Brenda.

[Amencorner]

Hello, Brenda and I went to see the Oncology Doctor yesterday Wednesday the 30TH of May.We were taken by car by our friend Peter, and on arriving in Hospital, he went to the Cafe, while Brenda and I went to the clinic called Alaw day centre, very modern and comfortable. They have a ward, where people receive their treatment and if while on chemotherapy you become ill, this is where you would come to.

We didn't wait long and then we were called in to see the specialist Doctor. Basically there were three options, one, go no further, two, receive hormone tablets for five years, and three have Chemotherapy.The Doctor went into all the percentages of each option of surviving and the effects of the treatments. So after listening Brenda asked the question what would you recommend? and the answer was chemotherapy. The cancer although not an aggressive type has the capability of starting somewhere else, if only a little speck had been left in the body, from the tumours that had been removed.

Then Brenda made the decision based on all the facts,even what our Daughter would say to do. The decision was to go for the Chemotherapy, which would involve 6 cycles of drugs put in through a vein in the arm, over a six month period. ( treatment once a month)

Then while having this treatment Brenda would be introduced to a doctor who would give radiology treatment 10 days or so after the Chemotherapy had finished.Then at some point there would be hormone tablets for five years. A lot of information to take in all in one go, beside the side affects of the chemotherapy to consider, although we were roughly aware of what was ahead.

When we were coming out of the centre we met our neighbours from across the road, the lady had finished her treatment there two years ago after having cancer, she said she would come over one day and chat to Brenda. One of the side effects is loosing your hair, but our neighbours hair had just gone very thin. The Doctor said they will have a wig made for Brenda after the first treatment.

Once we were home and Brenda had time to think, she felt more settled in her mind about all this treatment that was to come.Although to-day Brenda said it has been more of a shock than having the operations, she expressed it to one of the patients at the hospice who agreed having had similar treatment done. Brenda had a really good day at the hospice to-day, meeting a mixture of people with different conditions other than cancer.I was going to go with Brenda, but we agreed it would be good to go to the hospice by her self and use hospital transport there and back, a bit of time out.
Kindest Regards Alan

[andrew_no_one]

Thank you for the update. We'll keep you in prayer. Both my mother and dad have gone through chemotherepy (my dad still is). My mom had breast cancer almost thirty years ago and she was told that she wasn't going to make it....she lives in Georgia and is cancer free (has been for a long time.) We do know the Lord heals and that He cares for us.

[TRL1957]

Thanks for the update, I pray for you all daily. God bless you both.

[Amencorner]

Hello, Since our Daughter has come home for the school holidays we have been able to go out and do different activities, even if its only for an hour. Brenda's late Mother had a sister whose children grew up closely with my Wife,s sisters and brother. So one of Brenda's cousins partner's had a 60th birthday party last Saturday which she was looking forward to going too. We were able to take the Grand children with us and some of the nieces children too to the party. We had a lovely time, despite the bad weather,we spent most of the time indoors, talking and eating, there was lovely food and we were able to see people you only see at these sort of does.To-ward the end of the evening we sat opposite one of Brenda,s cousins, just talking about our age's and passed events. Were the cousin sat there was a picture of his Mum and Dad directly above his head, then when he left with his Wife he complained about his leg hurting. Brenda and I got up to say our fare wells and it was quite emotional for him leaving, he hugged Brenda gently and I shook hands with him. For some reason he held on to my hand for ages, I didn't have a grip of his hand properly just three fingers. So off they went, and we stayed for another half an hour or so, when we did leave it was still raining. On our way home, coming out of the village we saw two ambulances, parked with their lights flashing, we passed and while we were going through the road tunnel into our village one of the ambulances sped passed us lights flashing heading to-ward the Hospital in Bangor about seven miles away. We arrived home about seven minutes past twelve, not long after that we had a phone call from the host of the party to say the cousin we had been talking too had died on the way home from the party. The ambulances had been attending to him, that we had past on the road side on our way home. Alan.

[Diggindeeper]

Oh my goodness! That is profound.

Aren't you just SO glad you got that visit and talk with them when you did! Isn't God amazing! Its as if he knew he may not have very long......... Sometimes people do know that, I believe. They really do...

I'm praying for Brenda and you, but now for the whole family since this latest turn of events. I'm so sorry, Alan. You have my sincere condolences.

