Thank you for all your prayers - the Angiogram went fine, no problems with the procedure at all. We are now home and Michelle is resting comfortably, taking the rest of the day off! She seems to be doing well and is not experiencing any real discomfort which is a blessing...
The results of the test were good - not perfect, but good. Her main arteries are clean and clear and the rest of the heart looks really good. There was only one area that showed any problems whatsoever - it was in an artery that branches off one of the main arteries and it showed about a 30-40% blockage. It is in an area that a stent cannot be used and therefore the only repair would be surgery, which they will not even consider doing unless it is 70+% blocked. Our Cardiologist seemed unconcerned by it at this time and feels that it is 100% manageable, though it could explain why Michelle has been experiencing some of the symptoms she has. We will meet with him again in 2 weeks to go over all the results and determine a course of action, but that will most likely include only some dietary changes (she already eats pretty healthy!) and perhaps some medications if her discomfort persists.
Apart from a perfect test result, this is the best of news and we are praising the Lord for His goodness and graciousness to us - we are thankful for His continued presence in the midst of all Michelle is having to endure, as well as His hands of healing and protection!
I will be posting again soon to let you know how she is recovering from the Angio, as well as bringing you all up-to-speed on all that has happened - both on Michelle's health front and our move to AZ. In the meantime, continue to pray for Michelle's healing from today's procedure and that the Lord would protect her from any of the potential side-effects. We love you all - Steve and Michelle
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007
And the Journey Continues...
Well, I would love to be able to write to you about all the Lord is doing in the church here in AZ (and He IS doing great things!) but at this point I need to share with you an update on Michelle, seeking your prayer.
These past months have been challenging for us as we have made the transition from living in the Midwest and serving in post-prison ministry to living once again in the desert and serving in the local church. Not so much because of the change of location or ministry, both of those have been a huge blessing for us. It has been due to Michelle's continued treatments - continuing to receive Herceptin once every three weeks until here recently and also her almost 7 weeks of radiation treatment. She made it through the radiation treatments just fine, finishing about 4 weeks ago now, though having to deal with some pretty nasty burning from the treatments. In the midst of that, her MUGA Scan results took a dip, dropping to 47.2 and therefore postponing her Herceptin treatments. As we drew closer to another MUGA a few weeks back now, she began to feel some pressure. and at times more acute discomfort, in her chest. Since she has now taken two different drugs as a result of her two bouts with breast cancer that can have adverse effects on her heart, prudence said let's check with a Cardiologist to be sure all is well.
A little over a week ago, Michelle went through an Echo Cardiogram and a Chemical Stress Test and just last Friday we found out the results were not as good as we would have liked. The stress test results show a POSSIBLE blockage and, because of her treatment history over the last 6+ years and her recent radiation therapy, the Cardiologist feels the best course of action is to do an Angiogram this Tuesday morning (11/13) to see what the situation really is. It could be nothing or it could be something... the something could be minor or the something could be more than that - we don't know any more than that at this time. It seems just when we think we are on the other side of things we find ourselves right back in the middle of it all.
Please be praying for Michelle - pray for her health and for strength, comfort and peace... pray for the Angiogram she will have on Tuesday - that it will go well and that the results will show no blockage... pray for our kids as they have to stand by as their mom endures another procedure.... and pray for all of us, that we will continue to glorify God in the midst of the storm! We continue to take great comfort that we serve a God who sees all and knows all... and has our future in His hands!
Thanks for your prayers - we love you all! Steve and Michelle
These past months have been challenging for us as we have made the transition from living in the Midwest and serving in post-prison ministry to living once again in the desert and serving in the local church. Not so much because of the change of location or ministry, both of those have been a huge blessing for us. It has been due to Michelle's continued treatments - continuing to receive Herceptin once every three weeks until here recently and also her almost 7 weeks of radiation treatment. She made it through the radiation treatments just fine, finishing about 4 weeks ago now, though having to deal with some pretty nasty burning from the treatments. In the midst of that, her MUGA Scan results took a dip, dropping to 47.2 and therefore postponing her Herceptin treatments. As we drew closer to another MUGA a few weeks back now, she began to feel some pressure. and at times more acute discomfort, in her chest. Since she has now taken two different drugs as a result of her two bouts with breast cancer that can have adverse effects on her heart, prudence said let's check with a Cardiologist to be sure all is well.
