HALFWAY HOME: UPDATE FROM BOBBIE

Thursday, April 16, 2009
This is Mom/Bobbie's note , just as she wrote it. Your prayers are still very important to us.

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Gordon is halfway finished with his chemo infusions as of Good Friday. We were invited to our daughter’s for Easter, but our granddaughter had strep throat, and Gordon was not up to going anywhere, nor did he need to be around someone who has an infection. He had rather severe stomach cramps (not abdomen), and was just totally exhausted. He spent most of the weekend in bed; so we had a very quiet Easter, which was okay by me. I was tired too. His hemoglobin had come up about 9/10 of a point, but he has lost another pound, and his cholesterol is only 100. And you need a good cholesterol to fight cancer. So Dr. Schlabach (the oncologist) told him to quit taking Lipitor like immediately. He scolded Gordon and told him that he should know better, that he had explained to Gordon that he is in a different game than he has ever been in. I had been telling him he shouldn’t be taking it, but he had to hear it from the oncologist. Dr. Schlabach is soft spoken and kind; so you listen up when he tells you something.

Our nurse that is assigned to Gordon’s case was off. Her name is Lori, and so Wanda filled in for her. He always has to get labs first to see if they will be able to do the infusion depending on what his labs show. And he was good to go.

This week we see Dr. Schlabach and get labs, and then we’re out of there until next Friday, the 24th. People ask me about this all the time, and sometimes like right now, I feel I’m having a nightmare. I guess the Lord allows us to fall gently when we fall. None of this seems real, because Gordon was so healthy otherwise. Keep praying…it keeps us strong and fighting the battle. We do certainly feel your prayers and are extremely appreciative. Gordon really enjoys this break for about 13 days without chemo.

We met a lady last week who had breast cancer, and it has now gotten into her collarbone. She was by herself, and I felt sad for her. Maybe we’ll see her again and learn more about her circumstances. But she wasn’t alone, because God is with her every step of the way. Maybe I will get the chance to tell her that.

While Gordon was resting this past weekend, I watched the movie that Mel Gibson made about Christ: “The Passion of the Christ”. I always cry, but I fast forwarded by the terrible beating they did to him. I just was too emotional and couldn’t watch that part. After singing along with some hymns earlier that I was playing, and then watching the movie, I felt a real closeness to Christ, and His presence was so real. I felt as if He had His arm around my shoulder telling me everything will be all right. It was a wonderful experience, and I’ve been more aware of His presence this week. What a Savior, What a Christ, What a Friend!!!

Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.
Psalm 34:3

I thank, love, and appreciate each one who is praying for Gordon and me.
Bobbie Hixson