Donnie has really been enjoying some great days. He has felt pretty good, so we have been spending time with our children, grand babies, extended family and friends. It has been uplifting and encouraging!
We left Naples, after seeing Wendy and Robin, and Ron (my birth family) and Carole, and drove across the state to St. Augustine to see Jeff, Flora, Kaia and Liam. Such a wonderful day at the park (even if it was pretty cold).
Next, we had the privilege of meeting dear friends, Keith and Debbie Jones. So WONDERFUL to see them in Orlando! Keith is the pastor of O’Brien Baptist Church in O’Brien, FL. They had a great time catching up!
Then off to Blue Springs to see the manatees with Rachael, Jared, Brianna, Sophia and Bradley. Manatees, and a picnic, and lots of running and playing. Another great day!
So after several weeks of feeling great, we went to our chemo appointment this Tuesday. Donnie had tumor markers drawn, and received his chemo. Dr. Z called us today (Friday), to let us know that Donnie’s tumor marker (Ca19-9) increased from 53 a month ago, to 153 this week (normal is 0-35). It increased 100 points in one month. We were pretty bummed, but not surprised. Our new plan is to put Donnie back on the Abraxane and Gemzar at his next chemo appointment on March 8.
We would like to invite our family and friends to our Easter service at WaterStone Fellowship on March 27th. Rodger, Donnie’s younger brother, will be our worship leader, and he will be singing special music that day. If the Lord is willing, Donnie will sing a duet with Rodger called, “Your Grace Still Amazes Me.” We are hopeful he will be able to sing that day.
We are so grateful to God for the wonderful days Donnie has had over the last 6 weeks!! Please pray for the Abraxane to be effective, side effects to be minimal (this drug gives him some big problems) and pray that Donnie would be able to praise God in song on Easter. It would be extra special for him and for me.
We thank you for your precious prayers through this entire journey!
Much love, Donnie & Tina
5 replies on “Tumor markers are up”
Dear Tina and Donnie, so glad you are able to travel some and enjoy family.You are so blessed to have such a wonderful and loving family. We are praying for you and continue to ask God for a cure. I know your markers will come down. So glad you have such a wonderful medical team on your side and you have options for chemo.God Bless you both and know we are praying for you and your recovery.
So glad you are having all of these good days! Hoping and praying that the medicine will work and his good life will continue.
You two are a wonderful living example of learning how to live life one day at a time and living in this very moment.
That's truly all any of us have anyway. Prayers and blessings for more joy.
Love, Terri
Dear Tina and Donnie I love hearing about your family trips and looking at the family pictures. So much happiness and love in one family. You two are very lucky to have each other during the good times and bad times. Keep fighting the fight, I hope those tumor markers go way down to normal. Love you both. Our prayers will keep coming for a complete recovery for Donnie.
Dearest Tina and Donnie,
Looking at all the pictures of you two and your family makes me smile. Your smiles are contagious! Donnie, our family will be praying for the markers to decrease significantly. Always sending love and happy, healing thoughts your way!
We will Praise Him in the storm! We will lift up our voices to high to our Heavenly Father who has made these days all possible. Let us be encouraged by the good days, by the journey that Donnie has walked through and now it lays behind him. He has been such a trooper! He has overcome great difficulties in the past and will continue to overcome!!! The enemy will not get this, though he keeps trying. We as a family of strong believers will pray through this! God hears our voice and our hearts! Keep pressing through!
We love watching you both as Donnie has been able to get out and enjoy so many things. The smiles, the laughter, the twinkle in the eyes are worth more than words can begin to describe. Do not let tomorrows worries steal from today's joy! Enjoy today and let tomorrow take care of itself through all the love and prayers extended to Heaven and from Heaven. By His Stripes we were healed!
Continue, as always, to "Fight Like A MAC!" Your troops are behind you every step of the way!
As I look at the photo's of all those grandbabies loving on their Pa, I think WOW! What a troop! What love!!!! The love just oozes out 🙂
We love you both dearly!
Hang in there and keep doing what your doing. It's good for the soul.
Always,
Lorraine & Robert