June 26, 2012

I called Mrs. Doug and she said she's been doing pretty good.  She said she had to call the doctor today because she kept hearing a sloshing sound when she moved around.  They said that was fluid in the cavity where they removed the lump and it would just absorb itself into the body and not to worry about it.

Overall, she has been a little tired from the surgery but she says she's not been overdoing it.  She said yesterday she didn't feel great and felt like she might have had a low grade fever, but today she felt a lot better.  She's thankful that she hasn't had to worry about cooking much.  She wanted me to be sure to thank everyone that has brought food.  It has been so helpful. 

She said that she wouldn't start the radiation until about 4-6 weeks out from the surgery because she has to be completely healed before she can have it done.  She will plan to have it after school and wants to be able to take Bro. Dale with her so he can start some outpatient therapy. 

She's looking forward to having all her girls come in on Sunday and spending next week with them. 



²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”   Matthew 11:28-30

June 24, 2012

Good morning, just wanted to give you a quick update. I'm doing great, feel good and not too sore.  Dale & I are planning on going to church this morning.
Dale is doing great.  We are looking forward to getting out patient therapy set up for him in Tupelo soon.  We are hoping to get some of it started before I start my treatments.  As far as we know now I will have to take five weeks of radiation  five times a week.  So, we are hoping to get him started in therapy there before I start.  He is really motivated now and is excited about getting further therapy.
Now, for the funny story I promised you.  The dentist suggested we get a water pic to help get the food that was getting stuck around one of Dale's teeth.  So, we got one and I was helping him use it.  Wait let's rephrase that I was using it on the tooth.  Bless his soul he's a trooper.  I was spaying the water around the tooth and decided to take it out and see if it had helped but there was one problem I forgot to turn it off before I took it out of his mouth.  I realized what I had done and turned it off and looked at him and he had water dripping off of his nose, eyelashes and hair and was shaking his head.  Of course like any GOOD wife I fell out laughing and wiped him down.  Then we tried it again, you wonder if he didn't learn anything the first time.  This time we got all the stuff from around the tooth but again I forgot to turn it off at one point and his shirt was all wet.  Then he got to laughing with me because I was laughing so hard.  You really need to pray for him having to live with me.  I keep telling him that as long as he keeps me around life won't be dull.  So, this is how we stay upbeat me and my craziness.
Love y'all and thank you for the prayers and support.
Doug &Dale

¹ When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion,
    we were like men who dreamed.
² Our mouths were filled with laughter,
    our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”
³ The Lord has done great things for us,
    and we are filled with joy.

⁴ Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
    like streams in the Negev.
⁵ Those who sow in tears
    will reap with songs of joy.
⁶ He who goes out weeping,
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with him.  Psalm 126

June 19, 2012 Day after Mrs. Doug's Surgery

Just received a call from Mrs. Doug.  She has been up since 7am, had shower, did usual morning routine and has sit down with a book.  She is feeling really great!  And those are her words.  She took her first pain pill a little while ago, since yesterday!  She said it hurts the most when she laughs.  And if you know Mrs. Doug, it will be hard for her not to laugh and be jolly!  What an amazing "WO MAN!"  She wants everyone to know how much they appreciate all the prayers, because they were truly felt.  She is anxious about her two week check-up and to be released.  All the girls will be here then and she is so excited that she will then be able to "play" especially in the pool!  Seriously, she expressed her thankfulness to all and says they love you all!

June 18, 2012 - Out of surgery

Janice called and said that Mrs. Doug made it through surgery fine and she was about to be out of recovery.  She should be out by now.  The doctor said that they did cuttings before and during surgery from her lymph nodes that came back clean.  They were going to do one more post-op.  The surgeon also said he was able to get good clean margins when he cut the tumor out, so he felt good about that.  She should be able to come home this afternoon.  Janice said she'd call with another update after they talk to the surgeon again. 

Thank you for your prayers!

"¹⁹ Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he saved them from their distress.
²⁰ He sent forth his word and healed them;
    he rescued them from the grave.
²¹ Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for men.
²² Let them sacrifice thank offerings
    and tell of his works with songs of joy."  Psalm 107:19-22

June 18, 2012 - Surgery for Mrs. Doug

Janice called and said that they took her back at 7:45am this morning and started the dye that takes 2 hours to work before they start the surgery.  Surgery will take approximately an hour and recovery another 30 minutes.  They won't know until after that if she will have to stay overnight or not. 

We also just got word that they have inserted a wire and beginning surgery.  They ask us to pray that the cancer is contained and that the surgery will be contained. 

Mrs. Doug emailed me late last night an update about Bro. Dale:

"This one will be short & sweet.  I will do another update later this week, as I have a very good funny to share with you in our latest events.  I promise you'll love it.
Dale is doing great with walking.  We are using 1-1/2lb. Weights on his right leg to exercise it before we walk and 3 lb. weight on his left leg.  He is tolerating this really well. Yesterday we walked 2 times and he was the one that let me know he wanted to walk.  We also walked twice on Friday.
In OT they are still working on everyday tasks of dressing and showering.  Then on the other day they work on the arm.  We still don't have movement in the right arm or hand but they say the hand is the last place to get movement. 
In speech he is making progress.  If he doesn't think about it he says words but if you try to get him to say them he has a harder time.  So, all in all we are making progress.  The thing I desire the most is for him to be able to talk.  Please, pray for this to happen:)
I have to be at the hospital in the morning at 6:30.  Then I have to go to radiology for a procedure and wait 2 hrs. So, I not really sure what time they will start the surgery.  Please, continue to pray and thank you already for the prayers you have offered.  I feel so at peace about this and I know it's because of all you praying for us.  Thank you so much.
We love you,
Doug & Dale"

