Blood Levels

When I got in for Chemo today, they told me that my blood levels were not good enough for my body to handle it. My White Blood Count was 0.7 my total blood count for white (which fights off infection was 0.0). That surely doesn't sound so good. The nurse thought he might put me in the hospital in isolation but he did not. They gave me a Neulasta shot, which should raise my blood levels within two days and will continue for at least a month.


I have to go to his office tomorrow at 1:30 pm. He may or may not hospitalize me at that time. I don't really want to be hospitalized but if that's what it takes to make me safe then I will do it, of course.


He also had the nurse give me a Solumedral (sp?) shot yesterday and today which helps dry up all of the rash. That rash is so ugly. My face had broken out and my feet and much more of my body that you don't even want to know about. It itches so much, but now is a lot better, thank the Lord.

We have had company the last 3 days including the barbecue, so I won't go any further into those friends. I explained that on an earlier blog.

Last night a very special friend stopped over and is beginning a church. We have been very close for years now. She ministers in the prisons with us and just has a true heart for God and his people. She doesn't want to do church and usual. Before she left she prayed for me and spoke so much life into me that when she did leave, I felt so encouraged. I felt like there is just so much for me to do and of course, I love doing it. We talked about a couple of things in our hearts (Barry & mine) and we hadn't done any of these things because we just didn't have a place to send people after we minister to them. Now this is silly that we didn't recognize it but she said, some water, some plant and some reap. You do what you can and God will do what you can't.

One of the things that God has burdened Barry with is going into Children's Hospital to take a gift to the sick kids. I believe specifically the cancer children. She was telling us go, attach something stating this is a love gift from LifeLine Prison Ministries and more importantly God. We would like for them to be able to contact us if they need further prayer...otherwise, our names are very unimportant. Barry has always felt to take Teddy Bears in, but after thinking it over, the fibers from the bears could possibly be something offensive to the immune system of the child. With cancer you never know.

She proceeds to tell us that she heard about a little boy named Brandon that was 5 years old with stomach cancer. She was so burdened for him that she put together a tape with music, jokes, stories and of course plenty of child-like Biblical teaching. He loved it so much, he asked his mom to play my tape often. She did finally get to meet with the child and his mother before he passed and she was so blessed that she had done that. She offered us a copy of that tape to transfer to CD and give to the children. Just look where God is taking us!

Then my thing is I have always loved the "Man on the Street" interviews. How easy would it be to go up to people and ask them questions like who is Jesus. Do you go to church, have you ever gone to church, why did you quit?

Finally I'm asking my blogger sisters and brothers if they can think of any questions that we could use.

We figure we can go to any park in the USA and ask these questions. She suggested Hart Plaza downtown Detroit. She said that these are very useful in ministering to the Saints before sending them out to minister on their own.

Of course, we still have the prisons that we can't wait to get back into...it's been way too long. I believe it's been like October 2006. See what I mean, when you have a passion burning in you and you can't release it. It's like fire shut up in your bones.

Today another friend came over and ministered to us. She loves God and wants to do His will so badly. She told us that whatever we want to get we could get it off the Internet at wholesale prices by pallets.

She also told us that in 2003 she was going through a particularly tough time in her life that the Lord gave her this: A bird never worries about what he eats, where he lives, where he goes or the storm. God warns them of the storm coming. (Maybe much like He would us if we would learn to be as carefree as the birds). They leave and go where they are supposed to during the storm. They are protected by the Lord, as we are. When the storm is over, guess what? They come running back and chirp happily again. The Word tells us to don't' worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself. Wow! I've got lots of work to do. Gotta run for now!

Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.

PS: If I wind up in the hospital I will try to blog from there. Sometimes you can get Internet and sometimes you can't.

OOPS! I almost forgot the most important thing here - prayer!

I have several prayer requests (as usual).

I blogged last month about a family that lost their son Josh, to cancer. I am positive that they could use our prayers. They were happy to see him go to Heaven, but now I am sure they are feeling their loss. I haven't spoken with her since the day before the funeral, they live in Georgia. Their names are Matt and Denise.

My father-in-law's wife is paralyzed and he is 83 having to physically carry her to the bathroom and everywhere else. He feels terrible putting her in a nursing home, but doesn't see another solution. He is having kidney problems himself. His back and legs are hurting him terribly! Tonight we were made aware of some other things going on, no need to tell you but God knows.

My sister-in-law will be beginning a new treatment on the 5th of June for I believe MS. Please pray that it will help her and turn that condition around. I get it confused because my mother-in-law has the opposite, I believe CP.

Janae's father was rushed to the hospital with a possible heart attack.

Dennis was just diagnosed with Sugar Diabetes.

