Chevy’s Path to Complete Healing

Chevy has not been feeling well for two days now.  Her appetite and energy has been down.  She is also tasting her food differently now, more towards the bland side.  It is very difficult for my Mom because she prepares a lot of food for her, most of which remain uneaten.  We joke that Chevy is "naglilihi," kind of like a pregnant woman craving certain foods, and when it is in front of her, she doesn't like it anymore.  :o)  Today, her appetite and energy improved a little.  However, she is having more shortness of breath than usual.  Her cough also increased a bit.  We are trying albuterol.  So far no fever.  I sure hope she has not come down with another infection.  We are praying that she will recover from this third chemo fast so we can have our cheerful sister back! 

How is Chevy doing?

Last night, Chevy had some intermittent facial flushing.  She also developed a warm, red, non-itchy rash on her entire left arm.  No, this is not the rash that we have been praying for yet, i.e., not the rash from the third chemo drug (Erbitux).  Instead, this is still the allergic reaction to Taxol.  She has been continually taking antihistamines.  Tonight, praise the Lord, the rash (and warmth) is much improved!  She has had a good appetite all this time after her third chemo.  She hasn't even felt nauseous.  This is indeed wonderful news, as she has had some nausea with the first two chemos.  Chevy went to church today and attended the Christmas party there.  We had lechon, which is kinda like a national dish here in the Philippines -- roasted pig!  And I mean, ENTIRE PIG!  Wish I had a pic to share!  :o)  Chevy is having tingling and numbness of her upper extremities again, from the Taxol.  Please pray that they will remain mild.  And lastly, I am pleased to report that Chevy's cough is finally better!  The family has definitely noticed an improvement since her third chemo two days ago.  Praise God!  We continue to hold on to his promises day by day, to cling to litlte sparks of hope that He brings us...He gives us enough grace to go through each day.  Isn't the Lord marvelous?!

What is the situation at home?

Mama, who is the Executive Chef in the Lim household :o)  is down with an upper respiratory infection.  My husband David, who just got here from a ~36-hr trip (he missed his connecting flight bec. of airline delays) is also down with a cold.  My brother Michael seems to be immune to it all right now.  As for me, I am starting to develop allergies again (very occasional itchy throat and eyes, as well as postnasal drip).  I hope this doesn't trigger my asthma.  Our helper also has a cold.  I have my Mom on antibiotics to be on the safe side, as there is some doubt about whether this is only a cold.  David definitely has just a cold.  And I am pushing my nasal sprays and Advair! :o)  We disinfected the master bedroom and we have Chevy temporarily "quarantined" there, at least when she's at home.  Everyone else wears masks and does frequent hand-washing.  Chevy wears a mask when she leaves the room.  I alone have gone into her room to give her food, etc.  My aunt offered her room to Chevy, but Chevy didn't accept it, as my aunt did not have high-speed internet!  :D  (Nah, there's other reasons, such as construction work right next to her house.)  Chevy said, we'll just pray, besides, Mama (who is sick) is the one preparing her food!  :D  I was telling my aunt earlier that I praise God that everyone is sick now when Achie's counts are still relatively higher.  Next week, her counts would be lower, and we hope that everyone would be free from infection then (Please pray for this).  Chevy has the tiniest of sniffles and the oh-so-occasional sneeze, so I don't know if she has a mild cold or allergies. 

What about the Port-A-Cath?

Chevy visited a cousin's aunt today to see and feel her Port-A-Cath, which she had placed when she battled breast cancer 4 years ago (She hasn't had it removed yet).  Chevy hasn't decided yet.  I told her there is no rush.  My aunt suggested waiting for three weeks to see if she will get a rash.  See, if she gets a rash from Erbitux, then it means the Erbitux is working and it will be continued.  If she doesn't get a rash, then the Erbitux will be discontinued.  Erbitux is given WEEKLY, while Taxol and Carboplatin are given every 3 weeks.  It is because of the weekly administration of Erbitux that Chevy is considering the Port-A-Cath placement.  This will definitely lessen the needlesticks to her hands and arms!  The doctor, however, only wishes to use the Port-A-Cath for infusion of meds.  She doesn't want any blood draws from the Port-A-Cath bec. this apparently increases the risk of thrombosis.

