New Treatment Begins

“Thanksgiving and Prayer - We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.” 2 Thessalonians 1:3”


Hi Everyone!

This is sort of a short note to just update quickly because of the changes. As I had mentioned in a previous email that Mike since all the new news of the cancer coming back, he stared depression in the face and gave in. After his surgery to insert the ommeya, he began to have no appetite and eventually did not even want to get out of bed. He later started to stop drinking as well. I assumed it was possible disease progression and depression, so I just headed the Doctors advise and kept him hydrated as I could and partially filled with nutrition with shakes and such…well the day his appointments came, he refused to go. I do not necessarily not want to go do to giving in to the cancer, he simply was tired from not eating, drinking and getting out of bed, it was a work out just getting dressed and out the door – to him it was much simpler to just continue to rest. This went on and he skipped a few appointments, so I headed the advice of family and we all came to the decision it was time to take action whether he wanted to or not and admit him into the hospital.

He was admitted Tuesday, and after hooking up to IV’s and getting hydrated, he began to look better already. Initially he was upset that he was back in the hospital, but it was inevitable if this did not happen, he would continue to wither away – and I know Mike, that is not what he intended. He got into a room on Wednesday and began to eat, drink and all bodily functions were intact. Due to the combination of possible disease progression, de-hydration and VERY low Sodium, he became confused, very tired. He is now on steroids, which we all know he hates, but it has jogged an appetite, he is sitting up in bed, talking and other than a few events of confusion, I am starting to see Mike arise from what he was becoming – Praise JESUS!

He underwent an MRI yesterday to see the progression of the disease, and as of now, the disease is the same as it was 2 weeks ago, so again, the confusion and symptoms he is experiencing, we are being told it could be a multi-tude of things. Today he started his chemo for the spinal fluid. As all treatments, there come side effects, and the worst of all the chance of the chemo not working at all. For after hearing this from the doctor, informing us that the treatment could begin and start to take effect and stabilize the disease offering no more progressing symptoms and reverse of some neurological effect that are current now and attack the cancer cells, or it could take effect and work with the cancer, progressing the disease in the negative. For after consenting with Mike, it was our choice to proceed with treatment, for if none, the disease would progress anyhow, so let’s at least take the chance to fight it and allow GOD to intervene if his plan and heal Mike – updates soon and prayers much needed as always!

He will also undergo a PET scan tomorrow to re-stage the original cancer and cancer spots that developed on the liver and lympnodes – results hopefully tomorrow and treatment starts as well. For all this developing so fast, Mike will remain in the hospital for a few days, as the treatments take place and also some physical therapy to get him strong again. Mike is in and out of sleep, but has enjoyed all that have come to visit, so if you want to pop in and say hi, please feel free to call me and if he is available, I am sure he would love a visit from his dear family and friends.

As always, you remain AMAZING prayer warriors – and once before Mike became cancer free of this spinal fluid disease in the very beginning and remained for over a year – GOD is working on something, and it happens to involve this hurdle, but we will continue praise him, for allowing Mike this far and the strength to continue to fight! We love you all and thank you for all support, prayers and love! Updates soon!

PS – I really liked the verse I came across, for I feel so true through this journey, we all have become closer to GOD in our own ways and have developed an amazing relationship with the man above!

XO Lyndie

Just Wowed!

“Inspired by a true story, 50/50 is an original story about friendship, love, survival and finding humor in unlikely places. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen star as best friends whose lives are changed by a cancer diagnosis in this new comedy directed by Jonathan Levine from a script by Will Reiser. 50/50 is the story of a guy's transformative and, yes, sometimes funny journey to health - drawing its emotional core from Will Reiser's own experience with cancer and reminding us that friendship and love, no matter what bizarre turns they take, are the greatest healers”

Enjoyed a movie night with Mike – and in all honesty, the movie we chose to watch was extremely hard for me to finally make the decision. I have been avoiding this movie for a while, for I had not read too much about it, nor did I know that it was based on a true story – in all I was scared it had an un-happy ending. Granted it has Seth Rogan, but yet, I am sure just as all actors, for a role of a lifetime, I am sure it’s not too complicated to change your persona from a comedic laugh your butt off, to a more serious role – the goal is an Oscar right? Well, I decided to screw it and just watch it, no matter the ending, for I was anxious to see if they were to really depict the effects and changes cancer brings to your life --- needless to say, I am so happy we watched.