Tom and 3 of his co-workers are fasting and praying for Marty, another of their co-workers that wants to commit suicide. Tom said he looked into his eyes and it wasn't a pretty picture.

Luke's cousin tried to commit suicide and damaged her liver so badly that she needs an immediate liver transplant.

Still remember the lady in the hospital that her bones were aching so badly.

My friend Deb is going today to have 2 skin cancers removed. One on her arm and one much deeper one on her back. Please remember her.

One of our blog buddies says the heat is so great where she is that the roofers can hardly work. One of the workers felt ill today and had to come off of the roof. He has to work to provide food. They were able to orally rehydrate him. Still pray for them.

I personally thank each of you for praying. I am sorry I haven't visited many blogs lately. I have slept a lot and haven't been on my computer much. I have 192 unread emails if that tells you anything.

It seems like lately I sure have lots to say...sorry!

Oh, My Aching Bones!

Today I had to go to the Cancer Center to get my blood checked. While I was there, a lady I would say was either Arabic or Indian came in. She was probably 65+ (just guessing). I heard her say to the nurse, oh, my aching bones...I ache all over...I hurt all over.....

I have not been able to get that lady off of my mind all day. I have prayed for her and ask that you do too! Don't know her name, don't know anything else about her, but she was hurting physically. I wanted to go over to her and hug her; tell her that everything would be all right. That was when I realized that if she is not a Christian it will never be all right. Wow! How many are dying and going to hell all around us and we are not praying while we could be.

There are so many missed opportunities for us to pray for people.

Dear God, please never, ever let me lose compassion for my brothers and sisters or those that will be.

Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

The Effects of Chemo

As you may or may not know I began this new regiment of chemo last Tuesday. This has been an extremely rough week, to say the least. The 1st 2 days I was so sick throwing up and all that goes with it. I couldn't eat at all. I had no appetite. On Friday I still wasn't feeling well and spent most of the day and night in bed. I did begin to feel better by Saturday morning, still not great, but better. Sunday I felt pretty good except for the fact that as I was brushing my teeth I had some blood in my mouth. Never a good sign, however, I did discover that the blood was only from brushing my teeth, thank God! How nerve wracking!

Sunday afternoon we did get to go out to dinner. I really began to feel good. Some people invited us over to their house that evening and it was a great time. It was the first time we had anything to do in months. It felt so good. Before we left, they anointed me with oil and everyone prayed for me. I know that God reached down His precious mighty hand and touched me once again.

Today I got up and asked Barry if we could have the people across the street over for a barbecue, knowing he would have to do most of the work. He was happy to do it. This is a family that reached out to me in love so much at Christmas time. They have a 9 year old and a 14 year old girl. It began about 20 days before Christmas and all of the sudden, I started getting packages each day. These young girls were my secret Santa's, but I never figured it out, nor would I have until Christmas Eve, they left my final package and a note telling me who my secret Santa was. What a surprise. It was so fun and definitely gave me something to look forward to each day. They, without a doubt, blessed my heart, soul and made my life full of anticipation. What a wonderful ministry. The other day they showed up at my door with a bouquet of red, white and blue flowers. You surely can't pay for neighbors like that!

They came over today and we all had a wonderful time. The youngest girl believes that God loves her so much that He would dare not grant her request, which is prayer for me and her grandmother, Sandy. I love it when children pray. They have nothing to pretend about, they are just so open and honest.

Anyway, I did get that nasty rash and it is nasty. My face looks like I have acne all over it, which I never had in my life. I can hardly touch my head because it hurts so much and I itch all over. At one point tonight, I thought I might just itch my skin off.

I have to go tomorrow at 2:30 to check my blood levels, so I can start this entire procedure over again on Wednesday. I believe I only have to take one of them on Wednesday, but will post more when I know more.

I did discover today that I probably shouldn't be out in the sun because it makes me "rash up" and itch so much worse. I love being outside, but I will have to abide with what my body is telling me to do.

Remember that I am still not giving up. I am still standing on God's Precious Holy Word for healing. I would be happy to have a miracle - that's a quick healing...putting everything back in place and fixing everything that is unfixed at this point.

Please pray that my blood levels will be where they need to be!

Thank you all for your concern and prayer. I love and appreciate you all!

III John 2 - Beloved I would that you would prosper and

be in health, even as your soul prospers!

Chemo

I am sitting here in the Cancer Center of Oakwood Hospital beginning my first chemo treatment in this round. From what I understand (and sometimes it's hard to understand) I will be getting this treatment once every 21 days and another once every 7 days. This first treatment will take the longest about 4 -5 hours. After that it will reduce by 30 minutes each week. I believe the one treatment will be for 4 weeks and I'm not sure how long the other one will last.

