May 24, 2009, 11:57:06 PM
to ipray4anderson
Hi all,
I had wanted to send out the Tifferson story as my next update, but I wrote 8 pages single spaced and we're not even married yet. I think I'll have to save it for another email.
Yesterday wasn't the greatest day, but it wasn't the worst. Anderson's numbness is still getting worse. He can no longer feel anything from the chest down to his toes. The docs say that it could get worse before it gets better. We're hoping that the radiation will work and will start shrinking the tumors. I saw the MRI today. It kinda looks like... a large oblong vitamin in his spinal column.
He also got his PT/OT evaluation done yesterday (Sunday). They didn't say much. I guess we'll find out in a few days what's going to happen with regards to his therapy.
Anderson's doing... ok. He has his ups and downs throughout the day and he struggles a lot with his physical limitations now more than ever. I really think he's been a trooper and he's really trying his best. I can't even imagine how he feels, but he says that it feels like torture. He's been resting a lot, taking naps... but he's still eating pretty well and he has a couple times during the day where he chats quite a bit. Yesterday night we played big 2 together. It's 1-1 so far. We've also been having good chats at night before we sleep. We both decided that it doesn't matter where we are or what we're doing... we have the best times of our lives doing it together. We make each other happy and we make the terrible things bearable because we're in it together. It sounds kind of dumb and cliche but it's truly how we feel; and our current situation is no exception.
As for me, today was kind of a hard day. Have you ever seen "As Good As It Gets"? The movie with Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson? Remember when he broke her heart and she was crying in the shower, crying at her desk... she was asleep, opened her eyes and broke out into tears? That's the way my heart felt when I woke up today. My heart was weeping and some of it was seeping out of my eyes but mostly, my heart hurt. I've heard a lot of comments/encouragements about how strong we've been... I don't FEEL strong at all. I don't feel brave and neither does Anderson. The both of us just deal with what we've been given. I hope we're making the best out of our situation. We recognize God's sovereignty and His promises... and who are we to question His plans for us? That doesn't mean we don't struggle with it every single day... and almost every minute of every day. It hurts and it's frustrating and it's sad... we go through waves of peace and waves of distress. Every day is like an emotional roller coaster.
Having our family here does help. It helps us get our minds off things and it helps us talk about things other than our present situation. We've had a lot of fun catching up with Anderson's cousin, Sanny, who flew in to visit.
We very much appreciate your prayers, love, and support. We thank you for praying with us unceasingly.
<3,
Tiff
Prayer requests are the same as yesterday:
Prayer requests for Anderson
- Radiation - pray that it would be effective, minimize side effects.
his spine is being radiated in 3 different places and it may affect his
bowels and esophagus.
- Elimination - pray for good bowel and bladder function. He's having a hard time with his bowels since he can't feel down there anymore. Keep praying for that.
- Brain - pray for preserved function, no more growth of tumors, lower
the swelling, any necrosis, any residual tumor, and especially that his
brain stem would be protected.
- Numbness - he's still numb from his chest down, his feet and legs have
gotten a little more numb since yesterday. He's having a hard time moving
his legs now. They say to wait for radiation to kick in.. maybe after a
week. Hopefully. We're really really really hoping that feeling will come
back. They say it might be the last thing that comes back, but they really
can't say.
- Alertness and orientation - he's been very alert and oriented and his
thinking is very clear. Pray that it continues.
- Arms - his arms are still functioning. pray that they continue to be
protected.
- Spirits - overall, he's been in good spirits. pray that it would
continue and that his motivation to get better will continue to be a
blessing to him. Also, not to lose hope. We pray constantly. Hope that
continues.
- Infection - pray against infections. there are so many ways you can
get an infection in the hospital. especially with the foley catheter and his
IV.
- Immobility - pray that he would not suffer from the side effects of
immobility such as blood clots, pressure ulcers, constipation.
- Rest - for everyone here, especially Anderson. Good, rejuvenating
rest.
- Safety - for everyone as they travel to visit. For all of us here and
back home.
I had wanted to send out the Tifferson story as my next update, but I wrote 8 pages single spaced and we're not even married yet. I think I'll have to save it for another email.
Yesterday wasn't the greatest day, but it wasn't the worst. Anderson's numbness is still getting worse. He can no longer feel anything from the chest down to his toes. The docs say that it could get worse before it gets better. We're hoping that the radiation will work and will start shrinking the tumors. I saw the MRI today. It kinda looks like... a large oblong vitamin in his spinal column.
