The Rest of the Story

Our dear family and friends,

We cannot begin to thank you enough for your faith and prayers for our precious daughter Carolyn and for our family. This is Nancy, her mother, writing to you all. There is much more going on in our family that I wanted to share so that you can get the whole picture.

A month ago my husband (Val) was in terrible pain and from where the pain was we thought it might be kidney stones, so I took him to the emergency room. They did a CT Scan and yes it was kidney stones. The Dr. showed me the Scan and said he has several large ones and several small stones but THEN said “look up here at the right lung.” I couldn’t believe what I saw, but a large mass in the lung. Val was admitted to the hospital right then. The next day the Urologist ‘blasted’ the stones and put in a stint up into his kidney. Then, later in the day the lung specialist had a biopsy done of the ‘mass.’ It was a malignant tumor bigger than a golf ball. Meanwhile the largest kidney stones were broken up but not into small enough pieces for them to pass. So the ‘blasting’ will have to be done again. But both the Urologist and the Lung specialist felt that the lung tumor needed to be dealt with before any more of the blasting of the kidney stones could be done. So…two weeks ago Val had lung surgery where they removed 1/3 of his right lung with the tumor in it plus 13 lymph nodes around the lung. Unfortunately they found more cancer in two of the lymph nodes so now he will have to have Chemotherapy. But before Chemo can occur Val has to go back to the hospital next week and have the kidney stones blasted again and the stint removed. Then two weeks later he starts the Chemo.

On Monday, the day before I brought Val home from the hospital (the very hospital Carolyn is in now) Carolyn was diagnosed with H1N1. And I had come down with a bad cold. So to be able to bring Val back to our home both Carolyn and I both had to wear surgical masks and I had to sterilize everything. Val could NOT get this horrible disease especially because of his recent lung surgery. It would literally take his life. This was now Tuesday. A few days later –Friday- is when Carolyn became so bad that I took her to the emergency room and as you as you may be following the blog for Carolyn you know the rest of the story concerning Carolyn and how deathly ill she is.

Carolyn’s Doctors and Nurses do not want Val at the hospital because there are 10 patients besides Carolyn in the ICU with the H1N1 and he is so susceptible. And it has upset him terribly. He has gone down to the hospital anyway 3 times and for only a few minutes because he could not stand being away. So… he talks to the doctors and nurses via the phone to get the updates. I also put my cell phone up to Carolyn’s ear so he could talk to her even in her unconscious state. Val felt he could do his part by writing to keep everyone updated on this blog and making and receiving necessary phone calls. He is at home, most of the time by himself, because I am down with Carolyn. Val is doing really well though. His incisions are healing well and he is feeling good and is in good spirits. We feel the Lord has blessed him immeasureably to get through all of this thanks to the Faith and Prayers of so many. And it is those same prayers that are helping to keep Carolyn alive and slowly, ever so slowly improving.

Next week Val will be in one hospital (American Fork) and Carolyn in another (Utah Valley-in Provo.) Thanks to my daughters who are here and so many dear friends who have offered their help to be with Carolyn, both Val and Carolyn will be covered and taken care of in and outside of the hospital either by me or these wonderful angels of mercy. Because for me that is what they are ‘Angels of Mercy.’ Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is literally carrying us, comforting us and giving us strength and yes peace through this most difficult time. How GRATEFUL I am for His atoning sacrifice in our behalf. He IS our Redeemer and Savior and Son of our loving, gracious Heavenly Father. I leave this testimony with you and my sincere gratitude for all of you and your fasting, faith and prayers. And I say this in His Holy Name, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Much, Much love to you all,

Nancy