Good Times with Family

Jim got up this morning and headed straight to the Emergency Room. Four hours later, he finished receiving his unit of platelets. About the same time he returned home, my brother Jim and his wife Sally and their kids, Julie and Brian arrived from Columbus, OH. We enjoyed a wonderful meal that they brought and had a great visit with them. Good times with family this weekend.

Jim seemed to have a little more energy this afternoon even though his counts remain low. He returns for more lab work and a doctor visit on Monday. Please continue to pray for complete healing of this disease.

Time for More Platelets

Blood draws are commonplace now for Jim. Today he had an appointment for yet another blood draw. The results showed all of his counts were low, however his platelets (the stuff that helps your blood to clot) had crossed the line to where a transfusion was necessary. We suspected this would be the case, because Jim was having some bruising and developed dots on his skin for no apparent reason. He spent the afternoon in the doctor's office receiving platelets. As he was preparing to come home, he had a troublesome side effect regarding bleeding. Instead of coming home, he went straight back to the doctor's office and reported the side effect. The doctor considered readmitting Jim, but chose instead to order more platelets for him to receive in the Emergency Room tomorrow. Because Jim's counts are low, we are back to wearing masks. Either he wears one or visitors wear one. He will need to stay out of public places to guard against any infection or virus. Please pray that Jim's doctors would have wisdom as they treat Jim during this time that his blood counts are low. Pray also that Jim would stay clear of any illness or infection. We appreciate all your prayers for us.

Giving Thanks

I received an email today with an excerpt I’d like to share. This is something we’ve learned long ago – to thank God for ALL things, both the good and the bad. We definitely have had to do this out of blind obedience to God at times and not because we felt particularly thankful, especially for difficult circumstances. I love how this is worded as if Jesus were talking directly to us and how being thankful for all things “removes the sting from adversity”. I thought it was appropriate for this Thanksgiving Day.

This is an excerpt from Jesus Calling, a devotional by Sarah Young. "Each day is written as if Jesus Himself were speaking to you. Because He is. Do you hear him calling?"

"Thankfulness takes the sting out of adversity. That is why I have instructed you to give thanks for everything. There is an element of mystery in this transaction: You give me thanks (regardless of your feelings), and I give you Joy (regardless of your circumstances). This is a spiritual act of obedience- at times, blind obedience. To people who don't know Me intimately, it can seem irrational and even impossible to thank Me for heart-rending hardships. Nonetheless, those who obey Me in this way are invariably blessed, even though difficulties may remain. Thankfulness opens your heart to My Presence and your mind to my thoughts. You may still be in the same place, with the same set of circumstances, but it is as if a light has been switched on, enabling you to see from My perspective. It is this Light of My Presence that removes the sting from adversity."

Ephesians 5:20; Psalm 118:1; Psalm 89:15

Jim has done okay this week. He had a doctor’s appointment on Tuesday and had some lab work done. His blood counts remain low as they expected. He is to return on Friday and if his counts drop more, he will need a transfusion. He is still dealing with a few side effects: an itchy rash on his leg, minor problems with his eyes, and occasional nausea. These should all continue to resolve. He is often cold and tired and has little endurance or stamina which is due to his low counts. We enjoyed a quiet Thanksgiving today with just our family. It was good to have a day to pause and give thanks to God for all the blessings He gives us. Here’s a picture of the Miller guys today at dinner.

Glad To Be Home

Jim was discharged from the hospital with some heavy duty medication around 12:30 p.m. today. He was experiencing the side effects of nausea, muscle aches (especially his back) and an itchy rash that developed on his legs. On Thanksgiving Day when we go around the table and say what we're thankful for, I wouldn't be surprised if he says, "Morphine!" He stayed in bed most of the day and took the full dose of all the medication that was ordered for him. Seriously, we are very grateful for medication that is available to help counteract the nasty side effects of chemotherapy. It was a tough week and we're glad its done. Jim's blood counts are a little low, and we were told that they might continue to drop even more between 7 and 10 days from now. That will mean that Jim will be staying close to home and not venture out in public since we are in the cold and flu season. It is very important that he does not get sick now, because he won't be able to fight it off as easily. We're expecting Jim to have 3 weeks off from chemotherapy and then be readmitted for the next round on December 15.

Thanks again for your continued interest and prayers.

More Chemo Today

We continued the roller coaster ride we've been on this week. However, today was a better day. Jim received chemo today. He asked for medication as soon as he began to feel the side effects and so was able to stay more comfortable. Tomorrow he is slated for discharge. Please pray that the side effects would be minimal so he can come home earlier in the day. We appreciate you interceding on our behalf. We are glad this week is coming to an end.

