This is the first time I've had a chance to let anyone know what our trip has been like. I really wanted to blog from Russia and title it "From Russia with Love" but I couldn't get anything but Facebook in English.
Our trip to Russia went really smoothly, in comparison to the other Hazzards. They were late leaving DFW which made them miss their flight out of London to St. Petersburg. They ended up flying to Moscow then on into St. Petersburg. None of the luggage they had arrived with them. So it ended up being 3 trips to the airport getting the luggage. Once their clothes arrived...which was the last of the 4 pieces of luggage..they were a much happier group.
The week went very well. Both Chris and Shana were a hit among the kids. Chris did his TAE KNAW DO each night. Shana had the young moms with her. I had about 12 kids under the age of 6 who basically went pretty wild the whole time. We did have a Bible story each night and a craft. The thing the kids liked the most was the pinata that we had brought with us.
On the last night a mother and two boys around the age of 13 came. They had been walking by the night before and saw Chris and the kids outdoors doing their martial arts. They were invited to join us the next night and came. We invited them for Christmas and I feel certain they will come.
The Lord has kept Roy strong this last week. He did what he needed to do each night. Mainly make crystal lite for dinner. He spent a lot of time just resting. He was asked to preach that Sunday after we got there. He sat in a chair and did an excellent job, especially considering he didn't know he was preaching until Sat. night and he felt like he did! Obviously there was a higher power holding him up.
We are in London now. Tomorrow we are headed to the Olympic Park. There are a lot of people here and many do not have tickets to events but the atmosphere is terrific. It's different listening to the British TV taking only about their athletes...not hearing too much about Americans.
All in all considering what Roy has been through I am very proud of him. Please keep him in your prayers for the rest of the week.
God is in control and holding our hand.
Linda
Monday, July 30, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Well, he's going...
This has been a very emotional week for me. We are so excited that Roy has finished the chemo/radiation that was the first part of this journey that the Lord has chosen us to folllow. Obviously, our prayer was always that the test would be negative but since it wasn't, we know that He is leading the way.
I really believe that Roy spent the last week of his treatment living on adrenaline in Houston. He had started having more issues with swallowing but was determined to keep his weight up and do what he had to do to get through the process. So, when he got home last Friday he was really not feeling well. He was not able to eat anything other than oatmeal, toast, jello and protein shakes. If he took the medicine that basically numbs his throat it made it easier. And, off and on would make the decision not to go to Russia, then change his mind and say he was going.
I went to my small group Bible study last night. He didn't feel like going. But our group prayed feverantly for him. We prayed that the symptoms he was having would lessen. That the 12 hour airplane trip (with 4 different changes of planes) wouldn't be hard on him...that he would have the strength to make the changes of planes, etc. There were spirit filled prayers said on behalf of Roy.
I was at work today and called him in between meetings. We talked about what he was doing and I asked about breakfast. He informed me he had a sausage bisquit from McDonalds!! Praise the Lord. Never thought I would be thankful that he was eating something that unhealthy but it was food and he kept it down! He then had a hamburger for supper tonight. It is still not easy and he does need to take medicine before he eats...
So, we leave at 8:30am in the morning and arrive in St. Petersburg at 11:45am the next day. Please keep us in your prayers. We love this ministry so much and love the children we have watched grow up and have become friends with. Our prayer is always that we show a love for the Lord and that they see there are better ways to live their llives when parents, grandparents don't show them the love of that any child should expect.
God is holding our hand and is in control.
Linda
I really believe that Roy spent the last week of his treatment living on adrenaline in Houston. He had started having more issues with swallowing but was determined to keep his weight up and do what he had to do to get through the process. So, when he got home last Friday he was really not feeling well. He was not able to eat anything other than oatmeal, toast, jello and protein shakes. If he took the medicine that basically numbs his throat it made it easier. And, off and on would make the decision not to go to Russia, then change his mind and say he was going.
I went to my small group Bible study last night. He didn't feel like going. But our group prayed feverantly for him. We prayed that the symptoms he was having would lessen. That the 12 hour airplane trip (with 4 different changes of planes) wouldn't be hard on him...that he would have the strength to make the changes of planes, etc. There were spirit filled prayers said on behalf of Roy.
