Saturday, November 3, 2012

War

From the blogs and accounts we have read, the chemo experience is personal. It depends on drugs, dosage, and overall health of the patient. Jon began chemo Monday October 29th in great health...but in six days he has been reduced to something so "other". We both imagined chemo recovery to look like a bad case of mono...this is another animal. Dr. Girvigian called this afternoon and reminded Jon that he received the maximum dosage of chemo meds and informed him that some patients can't repeat a round of Ifosfamide due to the intensity. In other words, Jon is doing great. Jon is injecting Filgrastim into his stomach once daily to decrease the risk of infection and taking Zofran for nausea....but even with the meds, the ride is rough. Please pray for endurance and peace... and to our family and friends, please understand that Jon is not able to text/answer calls at this time. All of his energy is channeled into Breath and recovery...
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14 comments:

  1. Sickness is so humbling. Especially when we are used to an active lifestyle like you are of Ironman and Biking Before Dawn. We think we know challenges. We think we know how to climb that hill, swim that extra mile, storm the citadel. We use the Force, breath deep. We can do because we’ve done it so many times before, and because this is what eons have bred our bodies to do.

    But Sickness is different. Those of us who have fought a long term illness know it from the inside. It knocks our legs out from within us. The pathology has crept into our usual source of strength. It jumps us with weakness around every turn that we hadn’t expected; that we can never really know until we’re Sick. Paratroopers have landed behind our lines. Snipers have cropped up near our home-base. Our troops are tired and afraid.

    Time is both enemy and friend in this fight.

    Enemy because every day is another day of suffering and another opportunity for It to get us.

    Friend because every day we survive is another day closer to Victory against It.

    Please know that we are thinking of you hunkered down in your foxhole with pictures of family clutched to your heart. Please know your brothers and sisters are together in Spirit even as our bodies huddle in separate shelters.

    And even though the clouds of War are dark and foul around you… high above, the Sun is still shining.

    Hang in there for those days of light to come.

    With Love and Light from the McLaughlins

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  2. Go Jon!! You are doing it so well. As are you, Sarah!

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  3. Henry speaks truth.

    There are many days that are just about surviving. It does not feel like living. But it is. There are "wants" and "shoulds" that can distract from the task at hand. Let them go as best you can and do not fear. The "wants" and "needs" and "shoulds" of life as usual will return in due season.

    So this is war. And war is ugly. Fight hard. Keep breathing. You are not alone. Our prayers are strong. Love is stronger. And you have a mighty God who goes before you and will vanquish your foes.

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  4. This is OUR war. You are in our thoughts constantly.

    For those of you who are delivering food to the Dephouses… here are some foods recommended by our nutritionist friend:

    • wild Alaskan salmon (NOT farm-raised)
    • dark green leafy vegetables (chard, spinach, kale....)
    asparagus
    • whole grains (quinoa, brown rice, steel-cut oats, barley)
    • berries (organic)
    • Nuts and nut butters (packed with nutrition)
    • flax seeds
    • ginger (ginger tea or ginger beer help with nausea)
    • green and white tea
    • onions and garlic
    • turmeric (a spice often used in curry)
    • sardines
    • egg main dishes like frittatas are good

    Things to avoid:
    - fried food
    - processed foods
    - charred meats
    - stay away from well done beef
    - meats that must be chewed vigorously (shredded meat is easier to eat)
    - hormones (milk must be organic and rBGH/rBST free) like "Grass Milk" from Whole Foods.

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  5. And PLEASE tell everyone you know about the fundraising site:

    http://www.youcaring.com/fundraiser_details?fundraiser_id=12075&url=helpjondephousefightcancer

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  6. Jon and Sarah you are in our thoughts and prayers every day. We pray for strength, courage and patience for you and your family as you fight through this disease. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

    Todd, Wenny and the twins

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  7. Jon and Sarah,

    First, know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers daily. I cannot begin to imagine what you all are going through. This blog does a wonderful job of capturing some of it, but I am sure there is so much more going on that cannot be put into words. While you may feel like you are at war, know that you are not fighting this war alone. The Communion of Saints are fighting with you. Thank you so much for taking the time to post to this blog. If there is anything I can do to help from Ohio, please let me know.

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  8. Oh, Sarah. I weep for you guys. My heart breaks. I HATE that you are having to endure this. Please know how much we love and support you and how often you are in our thoughts and prayers. I pray this "nadir" is short-lived and I pray that this process is already doing what it is intended to do - KILL that cancer. God, please wrap your arms of love, peace, comfort, relief and HEALING around our beloved Dephouses.

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  9. As I went for a run this morning, with my mittens and winter hat on (already?), two rambunctious dogs at my side, cold wind making my eyes tear, I breathed deeply and prayed for endurance. And peace. I remembered Sarah reminding me to breathe, and Jon's joyful music. Don't forget the healing power of music. It has the ability to help you escape from feeling so crappy for a time. Gregg used to listen/meditate when he was going through radiation and it helped some...

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  10. Wow, there is so much wisdom in these posts. My heart continues to ache for you all... I love you... when our family prayed last night, we included "and God, let the chemo kick that cancer's butt!" How long before you can see the tumor shrinking (because it IS going to shrink... I am willing it to disappear altogether)? Love to you all from the Michael Family.

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  11. Jon and Sarah,

    I don't have lots of wisdom to offer but know our thoughts and prayers are with you during this tough time.

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  12. Jon, I am sending you all my love and continued prayers for healing. We are with you all. I'm going to take a minute tonight to sit at the piano and send you some musical love too. So I hope you feel that little meditation. And thanks Sarah Lynn, for keeping the news flowing.
    -JL

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  14. Dear Jon (& family),
    My heart breaks as I read this and cannot even imagine the roller coaster that you are on. I saw the Facebook post from Nate Clason. While it has been so long since I have seen you, I cherish the times of community and fellowship that I shared with some very special teammates, you being in that small circle. We have already and will continuw to pray for you. Since it is so hard to find the words at these times, I want to leave you with my favorite blessing:
    God go before you to guide you.
    God go behind you to protect you.
    God go beneath you to support you.
    God go beside you to befriend you.
    Be not afraid.
    And let the blessing of Almighty God,
    The Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
    Descend upon you, settle in around you, and make its home in you.
    Be not afraid.
    Go in peace.
    Amen.
    Blessings,
    Lena (Rice) Stob

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