[TRL1957]

Oh my goodness, I am so sorry. It does seem he sensed something was gonna happen. Keeping you all in my daily prayers. God bless you, T

[Amencorner]

Some of the Daughters friends came to visit while she was home, some particular people, children and situations I would like to present to you.

A five-year old and her sister stayed from 10 o'clock till about 4 o'clock, one day, while her Mum went home to sleep after working all night, not being able to find a space in their normal day care.The five-year old was very frightened of dogs, which became evident after her reactions to Kooki our grand-children's dog. But it wasn't till the next day when their Mum came to visit for half an hour to say thanks for looking after the children, to our Daughter. The little five-year old has asthma which we knew about because of her coughing the day before. And when it gets really bad apart from having to go to hospital she now takes steroid tablets, this is where I had something to say having to take the same steroid tablets.

So when her Mum said she was trying with the doctors to be able to have standby supply of steroids to catch the condition before it had to come to situation of going to hospital. I was able to say how the doctors had put myself on the system of standby steroids and antibiotics to avoid severe conditions coming on and avoiding going to hospital. My doctor had sent me for a xray and on one particular visit he said how pleased he was with the treatment finding no scars or lesions on my lungs, so this was an encouragement for her. The other condition the little girl has is her arms can dislocate very easily, and even here the Mum has learnt from the doctor's how to put the arms back into there sockets.

The next person is our daughter having been a nurse and a mum at home is now looking for work to support her little family again. It is of great concern for her with her little 6-year-old son ( who also has asthma) and her 12-year-old daughter. It would be really great she could have a job that would support her family, the Father has now had a job and will be able to help support them too.They have been separated because of his violence to-ward our daughter.

Last week has been a good week, and we have learnt greater tolerance to-wards one another considering there was a house full.

Brenda goes in for her first chemo this Wednesday 13TH June at 9 o'clock in the morning, and hopefully after the treatment Brenda wants to go to her cousins funeral who died on the way home from a family party. The funeral is at 12 o'clock,so Brenda's sister will pick us up at 8-15am drop us at the hospital and will pick us up after the treatment and if the Wife is feeling ok we'll go to the service.

My Wife had to go for a blood test at the doctors to-day, prior to the hospital visit on Wednesday. I suggested we have a taxi to go there and back, but Brenda wanted to walk there and get a taxi back home.So of we set walking down the road, but before long at the bottom of the hill my partner said she'd had enough. Then just ahead my Wife's aunt came out of her gateway and stopped and talked, the tiredness passed.We carried on and arrived at the Doctors, then my Wife realised it had been too much walking so far.

I talked a while back about selling my late Mothers house at a low price. But because we couldn't agree to sell at the low price, I put it off till we could. So I said while we sat in the doctor's surgery, we must sell so we can have the car back on the road. Nothing further was said till we arrived home in the taxi and we went in. I said I think it really is time to sell and left it at that, then a while later my Wife agreed to sell. Although I could have pushed and made my own decision, I wanted us to agree, to-day's experience for Brenda made her mind up. Although a lot of money will go on paying bills etc in my late Mother's estate I hoping there will be enough to put the car on the road, and besides that it will be a great load of our minds after so many years, of other people blocking the sale outside the family, Alan

[Amencorner]

Hello, thank you for your prayers with me for Brenda and our family, we went to the hospital yesterday and the nurses began the first cycle of treatment. While sitting and receiving the drugs into Brenda's hand, called FEC the nurse went through a lot of information on the treatment and it's effects in the coming months. Brenda had decided to focus on her cousins funeral that was taking place strate after, rather than the treatment at hand. Everything went so smoothly through out the day, it was a lovely service at the crematory, a good turn out and meeting of the family.It was the cousins wish that we met together more often on last seeing him at the family party,it came sooner than we all expected.People who don't go to Church in the normal sense are able to have a place to pay their last respects at the crematory. Were we live in North Wales things are happening just over the border were the Church of England are challenging the Government on same-sex marriage in the Church. The Church is saying this will fundamentally change the meaning of marriage as it is in the Bible, which is being compared to the times of change in Henry the eighth times.

