Wednesday, September 18, 2013

September Update

The good news first.  I don't know how to explain it than your prayers.  My eating is getting better.  During August I was down to a couple bites once or twice a week.  I would go several days without eating or drinking.  Now I am drinking about 6-10 oz per day and eating dry salty snacks, spicy meats, soft fruits & veggies.  It's fun again.  The amounts are still small and I get my nutrition and fluids through the feeding tube still.  But it is good to eat a brat or part of a turkey burger and clean my mouth a bit.

The bad news is on a couple fronts.  I am having a harder time walking.  I am still using a walker but it's harder and I depend on it more.  The other thing is that the last week or so I have had almost constant headaches.  Ibuprofen and tylenol with a little narcotics is taking care of it but its more often than just weird occasions like it was in August.  My neck hurts more often too.

Overall, just pray for the headaches first and walking second.  I can do without eating if I have to but I credit your prayers.  I know that there is great power in the prayers of so many.  Because I feel more symptoms, I more often have down days.  I'm still smiling as much as I can, but it's getting harder.

Love,
Derek & Leann

10 comments:

  1. Praying for you that God will give you the strength to face each day !!love Jon & marla

    ReplyDelete
  2. We're still praying... with love, Brandon & Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  3. We still pray, and hope along with you. May you feel the love of many across the miles.
    Love, Paul & Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  4. Praying for you and your dear family. We love you!

    ReplyDelete
  5. 2 Cor 4:7-18. Praying for you all. This suffering is not being wasted, so do not lose heart! We can boast in our weaknesses if that's how God desires to show the world His all-sufficient strength. 1 Cor 12:9-10 Love you loads, and praying for strength, wisdom, courage, and much grace alongside you. Love in Christ, Kevin & Jody

    ReplyDelete
  6. I checked again tonight to see if there was an update. I appreciate them. We do think of you often and lift you up in prayer. May God provide for your needs and deepest desire. May He bless you abundantly each day as His compassions fail not. (Lam. 3:22)
    With much love and prayer for you and your family,
    Karen and Randy

    ReplyDelete
  7. I appreciate the updates. You continue to be in my prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Derek,
    words are insufficient to describe our feelings... our prayers go out daily for you, Leann, and your kids to be able to deal with the multitude of physical issues, the emotional upheaval, and the psychological challenges presented by your situation.... we can only imagine (not to a full extent) the reality of the difficulty that your issues present to your family. You know we love you, we pray for you, and that if you need anything you only need to ask...

    we pray that the God of Abraham, Moses, and Joseph.... the God of David and Job.... the God of Paul, the God of Peter.... would hold you in His almighty arms as you wend your way through this difficult time

    We love you, we hurt for you, and we are doing our best to hold you up,

    We pray for your healing, we pray for grace and joy to deal with what lies ahead which is known only to God...

    In the love of Jesus!

    Dean and Karen

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for the update.. I'm praying that you continue to find the strength and courage to face each new challenge.. and rejoicing that there are some "bright spots"!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for the update. We appreciate coming here and learning first hand what cancer is doing to you. Then when we talk to you in church or other places, we can spend it visiting about your children, your daily life, and your growing experiences. We ask that God will bless each day with new blessings and grace.

    Ryan and Christy

    ReplyDelete