ENTERING ARMED

Dearest family & friends,

With less than 2 days until Rick will be starting what they call 'Part B' of the Hyper-CVAD Chemo treatment, we certainly have reflected just how gracious the LORD has been thus far. Still with praises on our lips for His mercy and strength we embrace the journey for the week ahead with brave-hearted endurance as we look forward to God's healing authority in and through the doctors, medical staff, medicine and THE divine supernatural power of His Spirit.

It was so awesome to be able to go to church as a family this special day of Independence. Starting out our morning in honor of Freedom, our Nation's founding principles of humility, prayer and repentance caused me to think about how this relates to all areas of our life. In my own prideful, narrow irresponsibility, it is all too often easy to forget about the ONE who abundantly (and patiently) gifts me Freedom every single day. Thank You LORD.
Rick was very blessed to be prayed over for healing and anointed with oil by Pastor Phil, Pastor Craig and Darla. We covet all your payers!!

This Tuesday Rick will be started on new chemo meds that work in conjunction with what he was given in June; this will make the treatment a complete round. (Part A+B. August and September will repeat June and July.)

If you would be so kind as to keep Rick in prayer as he enters into the next phase of his cancer treatment, we would be ever so grateful.

• First and foremost, complete healing for Rick from MCL, in the LORD'S perfect timing and perfect will.
• Continued peace, strength, courage and hope in all things.
• God's Protection over our daughters and our home.
• We have had many opportunities to share the love and hope of Jesus Christ through this trial so far; we would be honored to be given many more.
• Freedom from any and all side-effects caused from chemo meds. (see below)
• Smooth and healthy recovery time after treatment, once home.
• Grace and peace to be yours through Christ Jesus.

We look forward to keeping in touch with you all that God will be doing in these next days and weeks. We hope to hear from you too. As always, your notes, emails, phone calls, texts and especially prayers are our life lines.


Walking by faith, not by sight, in the unmistakable peace of the Savior,


Dana


The following side effects are most common for patients taking cytarabine:

1. Risk for infection, anemia &/or bleeding due to low blood counts.

White & red blood cells and platelets may temporarily decrease.
2. Nausea and vomiting.
3. Mouth sores.
4. Blood test abnormalities: Increase in blood level of uric acid.

Allopurinol may be given to decrease these levels.
5. Increases in liver function. These return to normal once treatment is discontinued.

These side effects are less common side effects of patients receiving cytarabine:

1. Diarrhea
2. Loss of appetite
3. Skin rash, redness and itching
4. Flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, generalized aches and pains).
5. Pain, redness and skin peeling of the palms of hands and soles of feet.
6. Temporary hair loss or thinning.
7. Eye pain, tearing, sensitivity to light & blurred vision.

(Often steroid drops or ointment are used to prevent or relieve this condition).
8. Dizziness, headache, excessive sleepiness, confusion, loss of balance may occur in up to 10% of patients receiving high dose therapy.

The following side effects are most common for patients taking methotrexate:

1. Risk for infection, anemia and/or bleeding due to low blood counts.
White & red blood cells and platelets may temporarily decrease.
2. Mouth sores.
3. Nausea and vomiting.
4. Poor appetite

These side effects are less common side effects of patients receiving methotrexate:

1. Kidney toxicity
2. Skin rash, reddening of the skin.
3. Diarrhea
4. Hair loss
5. Eye irritation (conjunctivitis).