Home from the hospital tomorrow?
July 14th, 2008 by LynneQuick medical update
Becky and I are here at the UCSF hospital with Scott, watching him sleep. Just wanted to give a quick update while I had a chance.
Scott has tolerated the IV chemo (methotrexate) much better than I had hoped with mostly just weakness and tiredness as side effects up to this point. By tomorrow, the lab work should show that the chemo is out of his system so I should be able to take him home sometime tomorrow afternoon. He may get another intrathecal (into the spinal fluid) chemo injection of methotrexate before he leaves, or I may need to bring him back on an out-patient basis to the clinic across the street on Thursday or Friday for the injection – decision yet to be determined.
The really good news is that his right eyelid is opening much more than a few days ago, and is not so swollen. Sometimes his vision will kick back into normal, rather than double vision, but not all the time. So, I definitely see that as improvement.
Many thank yous
So many people have helped keep our family going these past few days. Thank you to my brother and sister-in-law Craig and Kim for a bag of goodies to keep us going at the hospital, and spending the afternoon with us yesterday helping and keeping us company. Thank you to Ken and Mari for coming all the way up to hold a private communion service since it’s been weeks since Scott’s been able to worship at church. Thanks to Marty who spent all day Saturday to drive down from Sacramento to spend a few hours keeping Scott company while I was home with Daniel and Becky. Most of his time here was spent watching Scott sleep. Marty, your time and effort was such a gift to both of us. Thank you to Ben and Sharon for keeping touch with Daniel while he’s home recuperating from his cold while Becky and I are up with Scott in San Francisco. And especially thank you to Bob and Susie for letting me and Becky crash at their place overnight while Scott’s here at the hospital.
What’s next
Assuming Scott will continue doing as well as he is and goes home tomorrow, this will finish chemo #1 out of at least 4 chemo sessions. He’ll be an inpatient for at least 4 days every other week here at UCSF, with in-between weeks bringing him up here to the outpatient clinic across the street for his intrathecal chemo injection. If all goes well, that will take us into early-mid September. At some point after that (if MRI’s, scans, and lumbar puntures come back negative, and he doesn’t need any more chemo), he’ll be prepared for stem cell harvesting via the apheresis process (see explanation in previous blog), and eventually the bone marrow transplant maybe sometime this fall? So, still, a rather long road to travel.
Thanks to all of you for your continued prayers and encouragement which hold us up. Thanks, too, to Dave and Irene Dias for finding us in the hospital this afternoon (Scott’s been moved twice in the last 20 hours), and taking the time to pray with us. We wish we could say thanks and give hugs to everyone in person who’s helped, prayed and encouraged spiritually or practically over this long trial.
Much love, Lynne
Lynn:
I know you must be exhausted because this has been such a trial again for you both. It is times like this that you need to cling to the knowledge of who is in charge and that he has a good plan for those who are faithful. I will continue to pray for you both for strength, peace and healing.
I wish that I could be there to help, but for those of us far away prayers will be our vigile for you both.
In Christ’s love,
Peggy
Dear Lynne,
Thank you for keeping all of us up to date and able to pray with some knowledge of where you all are.
I continue to pray for each of you as you journey through this valley. I have lived through some dark valleys myself and know that companionship along the way is so encouraging. The valley has shadows, but where a shadow is, Light is present. Our God will never leave you or foresake you!
I look forward to the time you are back on the Mountain!
With love and continued prayers,
Dawn Lindholm
Dear Lynne & Scott,
We’ve been away until this evening since Friday a.m. – down in San Louis Obispo singing at a “blessing” on the Avila Beach for Michelle and her new husband, Grahem (from England), so I’m sorry I didn’t see this earlier. I’ll give you a call shortly. It was a Native American circle celebration of life for the new couple and was very interesting. Talk to you soon.
Love,
klg
Scott:
I just want you to know that I miss you and am praying for you and your family. Your faith is inspiring.
Dave
Dear Scott & Lynne,
Lynne, I marvel at the strength continues to give you! I think of the exhaustion, physically, you must feel….but, I am talking about the inner strength the Lord is continually providing. All the trails, valleys, decisions that need to be made daily, He has not brought you this far, to abandon you now……your resolve grows stronger, your mettle is tested and you grow with each new battle….I admire you. I know sleeping is good because the body is building up strength, so we are glad to hear that Scott is sleeping, as that was a real problem back at the beginning…..you also need rest, so I pray there is time for you, as Scott is sleeping. We are praying for all of you. We pray for Daniel and Becky, as you can be a comfort for one another. I praise God for each person who has stepped forward and has been a help and a comfort to you and the kids.
As a wrote to you before, when Jerry reads your blog, he weeps. He continually searches the emails for your blog. I am sure a lot of your friends and family do. He feels very close to Scott and prays for him. We pray and continually ask God for His Holy Spirit to continually minister to you as only He can.
We love you all….and in Jesus Name continue to ask Him for Scott to be healed and continue holding up you, Daniel and Becky close to His heart.
From people who love you in Ferndale, Washington – Jerry & Rosie
Scott, Lynne, Daniel and Becky,
We are praying for all of you– most of all for strength for Scott. Your an amazing family to endure all of this. We continue to pray for complete healing.
We love and miss all of you. Your such an inspiration to us.
Lots of love,
Mandy, John, Travis & Luke
Let us continue to pray, “Thy will be done . . . “
Dick and I continue to Pray for the Dr’s wisdome each step of the way . We pray that the treatments will continue to heal your body Scott. Lynne we pray for you through all of this, God just strengthing you.
Love Dick and Bev.
Welcome home! (I hope.
)
Praying and praying and praying for y’all. Missing you fiercely. Holding onto hope for complete healing. May the LORD bless you and envelope you in His mercy.
Love and love and love,
Renée Anna and Eddie
Scott, Lynne, Daniel and Becky -
Know you were offered up in prayer to the whole church on Sunday. The congregation was informed of your exact circumstances and Mark Nilson did a very nice job communicating a challenging situation for all to hear. Know you are very much on our minds and the power of prayer will carry you to safety.
We love you.
Love, Brad and Ingrid
Dear Halversons,
Still praying for God’s mercy.
YT,
D
Pretty excited about his response to the initial chemo and the apheresis process…didn’t know they could do that…and the fact of how much it increases the odds of success is great! Nevertheless, we’ve learned that “odds” are in God’s hands, so we will continue to beg him for mercy, faith, and endurance.
Halverson Fam!
You are in my prayers! Thank you for the updates. May God grant you traveling mercies between MH and SF, continued strength, and rest.
Love you guys!
Jenna