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Friday, May 10, 2013

And ... more waiting

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”  Psalm 27:14

In what seems like a common theme these days, we are still in a holding pattern. We registered at MD Anderson and met two very sweet “six degrees of separation” connections (they both work at MD Anderson and have connections with friends of our family) while we waited to get in to our appointment. This was an unexpected blessing and encouragement. Thanks for your warmth and smiles, Hettie and Katy. We discussed Kelsey’s medical history with Dr. Benjamin’s PA and then waited to see Dr. Benjamin.

Dr. Benjamin arrived and we had a brief discussion with him, which led to the conclusion they really want to do pathology on Kelsey’s biopsies at their in-house lab, which means the pathological slides have to be shipped to MD Anderson and then tested again – more waiting. Dr. Benjamin wants to be confident he knows the exact strain of cancer before recommending a treatment path. He explained that Kelsey’s specific tumor is misdiagnosed forty percent of the time. He also ordered an MRI of Kelsey’s full spine because he believes it offers the best indication of potential tumors in her vertebrae. I guess our prayers were answered, that is new test and not one that has to be redone. Since we left his office at 6:18, the MRI has not been scheduled – more waiting. After the MRI, we’ll figure out if we want to stay down here in Houston, go to Kelsey’s parents’ place in Dallas, or head back home to Norman while we wait for the biopsies to arrive and the pathology lab to make a diagnosis.

** Kelsey here. I don’t have much to say about today, except MD Anderson is a place you don’t ever want to go. I don’t mean it is not a great place for healing, but it isn’t a resort (which is where I would much rather be), it is a place where sick people go to get better. A gal who had been treated there warned me it is a very difficult place to be. I concur. It was very hard for me to see so many people so sick and know that I have the same disease they do. Yuck! In the sarcoma center waiting room, you couldn’t help but notice a common theme – amputation. Please pray for my heart as it felt attacked and discouraged by this visit. Please pray I will feel more of a connection with the doctors here as well – I felt a bit like a number today.

Prayer requests:
-- Pray for healing.
-- More details. We discovered the pathological slides needed by MD Anderson pathology are in two locations: Mercy and Emory Medical Center. Pray that God will allow us to talk with the right folks at both locations, they will understand what is needed, send out the tissue tomorrow and MD Anderson will have it first thing next week. Pray it gets into the right hands in the pathology lab. Pray that everything goes well in transit (we don’t want any more biopsies).
-- Pray for wisdom in deciding where we should stay in the waiting period.
-- Pray for our hearts as we wait.

8 comments:

  1. I can't even imagine waiting and waiting in a place like that. So grieved, my friend. I'm starting to read keep a quiet heart, both because I much need it and because I hope to find the words of prayer and encouragement I need for you and so many hurting for you. (You know "words of encouragement" isn't my strength. Sometimes I don't know how we even manage to stay friends. Ha!) You are so loved by so many. I can hardly run in to those who know you (I.e. those who have been blessed by you and love you.) without their expressing their deep concern and earnest prayer for you.

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  2. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

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  3. I'm still praying the Lord will choose to glorify himself by either performing a healing miracle himself or through the doctors. Thanks for being so honest about your feelings in the good times as well as the 'not' so good times. I hate what the cancer is doing to your fleshly body but am inspired to see how your spirt continues to trust in the Lord to supply all of your needs. I'll pray for the items on your prayer list...for your loved ones there with you...and for peace that surpasses all understnading. Know that you are being lifted up constantly to the very throne of God. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Thankfully, you are a girl who is well aware of all those blessings and can find comfort in the knowledge of how much He loves you. Keep up the fight, dear Kelsey. Love, Sharon

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  4. praying and thinking of you daily!

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  5. You know, if I was sitting in that waiting room and watching the "new girl" walk in I wouldn't know the beautiful blessing that God had just dropped into the mix. I know that you need comfort and encouragment right now, but somehow you are still managing to give out more comfort and encouragement than anyone I know. Can you imagine the sea of opportunity laid before you in the hearts and minds of those feeling that God doesn't exist or if He does, has abandoned them?

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  6. Kelsey, Try to unplug the medical situation for this special weekend. Celebrate the love that you share with your mom and daughter on Mothers Day. I hope you start the new week refreshed and stronger than ever to "FIGHT THIS UGLY BEAST!" You are always on my mind. God Bless you.
    Judy Voth

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  7. Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous, He is always with you wherever you go. Kelsey keep your chin up and your eyes on God he will try lead and carry you through this journey. Love, The Coopers

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