Monday, February 28, 2011

We’ve just returned from daffodils “in a yellow petticoat and a green gown”, swelling buds and a few exuberant birds singing their little hearts out for joy! Spring has come to Tennessee (by a Minnesotan’s standards) and so had we for a few short days. We had hoped to make this trip for some time in anticipation of a good friend’s wedding, but only on last Tuesday did we receive certain approval from our Radiation Oncologist to miss radiation over an extended weekend if Mama had two treatments on Thursday and then returned home in time for treatment on Monday! Necessarily, our schedule was extremely tight and we were forced to give up not a few cherished and hopeful plans we’ll have to pick up on another trip. We so enjoyed being together in the car again for many hours (for the first time in over a year!) simply appreciating each other’s company and discussing our favorite topics and strategies...and being “us!” :o) We were warmly refreshed by the kindness of geographically-distant yet dear and steadfast friends.
And now home to our beloved Minnesota and the task at hand. Mama continues to manage radiation well; she has completed 1 week + 3 days of treatments out of 5 weeks and, providentially, moisturizing continues to alleviate pain from burning. God is gracious to us. Praying you all have a week filled with rest and productivity pleasing to the Lord!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

This morning’s appointment was truly an answer to prayer; our radiation oncologist generously explained her treatment plan for Mama with decision and sensibility for which we are grateful. Now we can know detrimental side affects are necessary for the best end result and not possibly the result of an oversight. It is really encouraging to hear how carefully they outline and map out treatment levels; the doctor mentioned that they were able to position Mama so a smaller than average sliver of her lung and heart are scarred by radiation. She even explained the “ticking” from the electric circuits that varies based on how many lights are on in the building (16-24 ticks based on electric drain). I think she was explaining everything she could possibly think of. :o)
So thankful for good communication today!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

I hope you had a glorious Sunday! Near us, the snow is flying thick and fast and the wind is whistling down the chimney only to meet an ebullient fire at the bottom, crackling and popping, casting its warm ruddy glow on contented, reflective faces. Mama has been thankful for a short reprieve before radiation starts again in earnest tomorrow. She noticed after just two treatments her skin is sensitive and very dry even with careful moisturizing. We prayed together on Friday night for strength and endurance and specifically that Mama’s skin would be strong and withstand this new treatment well. We also pray for clear communication with our doctors. It is sometimes hard to tell what degree of opinion we are expected to have and understand what they are trying to tell us. Mama was told she would be radiated in one area by her doctor and then the technologist described a much broader area right before her treatment! :ol We have an appointment with our original radiation oncologist on Tuesday which will hopefully clear it up.

We enjoyed hearing Mama’s description of the radiation desk atmosphere in contrast to “chemo”. She said it is much more casual and… jocular. :o) And for obvious reasons; they are dealing with a completely different treatment, the only similarity being they both administer medically controlled toxins. Anyway, by popular request, Mama described to us the music (like music you would hear at the local swimming pool :o) )and the radiation technologist who assumed a bit of humorous bravado for the occasion and then moved down and across the hallway during the treatment time so he doesn’t catch any scattered radiation. She told us about the big screen with the picture of waving grass and waterfalls, the red “whooga” light up near the ceiling that lights up when she is being treated, the “slats” that made a sort of grinding sound when they open and shut and then the two hot tears that fell down into her ears and couldn’t be dried because she couldn’t move a muscle. The lady who works at the reception desk on Friday has a contagious laugh and we recognize some of the people from chemo in radiation and exchange smiles of tacit acknowledgement as we pass by. :o) God is faithful in working all things for good. He says, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” (Ps. 50:15) How good He is to us and what a joy to be an instrument for His glory! We hold fast to His mercy and faithfulness and are again reminded of His words, “I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish." (Jer. 31:25) “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”(Matt. 11:28)

