Brad & I got up this morning at 7 to head over to the clinic to start this week's therapy session. Brad kept threatening to 'skip' the session today...he was even trying to bribe me to keep driving past the clinic today. Despite his many efforts to avoid the fever therapy, in the end he decided to come.
The fever session was brightened today by having my brother Matt here. Matt read Tri-Bond (boardgame) clues to Brad while everyone in the room would guess at the answer. (An example: Heaven, Microsoft, and Airport = they all have Gates) I am absolutely horrible at the game, Brad is amazing at it. I will still be thinking about what the clues even were, while Brad shouts out the answer. I'm not kidding...if there were a Tri-Bond game show...I would make sure Brad entered it. He would win....there's no contest.
Brad also received a great package from Chris, Bryan, and Erik today. A package full of Fantasy Football magazines! I know that Brad will be pouring over those as he plans out his fall fantasy football line up for this year. Thanks for the thoughtful gifts guys...he loved it.
Today's fever therapy was a little easier today...thank goodness! Brad's fever came on a little faster, but didn't raise quite as high or stay quite as long. We will see what this evening brings. Hopefully the evening fever will be lessened also...that would certainly help Brad's mental state for going into the rest of the week's sessions.
Brad & Matt just walked out the door...we are finished for today...hooray!
Monday, June 16, 2008
A Prayer of Thanks
Father,
I come before you now, feeling honored to have such a strong support group of fellow Christians who are continually lifting up our family's name in prayer to you, Lord. We feel so blessed in knowing that we are loved & cared for by so many. You have given us everything to take care of ALL of needs. We are so richly blessed. Everything good in our lives comes from you and there are SO many good things to be thankful for.
Thank you for friends & family who pray without ceasing.
Thank you for family who traveled thousands of miles to be with us during therapy.
Thank you for the many 'spirit-lifting' calls that we have received here at the clinic.
Thank you for the wonderful cards...that Brad always saves to have read to him during the shaking part of the fever therapy.
Thank you for the emails that are sent to 'check on us.'
Thank you for the many kind & generous donations that everyone has sent to help pay for Brad's treatment here. I am completely in awe by the extreme generosity.
Thank you for attentive doctors and nurses who seem to 'jump' at every need we have.
Thank you for all the kindness that has been shown to us here by the people in this country.
Thank you for watching over Brad at night and helping him get the rest he needs.
Thank you for meeting all of our needs.
Father, please lay your hands on Brad and remove the cancer from his body. We are awaiting his miraculous recovery.
We love you Father.
In Your Name We Pray,
Amen
I come before you now, feeling honored to have such a strong support group of fellow Christians who are continually lifting up our family's name in prayer to you, Lord. We feel so blessed in knowing that we are loved & cared for by so many. You have given us everything to take care of ALL of needs. We are so richly blessed. Everything good in our lives comes from you and there are SO many good things to be thankful for.
Thank you for friends & family who pray without ceasing.
Thank you for family who traveled thousands of miles to be with us during therapy.
Thank you for the many 'spirit-lifting' calls that we have received here at the clinic.
Thank you for the wonderful cards...that Brad always saves to have read to him during the shaking part of the fever therapy.
Thank you for the emails that are sent to 'check on us.'
Thank you for the many kind & generous donations that everyone has sent to help pay for Brad's treatment here. I am completely in awe by the extreme generosity.
Thank you for attentive doctors and nurses who seem to 'jump' at every need we have.
Thank you for all the kindness that has been shown to us here by the people in this country.
Thank you for watching over Brad at night and helping him get the rest he needs.
Thank you for meeting all of our needs.
Father, please lay your hands on Brad and remove the cancer from his body. We are awaiting his miraculous recovery.
We love you Father.
In Your Name We Pray,
Amen
Trip to Weissenburg
Saturday we took a day trip to a little village about 10 miles from Markt Berolzheim, called Weißenburg. Uncle Matt joined us just a couple of days ago and this was our first outing with everyone. It takes a lot to organize a group of our size. We usually spend a couple of hours just deciding where to go and what to do.
Weißenburg is a lovely village with a nice town center that is blocked off from traffic & it had very smooth sidewalks...that makes it especially nice for pushing the stroller and the wheelchair. It's a successful trip if we manage to go the entire time without hitting a large pothole and throwing Brad out into the middle of the street.
We had lunch in a great German restuarant. Zeke was able to order his favorite...snitzel. Uncle Matt tried some of the wheat beer that was listed on the menu. We kidded with him this afternoon because he kept saying that Zeke enjoyed chasing the 'penguins' around the park. I don't know what was in that drink, but it was distorting his vision....those were definately 'pigions, not penguins Uncle Matt.'