What about the G-CSF or granulocyte colony stimulating factor (Generic Filgrastim, Brand Neupogen)?

We all pretty much want this now, i.e., prophylactically, but Chevy's oncologist is holding off.  Please pray that in her so doing, Chevy won't miss her next dose of Erbitux, which is next Friday 12/26 (i.e., if her WBC is really low then, she won't be able to get the Erbitux).  Chevy and I have already discussed this with her several times, but she still wants to wait and see what Chevy's counts will be next Friday.  So we are trying to be patient and to trust her.  Please pray also that Chevy won't develop another bacterial infection again as a result of her WBC dropping too low.  Apparently, having mouth sores is already an indicator that the white count has dropped very low.  We trust in the Lord's unending goodness and mercies, and we know that everything will work out for good to Chevy no matter what bec. she loves the Lord! 


With gratitude for your fervent prayers,
Cheryl

Hi Everyone,

It's a brand new day.  The Lord's mercies are new every morning.  Great is His faithfulness!  :-)

As I write, we are awaiting Chevy's discharge papers.  She is in good spirits, full of energy and life!  She even asked me for breakfast!  If you know my sister, you know that is great news! :D  She had half a tuna sandwich with a slice of ham and cheese.  She also had some papaya.  I guess this hospital's food isn't too bad after all.  :o)

Chevy had an allergic reaction to Taxol.  There is an additive in the taxol that causes these reactions.  Chevy became very flushed, tachycardic, nauseous, and short of breath.  No rash.  Apparently, sometimes even with tons of steroids, one can still get an allergic reaction, and it's unpredictable as to when (which chemotherapy cycle) this will happen.  Hopefully, with medical advances, they can improve this drug, so that other cancer patients won't have to suffer the same reaction.  The good news is that Chevy can still continue the drug for the remainder of her chemotherapy (another three cycles). 

We praise God that the third chemo is over!  Please continue to pray for complete healing and no major side effects from her chemo drugs.  Please also pray that all the steroids she's getting won't have any major adverse effects on her.  The Lord is faithful and He will see us through this.  We give Him all glory and praise.

Cheryl

Hi All,

I don't have much time to write now, but just wanted to send a quick update.  Chevy has been admitted to the hospital bec. of an allergic reaction, possibly to taxol.  She got short of breath and very flushed in the middle of the taxol infusion.  She is resting now.  God willing, she will be out of the hospital tomorrow morning.  I will write more then.

Thank you!

Cheryl

Once again we held a prayer meeting for Chevy.  Thank you, Joy, for hosting.  Thanks to everyone who took time out of their own busy schedules to show support for Chevy.  It means a lot to all of us!  A special shout out to Pastor Tim and his family. 

Prayer requests for Chevy:

• strength, hope, peace, and joy
• increased faith and intimacy with God
• white count to not drop to dangerous levels after tomorrow's chemo (and for her doctor to give G-CSF in a timely fashion if need be)
• improved response with the addition of the third chemo drug
• mild side effects
• for a rash to appear within three weeks from tomorrow, thus signifying good response to this third drug
• good attitude toward her illness
• good appetite or nutrition

• travel mercies for David
• superhuman strength for our mother, but also that she would listen to her body when it is time to rest
• overall health for Mama
• brother Michael's glaucoma;  appointment with another glaucoma specialist on Monday for a second opinion
• lasting commitment for everyone who holds Chevy dear, to pray for her no matter how long it takes

       

To Everyone who loves Chevy,

Thank you for your unwavering support and prayers.