I was at work today and called him in between meetings. We talked about what he was doing and I asked about breakfast. He informed me he had a sausage bisquit from McDonalds!! Praise the Lord. Never thought I would be thankful that he was eating something that unhealthy but it was food and he kept it down! He then had a hamburger for supper tonight. It is still not easy and he does need to take medicine before he eats...
So, we leave at 8:30am in the morning and arrive in St. Petersburg at 11:45am the next day. Please keep us in your prayers. We love this ministry so much and love the children we have watched grow up and have become friends with. Our prayer is always that we show a love for the Lord and that they see there are better ways to live their llives when parents, grandparents don't show them the love of that any child should expect.
God is holding our hand and is in control.
Linda
Friday, July 13, 2012
For Whom the Bell Tolls...
This is a real blessed day for Roy and I. When a patient finishes radiation in Houston,they are allowed to ring a bell that is outside radiation 3 times. Roy got to ring the bell today! We are so excited that the 5 weeks of radiation and the almost 10 weeks of chemotherapy are finally over. At one point in the beginning I thought it would last forever but because of having the grandkids come visit, watching Shay play softball in Houston, being with my college friend, Mitzi, seeing my cousin Judy and friends from Fort Worth, Jimmy and Beth, the time did pass much more quickly.
Unfortunately, they've already scheduled the next phase. M.D.Anderson has a web site that patients can go on to see when their next appointments are. They have already scheduled the next endoscopy for the end of August. One of my prayers will be looking on "mymdanderson" and not seeing an appointment scheduled. Won't that be a blessed day??? Hopefully we won't have to stay very long when we go in August. They (the doctors) don't understand that ACU football starts pretty soon after the end of August, we have to keep our priorities straight and be in Abilene to watch Justin play ball.
Roy is really not feeling good tonight. I hope that it's just being tired from all that he did this week. I think he was so excited about getting through that it's a relief now that it is over and he has just let down. Does that make sense?? Sherri picked him up from Ryan and he got home around 3 this afternoon...took a nap and was up for awhile but now back in bed. Eating was an issue today. I couldn't get him to eat anything healthy for him because it was hurting so badly. That will be something I will have to work on with him over the next few days.
We are still planning to leave for Russia this next Friday. Please, please keep him in your prayers. A prayer that he will be strong enough to make the trip. That the issue of eating will have resolved itself to where he can eat and not feel sick or it hurt. We have been so blessed that the symptoms haven't been any worse than they have so we want them to start getting better! How do people who don't have a faith in the Lord and know where their comfort comes from make this journey???
God is in control and holding our hand.
Linda
Unfortunately, they've already scheduled the next phase. M.D.Anderson has a web site that patients can go on to see when their next appointments are. They have already scheduled the next endoscopy for the end of August. One of my prayers will be looking on "mymdanderson" and not seeing an appointment scheduled. Won't that be a blessed day??? Hopefully we won't have to stay very long when we go in August. They (the doctors) don't understand that ACU football starts pretty soon after the end of August, we have to keep our priorities straight and be in Abilene to watch Justin play ball.
Roy is really not feeling good tonight. I hope that it's just being tired from all that he did this week. I think he was so excited about getting through that it's a relief now that it is over and he has just let down. Does that make sense?? Sherri picked him up from Ryan and he got home around 3 this afternoon...took a nap and was up for awhile but now back in bed. Eating was an issue today. I couldn't get him to eat anything healthy for him because it was hurting so badly. That will be something I will have to work on with him over the next few days.
We are still planning to leave for Russia this next Friday. Please, please keep him in your prayers. A prayer that he will be strong enough to make the trip. That the issue of eating will have resolved itself to where he can eat and not feel sick or it hurt. We have been so blessed that the symptoms haven't been any worse than they have so we want them to start getting better! How do people who don't have a faith in the Lord and know where their comfort comes from make this journey???
God is in control and holding our hand.
