Update from Yesterday

Thanks to the Jollette for the update yesterday.  The outcome of it all is that I was at the ER for about 5 hours yesterday, having hot flashes, cold sweats and lots of hyperventilating.   They gave me a couple of doses of Ativan which settled me down enough to go home. 

The upshot of it all is that I either had an adverse reaction to a new medicine or an anxiety attack.  The only other thing they were looking for was a blood clot in the lungs, which was not the case.

Thanks for your prayers, they are especially needed right now.  I've tried to avoid using this as a platform for whining, but I'm pretty deeply in need of all your prayers.  I have a pimply rash over my head, neck, upper chest, in my ears - every part of skin is covered with this stuff and every one of them stings and it is constant.   I think I may have found a temporary solution that will give me relief in spurts, but I really just need this rash to go away - even with taking Ambien it has kept me awake most nights this week.

Along with that, they sent a psychiatric nurse in to evaluate me last week and she used the terms "severe depression" or "deep depression" or something like that and put me on an anti-depressant.  It was the anti-depressant that caused that whole episode yesterday.  I'm also not sure what is depression in the "messed up chemicals in the brain" sense and what is just the result of unremitting pain.

So, the bottom line is that we're going to stop treatments at Johns Hopkins for now.  I understand they haven't done anything wrong, but I feel snakebit with them - every new thing they have tried has turned out bad.   So, please pray for us as to what to do next.  I'm not saying I won't go back on treatment but Lynette and I both feel we need to let this latest episode pass before thinking about it. 

Comments

[Joe]

prayers for you.

[Rick Moore]

Praying for you, David.

[Concerned]

Bless your heart, you brave man. If I can make one suggestion, because my husband is a psychologist: Do NOT take anti-depressants--there is no such thing as chemical depression. You'll note they did not give you a blood test, or any other test, to find something wrong with you chemically (in the depression sense). Of *course* you exhibit symptoms of depression--you are battling a terrible disease, you're in pain, and you're tired. I know the nurse had good intentions, but they treated a non-chemical problem with chemicals--and you're dealing with enough of those as it is.

We are praying for you, for your physical, emotional, and spiritual relief. I greatly admire your courage.

[kelly johnson]

Thought of you tonight and the Holy Spirit prompted me to pray...now I know why. Lifting you and your family up.

[Camnio Media]

keeping you in our prayer

[Rick Ritchie]

I'm sorry to hear this. That sounds just plain miserable.

For what it's worth, my mom has had rashes from drugs related to her lung cancer off and on. In the beginning she was using some expensive lotion from tiny bottles. Her sister recommended Cetaphil lotion, and it was much cheaper and pretty effective, as far as things went. She didn't have to be sparing with it when applying it, which was a good thing when the rash was everywhere.

Your decision sounds very sensible. I'm praying for you.

[Bobby Grow]

Hi David,

I'm praying for you, brother! I'm praying that the Lord will simply heal you . . . and in the midst of this give you peace and comfort in every way!

Have you heard of Dr. Budwig? She was a double PhD and MD and 7x nominee for the Nobel for her work on cancer (starting back in the 30's and onward). Anyway, too much to explain here, but she treated over 1000 patients who were said to be terminal (with a %90 cure rate). She developed a protocol through her research with fats, anyway, if you're interested (esp. since you're not doing "treatments") I could send you the info on her and her treatment (it is legitimate). Anyway, email me for more info (I'm actually following here protocol while on chemo).

I'm praying!

[Bonnie]

I am so sorry you are suffering so. I know you don't know me but I just want to send {{{hugs}}}! One for each hive, etc. Also for your family. I put you on our church's prayer chain, hope that's okay. Praying for strength, comfort, and guidance for you all.

[jim]

My heart goes out to you as a fellow believer and pastor.
Praying for some relief for you from the constant pain and struggle.

[Tara Barthel]

Praying!

[darrell]

It has been a while since I've been here but I remember to pray every once in a while. Seems like for many years I have come to these pages to be stimulated or refreshed. You bear fruit in places you don't know of. And I have often shared your thoughts with others.

[Bryan Greager]

I have been an off and on fan for about 4 years, and I just pray the blood over you and remember, "by his wounds we are healed". I agree with the statement about the "fruits" your seeds have birthed, and I know God loves you very much. I will keep you in prayer, and know "his will be done".
Peace and God's Love
Bryan K. Greager

[Richard]

We are praying for you, David.

[Terry]

Lord bless David from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet. Amen

[Cindy]

Praying for you, David

[Dan Phillips]

Still praying for you, brother. God comfort, strengthen, keep and help you.

[Dan Phillips]

Re. medical advice from "Concerned": you probably don't need me to say this, but I'd be slow to follow (or even take seriously) medical advice from an anonymous commenter, however well-intended.

[Rob Robinson]

I know this is fairly late after the fact, but somehow your blog found itself somewhere in my bookmarks. I recently finished a long year with colon cancer and a long eternity with massive chemo therapy. In the process I encountered all kinds of side effects including rashes and cuts all over my body. As you know - its intense. I found over the counter benadryl, bag balm ointment along with a skin cream called Eucerin to be extremely helpful. But in the end, the most helpful thing I received was the prayers of God's people. So count me in as one of those who is holding up before our wonderful Lord in prayer.

[Dan Phillips]

Honestly, you'd think that the folks who pump in these palliative poisons would say, "You might experience ABCDEF. If you do, here are ten helpful things you can try to get relief."

It shouldn't be patients having to tell each other how to find help.

[Lisa Hoffman]

We are so sorry to hear of your physical adverse reaction to your treatment or medication.

What can we do to help further? We pray for constant peace and comfort for you and your family.

This too will pass - be strong and know that God is here.....for you all....

Blessings and peace to you, Lisa Hoffman, Orange Park, FLorida

[Lisa Hoffman]

I agree with you Dan.

[Anne]

I'm just an ex-nurse who has cared for cancer patients and personally battled what you are.
Depression is real. The cause of it is not the point.

Praying you will know what to do next. (Have heard good reports about Dr. Burzynski.)

Anne, Stage III

[Barry]

Praying for you, David. I am amazed that you have remained a "jolly" blogger during this trial. God be with you.

[Toby DuBose]

David, It's been a while but I'm praying for you brother! Blog on!!

[Lisa Hoffman]

David, hope that your week has been a better one! God can work miracles and all things proceed according to His plan!

My mom, Karen, is doing a little better - she can talk, write, read and yes, even a little energy for BINGO at the nursing home.

If you would still continue to pray for her recovery and salvation, I would appreciate it. Peace to you and your family!