Yesterday Brad had more fever therapy, along with hypothermia, and the immunotherapy. Following the treatment at Dr. Thaller's, he was sent into Weißenburg for a CT scan. This scan will be used as a baseline to determine the success of the therapy after several months.
This upcoming week will include four rounds of fever therapy (in a row) for Brad. The fever therapy is especially taxing for him and I pray that God gives him the strength to make it through Monday-Thursday's treatments. Because he generally runs fever through the night, that will mean he will have high fever for the majority of those days, with little reprieve.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers, calls, emails and cards. They mean so much to us. We can certainly feel the presence of the Lord here in Germany with us. We love you all.
Weißenburg is a lovely village with a nice town center that is blocked off from traffic & it had very smooth sidewalks...that makes it especially nice for pushing the stroller and the wheelchair. It's a successful trip if we manage to go the entire time without hitting a large pothole and throwing Brad out into the middle of the street.
We had lunch in a great German restuarant. Zeke was able to order his favorite...snitzel. Uncle Matt tried some of the wheat beer that was listed on the menu. We kidded with him this afternoon because he kept saying that Zeke enjoyed chasing the 'penguins' around the park. I don't know what was in that drink, but it was distorting his vision....those were definately 'pigions, not penguins Uncle Matt.'
Yesterday Brad had more fever therapy, along with hypothermia, and the immunotherapy. Following the treatment at Dr. Thaller's, he was sent into Weißenburg for a CT scan. This scan will be used as a baseline to determine the success of the therapy after several months.
This upcoming week will include four rounds of fever therapy (in a row) for Brad. The fever therapy is especially taxing for him and I pray that God gives him the strength to make it through Monday-Thursday's treatments. Because he generally runs fever through the night, that will mean he will have high fever for the majority of those days, with little reprieve.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers, calls, emails and cards. They mean so much to us. We can certainly feel the presence of the Lord here in Germany with us. We love you all.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
We've All Made It
Hey, Hey...the Gang's all here! The kids & my parents arrived Tuesday evening & Uncle Matt just got off the plane in Frankfurt a few hours ago. We will all be residing in Markt Berolzheim by this evening.
The plane trip for the kids and my parents seemed to go well. Mom said that Zeke was absolutely PERFECT until the last couple of minutes as they were pulling in...he was ready to get off at that point. Who can blame him...I'm always more than ready by that point too. The kids both slept for a good portion of the trip so that went pretty well. Kaelyn decided to stay up for all but two hours the first night she was here so she and I got ample time to 'catch up.'
Brad's therapy went well today. For four hours he was put on a 'dialysis-type' machine today that seperated his blood. The doctor will use the platelets and mono-somethings to create the dendritic cell and natural killer cell therapy. Tomorrow Brad will go in to Weissenburg to have a CT scan run on his lungs so that we can use that test as a base-line to see how the treatment is effecting his cancer.
I have another funny story to share. Yesterday Brad and I were sitting with Zeke in the living room. My new German cell phone rang and I picked it up. A German telemarketer was on the other line trying to tell me something...I had no idea what he was saying, so I hung up. I told Brad who was on the line and he said, 'you know...we should start saying 'allo' (instead of Hello) like the European. A minute went by and Zeke asked, 'what are we going to say again before we pee?' I had NO idea what he was asking but Brad started cracking up. Finally..I got it...he thought we said to say 'allo when your-a-peein' (European) They just don't miss a thing...those little ears of his.
The plane trip for the kids and my parents seemed to go well. Mom said that Zeke was absolutely PERFECT until the last couple of minutes as they were pulling in...he was ready to get off at that point. Who can blame him...I'm always more than ready by that point too. The kids both slept for a good portion of the trip so that went pretty well. Kaelyn decided to stay up for all but two hours the first night she was here so she and I got ample time to 'catch up.'
Brad's therapy went well today. For four hours he was put on a 'dialysis-type' machine today that seperated his blood. The doctor will use the platelets and mono-somethings to create the dendritic cell and natural killer cell therapy. Tomorrow Brad will go in to Weissenburg to have a CT scan run on his lungs so that we can use that test as a base-line to see how the treatment is effecting his cancer.