June 10, 2012

email update from Mrs. Doug:

"Well, let's see where do we begin since the last update.  Dale's walking is getting better and better each week.  They are now using a one pound weight on his right leg to exercise it before he walks and a three pound weight on the left leg.  You can tell his right leg is getting stronger by how far he can kick it up.  The exercise with the weights before walking helps his steps to be smoother.  We are going to work on side steps so he can step into the pews at church and soon be able to walk in.
In OT he is still working on dressing skills.  He has this mental block about putting on his shirt right now and just get bent out of shape over getting it on.  The problem is how to get the right arm through the sleeve.  I had tried to help him and he let me know he didn't need my help so I left him with it.  A little while later I went back and the shirt was almost in a knot.  So, I helped him and told him that the gate belt we use around his middle, I was going to move it up about 12 in. and use around his neck if he didn't get over the shirt thing.  He laughed which is the way we usually end most of our disputes.  Even though he can't say a lot of words right now, he sure gets his message across.
In speech he is doing great.  I don't go see what he needs or answer him now until he says my name.  You'll hear him trying to think of it or trying to get it out.  It's just going to take this kind of persistence to help him learn all over again how to talk again.  The ST has stopped counting the number of words he can say now.  We re starting on two word phrases the days of the week and counting.  I have a hard time getting him to work with me sometimes but I just leave it awhile and go back later.

I don't know if all of you know it or not but I have been diagnosed with stage 2breast cancer.  I will have surgery on June 18.  After the surgery I will have to under go five weeks of radiation. I will go for 5 weeks 5 days a week.  I found the lump myself so it has not been there long and from all the test results has not spread anywhere else.  We covet your prayers as we weather this storm.  God promises us that  His grace is sufficient for us.  After I found out what the test results were Dale &i had a very emotional day.  We prayed together a lot that and cried together a lot that day. Through all of the emotions my biggest question was "what will I do about or with Dale".  The Lord pointed me to scripture after scripture about His care & love.  I hope one day to share our journey through the stroke and now the cancer.  I know God has a testimony in it.  It's just not quite ready to be shared.  Keep us in your prayers.
We have have had a great visit with our grandson Andrew for a few days.  We're have really enjoyed him being here.  We've fished, swam & everything you can imagine.
We love each of you & thank you for you prayers & support.
Doug & Dale"

"I know that my Redeemer lives,
    and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
²⁶ And after my skin has been destroyed,
    yet in my flesh I will see God;
²⁷ I myself will see him
    with my own eyes —I, and not another.
    How my heart yearns within me!"  Job 19:25-27


We look forward to the testimony of how the two of you see God through the trials you are facing and we pray for you to have sufficient strength, faith, and hope.  We are lifting you up in prayers and love you both dearly!  

June 5, 2012

Mrs. Doug called and said that the surgeon doesn't recommend a mastectomy at this time.  He said that as small as it is and since none of the tissue around it has been affected, removing the lump is all the he believes is necessary at this time.  He has given her some websites to look at to do a little more research and she will go back next week to decide what exactly she will do.  She will have 5 weeks of radiation following her surgery. 

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways acknowledge him,    and he will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6

June 4, 2012 - Additional Update on Mrs. Doug

Mrs. Doug called me tonight and it was good to hear the strength in her voice.  She continues to amaze me!  She said that they had an emotional day but she felt a deep peace.  Since she has not talked to a doctor yet, she doesn't know a whole lot, but she wanted me to share what she knows.  The mass is 1-1.5 cm and it is contained in the area, which is a good thing.  She will meet with a surgeon tomorrow at 12:30 and will hopefully schedule a surgery soon.  Her desire is to go ahead and have a double mastectomy and just go ahead and get it over with.  She and Bro. Dale plan to both go to the appointment tomorrow.  I asked and she said that they don't need anyone to go with them.  

She said that on Wednesday she plans to go to Meridian to pick up her grandson Andrew.  Bro. Dale will be staying at home for that trip and Ms. Linda will be staying with him.  Mrs. Doug said she's looking forward to having Andrew there to help her out.  She said he's wonderful with Bro. Dale.  I know he will be a big help and encouragement to them.  

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.  Isaiah 26:3

June 4, 2012 - Update on Mrs. Doug

I just received word that Mrs. Doug found out today that the tumor was malignant.  Stage 2 Breast cancer.  She will see a surgeon tomorrow.  I don't believe she's ready to talk about it, so if you'd like to leave a word of encouragement, please do so here.  Please pray for her. 

¹ O Lord, you have searched me
    and you know me.
² You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³ You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
⁴ Before a word is on my tongue
    you know it completely, O Lord.

⁵ You hem me in —behind and before;
    you have laid your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.

⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.

¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,”
¹² even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
¹⁶     your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
    were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
¹⁸ Were I to count them,
    they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
    I am still with you.

¹⁹ If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
    Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
²⁰ They speak of you with evil intent;
    your adversaries misuse your name.
²¹ Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord,
    and abhor those who rise up against you?
²² I have nothing but hatred for them;
    I count them my enemies.

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139

June 1, 2012

I spoke with Mrs. Doug.  She is home and resting.  She said she wasn't in any pain yet, but she's still numb.  The only thing that they could confirm today was that it was not a cyst.  They will know more when they get the results back on Monday. 

She did not hear back yet on Bro. Dale's tests that were done yesterday.

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”  Psalm 91:1-2