By the time Brenda and I arrived home after the reception, yes we went there too, my Wife was exhausted,but pleased we had gone. Brenda has stayed in bed to-day to recoup her strength, and cope with the new array of tablets to be taken till the weekend.

Could you also pray with me for my brother, who is suffering greatly with his back after an operation. The medication he's taking is very strong and is bed ridden a lot of the time, and unable to sit for long, he is also afraid of loosing his faith and misses all the normal things we take for granted like walking or even driving a car. It is going to be possibly a long process of healing and is wearing a corset to support his back. He lives a long way off and we don't think we will see each other this side of the grave.I believe neither of us is concerned on that matter because of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, perhaps the Lord will return before then. Alan

[Diggindeeper]

I am praying that the treatments are successful and that they are not too harsh for her to endure.

Be sure to take the nausea meds BEFORE she actually gets nauseaus. If you wait till nausea sets in, it is more difficult to control. Also, if she eats with plastic forks and spoons, it will help not to taste medal. Please tell her I am praying for her and for you. I promise.

[Amencorner]

I am praying that the treatments are successful and that they are not too harsh for her to endure.

Be sure to take the nausea meds BEFORE she actually gets nauseaus. If you wait till nausea sets in, it is more difficult to control. Also, if she eats with plastic forks and spoons, it will help not to taste medal. Please tell her I am praying for her and for you. I promise.

Dear Diggindeeper,

I have just read out your post to Brenda and we much appreciate what you have said. The nurse said yesterday that Brenda would have the taste of metal in her mouth even the sensation of metal in the nose area. She suggested eating pineapple to help, or even freezing in lolly ice form to suck to help with the metal taste,

Kindest Regard's Alan

[TRL1957]

You and your family are in my daily prayers. Lord bless you all. :pray

[Amencorner]

hello, Brenda and I would like to thank you for your prayers, it makes such a difference. I wouldn't like to experience how it would be without them, it does say to pray for one another. Jas 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
I remember saying from the platform of the Church when giving testimony one Sunday how much I loved everyone....oops.I was tested on that, when some certain difficult situations arose with some of the congregation, to see how true my words had been, to say I loved them.
Brenda is doing very well,and has gone to the hospice to-day for physiotherapy,( she's only gone for the roast dinner really which is on the menu to-day) yesterday she went with her sister to collect her wig, and is an excellent match to her own hair, which is unfortunately beginning to come out in the mornings after brushing.It must be very difficult for a Woman to lose her crowning glory..... Oh yes, Brenda,s had a scarf type hat and a hair fringe to go with it,her sister bought that,thank-you sister in-law. Next week the 4TH of July the second lot of chemo will be administered,so we would greatly value your prayers, thank you, Kindest Regards, Alan

[Ta-An]

Alan, ing for Brenda

[Amencorner]

Hello, thank you for your prayers for Brenda who has gone to the hospice to-day for more physiotherapy on her arm. Whilst having chemotherapy last visit the radiology doctor called to see Brenda about having treatment with her department, which would start after the present treatment comes to an end. With a gap of time before starting, which would be carried out at another hospital in the opposite direction from home.And would be 15 days of radiation to her chest wall and under arm.This treatment would last 10 minutes each day for five day's, then start again on the Monday till the next Friday.Brenda has to be able to put her arm behind her head for the radiation treatment and hold there for the 10 minutes, which she cannot do at the moment, so hopefully the physiotherapy will help that.
I must say how well Brenda is eating, and is almost back to normal physically after a week, having had chemotherapy at the beginning of the week. The third lot of treatment is on the 25 TH of July, after that they start new drugs for three further treatments, bringing it to six in total. Although this has been psychologically, and physically stressful, we thank you for your prayer's and are grateful for our life's.
We have been helped a lot from our families with lifts, and are hoping very soon to have our own transport.Then we will be able to go out for walks in suitable places for Brenda to cope with. Although I would say we wouldn't have had fellowship with a variety of different people if we had our own transport, same with going on the local white bus, I have met people I wouldn't normally talk to, Alan

[Diggindeeper]

Alan, the radiation treatments do not make you sick or weak like the chemo does. They may cause 'burn' areas, but they can give her a very effective lotion to apply and it really works. The radiation treatments are over before you know it, it seems. Tell her if she starts 'tasting metal' when eating with regular forks and spoons to eat with plastic ones. They really do help.