In all honesty, the very first 7 minutes of it with the trip to the doctor, receiving the diagnosis and the long walk out of the hospital hallways just in awe of the amount of patients that share this battle – the family and friends too. I give much kudos to the film team and to now know that this is based on a true story, it makes sense how every detail, every emotion was spot on – from the girlfriend who bailed, to the best friend who uses humor to mask the fear and the family that becomes so tight and protective. It was like looking at Mike, myself and our journey in a mirror. A movie that I must recommend…go get it NOW!

On another note, the reason for this email is for 2 things --- FIRST, I know that many people are calling Mike, and unfortunately he is just not up to talking. Mixture of battling the depression, etc he is in a funk at the moment, that I pray once Monday comes and we are starting new treatment, it will subside and hope will settle back in his mind. SO, a few months ago, we subscribed to SKYPE which we have not used a whole lot, but we have used and it is amazing to be able to talk to someone across the world, and minus the sometimes delay, it is like you are there with them. SO I wanted to provide our SKYPE name and if you are up to it, let us know and go crazy with talking to Mike and visiting face to face – it really is so simple and we really have enjoyed it --- Our name is ‘lyndienmike’. The current account we have is free and no charge to video one to another – I am not sure of the other features; I have not gotten that far yet. I feel it may offer some cheer to Mike daily to see and talk to family and friends we do not see often or that are in other states and cannot just stop by the house…just an option – look into it!

2nd news is that with all that is going on in the past few weeks, with all the side effects from all Mike has gone through it continues trivial to pin point exactly may be causing it – when you read the side effects of all the meds, the procedure, the cancer and all else, they all just kind of lump together and share the symptoms. One thing I maintain to stay on top of is the liver – being a soft organ and usually when the cancer has metasisized to this area, it can offer complications. The side effects he has now are also signs of liver failure…ugh! Why can’t this be easier and just not all symptoms share in a million different causes --- SO I emailed the oncologist today, just to ensure anything I may look out for regarding any liver failure. The last visit when these were brought into the picture, our doctor ensured that she was not raising red flags and felt confident that it would not progress extensively before treatment started. With that in the back of my mind, I still wanted to make sure. She emailed me back letting me know that ALL of mike’s blood work he has done recently and even back a few months, show nothing compromising the liver. His levels are above normal. She said that if anything would have been off, he would have been brought in. Now again, nothing out of the ordinary caused me to inquire, but with everything sharing the same symptoms it seems, I just wanted to have comfort knowing that his organs were not being compromised.

In all, though the recent overall news is confusing and inserts doubt and fear, every bit of any good news is comforting and I will gladly take it – I told mike and he gave me the thumbs up and said hurry up Monday! On a good note, Mike continues to be aware of all around him, walking around with minimal assistance and though he continues to rest…he is awake through the day versus sleeping it away. It really is just the small things.

In closing, I will continue to keep you all posted as to treatment this coming week and how Mike continues to do. I myself continue to battle the devil and angel on my shoulder…but rather continue, decided to flick the BOTH off and keep my eyes, heart and mind focused on above – I found an article today sent to me anonymously regarding a man a little older than Mike that survived leptominginal disease and is now in remission for 7 years --- continuing to stay away from the “normal statistics” and just continuing to know and trust – we are NOT in control – HE is! As the movie – in ALL aspects of our life – isn’t it really 50/50?

XOOX Till next time!

Lyndie

Pray for Anything & If YOU Have Faith – YOU Will Receive

“However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him - 1 Corinthians 2:9”

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to take a minute to send an update. As I previously wrote, Mike underwent a minor Brain Procedure to input the Omemya into his brain to allow the doctors to administer the chemo directly to the spinal fluid to attack what is floating around. It was a simple procedure and thankful Mike had the same Neurosurgeon as his original surgery in 2010. He was in surgery for a total of about 2 hours – from start of anesthesia until recovery. I remember the first surgery he had, he was up and walking, talking and eating the very same night – this time, the recovery is a little slower due to the disease progression in the spinal fluid, the recent radiation and the hospital stay. There are so many factors that are in place at the moment, it is hard to pinpoint what exactly is the culprit to cause not such a “speedy” recovery, but I remain to leave that In GOD’s hands and focus on what I can do now.

