A very long day!
Dear Friends and Family,
Its 9:40 now. We left at 8:30 this morning for a 10:30 appointment in San Francisco at the UCSF with Dr. Warren. Unfortunately he was running late and we ended up seeing him finally around 2:20. Nan was in severe pain the entire time but was a champ about it all, no complaining, just toughed it through. Our day was lightened by Irene Wing driving up from San Jose to spend the waiting room time with us. None of us had any idea it would be so long so we ended up having hours to talk. Her visit really helped the time pass for both of us. She is like an angel send from God and we thank her for her help today!
Our visit with Dr. Warren was cordial, he is really a very nice man. In his opinion from viewing the CT scans Nan does not have new tumors but he is not a radiologist. We are shipping a CD of the CT scan to Boston tomorrow, to Dr. Morgan and Dr. Bertagnolli to get their expert opinion as well. Dr. Warren gave us the go ahead to have the wound vac installed as soon as possible, he did not express a guess as to what is causing the pain in Nan's lower back or the nausea. He did offer to provide surgical assistance at any point where we need it and we feel good about having a west coast surgeon who is familiar with GIST and its unique characteristics. When we left Irene accompanied us to the van where we have a bed set up. Nan slept most of the way home and earlier today slept from home to the Bay Bridge which is the majority of the trip each way.
Nan spent some of her time on the phone with people who called in as we drove. Nikki reminded us that she planned to come by and make dinner at 6:30. When she and Keanna arrived we sort of kept it quiet and Nan slept until about 8:15 when Keanna went up and showed her school photos and professional photos taken recently. Nan loved them, sooooo cute. Nikki modeled some new clothes she had purchased for Nan and then they went home to get Keanna to bed. Their coming was so special. I asked God for blessings today and He sent Irene, Nikki and Keanna, about as good of blessing as one can ever hope for. Dinner was great, Nikki found white corn this late in the season and it was awesome. Also made cottage cheese loaf which is a family favorite.
Tomorrow I have to pretend to be an appraiser, first to Palo Alto, then Vallejo, then Walnut Creek, Then Danville, then Alamo and finally home. It will be a long day and I hope Nan will be OK with me away. She says yes and she does have people she can call on if she needs help. Still I hate to leave her for such a long time.
Thank you for your prayers for Nan. Today we got an opinion that there are not new tumors growing, we certainly hope that is the case. Today we did not find out the cause of the pain or nausea and that was disappointing to say the least. We see our oncologist friday and hopefully we can explore a better pain management level and other options.
Thanks for your love and prayers of support. This has been a tough day, pain, waiting, anxiety, stress, yet we made it through. Praise God for that.
love
tim and nan
Its 9:40 now. We left at 8:30 this morning for a 10:30 appointment in San Francisco at the UCSF with Dr. Warren. Unfortunately he was running late and we ended up seeing him finally around 2:20. Nan was in severe pain the entire time but was a champ about it all, no complaining, just toughed it through. Our day was lightened by Irene Wing driving up from San Jose to spend the waiting room time with us. None of us had any idea it would be so long so we ended up having hours to talk. Her visit really helped the time pass for both of us. She is like an angel send from God and we thank her for her help today!
Our visit with Dr. Warren was cordial, he is really a very nice man. In his opinion from viewing the CT scans Nan does not have new tumors but he is not a radiologist. We are shipping a CD of the CT scan to Boston tomorrow, to Dr. Morgan and Dr. Bertagnolli to get their expert opinion as well. Dr. Warren gave us the go ahead to have the wound vac installed as soon as possible, he did not express a guess as to what is causing the pain in Nan's lower back or the nausea. He did offer to provide surgical assistance at any point where we need it and we feel good about having a west coast surgeon who is familiar with GIST and its unique characteristics. When we left Irene accompanied us to the van where we have a bed set up. Nan slept most of the way home and earlier today slept from home to the Bay Bridge which is the majority of the trip each way.
Nan spent some of her time on the phone with people who called in as we drove. Nikki reminded us that she planned to come by and make dinner at 6:30. When she and Keanna arrived we sort of kept it quiet and Nan slept until about 8:15 when Keanna went up and showed her school photos and professional photos taken recently. Nan loved them, sooooo cute. Nikki modeled some new clothes she had purchased for Nan and then they went home to get Keanna to bed. Their coming was so special. I asked God for blessings today and He sent Irene, Nikki and Keanna, about as good of blessing as one can ever hope for. Dinner was great, Nikki found white corn this late in the season and it was awesome. Also made cottage cheese loaf which is a family favorite.