A little over a week ago, Michelle went through an Echo Cardiogram and a Chemical Stress Test and just last Friday we found out the results were not as good as we would have liked. The stress test results show a POSSIBLE blockage and, because of her treatment history over the last 6+ years and her recent radiation therapy, the Cardiologist feels the best course of action is to do an Angiogram this Tuesday morning (11/13) to see what the situation really is. It could be nothing or it could be something... the something could be minor or the something could be more than that - we don't know any more than that at this time. It seems just when we think we are on the other side of things we find ourselves right back in the middle of it all.
Please be praying for Michelle - pray for her health and for strength, comfort and peace... pray for the Angiogram she will have on Tuesday - that it will go well and that the results will show no blockage... pray for our kids as they have to stand by as their mom endures another procedure.... and pray for all of us, that we will continue to glorify God in the midst of the storm! We continue to take great comfort that we serve a God who sees all and knows all... and has our future in His hands!
Thanks for your prayers - we love you all! Steve and Michelle
Friday, November 9, 2007
New Post Coming
WOW... I can't believe it has been since August that I have posted; we are so sorry! We have been busy trying to settle in while hitting the ground running in ministry. I will be uploading a new post soon; there is more news to share and more prayers needed!
Be back soon... we love you! Steve and Michelle
Be back soon... we love you! Steve and Michelle
Monday, August 6, 2007
Time Flies
Greetings to those of you still checking here. I am so very sorry we have not posted in so long - yes, it has been busy for us but I feel guilty for not having kept you all up to date. So, please allow me to bring you up-to-speed in short order here and I promise to be regular with my updates.
The home is coming together; all the boxes are empty and, apart from hanging decorations, things are in their place. Well, all except all my books! We are now at the place where we are trying to determine color schemes for the walls and those types of things so I guess you could say we are really getting settled. The kids are loving it here, as are Michelle and I. Thank you for all your prayers on that front...
Michelle is doing well overall. She has now taken two treatments of Herceptin since arriving here, her second being this morning. She also started her radiation treatments this evening - please pray for her in that. She will be undergoing radiation treatments for 6.5 weeks/5 days per week so it will be a long haul. Pray for her endurance as well as to handle the treatments well, with minimum skin irritation. All else seems to be fine with her...
The church is doing well and we are settling into the work there. We are so looking forward to what the Lord has in store for us all - we continue to concentrate on the "depth" of the ministry, wanting it to draw people into deeper, committed walks with Christ, while leaving the "breadth" of the ministry to the Lord (how many will attend). Those who the Lord has surrounded us with here are wonderful; we are blessed to be sure! I also had the blessing of teaching a few weeks back at a church up in Prescott - what a great church it was, full of people hungry for God's word! The teaching time seemed to go well; at least, no one cried heresy or threw anything at me!
Apart from that, things are well. Steven and I have even had the opportunity to play a couple rounds of golf - both of us playing some of the best golf we ever have. In fact, the last time we played Steven shot 79 (wow!!) and I shot 68 (first time ever below par!!!) from the white tees at a course that is not all that easy... as you can see, Steven is about ready to make the move to blues!
Okay, that's a quick update - I will post again soon! Blessings to you all and we love you!!! -Steve and Michelle -
The home is coming together; all the boxes are empty and, apart from hanging decorations, things are in their place. Well, all except all my books!
Michelle is doing well overall. She has now taken two treatments of Herceptin since arriving here, her second being this morning. She also started her radiation treatments this evening - please pray for her in that. She will be undergoing radiation treatments for 6.5 weeks/5 days per week so it will be a long haul. Pray for her endurance as well as to handle the treatments well, with minimum skin irritation. All else seems to be fine with her...
The church is doing well and we are settling into the work there. We are so looking forward to what the Lord has in store for us all - we continue to concentrate on the "depth" of the ministry, wanting it to draw people into deeper, committed walks with Christ, while leaving the "breadth" of the ministry to the Lord (how many will attend). Those who the Lord has surrounded us with here are wonderful; we are blessed to be sure! I also had the blessing of teaching a few weeks back at a church up in Prescott - what a great church it was, full of people hungry for God's word! The teaching time seemed to go well; at least, no one cried heresy or threw anything at me!
Apart from that, things are well. Steven and I have even had the opportunity to play a couple rounds of golf - both of us playing some of the best golf we ever have. In fact, the last time we played Steven shot 79 (wow!!) and I shot 68 (first time ever below par!!!) from the white tees at a course that is not all that easy... as you can see, Steven is about ready to make the move to blues!
Okay, that's a quick update - I will post again soon! Blessings to you all and we love you!!! -Steve and Michelle -
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