We are so grateful for our health insurance and our healthcare providers for acting so quickly on Donnie’s behalf to evaluate him and care for him. It is certainly comforting in a time when you feel very vulnerable, to trust the ones caring for you.
The ultrasound of Donnie’s gallbladder was really unremarkable. Of course, that just means that they don’t see any stones, and the wall of the gallbladder is not thickened. No gross abnormalities seen.
Donnie had a CT scan on Monday (yesterday), and we had the results at 5 pm that same day. I must say, reading the results was pretty tough, and we had a long cry together. The report stated metastases in lots of places. We called Dr. Z this morning to see if we could move our appointment up, and he called Donnie himself and said, “Can you come in now?” . . . and off to his office we went. Due to Donnie’s previous CT scan from December being somewhat questionable (some doctors agreeing and some disagreeing), Dr. Z ordered a PET scan to confirm Donnie’s CT scan results from yesterday. The PET scan will be this coming Monday. In the meantime, Donnie is scheduled to start his chemo regime of Abraxane and Gemzar next Friday, September 4th.
Our first big “tip off” this time around was that Donnie was having increasing pain 2 1/2 months out from surgery (not decreasing as it should be after one is recovering from surgery). After 2 days of no improvement, we called our docs and got answers. Of course, Donnie continues to take increasing amounts of pain medication. We are hoping that will improve once his chemo starts. It did last time.
Donnie still wants to fight as long as he has a quality of life. The kids and I are happy to hear that!! He was actually feeling pretty good before he had surgery, and able to even mow the yard and go to the beach. We are not sure what the journey looks like for him from here, just taking it one day at a time, and smelling the roses all the way.
We continue to be so grateful for your prayers!! Please pray that the chemo will be effective, and that Donnie will have a quality of life with his loved ones as long as the Lord is willing to leave him here with us. We have been blessed beyond measure to have him 8 months after his initial diagnosis, and that some of that time he could be his happy, fun-loving self!! Hopefully that will happen again 🙂
Much love, Donnie & Tina
15 replies on “Difficult news: Staying hopeful”
I am so sorry to hear this. You both are in my prayers.
I am so very sad to hear this news. Please know that I am praying for Gods healing and strength. I love you all.
Donnie and Tina so saddened by the news. I have been praying for you since the very beginning of your battle with this cancer on a daily basis. I will continue. I pray you have another good response to this Chemo. Keep fighting the good fight.
Hard news to hear, Dose. But we know what a fighter you are and continue to be. You're always in our thoughts and prayers. And such an inspiration to me and everyone who comes in contact with you both. Keep up the fight brother. We love you guys!
Definitely keeping you all in my prayers. Trusting in the Great Physician to heal completely. I love you guys!!!
We are so heartbroken to hear the sad news. The battle is not over you're going to have to get your battle armor on, Ephesians 6:13. You and your family and medical team are all in our prayers 🙏
Always praying. Love you guys and your beautiful hearts. Xo
We are continuing our prayers so Donnie will see another miracle from God. Donnie is in God's hands he should know he has been blessed and Donnie's journey is not over. Please stay strong for each other. We love you.
You two are continuing to be lights in the world as these verses in Philippians 2 state, " So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you, (enabling you )both to will and to act for His good purpose. Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world. Hold firmly the message of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn't run in vain or labor for nothing. " You are in our prayers… and thank you for your testimony of faith in Jesus, your Rock and your Strong Tower. He is with you through this battle once again with many in prayer lifting you by His Name.
So sorry to hear this news. We'll be praying this chemo works and the side effects are minimal. You two are such a living testimony for all to see. Sending hugs and prayers your way.
Love,
Betty and Steve
Wednesday Night Supper Club says we love, love,love you.
We are so sorry to here this news. Praying for you all and that the Lord will give you the strength you need to get through this. May God Bless You All Everyday.
Praying
Praying for you both.. Fight like a Mac.. Lord we need another miracle. Please Lord touch his body. As Always hugs and love to you both.. Linda
You two are constantly in our prayers. God is good all the time, all the time, God is good. Here for you. Much love.