Home Again!

We are HOME!! After much waiting, they finally came into the room
and said the CT scan was really much the same as it was last time–the
next scan they want to do with oral contrast, which means a chalky
substance Mel will have to drink–she said they’re trying to kill her!
We will have labs drawn at home tomorrow and will wait to see if she
has dropped low enough to head to the hospital–if we wait, we will
head back up early Monday morning for labs at the hospital and if
needed start transfusing platelets and blood–I told them I really
need to leave no later than 3:00 pm–we really want to be able to go
to the CCS program Monday night, as well as the party on Tuesday–is
this being selfish? Our next scheduled round of chemo is December
27–2 days after Christmas–Mel is not crazy about this date–neither
are we–everyone will still be on vacation from school–
Mel is really feeling pretty good, although we know she hasn’t hit
her low yet–continue to pray for these next 3 weeks as we come to
your mind–Thanks so much to all who have sent mail,-e-mailed and
prayed–it is much appreciated, even if we don’t respond to all our
mail–we had such a meaningful surprise when we got home last
night–beautifully wrapped Christmas presents for our entire
family–when I walk past them, I can’t stop the tears as I think again
of our generous church family–and others, who have again blessed our
lives in a tangible way–we are humbled once again and grateful for
the love and care we continue to feel–one day, you will be rewarded
as you have ministered to “the least of these”–
I hope to update before Christmas and maybe more pics, but if
not–MERRY CHRISTMAS! Love, Lori for the Miller’s

Melanie’s Update. 12-11-07

We are almost finished with the last part of this round of
chemo–Mel has gotten a cough–had a chest x-ray done last
evening–her lungs are clear–PTL! We are most grateful–her
hemoglobin was low yesterday–so they decided to transfuse some
blood–well into the transfusion she got very red all over–and a
fever, as well as itchy–they are still not sure exactly the cause of
the reaction–there was an antibiotic running at the same time–next
time they will premedicate again, this time adding hydroicortisone.
She has a sore area at the base of the right rib that is sore to the
touch–they want to do a CT scan this morning? I think–we would again
ask that you could pray for good test results and that we will be able
to go home tomorrow–she did have a good night–she is still coughing
and tired–the nurse just came in and said they want to do the CT scan
tomorrow–Wednesday morning–they will also draw more blood today to
check her counts and see if she needs another transfusion–it will
save me a trip up here if we can get the blood transfusion before we
leave for home–sometimes it feels good to write out what is happening
and then yet at other times it feels overwhelming to continue to press
on –in a path that feels uncomfortable and hard–yet I know that “my
Redeemer lives”–even when my feelings and emotions try to tell me
otherwise–we also pray that our enemy would have no foothold or be
able to place any snares in our minds or thinking–as well as not
cause any roots of bitterness or anger to spring up–and yet I realize
as I write– it is my desire but the actual true tests in life are not
in what I say, but in how I respond–please continue to pray–we know
you care and we are most grateful–
As a side note for you Eagle fans–Swoop, the Eagles mascot, just
stopped by and autographed 2 cards for Mel–it brought a smile to her
face–she was just waking up–another delay in the update–the state
troopers with santa and ms Delaware–oh well–I will sign off before
another visit–Lori for the Miller’s

Friday Update.

Well here we are once again–since we’ve been home from the last round
of chemo, we’ve made 2 trips up to the hospital for transfusions of
blood and platelets–seems each time the phone rings and its the
hospital calling, my heart begins to race as I wait to see whether we
can spend our day or night at home–I have begun to tremendously
treasure our days at home, although Marty does remind me that we need
to be here when we need help–I am grateful for a place to be able to
receive good care–
We did come up on Tuesday fully prepared to stay for 6 days–however
the Dr. was not anxious to begin another round of chemo until Mel’s
feet looked better–after much praying over her feet, foot soaks in
mineral water, and vaseline plasters, we came back up on
Thursday–they were pleasantly surprised how much better her feet
looked–so we have begun chemo again and plan to be finished late
Tuesday evening–this is the last of the longer aggressive chemo–we
think–after Christmas we come back for another 3-4 day round–
We do ask again that you would join us in specific requests for
prayer( by the way, when she got her last transfusion of blood,
because her counts were 0, they said what normally happens is a fever,
which means an automatic 2 days here–she never ran a fever!! PTL) The
school program and party are Dec. 17 & 18–we are asking that her
counts would be good enough to be there– no fevers, good blood
counts,no mouth sores, feet and hands that don’t blister, an appetite
and no nausea– and also that we would all be home together the 24th,
25th, and 26th–continued trust in our Heavenly Father, much wisdom
for our family, and hearts that would never doubt in the goodness of
the Father and protection from the enemy in any physical, spiritual
and emotional attacks—we know this is asking for alot, but I really
believe we are to ask, in faith “nothing wavering”–we have seen so
many answers to our requests and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that
God not only hears, but answers–we once again have felt the hands and
feet of Jesus through so many of you–we are so grateful for the love
and care we feel as we continue to journey on–we ask that God would
again bless you for your kindnesses and generosity to us–Love, Lori
for the Miller’s

Tuesday Evening.

Lori called tonight and said that Melanie is back home. They had left for the hospital this morning thinking that she would be starting her chemo today through the weekend.  Well, one of the side effects of the chemo is blisters on the feet.  She had blisters from her last treatment but new skin had formed; however, the doctors weren’t quite ready to start her treatment because her feet weren’t quite the way they wanted them to be. They are planning at this point to go back up on Thursday through Tuesday. Just pray that Melanie’s feet would heal good and that she can go on with treatment as scheduled. Thanks for your interest!