Last week he went in to his Doctor in Bakersfield who recommended they remove his spleen and then start chemotherapy. He's been diagnosed with Stage 4 B cell lymphoma.
Greg decided to a second opinion and switched Doctors! This new Doctor works at a Cancer Crisis center and has a whole team he works with! The other Doctor commuted between hospitals, was a hematologist and not a specialist in cancer, and he hadn't seen many cases like Dad's.
The new Doctor is treating Greg with with a chemical treatment to try and get his body to start producing blood again. They are hoping to see results this week! Once all his treatments are completed, he'll start chemo.
The first day of treatment (Wed. the 11th) the Doctor had to stop because Greg's body started shaking and when they'd ask him questions, he was unresponsive and wouldn't answer them. He received half the treatment he needed and went back again Thursday for the second half. This time, there wasn't a bad reaction, which is a praise!
Greg had his blood drawn yesterday (Monday, the 16th) and we should know the results tomorrow (Wednesday, the 18th) to see if his blood level has increased.
Thank you for your continued prayers and concern for Greg.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Latest news
Robby got a call tonight at 7:15PM from his parents. The Doctors have confirmed Greg has B cell lymphoma. Greg has been diagnosed with B Cell Lymphoma. The Doctors have said they believe it’s low grade and that it’s treatable!
He’s having a heart scan performed Friday, June 6th to make sure it’s in good condition. Greg starts chemotherapy on Tuesday, June 10th, every three weeks for the next 6 months. Another huge praise is that he won't have to be admitted to undergo treatment! (thanks Katie for reminding me!)
Pray that the chemotherapy would be effective
Pray that attitudes stay positive and for their spirits to be up as they focus on God during this time
Pray that the Lord would bless Greg with excellent medical care and the Doctors will have wisdom
Pray that their hearts would draw great comfort in knowing God's love for them.
Thank you all for your continued prayers! We've appreciated all the emails, posts, comments and phone calls!
He’s having a heart scan performed Friday, June 6th to make sure it’s in good condition. Greg starts chemotherapy on Tuesday, June 10th, every three weeks for the next 6 months. Another huge praise is that he won't have to be admitted to undergo treatment! (thanks Katie for reminding me!)
Pray that the chemotherapy would be effective
Pray that attitudes stay positive and for their spirits to be up as they focus on God during this time
Pray that the Lord would bless Greg with excellent medical care and the Doctors will have wisdom
Pray that their hearts would draw great comfort in knowing God's love for them.
Thank you all for your continued prayers! We've appreciated all the emails, posts, comments and phone calls!
Not much to report!
Robby arrived home Wednesday afternoon! The kids and I are happy to see him :)
We are still waiting to hear back from Greg's doctors about his culture samples and what "for sure" he has. Once there's a firm diagnosis, treatment can be scheduled and he can be readmitted to the hospital. Once we know, I'll do another post. They said either tonight or tomorrow.
We are still waiting to hear back from Greg's doctors about his culture samples and what "for sure" he has. Once there's a firm diagnosis, treatment can be scheduled and he can be readmitted to the hospital. Once we know, I'll do another post. They said either tonight or tomorrow.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Update. Greg is home :)
Hi everyone!
Robby's Dad is HOME!
The Doctors still aren't 100% sure what he has. Apparently, both these diagnoses' have specific signs and symptoms that Doctors look for and these signs just aren't present! Robby said tonight that the Doctors say it's most likely B Cell Lymphoma but the tell tale sign usually is swollen lymph nodes and he doesn't have that symptom. The CT Scan came back looking good so that's a praise :) The Doctors are going to run a few more tests to try and further filter down what Greg has.
Most likely, he'll be admitted to a different hospital for treatment, as early as Monday. The hospital where he was doesn't do chemo. Robby said he'll most likely need a round of chemotherapy every three weeks for the next few months.
His body still is not producing blood on it's own. The Doctors gave him two blood transfusions again today since his count began to drop. This should "hold him over" till he's re-admitted next week. The procedure usually is out patient but they'll keep him overnight the first time since it can be rough on your body.
Robby's said too that with chemo, his hair will fall out and there will be side effects. We're still so thankful that Dad is still living and can be treated for whatever this is! The Doctors still are very positive and say whatever this is, is very treatable!
My husband said he'll try and return home tomorrow sometime during the afternoon so please be praying for a safe drive! Bakersfield to Mission Viejo can take a few hours!
Thank you to all our friends and family who've been praying! Thank you too for being so willing to help out while Robby's been gone! I've enjoyed some great fellowship this week! My inbox every time I open my laptop is just flooded with support and prayers!
Please continue to pray for Dad as his body fights this and pray for a FIRM diagnosis since the Doctors still aren't sure!
Robby's Facebook page summed it up the other day. He wrote "Thanking God for another day." James 4:14 says "you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." We don't know when our last day on earth might be. This really makes you wonder, what happens after I die? That's a good question! I'm glad you're thinking that! If you're wondering, please, please, call me, let's chat! There's a wonderful place called heaven that has it's doors ready to open up just for you and in heaven, there's no more death, pain or sorrow, only love. God sent His son Jesus Christ to die for our sins so that we could live with Him one day. Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Again, an awesome site to read... www.howtogeteternallife.com and click on the "Umbrella Analogy" in the top right corner! It'll walk you through just a basic description on how to become a Christian today! We're not guaranteed a tomorrow!
Robby's Dad is HOME!
The Doctors still aren't 100% sure what he has. Apparently, both these diagnoses' have specific signs and symptoms that Doctors look for and these signs just aren't present! Robby said tonight that the Doctors say it's most likely B Cell Lymphoma but the tell tale sign usually is swollen lymph nodes and he doesn't have that symptom. The CT Scan came back looking good so that's a praise :) The Doctors are going to run a few more tests to try and further filter down what Greg has.