The nurses told me today that this particular kind of chemo gives you a skin rash and it is not pretty. It stays in your face, arms, chest area and maybe even your stomach area. I am just believing that it doesn't happen to me. It does not happen to everyone, so I want to be one of those, of course.

Yesterday I got a call from a dear Jamaican friend that is truly a prayer warrior. Her name is Mother Beckford. Now let me tell you, if anyone can pray and if anyone hears from God, it is her. She spends much of her days on her face in prayer.

She called because she thought something might be wrong. I told her that I would begin chemo again today and she was highly disappointed. She then told me a lot of things and how it was not God's will for me to be sick because we are so involved in the Prison Ministry and the prisoners need us. She also said something that totally "clicked" in my Spirit. She said that she could not find any place in the Bible that people got sick again after being healed. Because of the shrinkage and everything else going on in my life, all of the good reports, that she believes that I had been healed. I agree. If no one else in the Bible had to be re-healed, then why should I.

Then I was talking to Barry and he was saying to God, you don't have cancer and we are made in your image, so why should Arlene have cancer. This was never God's plan for us to stay unhealthy.

I can't wait to see what God has in store for us and the ministry when this is over. We are really excited. Please pray for us as we are on this journey.

RESULTS!!!

Today I got the results from my PET Scan that I had on Tuesday. It surely wasn't as good as I would have liked, however, it absolutely could have been much worse.

In July 2004 I was diagnosed with Colon Cancer. It was a shock to say the least. I had surgery in August. They restructured my colon, said it was enclosed nothing had leaked out and I should have no more trouble but the Oncologist wanted me to take Zeloda, which is an oral pill. I took that for 6 months. The doctor prescribed 6 - 500 mg. pills per day or 3,000 mgs. Lots of medicine for someone who doesn't take aspirins very often. The pills eventually began to take their toll on me. Little did I know it is one of the nastiest drugs on the market. Apparently, it is what this particular health provider offers to most everyone because of the inexpensiveness of it. Not that it's not expensive, but much less than others. When I was finished with this particular chemo, the doctor did not say anything to me about coming back or any blood tests. Now, I am old enough, I should have known something wasn't right, but the doctor had NO bedside manner and it was difficult just to go every two weeks to have to see him. Anyway, they NEVER called, sent a letter or anything else. I assumed everything was fine. Dumb! Dumb! Dumb!

It was...for a while. I began going to an Osteopathic doctor and liked him very well. I explained what I had been through with the previous doctor and he told me it would not be a problem to blood test me every time I needed it. However, he wasn't watching his front desk girls. They would not let me come in for blood tests. They said my insurance would not cover it, which was not true. I still felt fine, but something just didn't seem right, so I finally called and insisted that I get a blood test. That was a year ago. On Thursday, May 18, 2006, this doctor's office called and said my blood levels were way too high. I was upset, as you can imagine.

We decided to change insurance companies so I could be treated by someone from Oakwood Hospital. I decided on a doctor and when I got to this office, it was a female doctor who told us that she was new to the practice and that she had never seen anyone with my condition live longer that 3 years and that was only 2 patients, most live between 12 - 20 months. What an encouragement! She was very "cold" and we didn't like her at all. We were so discouraged.

In the meantime, my girlfriend's brother was diagnosed with Leukemia. He was given a doctor that gave him 2 weeks to live and while he was in the hospital, the nurses told him that he needed to change doctors and told him who to go to. One of the most respected doctors in the hospital. Ronnie started seeing him and he did a bone marrow transplant. My girlfriend was a perfect match. I called my friend after the "cold" doctor and told her what she said. She told her brother and her brother told his doctor. His doctor told him to tell me that he would see me immediately. Amazing, a doctor that is actually interested in someone. Where you aren't a number. You bet we went to see him.

We not only went to see him, we absolutely fell in love with him. He told us that he doesn't believe in giving a "time line" for people's lives. He said that is up to God. No man can say how long a person will live. What a different perspective than the other doctors had given us. So many just don't seem to care. What he found was that the colon cancer had spread to the liver and lungs. It is always called colon cancer though because that is where it started. Just a few years ago, liver cancer ALWAYS was a death sentence. No necessarily so now. Thank God for new drugs.