With all that has been going on in the last 2 weeks, it seems a little depression has set in for Mike. The fact that he has done SO wonderful this past year, and been able to lead such an active lifestyle and even return to work, it was a low blow to have all this happen so fast within the weeks and have the quality of health change so much. Don’t get me wrong, I have confirmed with Mike that he DOES want to continue to fight this and he understands what the fight entails --- new chemo to attack spinal fluid and the new chemo to attack the liver lesions that appeared from last scan. He remains faithful though we are both scared, we both understand that it will remain out of our control and that GOD is in complete control – as hard as it is to give it all to him at times, we know that it is what we must do.

Just to clarify, I understand my emails mainly offer an optimistic “Kart-Wheel” mentality of Mike’s disease, but I would not want it any other way. In all, after my emails, we can all access GOOGLE and its sources and know that the “prognosis” seems grim. In all my emails, I supply the facts of what Mike is going through and experiencing, but yet, I live with Mike day to day, every hour on the hour and though to the outside that have not seen him physically daily, he has changed. He has lost weight; he is in a “funk” and dealing with the day to day complications of this roller coaster disease. I was told recently, that some entries I make may be confusing…I speak of Mike and his current status, yet, I praise GOD for blessing Mike with his strength, mentality and etc…so this email I just wanted to clear the air.

Yes, Mike is not as strong as he has been in the past months, he is weak and with the current position of the disease, he is in a funk and with the depression he is currently in a state of mind where he is just there. He wants to continue to fight this battle, but a lot has happened in the past few weeks, and it has taken a toll. For me, I live with Mike daily and I see the changes, but in no way is he looking “Horrible” (to those who have only visited him after 7 months of no visits). Horrible is not even close to the lull Mike is in now. I could not even imagine in only 3 weeks, be put on new meds that cause a bad reaction, a FULL blown radiation and brain surgery --- and to still be able to even be awake and know the current events of today – like The president’s name or even re-call the street you grew up on along with several of your mother’s favorite songs at told to me when I ask at any moment of any day. I know that this disease messes with the CNS and to ensure, I continue to ask Mike questions all day long --- he continues to do great!

I am sorry if my emails do not paint the FULL picture…but I intend to inform everybody, leaving you with an optimistic outlook for the future. I could easily email grim details of our daily battles, but what would it do? It would offer no hope. For now, you understand that this journey is a daily up and down, but with the downs, we WILL have plenty of ups, and that is what we need to focus on…for Mike. He needs to have his mind strong, happy and focused on the future of being well, not the “statistics”. Studies show the mind is SO powerful and continues to heal the body of disease daily in MANY circumstances…is Mike any different and deserve less? Nope, Everyday will be sunshine and Kart-Wheels in our household…everyday even wakened by the rain on the roof tapping, smiles and kisses from the wet-nosed kiddoes will surpass the sadness that we could allow to set in.

In closing, yes, more than ever, Mike needs your prayers to lift him out of this fog --- for have the prayers worked before? Yes, and GOD will continue to use us and this slight journey in “the valley of shadow of death” will not slow us down nor side track us -- we daily will continue to touch others, inspire and know that above this Cancer, GOD has something in the works to WOW us all – just wait!

Love you all --- and thank you for everything…

XOOXO Lyndie

No Stranger to Surgery

“The feeling remains that God is on the journey, too - Teresa of Avila”

Hi All!

I hope this entry finds you all adapting to this New Year and accepting all the blessings that you unfold every day! It seems on this roller-coaster of a journey we are on; we never miss the chance to accept the blessings that are bestowed to us daily in all shapes and forms. One being that since Mike’s last visit to ER a little over a week ago, Mike has not traveled down that path of confusion and no ER trips – that alone is a blessing, because the ER is surely not a fun place! However, Mike will be returning to the Hospital on Monday to undergo a procedure to insert an Ommaya Resevoir to allow the administering of chemo that will be specifically for the Central Nervous System versus treating with radiation (which he had in the very beginning of all this for the tumors in the brain) and the Avastin that he was previously on. This after speaking to the doctors is very common in treating the spinal fluid which coats the brain/spine and protects the CNS. It was this or the Lumbar Punctures, and as I have said before, Mike is not a fan and that was not going to be an option ;) The procedure will take place Monday morning, and Mike will be a guest at “Hotel MDA” for 23 hours for observation. Once out, he will be set up on a treatment plan (pending the aggressiveness of his team) and most likely be at MDA 3 times a week for insertion of the chemo (which is less than 30 minutes we are told). As Mike prepped for his MRI today to gain the results for his neurosurgeon on Monday – I saw for a minute the “Strong Like Bull” Mike attitude prevail above his tiredness from all that has been going on the past couple of weeks from ER trips, Radiation and just the anxiety of the “2nd Part of Our Journey” – He looked at the nurse and reassured her – “I’m Not scared of surgery – see this scar ;) They say I am Strong Like Bull” --- Ha, I must admit, it brought joy to my heart to see the fighting spirit, though I know he is tired.

