Quick up date.
Kelly met with his ENT, (ear, nose, and throat) doctor yesterday. He confirmed to Kelly that God indeed had answered our prayers. He told Kelly that the fungus was only an inch away from possibly being very grave. We continue to praise God for sparing his life. A sinus swab was taken, (oh, what fun!) to check on the fungus. We are hoping that the results will be clear and we can get back to the chemo treatments. (Hopping to get back to chemo sounds crazy! I guess it would be better said that we want to move forward.)
Personally I am praying and expecting that the fungus will be cleared and that we will not have lost any ground with the cancer. Kelly has been taking some supplements from Mannetach and trying to eat according to the Makers Diet book. I say trying because his appetite is not good with the fungus treatment. I am encouraged that we are giving Kelly's body all that we can in order for it to fight off the fungus and cancer.
We, of course, covet your prayers. Also, we want you to know that your comments on the blog are a huge encouragement. Thank you for walking with us through this journey.
Love, Gabriela and Kelly
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007
Hello dear family and friends.
Well, we certainly are learning a lot about ourselves through this process and one of the things I am learning is that I isolate when I am struggling. Sorry that we have not been updating the blog. It has been a hard week emotionally. This week has been uneventful in all the right ways, (Kelly is at home and able to work somewhat) and eventful in all the right ways, (Andrew and Sarah started school and they are loving it.) Brianna and I are lonely without them at home and Anneliese could care less. We are so thankful that they are going to a great school and beginning to make friends.
Kelly is very tired but functioning. The fungus treatment is worse then the chemo as far as side effects goes but, we are getting through it. We are both weary. Kelly is tired of being tired and feeling sick and I am deflated and tired. I guess there is an underlying concern about the timing of the fungus dieing and the cancer returning. We have been told that Kelly might have to have lung surgery before chemo begins again in order to remove any dead tissue from what they suspect the fungus has killed. They will do a biopsy first.
Anyway... I think we are grieving the loss of life as it used to be and we are being stretch in what Jesus meant to take His yolk upon us and learn from him because he is gentle and humble of heart and then we will find rest for our souls. We also are learning what it means to be thankful when we encounter various trial knowing that our faith is being tested and that we are producing endurance. Its strange how we have known these verses for so long and even lived them to some degree and yet they feel new again.
We continue to remember that our battle is not against flesh and blood, (fungus and leukemia) and we are standing firm in Christ alone. He is truly our strength and we praise Him for it. We covet your prayers. Please believe God is sustaining us through them. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
Some old friends have asked us to post our address so here it is.
Kelly and Gabriela Rosenthal
824 E. Buckhill Rd.
Fresno, CA 93720
(559)434-7731
Well, we certainly are learning a lot about ourselves through this process and one of the things I am learning is that I isolate when I am struggling. Sorry that we have not been updating the blog. It has been a hard week emotionally. This week has been uneventful in all the right ways, (Kelly is at home and able to work somewhat) and eventful in all the right ways, (Andrew and Sarah started school and they are loving it.) Brianna and I are lonely without them at home and Anneliese could care less. We are so thankful that they are going to a great school and beginning to make friends.
Kelly is very tired but functioning. The fungus treatment is worse then the chemo as far as side effects goes but, we are getting through it. We are both weary. Kelly is tired of being tired and feeling sick and I am deflated and tired. I guess there is an underlying concern about the timing of the fungus dieing and the cancer returning. We have been told that Kelly might have to have lung surgery before chemo begins again in order to remove any dead tissue from what they suspect the fungus has killed. They will do a biopsy first.
Anyway... I think we are grieving the loss of life as it used to be and we are being stretch in what Jesus meant to take His yolk upon us and learn from him because he is gentle and humble of heart and then we will find rest for our souls. We also are learning what it means to be thankful when we encounter various trial knowing that our faith is being tested and that we are producing endurance. Its strange how we have known these verses for so long and even lived them to some degree and yet they feel new again.
We continue to remember that our battle is not against flesh and blood, (fungus and leukemia) and we are standing firm in Christ alone. He is truly our strength and we praise Him for it. We covet your prayers. Please believe God is sustaining us through them. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
Some old friends have asked us to post our address so here it is.
Kelly and Gabriela Rosenthal
824 E. Buckhill Rd.
Fresno, CA 93720
(559)434-7731
Sunday, August 19, 2007
It's a waiting game...
Hi Friends,
There has not been much to post in the last week. I have been off the chemo so that my white blood cell count would increase to fight the fungal infection. I may have another week or two of antibiotics treatments before we know anything. Meanwhile the sinuses are still recovering from the surgery and I am thankful for pain meds.
The Doc wants to biopsy the pneumonia in my lung and if fungal, he will want to remove that small portion of the lung (Oh boy, another surgery and hospital stay). If it's not fungal in nature than we continue to treat it with antibiotics and the chemo treatments can continue. So that's where thing stand at this time.
