Radiation Treatment #22

I am so sorry Kate that Sean has to go through all of this! I think of you all daily and every time I think of you I offer you all up in prayer.

thank you :)

Sorry to hear that he's lost his voice and ability to swallow. Cancer is a rough journey, but someday soon you'll look back and see how much better he is. Sending more prayers and thoughts your way

somehow we are making it through...and just keep doing so day by day

Oh my, what a difficult time for you both.....I'm so very, very sorry to hear that he's lost his voice and the ability to swallow.....that must be frightening.......cancer is a treacherous disease.........keep focusing on God, and keep praying and praying for a miracle..........I love that hymn that you shared.....so beautiful and so very, very true.......
Please know I am keeping you and Sean in my prayers......am praying for a miracle for him........there is power and strength in prayer.....God ALWAYS hears.....He always listens to our cries for help! God IS, indeed, in the miracle business.........my hubby is one miracle!! Bless you both!

thank you :)

we have many prayers being lifted and it is helping...needs keep getting met when they arrive...I know Sean will make it through this, I just hate seeing him suffer because of it

I certainly know what you mean......I felt the same way when my hubby suffered the abdominal aortic aneurysm and came so close to dying......the operation to repair the aorta was 4 1/2 hrs., and they even had to stop his heart temporarily........very frightening!

Losing his voice and losing the ability to swallow are both outcomes we knew would come to be but still it must be a disappointment. I can not imagine not being able to speak for any length of time. At first it might be interesting but would soon become a lesson in frustration. A small whiteboard might be useful but sometimes cleaning them can be messy. I do hope these issues do not become overwhelming. They certainly would prove to be a challenge for the best of us.

at the moment we are IMing each other...but yes, I'm thinking a little white board will be a good idea...or at least always carry pen and paper with him

I just sat here and sang every verse of this hymn and cried. I feel for you guys. It seems such good people suffer so mightily. I think of my parents. I remembered the story behind the song because my dad shared that once in one of his sermons. But I hadn't thought about that in years. Thank you for the reminder.

it is a very lovely hymn, and quite fitting

It breaks my heart that he is going through so much. My prayers are with all of you. I wish I could do more.

thank you...prayers are a huge help

That is all I can do for all of you.

Along with all the others your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Sean will pull through this long tough journey. You both are so strong and together you will get through.
A small white eraser board and maybe even a few of those "magic slates" from the dollar store sound like they would work. And a bell if he just needs someone to come to him.

Hugs to all and our thoughts and prayers are with you always.

oh joy...a bell...

yeah, we need to definitely get him something to be able to get people's attention

Growing up, we always had a bell in our room when we were sick. It's old fashioned but surely does the trick. It's a nice security item also for the person who's sick, they know they can get someone to come if needed.
Just get a happy sounding one.

Bill is using my ceramic Christmas bell to "jingle" me into the room. When he first came home his throat was still sore and he was very weak. I told him to save his voice and strength and ring the bell.

When Bill awoke from his seven hour surgery (infection had seeped through his body through a hole in the tumor in his esophagus and had covered his right lung and diaphragm and it took seven hours to pick it off microscopically) he was panic stricken when he found he was intubated and could not speak. I handed him a clipboard of paper and a pencil and he jealously guarded the board and pencil as his only means of communication for six days. he said it was the lowest point in his life, being restrained (so when he awoke he wouldn't pull any tubes out) and not being able to talk. The first few lines he wrote were almost unreadable but as he concentrated he wrote more clearly. I still have the papers he wrote on. I do do pray that Sean will be comforted in his loss and just try to breath easy and lay his pain in God's arms. I wish I could help you.
Losing ones ability to communicate is a sort of pain. The white board would be a perfect solution. We are headed to Pittsburgh tomorrow to find out what lies in store for Bill in chemo or radiation. Seems we are just a few steps behind you.
Bill's biggest gripe is being tethered to a feeding tube for twelve hours a day. We have broken the time into segments but he is still tethered.
I've printed your hymn so I may whisper it to myself in those "by myself" times.

yes, Sean doesn't really like the feeding tube either...

when he woke from his tonsillectomy he was not able to speak but he at least wasn't intubated...he too had a clip board and paper to be able to "talk" with the medical staff and visitors...

Your Sean is such a brave, brave man and you are his helpmate. I have learned so much in the hospital for fifteen days, listening and learning about the affects of all people go through and still have hope to go on. So many wonderful families holding each other up. The clipboard is a wonderful method of communication. Much more important in my mind than ever before.

...the clipboard is a mighty gift!

Will him not being able to speak be temporary, I feel for him.

should only be temporary yes

THANKS FOR SHARING.; THANKS FOR THE UPDATE

Lovely prayer up there

Oh, I'm sorry Kathryn....I"m sure the not being able to speak has to be frustrating for Sean. Although, I think my kids and husband would love it if I couldn't speak...LOL.

Jax,
LOL I am sure they would. :) Just kidding.

it's tough...will definitely make things interesting around here...

It is also helpful in these situations to have a "communication board" with simple phrases that can be pointed out. Save the writing for more specific things. When my husband lost his voice due to ALS I made a board with phrases like, turn on the fan, turn off the fan, etc. etc. The hymns are such great comfort. Sometimes I just sat and sang to Larry in the night. I love this hymn

that's a good idea too...could make that part of the clip board and then paper to write other things when a typical phrase isn't enough

Sean and you are both tough cookies, prayers as always for your family, and thank you for the lovely hymn I don't think I have ever heard this one before.

thank you :)

we've sung this one often in our church....but I hadn't thought about it till my FB friend had posted it

maybe if I heard the music with it but I am really good with lyrics but just don't know this one will look to see if it is in our church's song book and maybe they can play it there.

is the name of it saved alone?

I "think" the name of it is "It Is Well, With My Soul", as we sang it in our church as well. Amy Grant also does a version of it, as do the Jacob's Brothers.

Music video with words.

there you go :)

We found that a white board and dry marker was great for writing on. It can easily be cleaned off with a paper towel.

I like that idea because it's "green" rather than going through a ton of paper...

Good ideas, all - my prayers go out to you, this isn't an easy thing to go through, but I've no doubt you'll get through it. Along with the white board, Sean might like to listen to soft gospel music, it's comforting, d'you have a CD player that you could put near to him? And Gospel music, of course. Just a thought....

Mare~

Though the days and trials seem to be getting longer, know that this horrible process does come to an end. Though the feeding tube is not once first choice, at this point it is a life line......hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Calories and protein will help to minimize the deterioration while not able to take things orally. You are all in my heart and prayers. Know that I will come to assist any way needed; just call. Insurance will not deter Sean getting the assistance and encouragement that he, and your family needs.

You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
Who abide in His shadow for life,
Say to the Lord, "My Refuge,
My Rock in Whom I trust."

And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.

The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
And famine will bring you no fear;
Under His Wings your refuge,
His faithfulness your shield.

And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.

You need not fear the terror of the night,
Nor the arrow that flies by day,
Though thousands fall about you,
Near you it shall not come.

And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.

For to His angels He's given a command,
To guard you in all of your ways,
Upon their hands they will bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.