I myself have been battling anxiety –for as always, I hate waiting and want to kick this new round of treatment into gear and work on getting Mike better and restoring his energy. We as I mentioned previously in an entry, we have changed up our diet and eating habits and even try to maintain a little in-home exercise to keep his muscles strong while he recovers from this radiation and fighting the cancer that is in his Spinal Fluid (which also can cause fatigue) It stinks, because knowing that the tiredness can be caused by both the disease and the radiation as well, it is hard to pin-point where the tiredness is coming from, BUT most of all, we are thankful he has a strong mind-set, is alert, maintains an appetite and from the visit with the doctors this week, he maintains all his normal strength assessment and motor skills. He has dropped a little weight though he maintains an appetite, but this is due to the radiation and the location of being in the pelvic region, (you know what has set in – a lot of bathroom breaks ;)

In all, I am supportive of Mike and all the decisions he continues to make, and selfishly happy he wants to maintain fighting, for I am surely not ready to be without him – nor are you all. The continued prayers continue to be felt and the love and support we receive from you daily is amazing. In fact, in the past few weeks, we have been sent books, cards, scriptures and such in the mail for Mike – I read him all the emails, Facebook posts, texts and all else, but just something about receiving that piece of mail addressed to him from you and even people we have only recently met from MDA or along this journey, sure makes his day – he is SO loved by so many! I will continue to keep you all posted in the coming days/weeks as he starts this spinal fluid treatment and also his new chemo from his oncology team – along with prayers for us, please pray that GOD for his team of doctors puts in their minds and hands a treatment that will match perfect for Mike and continue to kick this cancer in the Butt as it did a few months ago! It is NOT Impossible!

Much love to you all and continued glad tidings in this New Year!

XO Lyndie

PS – If you have NOT Seen ‘Soul Surfer’ --- SUCH a great Movie!!!!

It Feels Like 2 Steps Forward and 3 Steps Back – Mikes Journey Continues

“Every cell that does not promote life and health (in Mike’s Body) is cut off from its life source. Mike’s Immune system will NOT allow timorous growth to live in my body – in JESUS name – Amen! Reference from Luke 17:6; Mark 11:23”

Today Mike and I after a long week of in out of hospital (one which included an overnight stay) woke up this morning in high spirits feeling better than we both have in a few days, and decided to go eat some breakfast. I have gotten pretty good at making homemade omelets, but we had to be at MDA early today to install a new pic-line to assist with the chemo he will be receiving, and due to his veins being so weak, this will assist with all blood work, etc. If you remember, he did have one a little while ago, but he had gone back to work, we were battling one of the hottest Summers in ages, so there was just no way around keeping it from getting sweaty and it eventually got infected, so we had it removed. Anyhow moving on, we opted between 2 of our favorite places this AM – Mexican or All-American. We were shooting for the Mexi-Breakfast, but then in the midst of our drive, we changed gears and craved waffles and eggs. We said hi to all the staff and a lady that I had never seen before came in and looked as a regular, grabbed her coffee herself and a paper and sat in the booth behind us. Our waitress, Ms. Dee, popped in and asked how Mike was and how we were…she could tell the distress in our faces, behind our smiles, and she could tell we were tired. We updated her of all the new progression and our part 2 of this journey. She grabbed Mike’s hand and reminded us that she has not stopped praying and in fact, talks about us frequently to customers when they are feeling discouraged or down and feeling kicked, she reminds them our Mikes Journey and our strong faith and ALL the good that has come from this…for that we are so thankful! As we left, the lady behind us stopped and asked “are you Mike?” Mike introduced him and I and she asked if she could sit with us for a minute and pray. We obliged (we love meeting people and having prayers for us)! She talked to us for a little bit and told us even though she had never known or met us other than the stories from Ms. Dee, we have remained in her prayers and will continue to do so --- and that Mike has been a true inspiration to her! As we walked out and headed to MDA, I was in awe of AGAIN how GOD works in our lives and at any given moment, will place someone or something to remind you that he IS right HERE with us! Feeling Blessed!

