Dear Church Family & Friends;
I'm very pleased to share that Donna continues to make amazing progress in her recovery!
This past week has been wonderful! Don is still going for radiation each day at 10:45 at Gwinnett Medical. This treatment still has about 4 weeks left.
On Tuesday, she began her outpatient physical therapy. This is something that she will be doing twice a week on Tuesdays & Thursdays. On Thursday, she also met with a 'Speech Therapist. (The name is deceiving, as a Speech Therapist works with a patient's cognitive and analytical thinking skills.) After meeting with her, the therapist said that she would only want to see Donna one more time as she feels that Donna does not really need much help in this area! She will continue with the physical part as that will help build Donna's strength. They have also told Donna that she will need to be walking about 15 minutes a day this coming week as this will help increase her strength.
We also have been able to get an appointment at Emory to see a neuro-oncologist this Friday. This is a doctor who specializes in brain cancer. The 'standard protocol' of treatment for what Donna has, a Glioblastoma Multiforme, is resection (removal) and then 6 weeks of radiation. After that, they would have her go every three months for an MRI to check for progress of the tumor. However, with a neuro-oncologist, he will be able to suggest other forms of treatment based on Donna's overall health, age, sex, etc. I'll let you know what's up with this in the next Email.
I need to share this also. While speaking with the folks at Emory, the woman on the phone asked in passing, "So how is your wife doing?" I explained that she has been able to walk again without a cane, that she has been making the bed, and that she has started doing laundry. "Really? Did you know folks who have had brain surgery can't do that much even after 6 months?" Donna will be 5 weeks out from surgery on October 2. God is VERY good!
Another piece of good news was that one of Donna's best friends, Cindy McNeilly came in from out of town to visit. They've had a great time together. The two of them have rearranged living room furniture, hung pictures, etc. To show her appreciation, Donna asked Cindy to take her to the nail salon for a manicure!
The big event of the week took place today at 9:30 am - she returned to church! Since Donna knew that this would be a very emotional time for her, she opted to come in a little late for the service. Obviously, many folks in our church family were thrilled to she her in attendance! With all the excitement, one would have thought Elvis was spotted!
As the radiation continues, one of the big side effects has been fatigue. However, as this can be troublesome, it is actually good for her because she still needs the rest to help recover from the surgery.
Again, we covet your prayers! We appreciate all that everyone has done for us. Words cannot express our gratitude to everyone who has helped us or prayed for us at this time. It has been a very humbling experience.
Our prayer requests remain as follows: 1.) For the Lord's will do be done through Donna and our family; 2.) For this ugly tumor NEVER EVER appear in Don's body EVER again; 3.) That the side effects from any treatments to be minimal; 4.) For Donna's November 21st MRI to be CLEAR!
I'll write an update next week after we meet with the folks from Emory. Hopefully we will begin to have a better idea of where to go from here.
In His Name, Service & Love,
Frank
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