Linda
Monday, July 9, 2012
4 days to go....
Have I mentioned how glad I am that this is the last Monday???? If not, I am so thankful that we do not have another Monday to be up really early (have I mentioned I'm not a morning person??) and go to different hospitals. Although Roy's radiation treatment was scheduled for the afternoon. Tomorrow he will have two treatments..early morning and then mid-afternoon with a doctor's appointment thrown in there for good measure. This is the oncologist and the way it goes is the nurse comes in and asks all the same questions that were asked the last 4 weeks..then we wait...and the PA (physican's assistant) comes in and asks basically the same questions...she takes notes...this takes about 30 minutes or maybe more. Then the oncologist comes in asks maybe one or two questions and she spends about 5 minutes with us and we leave! You know doctor's make a lot of money when you think of how much time they spend with us...at least these doctors do.
The swallowing is getting pregressive harder. I am praying that he will figure out what he can eat that is easier to manage and learn to pace himself as he eats. He has lost a lot of his appetite and rightfully so considering how hard it is. It feels as though it is stuck but it's still not bad enough for the doctors to do anything about it. They do not feel it will get any worse..which is a blessing. We are thankful that they have said there really isn't anything they would do here so it's still ok to travel. If it got real bad the solution is to go in and open his esophagus and he's not anywhere near having to do that.
I think we are both ready for a break. I know that we have not had it near as bad as others...all I have to do is look in the eyes of people I pass in the hallways and I see fear, pain and frustration...but when I talk to people I also hear hope. I think if M.D. Anderson doesn't do anything else it gives a lot more people hope that they didn't get from the doctors in their home towns.
So, please continue to pray for us. We have a 6 weeks break and then some decisions will be made. Also, please pray for our trip to Russia. Usually at this point I am packed and know exactly what I'm taking. I still need to decide on Bible lessons and crafts for those lessons...pray that the Lord will show me what the children in Russia need to make Him alive in their hearts.
God is in control and holding our hand.
Linda
.
The swallowing is getting pregressive harder. I am praying that he will figure out what he can eat that is easier to manage and learn to pace himself as he eats. He has lost a lot of his appetite and rightfully so considering how hard it is. It feels as though it is stuck but it's still not bad enough for the doctors to do anything about it. They do not feel it will get any worse..which is a blessing. We are thankful that they have said there really isn't anything they would do here so it's still ok to travel. If it got real bad the solution is to go in and open his esophagus and he's not anywhere near having to do that.
I think we are both ready for a break. I know that we have not had it near as bad as others...all I have to do is look in the eyes of people I pass in the hallways and I see fear, pain and frustration...but when I talk to people I also hear hope. I think if M.D. Anderson doesn't do anything else it gives a lot more people hope that they didn't get from the doctors in their home towns.
So, please continue to pray for us. We have a 6 weeks break and then some decisions will be made. Also, please pray for our trip to Russia. Usually at this point I am packed and know exactly what I'm taking. I still need to decide on Bible lessons and crafts for those lessons...pray that the Lord will show me what the children in Russia need to make Him alive in their hearts.
God is in control and holding our hand.
Linda
.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Home again....
I am so thankful to be home this week-end. I spent the whole week in Houston with Roy and it was very tiring. To be truthful I'm not sure how he has done it everyday for the past 4 weeks...everyday...it got really old getting to the different hospitals and doctors.
Although we did have people who helped make it a little more pleasant. We have friends who have just moved back to this area (Fort Worth). I knew Beth (Starling) Paul back in elementary school. Her parents and mine were close friends. Roy knew her husband, Jimmy, at Harding and they work together here in Fort Worth. They were in Houston with Beth's uncle and aunt. So, we were able to have lunch with them one day. Really a good visit and then Beth rode home with us from Houston today...we didn't stop talking. I loved it! Made the trip go so much faster.
On the 4th of July we were able to spend time with one of my college friends, Mitzi, her husband, kids and extended family. We had a cookout and then watched fireworks. That was a really good day also. They did let Roy have the day off from all his procedures, so we were able to sleep in and not be rushed to get places. It's still a matter of hurry up and wait. The problem is you never know when they will take you early or when you have to wait for an hour for your appointment.