MDA was successful today and Mike’s pic-line was installed and he will no longer have to succumb to those (mean) nurses that sometimes have no regard to gently trying to find a vein and end up having Mike walking out looking like a heroin addict – granted this is not ALL nurses…but some ;) We finished off our day with a Protein Smoothie and off to the house for a restful weekend – cannot wait!

In the past days, I have tried to update as many as I could and am thankful for all who continue to spread the word if I am not able. After 2 ER visits and one overnight MDA stay within the past 2 weeks…we know and understand that the cancer is alive in the spinal fluid, and could possibly be causing the reactions Mike has experienced….BUT the doctors also have not ruled out that the episodes being caused by the new meds that have been incorporated (prior to this radiation) for pain and to help sleep – both VERY addictive and strong meds with HUGE side effects with the majority of what Mike went through – it was coincidental that BOTH episodes included these meds the day that he took them. I understand and know the severity of Mike’s disease and know that once you are messing with the nervous system and it has entered the spinal fluid stream such as it has done now…it is scary and may seem grim…BUT you know what? What part of Cancer IS NOT scary or grim? This whole disease whether it is Stage IV Lung Cancer, Melanoma, Kidney, Liver and all the other Thousands of Cancers there are – they ALL are scary and play with your system – Mind, Body and Soul (and the occasional nervous system!) BUT just as today we met his lady who was a stranger before today, I know and TRUST that GOD continues to work in our lives daily. GOD NEVER promised us this would be easy, but he DID promise us that He would never give us more than we can handle – and though at times, I feel so weak, confused and want this pain in my heart to subside and for Mike to be back on the boat and at our cabin…I know it is not that time yet – We still have much more to do here for GOD and the main one being CONTINUE TO GIVE THE GLORY ALL TO HIM!

This last episode was so scary, for having my husband so vulnerable to either the disease or the new meds, it broke my heart and I will not lie, my heart did fill despair and I felt as if though, we might be entering the worst part of this disease with no return…I was mad at myself for thinking this, but know that GOD knows these thoughts go through my head and it was the first time I was at peace with these thoughts, but in the same breath, I felt I almost grabbed back (sort of like when they rescued Carol Ann from the ceiling in Poltergeist 1), I felt I was snatched by the collar by GOD himself and put back on the battle room floor and my weapon was restocked and I at that moment, felt ALL prayer warriors on our side, locked hand in hand behind us, looking the mountain dead in the center and casting it into the sea! I can even admit, I felt a slight quiver, almost like a quake below my feet – yes that was the devil shaking in fear! I cannot guarantee there are not going to be more rough spots ahead, in fact, I know there will be, but with GOD on this journey with us and our faith WILL NOT become a victim to the prey of a hungry devil – we WILL continue to rise above!

In closing, as always, thank you all who continue to stand in agreement of Mike’s healing – for we are blessed to have such believers…On the flip I understand that there are also the “realistic ones” that continue to go only by symptoms and numbers, and for that, I do not fault you, for I have spent many nights GOOGLING and seeing ALL the bad, and have had Mike on his death bed many times – but instead I have started to read my bible more and indulge in ALL the good! Mike now has the pic-line as I mentioned and we are scheduled to meet with his neurology team this week to discuss the omea that will be put in place to attack the spinal fluid and kill that cancer. He will meet with his oncology team the following week to discuss the new chemo and start! OH! I forgot, I prayed long and hard and got the answer. My wonderful company has allowed me some time off to be with Mike in these coming days. We are SO thankful for all who have helped us this year with trips to the Doctors, coming by and visiting Mike when he was at home with nothing but westerns to watch and Judge Judy, but with all that has occurred, I wanted to be by his side for all that is coming up and hold his hand through it all and not miss anything! Thank YOU JESUS for allowing this! I will continue to update in the coming weeks of Mike’s progression with both the Brain port and the new chemo. Though he remains tired from the radiation (that stuff is some Kick A stuff) he remains to have a fighting stand and mind set – he has gone back and forth in the past weeks with the ER trips and both of our minds sets were weak…BUT after today, we continue to KNOW GOD is there and HERE and EVERYWHERE! Spread the word!