I have another funny story to share. Yesterday Brad and I were sitting with Zeke in the living room. My new German cell phone rang and I picked it up. A German telemarketer was on the other line trying to tell me something...I had no idea what he was saying, so I hung up. I told Brad who was on the line and he said, 'you know...we should start saying 'allo' (instead of Hello) like the European. A minute went by and Zeke asked, 'what are we going to say again before we pee?' I had NO idea what he was asking but Brad started cracking up. Finally..I got it...he thought we said to say 'allo when your-a-peein' (European) They just don't miss a thing...those little ears of his.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Zekel & K Arrive Today....Hooray!
We are back in the clinic bright and early this morning. Dr. Thaller has to attend a funeral this morning so we are having an abbreviated version of the treatment today which means...no fever therapy! Yeah! I know that Brad was thrilled about that. So far, the days that Brad has received fever in the clinic, he has then followed with fever (for another 6-10 hours) from about mid-afternoon through the evening with it again. Thus leaving him feeling completely wiped out! The good news about yesterday (as compared with last week) was that his fever only lasted until about 10:30pm which allowed him a good night's rest. The last time he ran the fever it went throughout the entire night and neither he nore I slept at all (that was the night before we left for the hospital in Donaueschingen).
Today Brad is only receiving the hyperthermia, directed at that nasty pulmonary artery tumor, along with immunotherapy (Vitamin C infusion), and the new treatment: infusion of natriumhydrogencarbonate (I don't think I am completely clear yet with what that new infusion does).
Yesterday Gena called the clinic to try to talk with Brad. Brad's treatment had already finished so he & I were at home while his mother stayed to catch up on a few emails. Sandra later told me that Christine (the head nurse) came looking for me. She came up the stairs calling, 'Brad's woman....Brad's woman?' I'm not sure if it's the language barrier (you know how some things just sound hilarious when they are translated) or if Brad has been referring to me as 'his woman.' Of course the latter would not surprise me at all. :)
Well, we are starting to get very comfortable with our new surroundings. After spending part of another weekend here, I realized that there was a significantly larger amount of activity in the town on Sat & Sun. Thinking back on it, I realized that most of the town was probably vacationing the prior weekend due to the Pentacost holiday that we were arrived on. That was certainly reassuring because (before realizing that fact), I was under the impression that the town rolled up the sidewalks on Friday and didn't bring them back out again until Monday morning. That could really make for some LONG weekends. So, it doesn't feel like SUCH a small town to me now...there are some businesses opened some of the time on Sat & Sun...and there are people out...yeah!
This past Saturday, I saw our neighbors across the street outside playing in their yard. These neighbors have a trampoline....I kept wondering how long it will take Zeke to notice the trampoline and then find a way to invite himself over to their yard to play.
David and I are heading to Munich in a few hours to meet up with my parents & the kiddos. Yippee!
Have a great day and we'll write more soon!
Today Brad is only receiving the hyperthermia, directed at that nasty pulmonary artery tumor, along with immunotherapy (Vitamin C infusion), and the new treatment: infusion of natriumhydrogencarbonate (I don't think I am completely clear yet with what that new infusion does).
Yesterday Gena called the clinic to try to talk with Brad. Brad's treatment had already finished so he & I were at home while his mother stayed to catch up on a few emails. Sandra later told me that Christine (the head nurse) came looking for me. She came up the stairs calling, 'Brad's woman....Brad's woman?' I'm not sure if it's the language barrier (you know how some things just sound hilarious when they are translated) or if Brad has been referring to me as 'his woman.' Of course the latter would not surprise me at all. :)
Well, we are starting to get very comfortable with our new surroundings. After spending part of another weekend here, I realized that there was a significantly larger amount of activity in the town on Sat & Sun. Thinking back on it, I realized that most of the town was probably vacationing the prior weekend due to the Pentacost holiday that we were arrived on. That was certainly reassuring because (before realizing that fact), I was under the impression that the town rolled up the sidewalks on Friday and didn't bring them back out again until Monday morning. That could really make for some LONG weekends. So, it doesn't feel like SUCH a small town to me now...there are some businesses opened some of the time on Sat & Sun...and there are people out...yeah!
This past Saturday, I saw our neighbors across the street outside playing in their yard. These neighbors have a trampoline....I kept wondering how long it will take Zeke to notice the trampoline and then find a way to invite himself over to their yard to play.
David and I are heading to Munich in a few hours to meet up with my parents & the kiddos. Yippee!
Have a great day and we'll write more soon!
Starting Week Two of Treatment
Brad just finished completing his first day of the second week of treatment here with Dr. Thaller. His ports are in place..praise God & we are well on our way to healing.