The symptoms of radiation were much more prevalent this week. He has a problem swallowing initially. It causes hiccups and chills...I think the chills part is kinda unusual but it happens each time he starts his meal. Usually by the 3rd or 4th bite the symptoms have lessen and he can finish his meal. It has not stopped him from eating which is a very good thing. They still want him to keep his weight up (the only one who has kept "her" weight up is moi!) We realized one of the reasons he does not need to lose weight is the fact they have "tattooed" him exactly where the radiation needs to hit and if he loses weight it will be off and not hit where the cancer is located. The doctor we saw today, who is head of radiology, was very impressed with his "diet" (porkchops, mashed potatoes and green beans last night). She started laughing and commented she thought he would be ok.
So, we are down to 10 scheduled appointments (they do keep adding things to the agenda...stop!) and this is our last week to go back on Sunday...yea!!! Praise the Lord! He has been faithful to us. I will come home on Wednesday again and Ryan will spend Thursday and his last day Friday with him. When a patient finishes radiation they have them ring a bell 3 times. Someone finished today and we heard the bell...such a sweet sound.
Two weeks from tonight we will be on a plane to Russia...we are excited and a little nervous as to how everything will work out. I know that God has put His plan in action for us to minister to the children in Gatchina and I have all the faith that we will see it through.
Just a little bit more trivia...there are 13,000 people who are seen at the hospitals there in the medical city area each day...think about how many people need prayers for whatever they are going through.
God is holding our hand and is in control.
Linda
Although we did have people who helped make it a little more pleasant. We have friends who have just moved back to this area (Fort Worth). I knew Beth (Starling) Paul back in elementary school. Her parents and mine were close friends. Roy knew her husband, Jimmy, at Harding and they work together here in Fort Worth. They were in Houston with Beth's uncle and aunt. So, we were able to have lunch with them one day. Really a good visit and then Beth rode home with us from Houston today...we didn't stop talking. I loved it! Made the trip go so much faster.
On the 4th of July we were able to spend time with one of my college friends, Mitzi, her husband, kids and extended family. We had a cookout and then watched fireworks. That was a really good day also. They did let Roy have the day off from all his procedures, so we were able to sleep in and not be rushed to get places. It's still a matter of hurry up and wait. The problem is you never know when they will take you early or when you have to wait for an hour for your appointment.
The symptoms of radiation were much more prevalent this week. He has a problem swallowing initially. It causes hiccups and chills...I think the chills part is kinda unusual but it happens each time he starts his meal. Usually by the 3rd or 4th bite the symptoms have lessen and he can finish his meal. It has not stopped him from eating which is a very good thing. They still want him to keep his weight up (the only one who has kept "her" weight up is moi!) We realized one of the reasons he does not need to lose weight is the fact they have "tattooed" him exactly where the radiation needs to hit and if he loses weight it will be off and not hit where the cancer is located. The doctor we saw today, who is head of radiology, was very impressed with his "diet" (porkchops, mashed potatoes and green beans last night). She started laughing and commented she thought he would be ok.
So, we are down to 10 scheduled appointments (they do keep adding things to the agenda...stop!) and this is our last week to go back on Sunday...yea!!! Praise the Lord! He has been faithful to us. I will come home on Wednesday again and Ryan will spend Thursday and his last day Friday with him. When a patient finishes radiation they have them ring a bell 3 times. Someone finished today and we heard the bell...such a sweet sound.
Two weeks from tonight we will be on a plane to Russia...we are excited and a little nervous as to how everything will work out. I know that God has put His plan in action for us to minister to the children in Gatchina and I have all the faith that we will see it through.
Just a little bit more trivia...there are 13,000 people who are seen at the hospitals there in the medical city area each day...think about how many people need prayers for whatever they are going through.
God is holding our hand and is in control.
Linda
Monday, July 2, 2012
Next to the last Monday
... I am so excited that we are down to the next to the last Momday....next Monday will be the last time that Roy will have to have a 3hr. chemo session. The last time we have to get up at 5:00 to have blood work done...then radiatiion...then chemo. Yea...and thank you, Lord.