He also got his PT/OT evaluation done yesterday (Sunday). They didn't say much. I guess we'll find out in a few days what's going to happen with regards to his therapy.
Anderson's doing... ok. He has his ups and downs throughout the day and he struggles a lot with his physical limitations now more than ever. I really think he's been a trooper and he's really trying his best. I can't even imagine how he feels, but he says that it feels like torture. He's been resting a lot, taking naps... but he's still eating pretty well and he has a couple times during the day where he chats quite a bit. Yesterday night we played big 2 together. It's 1-1 so far. We've also been having good chats at night before we sleep. We both decided that it doesn't matter where we are or what we're doing... we have the best times of our lives doing it together. We make each other happy and we make the terrible things bearable because we're in it together. It sounds kind of dumb and cliche but it's truly how we feel; and our current situation is no exception.
As for me, today was kind of a hard day. Have you ever seen "As Good As It Gets"? The movie with Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson? Remember when he broke her heart and she was crying in the shower, crying at her desk... she was asleep, opened her eyes and broke out into tears? That's the way my heart felt when I woke up today. My heart was weeping and some of it was seeping out of my eyes but mostly, my heart hurt. I've heard a lot of comments/encouragements about how strong we've been... I don't FEEL strong at all. I don't feel brave and neither does Anderson. The both of us just deal with what we've been given. I hope we're making the best out of our situation. We recognize God's sovereignty and His promises... and who are we to question His plans for us? That doesn't mean we don't struggle with it every single day... and almost every minute of every day. It hurts and it's frustrating and it's sad... we go through waves of peace and waves of distress. Every day is like an emotional roller coaster.
Having our family here does help. It helps us get our minds off things and it helps us talk about things other than our present situation. We've had a lot of fun catching up with Anderson's cousin, Sanny, who flew in to visit.
We very much appreciate your prayers, love, and support. We thank you for praying with us unceasingly.
<3,
Tiff
Prayer requests are the same as yesterday:
Prayer requests for Anderson
- Radiation - pray that it would be effective, minimize side effects.
his spine is being radiated in 3 different places and it may affect his
bowels and esophagus.
- Elimination - pray for good bowel and bladder function. He's having a hard time with his bowels since he can't feel down there anymore. Keep praying for that.
- Brain - pray for preserved function, no more growth of tumors, lower
the swelling, any necrosis, any residual tumor, and especially that his
brain stem would be protected.
- Numbness - he's still numb from his chest down, his feet and legs have
gotten a little more numb since yesterday. He's having a hard time moving
his legs now. They say to wait for radiation to kick in.. maybe after a
week. Hopefully. We're really really really hoping that feeling will come
back. They say it might be the last thing that comes back, but they really
can't say.
- Alertness and orientation - he's been very alert and oriented and his
thinking is very clear. Pray that it continues.
- Arms - his arms are still functioning. pray that they continue to be
protected.
- Spirits - overall, he's been in good spirits. pray that it would
continue and that his motivation to get better will continue to be a
blessing to him. Also, not to lose hope. We pray constantly. Hope that
continues.
- Infection - pray against infections. there are so many ways you can
get an infection in the hospital. especially with the foley catheter and his
IV.
- Immobility - pray that he would not suffer from the side effects of
immobility such as blood clots, pressure ulcers, constipation.
- Rest - for everyone here, especially Anderson. Good, rejuvenating
rest.
- Safety - for everyone as they travel to visit. For all of us here and
back home.
May 25, 2009, 1:35:05 AM
to ipray4anderson
Correction: The movie's called Something's Gotta Give and not As Good as it Gets. sorry!
May 25, 2009, 10:14:39 AM
to ipray4anderson
Hi all,
It's been a busy morning for us. Loads of doctors pouring in.
Anderson's numbness has gotten worse today. Kind of a lot worse. The doctors are pretty concerned and there is a possibility he might undergo spinal surgery today.
Please be in prayer for:
Love,
Tiff
It's been a busy morning for us. Loads of doctors pouring in.
Anderson's numbness has gotten worse today. Kind of a lot worse. The doctors are pretty concerned and there is a possibility he might undergo spinal surgery today.
Please be in prayer for:
- the decision - our peace about it. the doc got a phone call before he got to explain anything so we don't know much.
- numbness - they up'd his steroid dose to hopefully relieve some of the inflammation from radiation. please pray it doesn't get any worse
- our neurosurgeon - Dr. Weinberg's our neurosurgeon and we trust him a lot. he's on vacation right now and won't be back until Tuesday... pray that we can get a hold of him.
Love,
Tiff
No comments:
Post a Comment