Thursday, February 17, 2011

I regret not being able to update you sooner on Mama’s progress. It was certainly not my intention to ask for prayer and then not follow through with a report and I hope my tardiness does not reflect an indifferent representation of the preciousness of your notes and prayers to us. I am thankful to say Mama did well on Monday; she was able to manage the pain tolerably and her arm position was such that the radiologists felt confidant proceeding with simulation.  As Mama says, we had our own little celebration afterwards. Well, not really a “celebration”; we are grateful, but also eager to be over the next hurdle. The first treatment is today, this afternoon. Their method of using a variety of precautions including "shrink wrapping" a pillow to completely insure you remain in the same position ever time you are treated is really intriguing technology. One thing the doctor did mention was that the cording on Mama's arm will be highly exposed to radiation and most likely blister. Of course then it might not be quite as easy to continue with therapy for a time so this could be a difficult balancing act. We're praying against her arm reacting in this way and trusting that whatever the outcome God will provide strength and sustenance for Mama as she needs it. Love to you all and have a blessed day!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Hello Dear Friends, 
I am writing a brief update in anticipation of tomorrow’s radiation appointment.  First, I need to assure you all of the tremendous blessing your prayers afford us. God in His mercy was near Mama this week helping her through therapy and on Thursday especially she noticed exceptional improvement in both her range of motion and pain levels for which we are thankful. On Wednesday she was in quite a bit of pain from the cording which has spread down her arm and became sensitively painful. She called her therapist to make sure she wasn’t doing anything wrong and was assured that there was nothing more she could do except take pain medication. We were so thankful when she woke up the next morning and was doing significantly better and attribute it to nothing but the grace of God in hearing our prayers. I think Mama is doing really well; her arm doesn’t exactly look like it’s in the right position for radiation but I think it’s close enough for them to “make do” if Mama takes pain medication. On the other hand we hope and pray they don’t have to stress it to maintain a position. Please pray for wisdom for these radiologists and clear trusting communication and pray Mama’s arm would make another significant step tomorrow morning.  Thank you all so much; you truly are partners with us through this trial with your prayers. 
With Much Love, 
Aubrey for the Lenz’s

Monday, February 7, 2011

This morning’s clinic appointments started at 6:40 am! Not deliberately mind you. :o) Mama really enjoys being done with everything before afternoon so we can go on with our day and I agree. Everyone is cheerful, awake and well rested (technically :o) ). But when Mom requested early mornings, 6:40 am was not necessarily what she had in mind!  After the first thrill of watching the city wake up in the dark to the accompaniment of a variety of resources, (including very-cheerful-wake-up-music) the novelty soon wears off and the benefits of just one more hour of sleep are realized. We had a very productive morning regardless, receiving explanations and answers to questions we have had for a few weeks now about healing and pain. Mom has a pretty significant case of axillary cording which is basically extremely tight, painful cords that prevent her from using her arm with a regular range of motion and need to be “massaged out” so they don’t snap. She has new exercises and exercise amendments to work on for this next week. At the same time, the radiation doctors are anxious to start treatments as soon as possible, but they agreed to reschedule assimilation for next week and then begin radiation the following Thursday. They don’t want to radiate her arm unnecessarily (because her arm would be in the way of the machine etc.) but they also don’t want to wait too much longer and risk the radiation being less effective. We’re hoping the cords stretch out quickly and easily… Mom has noticed considerable progress just in the last few days; so keep praying! It is so important and God is graciously taking good care of Mama as well as our whole family.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

We are enjoying the snow-fall here in Minnesota, covering everything in its reach with a thick clean white blanket! This makes life a bit more adventurous for Daddy and Ben who strategize on what precise time is best to pull out the Ford 8N and most efficiently and permanently clear the driveway and road near us. Daddy and the boys started a winter time study of Biblical Law in the smaller hours of the morning this week. Mom and the girls are wrapped up in books and winter-projects trying to squeeze in every bit of reading we can while this season holds its steady quiet over the earth and the sun sets early and rises late; an atmosphere so pleasantly conducive to disciplined thought. In case you are just the tiniest bit anxious for spring, just imagine bags of moist, delicious smelling earth that crumples in your hand, rich black and warm, like the ground on a sunny summer’s day on your entryway floor and you’ll know what we’re working on this week! (All the annual perennials, you know… the ones that “need” to be started early. ;o) )

We are so thankful Mama’s arm is making progress, the kind of progress where if you think back to last week and remember what she could do then and see what she can do now it’s encouraging. Thank you all for your persevering prayers and life-giving encouragement. God is so good and faithfully sustaining! Mom is getting stronger and not tiring as quickly and trying really hard to rest and not get too excited about moving too quickly. :o) We would appreciate continued prayers for healing, wisdom for pain maintenance, that Mom would know when to address it, for strength and endurance through continued therapy and that she would be able to start radiation in a timely manner, (hopefully soon, though we’re not sure when her arm will be healed and not in so much pain). Pray we would be diligent and willing in keeping up with home tasks and for good rest for Mama at night. Love you all so much!

Aubrey for all the Lenz’s

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 “I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I, whom you have redeemed.” Psalm 71:22-23