City of Compton, confirming that the flame of renewal we were hoping to help ignite has caught on in the city. I wept to hear this man of God testify to the reality that the one American city that has symbolized violence, corruption and blight like no other has begun to turn. It’s real – over the next 40 years, Compton will move from being a byword to being a model for urban transformation. We are beginning to witness a move of God that will bring Him great glory.

Listen to Pastor Owens' sermon online: http://www.erc.la/staying-focused-on-the-road-less-traveled-luke-131-35-rafer-owens

Tue 03/11/08
Susan made dinner tonight – the whole meal. It was significant because we’ve needed to push further toward me doing less and her doing more. Many nights in the past I’ve just done the whole thing in the interest of time since it takes longer to teach and do than it does just to do. But last night I was busy and turned her loose to do the cooking. I had to help out only a couple of times. She made baked chicken breasts smothered in tomato sauce with cheese (call it pizza chicken), steamed broccoli, and a delicious romaine salad. It was a great meal and an important step in shifting our roles back into balance.

Tue 03/19/08
We had our 4th consecutive monthly trip to UCLA today for MRI and neuro-oncology clinic visit with Dr Nghiemphu. Great results! What we've been praying for - the tumor site across the midline got smaller since February. We felt a great sense of relief with her good news! As she continued, the doctor also noticed more swelling in the cavity where tumor was removed last summer. Both the shrinkage and the swelling are the effect of radiation, in her opinion, enhanced by the temodar chemotherapy. She said radiation effect can be progressively noticeable for up to a year and a half. We were all very encouraged by this MRI - certainly moving in the right direction. Aside from continued monthly chemo, Susan will return to the two-month MRI cycle, so we'll revisit in May.
On a cautionary note, Susan has developed an infection in her big toes, more so on the right foot. My guess it’s from ingrown toenails since her feet have been swollen from being on steroids. She’ll see the podiatrist tomorrow for treatment. Infections can be troublesome for cancer patients like Susan, as we’ve seen in the past. We continue to pray for overall healing.

We had a break of several hours between Susan’s MRI and clinic visit, so we ventured down Sunset Blvd and visited the Will Rogers State Park. We had a personalized tour of the home since there were only two other guests and had lingering comments from our guide, lots of time for questions, and a peek at the many lumps of chewing gum Will Rogers stuck under the table when he sat down for meals. Susan and I enjoyed our time together strolling the grounds, soaking in the springtime sun and fragrant breezes, and having fish tacos in Santa Monica for lunch. This was a memorable day.

Monthly chemo

Sun 03/02/08
Susan begins her monthly, five-day round of temodar chemotherapy tonight, her 3rd month at the maximum dose of 370mg.
We enjoyed another uplifting and inspirational day at church today. As we study The Prayer That Changes Everything by Stormie Omartian in Sunday school, I feel like we’re getting nudged ever closer in our path toward transformation. Amid the bigness of God and the complexity of understanding Him, there is a profound power in Christianity that comes by accepting and not achieving – realizing the simple truth that God is good, He loves us more than we could know, and He has amazing plans for us.

Fri 03/07/08
With rehab done, our friends from church were able to resume their caregiver roles in full force this week for the first time since early December. Although Susan doesn’t need the intensive help she did last fall, she loves their companionship and welcomes their help when they’re available. We’re still completely amazed and greatly thankful for such an amazing resource as these ladies give their time to be with Susan.Susan has handled chemo well this time with only marginal fatigue and nausea toward the end of the five days as the doses accumulate. It’s a gift that she’s been tolerating it so well. It’s been an otherwise uneventful week, a good thing for a brain tumor patient. The past few weeks have been busy with more office hours for me, medical appointments for Susan, and family stuff. I’m working on a site update to refresh the look of these pages and add more recent content.