Continue to love you all and thank you!!


XO Lyndie

Running Just As Fast As We Can – Holding On To One Another’s Hand – Mikes Journey Continues

“Be Still and Know That I AM GOD – Psalm 46:10”

Hi All!

I will not promise this will be short, but it may not be long…and if I tend to ramble more than usual, Mike and I have just had about 7 margaritas each…I am JUST Kidding!!

I know I updated yesterday and had an entry that held hope from the previous incident from last Thursday…and as I have said in this disease…It REALLY does change daily. For this entry is not the best, but I know it is not the worst and stems from the MRI results we have been waiting for.

Last night was long, at MDA till almost midnight, and as tired as we were, there were so many people that were not as fortunate as us to be able to go home only 15 minutes away to their own comfy bed, yet they were in local hotels or even the hospital itself. The drive home last night was good, jamming to our favorite songs and having much confidence in the results that were to come to us today. However, GOD continues to have other plans and has set us on a slight detour on the healing path that we were skipping along.

We sat down today with our new Brain and Spine team, (Dr. Groves has moved to Austin to pursue a new Brain/Spine Study Center and we wish him the best!) Our new Nurse Practitioner came in and sat down and broke the news to us that the MRI from last night in fact showed new spots on Mike’s Brain…a few spots. Immediately I looked at Mike and it took us back to the very beginning of this disease. She explained the spots were SO very small, microscopically almost, but still that was not comforting…there is new growth! She did her physical exam with Mike and as always, he maintains GREAT strength, reflexes and all signs of the brain functioning properly. As I reported in my last entry, all body functions remain the same other than his fatigue from the current radiation he has underwent. He maintains a great appetite and even his sense of humor!

We sat there for a moment filled with anxiety as we waited for our new doctor. We were so used to ALL our good visits with Dr. Groves…this new Doctor was surely not starting off on the right foot with us – I am kidding! She came in, and informed us she had just hopped off the phone with our Oncology team and a plan was set – well a few plans. OK, before I go there, let me tell you how she explained the new spots to us. She said from the scans…they are not guaranteeing that the new spots are IN the brain, but possibly floating in the spinal fluid which coats the brain. When thinking of the spinal fluid – think of a golf club (upside down) – the spinal fluid covers your brain, all down your spine and back up. She feels more confident that the spinal fluid has become infected and some cells are floating and are swirling around the brain area, causing these “new brain spots”. ALSO, she informed us that the spell Mike had last Thursday was possibly a seizure (she is not certain), but feels with this new development, that is what occurred. For this precaution, he has new meds that will continue to coat the nervous system to help avoid future episodes…Now on to the options that we are given, they are as follows:

1) Mike can undergo Lumbar Punctures (twice a week) for a few months to insert medicine into the spinal fluid to kill the caner. (OK, Ouch! We all know from previous entries, Mike is NOT a fan of LPs, so this made him cringe)
2) Mike will undergo an outpatient treatment and have a port inserted in his head that will allow medicine go directly to the spinal fluid w/o undergoing the pain of a LP. (this is the option that Mike has decided)
3) Full Brain Radiation – Unfortunately, it worked AMAZING a year ago when his vision was in jeopardy but that involved a lot of exposure to his brain, so they have opted not to do this.

We listened carefully to all options, and informed the Doctor that we would go home, talk about it and get back…the minute we got in the car, Mike decided he wanted to have the port installed…no ifs and or buts…I emailed the doctor when we got home, so now the new road in our journey begins. We will be meeting with a neurologist next week to consult about the port procedure, from there Mike will undergo a test to ensure his spinal fluid continues to flow smoothly with no hiccups…if all is passed, he will begin immediately receiving treatment to kill the cancer in the spinal fluid. The good thing is, this new medicine, will not interfere with the treatment his oncology team has in place for him to treat the new liver spots.