My new doctor gave me three different kinds of chemo in triple doses--one of which was new. It was tough! I had to be hospitalized about 5 out of the 8 times. The chemo was so strong that it would make me throw up. There was something in the chemo that I could not drink, eat or touch anything that was cold! It was the such a weird feeling. It would feel like my throat was closing up. I can remember telling Barry a few times that I would give $1,000 for a drink of cold water. I had 8 rounds of that. Each round last 72 hours. It would take about 2 weeks for me to be able to even think about cold water or touch anything cold and then boom...it was time again for the next round. Thank God that is over. I can never take that again. We believe it also did borderline nerve damage to my eyes. I had to go to an Ophthalmologist 2 weeks ago and that is what he said. There is no hard evidence that it was from the chemo, however, I lost 7 lines of vision in just a couple of months.

After the 8 rounds of chemo, the doctor put me on this anti-body called Avastan. It is a "blaster" of tumors. It targets them directly after chemo. Every time I went to him, the tumors were shrinking...until today.

Today he told us that there was a slight growth in the nodules on the lungs and there also was a slight growth of the liver. He was very disappointed. He felt that what he had done would take care of it. However, he also told us that the "cheap" medicine that I took in the beginning counteracted what he had given me. Some people it does and some it doesn't apparently.

I will begin chemo again on Tuesday at 8:00 am. The most concern with the drugs I will be taking is the blood levels drop, which means you could have to stay in isolation. The nurse told us that it doesn't affect many people at all. Please pray that it won't. It will be another new drug and I didn't get the name of it, along with something else. I try to ask as few questions as I have to so that it doesn't work on my mind.

He still feels like this will work and I told him we will continue to work on it until it's gone! I think this will be another 8 round ordeal, but I will know more on Tuesday. I will try to post Tuesday evening to let you know more.

With all of my heart, I believe that I am going through this so that I can be an encouragement to others. I don't like it, but, hey, what can I say? If I am here to help others, that's a good thing!

It is midnight now, so I need to close this and get in bed. Thank you all so much for your prayers and concern. Please pray for my husband in this too because it has to be very hard on him. He is ok but it is difficult for him. The man is supposed to be the protector and he can't do anything about this.

We are both standing strong in the Lord on this! We will continue to be in prayer and stay with a heart of thanksgiving that I am doing so well. I am not discouraged -- just anxious to see where God will take us. I still don't believe it is my time to go. I have so much work to do for Him.

God has sent several healing "words" to me and that is why I have so much confidence that his healing will be manifest in me in this life! I believe what He said! I am so thankful for the people that came forth to me and gave me the "Words" that God gave them for me! I have many healing scriptures also that I stand on each day! I have so much to be thankful for!

I am very careful to watch my words. You will never hear me say that I have cancer. I am being healed! I believe that there is power in our words. The Bible tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue. I have chosen life!

God bless!

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. He knows the plans He has for me!

PET Scan

Tuesday, May 15th, I have to go for another PET Scan. This will be my fourth one. That is a whole body scan that tells if there is anymore cancer in your body. I ask for your prayers. I am claustrophobic, although you can take a nerve pill before going into this test. It's a pretty tight cylinder.

Barry & I are believing God for total and complete healing of this body.

The Word says that He knows the plans for He has for me. Plans to prosper and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11. I have been and am standing on this scripture!

Please stand on the Word of God with us. We won't find out the results for a few days but will let you know when we hear something!

Running Low on Love?

For sure we are inundated with what the world calls love. Did you ever think about love? You don't have too much. It never runs dry! There is an endless supply. God has given us more than we need and more than we can ever use.

Of the many things that you have prayed for, have you ever prayed for more love? Most likely not unless you prayed to love someone more. The fact is that love is always there if we will just tap His never ending supply. My sister made me this beautiful heriloom throw and it was in a "Dear God" bag when she gave it to me. The question on the bag was...Dear God, I have given all of my love away, can I have a refill?

The more I think about it, the more I realize that it's impossible to "run low" on God's love.

I also know that we may have issues with some individuals, even possibly hate an individual, but I am here to tell you that Jesus says in Mark 12:30-31. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as theyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

I'd better get busy loving more!

Tristin - Again

Our kids recently moved in with us and they brought their kids too. Can you imagine that? Well, Tristin, the 3 year old was kind of unsettled about moving. Kaitlynne, the 7 year old was already in bed with me and I told Tristin to get in bed with me too. They (or we) are blessed since Barry works midnights. Anyway, K was asleep already and Tristin was almost asleep, so being the loving Granny I am, I decided that I would rub his head and help him go off to dreamland. His eyes were nearly shut and then they would open, you know, you've seen it many times before with kids. You think you've got it made and then, all of a sudden, pop, their eyes open and you are so in trouble. Little did I know, I got "told off" by a three year old. I am rubbing his head and he's nearly down for the count and then he realized what I was doing and said, Gran, rub your own head....oh my. Outdone by a 3 year old. I'm gonna have to sharpen my skills a lot for this one!