We went to see Chevy's oncologist today.  She said that she has conferred with the radiologist, and the latter has said that both brain lesions are actually old, i.e., they were both present in the first brain MRI.  I don't know why it wasn't reported initially (and thus spared Chevy from undue stress and heartache).  The left frontal lobe lesion remained unchanged.  The right frontal lobe lesion became more distinct, yet remained the same in size.  They are both under a centimeter big. 

The chest and upper abdomen CT scan showed no significant change in the sizes of all tumors.  There were no new tumors, but no shrinkage of tumors either.  "Stable."  While we were definitely hoping for regression of the tumors, this is still a PRAISE! 

Chevy's presumed infection is much better.  She is now almost back to her baseline cough, I think.  She has one more day of antibiotics.  She barely ate anything all morning and her spirit was downcast.  I comforted her the best way I knew how, with God's Word.  She perked up a little, especially after a cousin visited.  After the good news from her doctor, she was smiling and suddenly got a huge appetite! :D  Her cradle cap improves and worsens intermittently, but her scalp isn't too itchy anymore.  Most of her skin is doing well, except for some deep peeling from dryness of a few toes.  Her temperature continues to be elevated (37C-37.5C) but never a true fever. 

Tomorrow, Thursday, she will undergo the usual lab tests prior to her third chemotherapy on Friday.  If they're okay, her chemo will proceed as scheduled, but this time with a third chemo drug.  While Chevy's first two chemo drugs (taxol and carboplatin) are administered every 21 days, this third drug (cetuximab) will be administered weekly.  The prayer is for a rash to appear within three weeks.  This will indicate a good response to the drug.  Chevy has also been getting a drug (Zometa) for her bone mets, IV every 21 days.

Please pray for the above, and also that I would find a good radiologist, perhaps at my Alma Mater, that would sit down with me and review all of Chevy's imaging tests thus far.  I would definitely want to have at the very least her two brain MRIs reviewed by another radiologist.

I am starting to be really homesick (for the U.S.) and miss my husband a lot.  He will be arriving here this Saturday.  Please pray for his safety.

Thanks again for all the love and prayers.  It is my prayer that through this trial that our family is going through, and through this blog, others may be blessed and encouraged in their own struggles.  To God our Refuge be all glory!

In Him,
Cheryl

One of my favorite Psalms and songs (by Integrity Music)

Psalm 91

¹ He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
       will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 

² I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
       my God, in whom I trust."

³ Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
       and from the deadly pestilence.

⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
       and under his wings you will find refuge;
       his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

⁵ You will not fear the terror of night,
       nor the arrow that flies by day,

⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
       nor the plague that destroys at midday.

⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
       ten thousand at your right hand,
       but it will not come near you.

⁸ You will only observe with your eyes
       and see the punishment of the wicked.

⁹ If you make the Most High your dwelling—
       even the LORD, who is my refuge-

¹⁰ then no harm will befall you,
       no disaster will come near your tent.

¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
       to guard you in all your ways;

¹² they will lift you up in their hands,
       so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

¹³ You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
       you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

¹⁴ "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
       I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

¹⁵ He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
       I will be with him in trouble,
       I will deliver him and honor him.

¹⁶ With long life will I satisfy him
       and show him my salvation."

From Jay

Hi All,

Chevy's brain MRI result is out.  She has a second brain lesion.  The first one was on the left frontal lobe, and it stayed the same size.  However, she now has a similarly sized lesion on the right frontal lobe.  She had her repeat chest and upper abdomen CT today and results are still pending.  We will see her oncologist tomorrow.  We are all heart-broken at the MRI result, but are trusting that the Lord is in control. 

We also have sad news about my brother who has glaucoma.  His eye pressures are very high now, and the doctor added yet another drug.  A second surgery is very imminent.  We will be seeking a second opinion from another glaucoma specialist.

I am finding comfort from this verse tonight...

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 (New International Version)

 7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.