Dr. Thaller told us first thing this morning that he had been in a lecture this past week and heard amazing results from another doctor who was using a couple of other simple methods of treatment to include in Brad's cancer regiment. It was comforting to know that Dr. Thaller continues to think about Brad's case even after we leave the clinic.
On another very exciting note, I met a sweet man named Alexander today while Brad was receiving his fever therapy. Alexander is a 60-year-old man who has been working with Dr. Thaller for the last 24 months. He came to Dr. Thaller with an extremely advanced case of metastatic prostate cancer. Alexander could not walk, sleep, sit up, or even speak when he arrived to the clinic. He came to over to talk with me and 'to give me encouragement' today. He showed me the CT scans from 2 years ago (when he was first diagnosed) and then scans from about a month ago....it was AMAZING the difference. His orginal scans showed tumors covering the entirety of his bones and the more recent scan showed just a few tumors remaining. His medical report also showed his PSA at 154 in the beginning and now it is at 0.5. WOW! I was so excited to hear the excitement from this patient...he was so happy to share his story....probably not any more happy than I was to hear it. :) It's so encouraging to hear such a wonderful story. Alexander felt certain that Brad's miracle would take place at this clinic too. (sounds great to me!)
Today's treatment went well. Brad's fever raised to 38.7 degrees Celcius (which is 101 Farenheit). The nurses seemed pleased with the outcome. Brad definately looked worn out from the treatment but he handled the treatment well. The fever therapy was combined with hypothermia, directed at the right pulmonary tumor. He then received the new introveinus medication that Dr. Thaller suggested.
Thursday marks the day that we begin the dendritic and natural killer cell therapy.
Thanks so much for all of your prayers, calls, & cards. Brad has absolutely loved hearing from each of you and we miss you all dearly.
Dr. Thaller told us first thing this morning that he had been in a lecture this past week and heard amazing results from another doctor who was using a couple of other simple methods of treatment to include in Brad's cancer regiment. It was comforting to know that Dr. Thaller continues to think about Brad's case even after we leave the clinic.
On another very exciting note, I met a sweet man named Alexander today while Brad was receiving his fever therapy. Alexander is a 60-year-old man who has been working with Dr. Thaller for the last 24 months. He came to Dr. Thaller with an extremely advanced case of metastatic prostate cancer. Alexander could not walk, sleep, sit up, or even speak when he arrived to the clinic. He came to over to talk with me and 'to give me encouragement' today. He showed me the CT scans from 2 years ago (when he was first diagnosed) and then scans from about a month ago....it was AMAZING the difference. His orginal scans showed tumors covering the entirety of his bones and the more recent scan showed just a few tumors remaining. His medical report also showed his PSA at 154 in the beginning and now it is at 0.5. WOW! I was so excited to hear the excitement from this patient...he was so happy to share his story....probably not any more happy than I was to hear it. :) It's so encouraging to hear such a wonderful story. Alexander felt certain that Brad's miracle would take place at this clinic too. (sounds great to me!)
Today's treatment went well. Brad's fever raised to 38.7 degrees Celcius (which is 101 Farenheit). The nurses seemed pleased with the outcome. Brad definately looked worn out from the treatment but he handled the treatment well. The fever therapy was combined with hypothermia, directed at the right pulmonary tumor. He then received the new introveinus medication that Dr. Thaller suggested.
Thursday marks the day that we begin the dendritic and natural killer cell therapy.
Thanks so much for all of your prayers, calls, & cards. Brad has absolutely loved hearing from each of you and we miss you all dearly.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Pictures from Markt Berolzheim
The flowers around the city are breath-taking. I believe to be German it must be a requirement that you have a green thumb. Everything seems to bloom wonderfully here. As you walk down the sidewalk, you can smell roses from many of the yards...they are very fragrant.
I love all the flower boxes in the windows.
A picture of the clinic from the outside. It is a home that has stood for over 200 years...wow. Dr. Thaller runs his clinic on the 1st and 2nd floor, while his family resides in the 3rd story. He is the father of seven children, so I don't know where he puts everyone!
I had to include this picture because this was taken from the first day we arrived at the clinic. Here Dr. Thaller is checking Brad's pulse as he puts his other hand over some homeopathic medicines that he keeps in drawers. As he puts his hands over the medicines, he feels for a 'jump' in Brad's pulse to tell him that it is the right medicine to help Brad. I can't imagine what was going through Brad's head as this was going on. I kept thinking, 'Welcome to alternative medicine. Now this is probably something I will never see again.'
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.JPG)