This morning was very early for us. But we were through by 12:00pm. Only had to wait 1 hr or maybe just a little longer for the chemo session to start...everything else was early. That's usually the way it goes. We get there a little early and are taken in immediately so then we think the next session will be on time or early and that's when we have to wait...but that's ok....I watch so many patients that look like they feel so bad...and they are having to wait. At least Roy doesn't feel as bad as some of the rest who wait. You can just tell they are miserable and just want to feel better.
Roy's blood work was still in the right range. Infact some of the numbers have gone up instead of down. There again we are thankful and give all our friends credit for all the prayers that have been lifted up to the Lord. I know that it's prays from friends who have been praying for us that have given us strength to keep us positive and faithful.
We have 13 sessions left between now and the 13th of July. Tomorrow Roy will have 2 radiation sessions. And then next week he will 2 radiation sessions then we can go home on a Friday rather than coming back the next week. That will be a blessing.
A little trivia. Roy has had two haircuts since he started his chemotherapy...that's pretty impressive, I think! It is getting thin but I think he will make it without losing all of it. And, the cafeteria at M.D. Anderson will seat 957 people...that's too many sick people. We are meeting friends tomorrow for lunch there. They are here because of other family members. Roy went to college with Jimmy and I have known Beth since the 6th grade. On the 4th of July we will spend time with my college friend Mitzi and her family. Hopefully, Roy will feel like being out and with people. Please keep praying for fewer symptoms or that the symptoms he is having will disappear. Swallowing has been more difficult, that is a result of radiation.
We were able to attend the Rangers game this week-end with all of Holly's(our daughter-in-law) family. Holly's cousin is the bullpen catchers for the Rangers. We have gone with the Vaughn family the last couple of years to a tail gate then the game. This year we waited until almost game time so that Roy wouldn't be out in the heat. But it was still really hot at the game. Tyler and I went to the kids zone...it was air conditioned...left Roy in the heat!
God is in control and holding our hand.
Linda
This morning was very early for us. But we were through by 12:00pm. Only had to wait 1 hr or maybe just a little longer for the chemo session to start...everything else was early. That's usually the way it goes. We get there a little early and are taken in immediately so then we think the next session will be on time or early and that's when we have to wait...but that's ok....I watch so many patients that look like they feel so bad...and they are having to wait. At least Roy doesn't feel as bad as some of the rest who wait. You can just tell they are miserable and just want to feel better.
Roy's blood work was still in the right range. Infact some of the numbers have gone up instead of down. There again we are thankful and give all our friends credit for all the prayers that have been lifted up to the Lord. I know that it's prays from friends who have been praying for us that have given us strength to keep us positive and faithful.
We have 13 sessions left between now and the 13th of July. Tomorrow Roy will have 2 radiation sessions. And then next week he will 2 radiation sessions then we can go home on a Friday rather than coming back the next week. That will be a blessing.
A little trivia. Roy has had two haircuts since he started his chemotherapy...that's pretty impressive, I think! It is getting thin but I think he will make it without losing all of it. And, the cafeteria at M.D. Anderson will seat 957 people...that's too many sick people. We are meeting friends tomorrow for lunch there. They are here because of other family members. Roy went to college with Jimmy and I have known Beth since the 6th grade. On the 4th of July we will spend time with my college friend Mitzi and her family. Hopefully, Roy will feel like being out and with people. Please keep praying for fewer symptoms or that the symptoms he is having will disappear. Swallowing has been more difficult, that is a result of radiation.
We were able to attend the Rangers game this week-end with all of Holly's(our daughter-in-law) family. Holly's cousin is the bullpen catchers for the Rangers. We have gone with the Vaughn family the last couple of years to a tail gate then the game. This year we waited until almost game time so that Roy wouldn't be out in the heat. But it was still really hot at the game. Tyler and I went to the kids zone...it was air conditioned...left Roy in the heat!
God is in control and holding our hand.
Linda
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