Tomorrow I have to pretend to be an appraiser, first to Palo Alto, then Vallejo, then Walnut Creek, Then Danville, then Alamo and finally home. It will be a long day and I hope Nan will be OK with me away. She says yes and she does have people she can call on if she needs help. Still I hate to leave her for such a long time.
Thank you for your prayers for Nan. Today we got an opinion that there are not new tumors growing, we certainly hope that is the case. Today we did not find out the cause of the pain or nausea and that was disappointing to say the least. We see our oncologist friday and hopefully we can explore a better pain management level and other options.
Thanks for your love and prayers of support. This has been a tough day, pain, waiting, anxiety, stress, yet we made it through. Praise God for that.
love
tim and nan
posted by Tim Mustard @ 9:44 PM
5 Comments:
At 11:51 PM,
Anonymous said…
Nan and Tim,
I am truly blessed to have spent the time with you in the waiting room at UCSF today. Being in your presence gave me a sense of purpose. Although it was a long day for you, it gave me more time to spend with both of you. Each time that we have met, my bond with you seems to get stronger. Nan, you are an inspiration to us GISTers and I admire your courage and faith in our Heavenly Father.
I am praying that the sponge vac will increase the healing time of the wound and for your oncologist's appointment on Friday will give you some solutions for your pain.
I look forward to seeing you at another time. I'll call in a few days.
Love and hugs,
Irene
At 4:23 AM,
Anonymous said…
That was a very long hard day just to hear "you don't have any new tumors." That was good news! However he could have told you that on the phone. Did he examine you at all? At least you have met the surgeon now. How special that Irene came to be with you. As a fellow GISTer it was even more meaningful to both of you. God sent Irene when you needed her. Perhaps someone will show up today to be with you while Tim is out doing his appraisals.
How disappointing not to get any hep on the pain and nausea issues. Perhaps Friday will give you some answers. Thats' soon ~ like tomorrow? When I think of the adhesions you must have ~ sounds like pain to me.
Today is cottage laundry day again. Yesterday we finally conquered one of the dirtiest cottages which took about 25 "man" hours and cleaned 2 others. My friend Betty is coming to help me get the fall decorations up on our sign and help with the laundry. See, we all need a good friend to lend a hand at times.
Your angel, Sharon will be there soon. I'm sure God has a few others along the way that will show up. Hang in there. Yes, these are tough times. I'm praying that God will wrap his loving arms around you both and give you peace and strength for today.
Love and Prayers ~ Carol
At 6:00 AM,
Anonymous said…
OK, guys, look up! what a relief to have a scan that appears to be clear of new growth!! I prayed that if their was new growth that God would heal you before the scan was read and errase them from the scan before it was read! Do you get the feeling that God might shake His head every time I pray about something! I never make it simple, but He must understand me as He made me. What an awesome God we serve! Thank you,Irene, for taking time to be with Nan & Tim. I don't think we, who are so far away from being able to help, realize just how much one person being there means. Haven't met you, but love you!
Remember one hour at a time. "I will never leave you nor forsake you", so you are not alone, ever! I know He says what He means and means what He says! You sounded good to me and will be glad to get there soon.
Love, Sharon
At 9:39 AM,
Anonymous said…
Hi Mustards,
We were pleased to read that there are no new Tumors , what a blessing that is. Now to find the root cause of all the Pain & Nausea. We pray that the Dr. in Tracy will have some answers tomorrow. We will ask the Lord to be with Him in a special way while He sees Nan.
Thank goodness for the cooling & clearing winds that came up last evening and to see the clear skies & feel the cool 55 degree temp this morning is good news indeed.
Have a safe day on the busy roads today Tim and We will all trust the Lord to watch over Nan till you can get Home again.
Waiting on a Dr. can be so frustrating, so glad that You had someone to visit with who understands what You are going through.
Much Love & Prayers,
Bob & Carrol.
At 9:44 AM,
Anonymous said…
Although they have not found the cause of Nan's pain it is a great relief to know that there is not new tumor growth. When Nan kept feeling a lump in her throught it worried me alot. So it is great news that it is not due to tumors.
Hope you keep getting good and clear test results.
Love,
Pam :)
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