Most likely, he'll be admitted to a different hospital for treatment, as early as Monday. The hospital where he was doesn't do chemo. Robby said he'll most likely need a round of chemotherapy every three weeks for the next few months.
His body still is not producing blood on it's own. The Doctors gave him two blood transfusions again today since his count began to drop. This should "hold him over" till he's re-admitted next week. The procedure usually is out patient but they'll keep him overnight the first time since it can be rough on your body.
Robby's said too that with chemo, his hair will fall out and there will be side effects. We're still so thankful that Dad is still living and can be treated for whatever this is! The Doctors still are very positive and say whatever this is, is very treatable!
My husband said he'll try and return home tomorrow sometime during the afternoon so please be praying for a safe drive! Bakersfield to Mission Viejo can take a few hours!
Thank you to all our friends and family who've been praying! Thank you too for being so willing to help out while Robby's been gone! I've enjoyed some great fellowship this week! My inbox every time I open my laptop is just flooded with support and prayers!
Please continue to pray for Dad as his body fights this and pray for a FIRM diagnosis since the Doctors still aren't sure!
Robby's Facebook page summed it up the other day. He wrote "Thanking God for another day." James 4:14 says "you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." We don't know when our last day on earth might be. This really makes you wonder, what happens after I die? That's a good question! I'm glad you're thinking that! If you're wondering, please, please, call me, let's chat! There's a wonderful place called heaven that has it's doors ready to open up just for you and in heaven, there's no more death, pain or sorrow, only love. God sent His son Jesus Christ to die for our sins so that we could live with Him one day. Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Again, an awesome site to read... www.howtogeteternallife.com and click on the "Umbrella Analogy" in the top right corner! It'll walk you through just a basic description on how to become a Christian today! We're not guaranteed a tomorrow!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Update! Good news :)
We'll know more tomorrow, they did a CT Scan tonight. The Doctors think that it's 1 of 2 things.
1) Hairy Cell Leukemia
2) Lymphoma
I got to talk to Robby for about 5 minutes. He said that if it's leukemia, (his symptoms are very much like Hairy Cell Leukemia) they can start treatment on Wednesday and can take as little at 5 days or as many as 14 days to treat. It's a form of cancer that's not "curable" but can be put into remission!
Lymphoma is some sort of tumor Robby said it they might need treat for 3 months.
Either case, this looks very very treatable and the Doctor sounded very positive! Robby's Dad and family are very happy! Praise God!
Robby said he'll probably come home Tuesday.
Thank you for your prayers!!!
1) Hairy Cell Leukemia
2) Lymphoma
I got to talk to Robby for about 5 minutes. He said that if it's leukemia, (his symptoms are very much like Hairy Cell Leukemia) they can start treatment on Wednesday and can take as little at 5 days or as many as 14 days to treat. It's a form of cancer that's not "curable" but can be put into remission!
Lymphoma is some sort of tumor Robby said it they might need treat for 3 months.
Either case, this looks very very treatable and the Doctor sounded very positive! Robby's Dad and family are very happy! Praise God!
Robby said he'll probably come home Tuesday.
Thank you for your prayers!!!
No update yet...new test to be done today
Greg is having a CAT scan on his stomach and chest at 6:00PM tonight (Monday), no word yet on bone marrow test results! Please be praying :)
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Prayers appreciated :)
Hello!
Our daily Bible reading today was 1 Kings 18. I especially remember this passage because our Pastors wife Carlynn did an awesome study about prayer and used this example in the Old Testament. We find the people of Samaria in a great famine. There hadn't been any rain in 3 years. In verse 42 we learn how Elijah prayed. He crouched down on the earth and put his face between his knees. He continued to pray this way, 7 times be bowed his face to the ground and he didn't stop praying until a rain cloud appeared. Great passage!
Last night, Robby and I came before our Heavenly Father in prayer. We prayed in this same way, faces to the ground, united in prayer for Robby's Dad.
Thursday night Greg (Robby's Dad) was admitted to the hospital with a very low platelet count. The Doctors said they were surprised he hadn't died and that if he'd cut himself, he would have bled to death. Since then, he's been receiving blood transfusions, trying to get his blood level to increase. It appears his body has stopped producing blood. We're not sure why but we do know that God is in control. They didn't have to give him a transfusion today so the blood they've given him is staying in his body. That's a praise! Today, the Doctors did a bone marrow test today at 11:30. They won't know the results until Monday. His Dad is 50 years old.
Psalm 139:13-16 "You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my Mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
Another note, it's important too when faced with serious conditions like this to make sure that you're right with God. We believe there's more to this life than just Earth. We believe and hope in Heaven and the saving power of Jesus Christ. All of our days on this earth are numbered. We know it's just a matter of time before we die. If you haven't accepted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, if you haven't surrendered your whole life to Him and His will, or if you're not living a life that's praiseworthy and glorifying Him, you can do that today!!! Visit www.howtogeteternallife.com to learn more. Feel free to contact me if you want to know more about Christ and how much He loves us and wants us to spend an eternity with Him! We have hope! We know that when we die, we go to a better place! We know there's more to this life! :) We can look at this grim situation with Robby's Dad and find joy! Knowing that when we die, in heaven there will be no more death, pain or sorrow, only rejoicing and incredible worship!
Please be praying for Robby and his family. His Dad's name is Greg, Mom is Terry and sister is Katie.
Our family is praying God's will be done for his Dad. Robby and I are at peace knowing that God can heal and God can call people home. We will rejoice no matter what the answer is. Thank you for your prayers!
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