Gerry was in a Box

Gerry: at the end of a long day. He just finished radiation, and is back home. Here is what happened.
We were up at 5:30a.m., to be at Keizer for the first step of the day.
The Nero-surgeon fit this frame to Gerry. It is a precise procedure. This is the basis of the measurements and direction of the radiation. He was given "calming" drugs and pain meds. (he liked that part!) Yes this hurt. The amusing part, he had is own screw driver to take with him.
After this, I (Debbie) transported Gerry to Emmanuel Hospital. There, in their oncology clinic, they preped Gerry for radiation.

Gerry laid on the bed and the frame was attached to the end. The technicians attached the clear box to the frame. The box had markings that they matched to the laser lines. I counted eight different lines. They are the pathways for the radiation.The actual treatment took about 20 minuets. Much faster than we had anticipated. When that was done, the doctor removed the frame.

For the ride home, Gerry's head was wrapped, as he put it, "like a wounded soldier". He has a headache and bruising where the posts attached to his head.

• Praise, the process was shorter than anticipated.
• Praise, Gerry does not have to take steroids.
• Praise, there was no tumor growth since original surgery.

This is the last big step. Gerry has return check - ups. We are still waiting on the results of the nerve graft. Mostly little follow up stuff now. And the follow ups will continue for the rest of his life. We will keep you posted.

Please continue to pray for the growth of Gerry's counseling practice.
We thank God he now has eight clients. That number fluctuates. He needs between 10 - 15 clients consistently. 20 - 25 for full time.
Gerry is now receiving referrals from several EAP's (employ assistant programs), and is on some insurance panels.
A point of prayer and concern is some referred clients do not want to meet in an office that is in a church. Please pray for wisdom in dealing with this issue.


Thank you for your encouragement and support. It is such a blessing to know we are held up to our Lord by you, our friends, known and unknown. It is an awesome journey, walking through life together, with the Lord. What comes next? God knows what is around the next bend in the road. We are content to let Him guide the way, knowing He will give us the tools to handle whatever comes.
Praises for God's Healing,
Debbie

Next Step

Last Thursday found Gerry and I back at the Radiologist's. We had talked to Dr. Omezo last July. The surgeons say now is the time to do the radiation. Dr. Omezo wants to check back with the neurosurgeons to make sure radiation will not damage the nerve graft. We are expecting the office to call with an appointment for a new MRI. Dr. Omezo will work off this to plan the angles for the radiation. The new plan is to have one massive treatment of radiation. The dangers of this really no longer exist for Gerry.

• The danger of future cancer risk is the same as many small treatments.
• Protecting the facial nerve is not an issue, his facial nerve is already dead.
• Protecting the hearing on that side is not an issue as his hearing is also gone on that side.

The dangers are:

• Possible cancer risk in the future as with all radiation.
• Collateral tissue damage, (about the same with the large dose as with the many small doses).

Radiation will not dissolve the tumor. It is suppose to stop the growth. The tumor could implode on itself as a result of radiation. There is the possibility of the treatment not stopping the growth of the tumor. There is also to possibility of the tumor swelling, at treatment time, or years from now as a result of radiation.

The Neurosurgeons at Kaiser will fit a metal frame onto Gerry's head, with points going into his skull. Then he will be transferred to Emanuel Hospital for a half day treatment.
As we take this next step please pray for:

• desired outcomes
• little fatigue as a result of treatment
  
• continued rest in Our Lord
• growth in Gerry's private counseling practice

Thank you for your care! The Lord is using each of you to bless our family. He is faithful.
Gerry was back at work Sat. He is tired, but doing well. There is still lots of healing going on under the surface. He is happy to be speaking clearly.

As he walks through the house be breaks into song, praising God for His goodness.

Staples Removed

The staples are out. Gerry went to see Dr. Hoffman yesterday. The doctor took out the staples, and said everything " looks good". Now we have to wait again. The new nerve endings for the nerve graft grow at 1mm a day. So it will take awhile for the new endings to grow out into the face. In about 3-4 months, Gerry should start feeling tickles on his face. Full movement, hopefully, will return in 6 months, to as long as 9 months. This process works 9 times out of 10. The scars form the incisions are already fading. The doctor does excellent sewing!
His eye is not having as much pain. Doctor Hoffman will adjust the weight in his lid and the lid itself as needed.
The next doctors visit is in one month.

Gerry's spirits are good and has high energy. He plans to return to work at the end of next week.

Please pray with us:

• as we wait for the return of feeling and usage in the right side of his face.
• for clients for his private marriage and family counseling practice.
• the approval of the disability insurance for loss of three weeks of work.

Gerry and I thank God for our large "family". I can't say enough how your care has upheld us everyday. Thank you
Debbie

Thursday, Gerry walked down the hall to greet me as I arrived at the hospital to take him home. What a joy to see him up, looking so well.
He was happy to get home, to his chair in the sitting nook in the kitchen, to rest, drink more coffee, read, and interact with others.
When we took off the gauze off, the lengthy incision, and 34 staples were revealed. Today, Monday, there is more swelling and bruising around the eye, as is normal for a face lift. Everything is healing very well. Wed. we see the doctor.
Gerry is completely giddy over his smile and face. No more droupies. We have another waiting time to find out how much the nerve will grow.
Gerry's work, Edwards Center, has asked that he apply for family leave. Please pray that the leave will be approved, and the paperwork would move through all the hoops quickly, as it would help for the loss of work.
Thank you for your prayers and support. We feel surrounded by your love and care. Our Lord's healing may not take the path we anticipate, but His way has more complete healing, and is beautiful.