Today Was a Tough Day

Jim's doctor ordered some heavy duty drugs including morphine to help make Jim more comfortable today. It knocked him out for most of the afternoon. I sat by his bedside and watched him sleep. It was a relief to see him resting and more comfortable. Jim called me this evening and said he was feeling somewhat better. He said he would upgrade his condition now to "just feeling lousy!" He is still requesting morphine but only 1/2 the dose that he is allowed. He was able to keep a bowl of chicken soup down this evening, so I guess that's progress.

I misjudged how difficult this week would be when Jim was admitted last Monday. This was a hard day for Jim and exhausting for me. We are both glad this day is coming to an end and hope tomorrow will be better. Jim has his last day of chemotherapy tomorrow. We have to do this one more time and then he's done for this hospital stay. We're seeing a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.

Would Appreciate Your Prayers Today

What a difference a few hours makes! Jim is feeling pretty low this morning. He is experiencing severe muscle pain, especially in his back and calves. This is much different and worse than the side effects he felt after his first day of chemo. His aches and pains were controlled successfully with Tylenol last Tuesday. Overnight last night, he was given three doses of a much stronger pain reliever with still no relief. Please pray for wisdom for the doctor to know how to manage this pain, and that Jim might find some relief today. I'll keep you posted.

He's A Great Guy!

Jim always calls me when he wakes up to give me the update of how he did overnight. This morning he greeted me with a cheery, “Good Morning!” He was feeling better and well rested and had no pain or nausea. He sounded like his usual self with a smile in his voice. I visited him at the hospital first thing this morning before I went to work, and I was there when the doctor made his rounds. The doctor came in and said, “How’s our star patient doing this morning?” He is very pleased with how well Jim has responded to the treatments. I love that he is their “star patient!”

During this phase of treatment, Jim receives chemo twice a day every other day. So his first day was Monday; Tuesday he had a break from chemo (but definitely felt the side effects) and today was another day of chemo. Thankfully, other than a little achiness, he had a great day and enjoyed chatting with a few visitors both in person and over the phone.

Today he decided to surprise me. My doorbell rang this afternoon and there at my door was our friend, Kent, who is one of the pastors at our church. Kent handed me this beautiful bouquet of flowers and said they were from Jim. Kent visited Jim today and Jim asked him to pick up some flowers and deliver them to me as a surprise from him. He melts my heart with gestures like this and amazes me with his selflessness – He’s always thinking of others. He really is a great guy!

Thanks for your continued interest and prayers. Remember Jim tomorrow as he may feel more side effects of the chemo again. We appreciate your love and support.

So, This Is NOT The Fun Part!

As thankful as I am for drugs that treat cancer, these chemotherapy drugs are a little scary. Some of the scarier side effects of the chemo that Jim is currently on include confusion, difficulty breathing, eye discomfort, blurred vision, double vision, vomiting and stomach pain. The more common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, skin rash, itching, bone pain, and muscle aches and pains. Jim is experiencing most of the latter side effects, especially nausea, bone pain, muscle aches and pains. Thankfully, they are giving some other medications that help counteract these side effects. But when you ask Jim how he is feeling today, his answer is, “It’s kicking my butt!”

It’s interesting though . . . I remember hearing Jim pray at the beginning of his last hospitalization for complete healing of this disease and that the Lord would help him to keep his spirits up. I have witnessed this prayer continually being answered as Jim has a positive outlook and has never asked, “Why me?” Even now, when he is feeling totally lousy, he still jokes with the nurses and has his sense of humor.

Pray for Jim, as you think of him this week, that these side effects would be minimal and that they could be managed with medication.

We’re Back for the Consolidation Phase

Today at 8:00 a.m. I drove Jim to his oncology doctor’s office so they could draw labs and admit him to the hospital to begin the Consolidation Phase of his treatment. I found I had kind of a sick feeling of dread as we headed toward the hospital. As I sat in the waiting room with Jim, I had a sense of, “How did we ever end up in the office of a doctor who specializes in cancer?” Sometimes it still doesn’t seem real to me. At the same time, I am grateful that there are doctors who have expertise in this area and medicines that can be given to treat cancer that have helped Jim feel as good as he does. When I remember how sick he was at the beginning of his last hospital stay only 7 weeks ago, I am thankful for how good he has felt over the last 3 to 4 weeks.