In all honesty I feel a little numb right now. Yet, I also have much peace. This news we have received was a blow to our mountain high feeling we had, yet, I know that it is not the end. I understand the “statistics” to people who read those and live by those are not SO great…BUT as I said in a previous entry…we are no longer living by “a prognosis”, in fact we were not given one tonight…the doctors are encouraging us to rest up and get ready for the road ahead…Mike has continued to amaze them, and I have confidence he will continue to do so. Don’t get me wrong, my heart is broken that it feels that we are starting from square one…but if we allow that to consume us, than we have accepted defeat. At this point, Mike has ensured me he is not defeated. He is tired and he is scared as am I, but he grabbed my hand and told me he was not giving up, so I will continue to fight with him…I would not have it any other way.

In closing, for all who love us, know us and have been on this journey since day one – do not be sad (I know easier said than done, because we are back into the unknown), but know that are hearts are lifted and we both stand in agreement AGAINST this disease. This disease will be the mountain that we cast into the sea with the devil chained to the bottom…CANCER will NOT define us! KNOW This! It has been a LONG year and half…and always knew possibly in the back of our minds, we would be called back to battle…here we go!

Love to you ALL !

XOXO Mike and Lyndie!

A Quikie!

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your GOD; I WILL strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous hand – Isaiah 41:10”


Hi Everyone!

I PROMISE this is just a quickie to update you on Mike since the most recent trip to the ER. Since that day, Mike started radiation that evening 1/5/12. The doctor had initially planned to do the radiation in 10 treatments, but due to a prior engagement planned it had to get rearranged…since radiation has to be done consecutively day to day (except weekends), so the doctor went ahead and consolidated and rather then just radiation, he was given a higher dose per treatment, cutting the 10 into 5 treatments (which he finished today). After his review with the Radiation Oncologist, he appears to be doing really well. His back pain is gone, and now all that lingers is complete fatigue from the radiation, therefore he has been resting often over the weekend and this week…so I promise if you are trying to call or text him, he is not ignoring you, just extremely tired. He maintains a great appetite, all bodily functions and reflexes remain normal, he is very coherent and since Thursday has had no reoccurring side effects to show any signs of the same incident from Thursday (Praise GOD!) OH and of course he is sleeping pretty good and getting caught up on sleep me missed with his cough that had kept him up…that too has gotten a lot better!

Moving forward, we will get results from his MRI on Friday to discuss if disease progression caused the ER trip and get to the bottom of what happened. As of 12/29 his last Brain/Spine MRIs showed of no disease progression (as I had mentioned in previous entry), so doctors are not quite sure at this time, but will put some ease to know what possibly occurred. From this visit they will determine whether they will continue him on Avastin which was a huge success this last year while he was on the clinical trial…it had minimal side effects, really none at all and it had amazing results – so we shall see. As for the new chemo, we will be meeting with Dr. Tsao and her clinic the first week in February to go over that game plan to attack the new spots and anything that may be lingering and thinking of waking up or landing somewhere else. We continue to keep our medical team in prayers that GOD will each time lead them to exactly what Mike needs. The good thing is, that the 2 new chemos she is wanting to use do not have the same side effects as the Mega-Chemo did and hair loss is very minimal – Mike was happy to hear that – he Just got his eyebrows back! The reason for the wait in starting is so that he is not hit back to back with a strong chemo and a strong radiation…gives his body time to rest.

As always, our faith remains strong, and though we have days we don’t want to get out of bed, or nights that are filled with tears instead of laughs of our favorite TV shows…we know GOD continues to heal Mike. We have been directed to a nutritionist and our eating habits have completely taken a 180! We do however sneak in an occasional burger or tacos, but for the all the other time, we have become really strict about what we are putting in our bodies! I even ordered a Jack LaLanne Juicer – I am super excited to start making fresh juice mixtures for us!

In closing, please keep this verse close to your heart --- “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze – Isaiah 43:2” Just as we were surprised with floods throughout the city this week, we were blessed to get to and from with no trouble and to also keep Mikes appointments at MDA. This is a special verse to me, for it seems that no matter what points of our life, some seem like we are drowning, some feel like we are being burnt alive by the ways of the world and allowing emotions to set in and consume you (the devil is always looking for circumstances to insert doubt and fear), I remember this verse and know with GOD I am always protected, we are always protected!

Love you all and sincerely hope your new year is going well – our lives continue to have a little bad, the good of GOD continues to out way all it!
XOXO Lyndie


PS – I just really cannot write a “short” entry can I? Glad yall know me and understand ;)