The Day After

He's buzzin. Gerry is up, walking, clear head. So different from last year. When I walked into the room, He was so excited, "Oh, my book bag. I can enjoy some reading." That was how we spent the afternoon. sitting by the large windows, watching the wind blow the trees and clouds. Gerry drinking coffee and reading. Me, quilting.

Later in the afternoon and evening, Gerry was experiencing continual hiccups and intense heartburn. Both interrupted his sleep. But, he is doing very well.

This morning the doctors said he could go home.

"Hello?" "How is he? How did things go?" So the phone calls went yesterday afternoon. Thank you for calling. Your voices telling of your prayers and concern have been a blessing and comfort to us.
Our day started early to be at the Sunnyside Hospital at 6:00 a.m. Gerry was taken back to get started on all the pre-op stuff. As I sat in the waiting room watching individuals, family, and friends come in, I wondered how many had their own guardian angel walking in with them. How many families had the peace that God gives in these kinds of situations. Then I was called back to sit with Gerry. The staff was so helpful answering questions, helping us get comfortable. Then the surgical team came and talked through the process with all the team members and us, so everyone is on the same page. (As if I could be on the same page as the surgeon) As we waited, Gerry had a "bubble suit". It is a gown that has a hose blowing warn air into it to keep him warm. Just before staff took Gerry out slightly before 8:00, he was given the first of drugs, then Gerry went into loopyville. Laughing, I went out to the waiting room. Memories to hug as I waited the next 4 1/2 hours.
When Dr. Hoffman came out, the news was positive. No surprises. Previously the impression was we would know about the success of the graft very soon. Now the Doctor said it would be a while before we know. The nerve needs time to grow. Nine times out of ten this works.
Late afternoon, when I was able to see him, Gerry was sitting up, alert, and talking. His mood was upbeat.
Gerry has swelling in his face and neck. Already, I can see changes, more symmetry. The Doctor did over-correct in the " lift", because the "lift" will "fall" slightly during the next two weeks of healing. His voice is more like his "old" voice. He has two drains now that will come out before he comes home. After facial healing, the weight in Gerry's eye will be adjusted. Currently, his eye is not bothering him. What a relief!
Homecoming is planned for Thursday.

Please Pray:

• continued healing
• rapid nerve growth
• leaning on God's strength
• fiances
• counseling clients after recovery

Thank you for your calls and prayers. You are so supportive. As I watched many families deal with crisis, I was so thankful for you, but mostly for our Lord, who is in control, and who gives us strength and peace.

Waiting ....Now Action

It has been a year of waiting. Waiting for several things. First, waiting for a new job. The Lord seemed to close doors and direct Gerry back to private pratice. Currently, Gerry works for Edward Center and Luc Dorff. He is also seeking clients for his private pratice of marriage and family counseling. He is seeing several clients, and we are praying for more. We are praying for 10 clients so that he would be able to quit one of his jobs. 15 - 20 clients would be full time, and that is our goal.

Second, we have been waiting for Gerry's facial nerve to grow. The doctors wanted to give it a year. They seem surprised that it has not returned. The longer we waited the less chance there was of it returning. At the one year mark, time lines collided. At one year the chance of return is very slim. At the one year mark, doing something to intervene must be done quickly. The muscles, etc. will atrophy at an accelerated pace and make reversal much harder to accomplish and with much less success.

Lately, Gerry has experienced some of the beginning symptoms again. He has also had an very difficult time with his eye. He has had to wear a patch much of the time to reduce eye pain.

So what happens NOW???

• Tuesday, April 22, Gerry will enter the hospital again.
• Doctors will perform a 12-7 nerve graft, partial. Taking his facial nerve and attaching it to part of a tongue nerve. With this he will have partial movement in the right side of his face. It will be a learned movement, using tongue movement to move the right side of his face. This will not be 100% return to normal.
  
• Doctors will do an involved "face lift" to create symetry. This involves 4 different incisions, moving and attaching muscle in different places. Not just pulling the skin up to remove wrinkles.
• The surgery will be about 4 hours. Gerry will have general anesthesia.
• Hospital stay will be 3-4 days.

• Planned recovery will be 2-3 weeks. Most nerve grafts have a quicker recovery. With Gerry, age and amount of loss have made this more involved.
  

After surgery we will wait again to see haw successful this will be. It takes time for nerves to grow. We should know in a matter of weeks instead of months.

After recovery, he will start having appointments with the radiologist and start that process.

Gery has some vacation time coming from Edwards, none with Luc Dorff. Please pray as we carefully plan how to handle financial concerns.


This year has been a growing year, both personally for each of us and in our marriage. Our dependency on God is greater. I think Gerry and I are more aware of little things Our Lord has done for us, as well as the big things. (The pleasure of watching a track meet our two youngest are in, in the picture above.) The sorrows and the joys we see each day are in His plan for us. Please pray with us:

• For doctors and staff's skill.
• For quick recovery.
• For more recovery than expected.
• For finaces.
• For our family, especially our two at home.
• For Gerry and I to use this for God's glory.

Thank you for your care, support, and prayer. You truly "lift us up".

Debbie