When we finally got him registered and taken up to the Oncology Unit, we were greeted by nurses and staff who remembered Jim and welcomed us back. Our friend, Jill, who works on that floor was there and greeted me with a hug. The feeling of dread I had began to fade as we got Jim settled into his room. Chemotherapy began around 2:00 in the afternoon. During this first week of the Consolidation Phase, he will receive only 1/3 the amount of chemo as he did during the Induction Phase. Every 12 hours, he will be hooked up to an IV for about 3-4 hours at a time to receive the chemotherapy. After each treatment, Jim will be unhooked from the IV and have more freedom to walk around and leave the floor if he chooses. We were told that his blood counts will most likely not drop as low as they did before, and if they do, it would be 7 to 10 days after his chemotherapy for the week is over.

This evening, Jim is feeling a little nauseated, but he has been given a medicine that should help to counteract that. He was feeling better by the end of our phone conversation. Thank you for your words of support. Yours cards, emails and comments have been an encouragement to us. We appreciate all your prayers.

The Results Are In!

Jim received the results of the bone marrow biopsy from his doctor’s office. We were told that if he had 5% or less leukemic cells, Phase I would be considered a success and he would be able to move on to the Consolidation Phase. The Lord has once again been good to us. Jim was told that there were 0 leukemic cells in his bone marrow. It is the best news we could have received. We breathed a sigh of relief and thanks to God. Jim is now ready more than ever to get on with his treatment. It was explained to us that there still could be hidden leukemia cells which is why Jim will undergo the Consolidation Phase of treatment. This phase is “to seal the deal.” Jim will be admitted to Lutheran Hospital on Monday, November 17 for about a week. The Consolidation Phase of chemotherapy is not as intensive as the Induction Phase was. As we find out more details, I will share them here.

Thank you once again for all your prayers and concern for our family. We cannot express how much we appreciate all the love and support we’ve received. Our thanks go to God for how He continues to provide for us. We are humbled by his grace.

His Timing is Perfect

We received a call from the nurse practitioner at Jim’s doctor’s office. They have not yet received the results of his bone marrow biopsy. They also told him that they would like to delay his next hospitalization for one week. Since he was discharged early with low blood counts, they would like to give him a little more time to become stronger before they knock him back down with the next round of chemotherapy.

We really have mixed feelings about this. Jim was somewhat disappointed. He was ready to take the next step in this process to get it over with and hopefully feel better again by Thanksgiving assuming he was going on to the Consolidation Phase. I am quietly happy to have him home for one more week – another week of normalcy for Kyle and the rest of the family – however, I, too, was hoping that Jim would be back on track for the holidays.

We have been very settled this week as we wait for the results of the bone marrow biopsy. Whichever way it goes, we know that the Lord has it all in His hands. As I think about the timing of Jim’s blood counts returning to normal so we could attend the marching band state finals as a family, I am content to trust God with the timing of Jim’s next treatments and the upcoming holidays. He loves us more than we can even understand, and we know – from past experiences - that His timing is perfect.

Thank you for your continued interest and prayers for us. Please continue to pray that Jim’s bone marrow biopsy would show little or no leukemic cells so that he can continue on to the Consolidation Phase of treatment. And pray that he would be completely healed of this disease.

Bone Marrow Biopsy

It is hard to explain how much we are enjoying having Jim home and being back to a normal family life – at least for now. Jim had a good weekend. We went to Indianapolis on Saturday and watched Homestead take fourth place, securing their spot in the top five bands in the state. Sunday, Jim attended church with us. It was very encouraging for him to see our friends and thank those who have been praying for us.

Yesterday, the bone marrow biopsy was done. Jim was understandably nervous about the procedure and has been feeling uneasy about what the outcome of the test might be. We will find out the results later this week. If there are little or no leukemic cells found, he will be declared in "Eary Remission" and will begin Phase II, or the Consolidation Phase, as an in-patient at Lutheran on Monday November 10. This phase is to "seal the deal" and kill any remaining or hidden leukemia cells he might have. His hospitalization should only be about a week. He will have to repeat the schedule of one week of chemotherapy and two weeks off two more times for this phase for a total of nine weeks. If the results of the bone marrow biopsy show too many leukemic cells, Jim will still go in on Monday but repeat Phase I which is called Reinduction. This would require a much longer hospital stay.

Please pray for Jim that he would feel a peace this week that passes all understanding as we wait for this test result. Pray that the results of the bone marrow biopsy would be good, and that he would be able to take the next step in this process. Please pray that he would be completely healed of this disease. Your love, support and prayers continue to help carry us through.