I'm back to work which has been very nice and now racing to get ready for the Fall kick-off of small groups. I'm praying for gifted couples to lead 10 new groups. Finding them and training them will be a big task between now and September.
Gabriela is dealing with a lot these days. We decided to enroll Andrew and Sarah in public school this year with the many challenges ahead of us. This is extremely hard for Gabriela because she loves to home school and be the primary influencer on our kids. We believe public school will be good for both Andrew and Sarah and that they have a good foundation to stand firm in the faith. Still it will be another adjustment for us.
We are so encouraged by the cards, blog postings, and calls we receive from many of you. The Lord has done some amazing things that Gabriela will likely share in our next blog. Prayer changes things and we have witnessed it over and over again. Thank you.
His blessings,
Kelly
There has not been much to post in the last week. I have been off the chemo so that my white blood cell count would increase to fight the fungal infection. I may have another week or two of antibiotics treatments before we know anything. Meanwhile the sinuses are still recovering from the surgery and I am thankful for pain meds.
The Doc wants to biopsy the pneumonia in my lung and if fungal, he will want to remove that small portion of the lung (Oh boy, another surgery and hospital stay). If it's not fungal in nature than we continue to treat it with antibiotics and the chemo treatments can continue. So that's where thing stand at this time.
I'm back to work which has been very nice and now racing to get ready for the Fall kick-off of small groups. I'm praying for gifted couples to lead 10 new groups. Finding them and training them will be a big task between now and September.
Gabriela is dealing with a lot these days. We decided to enroll Andrew and Sarah in public school this year with the many challenges ahead of us. This is extremely hard for Gabriela because she loves to home school and be the primary influencer on our kids. We believe public school will be good for both Andrew and Sarah and that they have a good foundation to stand firm in the faith. Still it will be another adjustment for us.
We are so encouraged by the cards, blog postings, and calls we receive from many of you. The Lord has done some amazing things that Gabriela will likely share in our next blog. Prayer changes things and we have witnessed it over and over again. Thank you.
His blessings,
Kelly
Sunday, August 12, 2007
There's no place like home....
Hey Friend,
Released from the hospital last night. It's so good to be home. Though the hospital stay was essential (two surgeries, two 4 bags of platelets, and 5 units of blood), it was really hard on the kids to have me gone for 11 days. I am thankful and amazed at how God provided my sister-in-law from Washington to be vacationing at Bass Lake over this time frame. She has two teenage daughters and two younger boys. They stayed with Gabriela on both sides of my hospital stay which was a great blessing for my kids. It also allowed for Gabriela to have a lot of flexibility(as well as great support).
I also am so blessed with a wonderful Community Group that provided daily childcare while the relatives were in Bass Lake. They consistently are there at every turn. I can't be more proud of the way they are expressing Jesus and a biblical approach to being the church in this world. Thank you my dear friends.
Personally, I thank you for your prayers. I feel God's presence and see His hand, yet I confess that my heart is having a very hard time focusing on Him or anything other than the pain and healing process. The fungus mediation is more brutal on me physically than the chemo. I will be taking that every other day until the infection is gone. Dr. Passcuzzo wants to start up the chemo ASAP so that we don't lose ground, but the Infectious Disease Doctor wants all that to wait until the fungal infection is cleared up. My white blood cell count is up and fighting the infection as well as the pneumonia in my chest. Starting chemo would kill those white blood cells.
I am asking God to clear up the infection quickly, and that my sines would heal. They are still discharging blood and stuff that is also being forced by into my hears. It's painful to blow and my fear is that I will end up with infections in my ears. So that is another important request.
I am not one to complain much, but the battle is wearing on me. Keep interceding.
Thankful,
Kelly
Released from the hospital last night. It's so good to be home. Though the hospital stay was essential (two surgeries, two 4 bags of platelets, and 5 units of blood), it was really hard on the kids to have me gone for 11 days. I am thankful and amazed at how God provided my sister-in-law from Washington to be vacationing at Bass Lake over this time frame. She has two teenage daughters and two younger boys. They stayed with Gabriela on both sides of my hospital stay which was a great blessing for my kids. It also allowed for Gabriela to have a lot of flexibility(as well as great support).
I also am so blessed with a wonderful Community Group that provided daily childcare while the relatives were in Bass Lake. They consistently are there at every turn. I can't be more proud of the way they are expressing Jesus and a biblical approach to being the church in this world. Thank you my dear friends.
Personally, I thank you for your prayers. I feel God's presence and see His hand, yet I confess that my heart is having a very hard time focusing on Him or anything other than the pain and healing process. The fungus mediation is more brutal on me physically than the chemo. I will be taking that every other day until the infection is gone. Dr. Passcuzzo wants to start up the chemo ASAP so that we don't lose ground, but the Infectious Disease Doctor wants all that to wait until the fungal infection is cleared up. My white blood cell count is up and fighting the infection as well as the pneumonia in my chest. Starting chemo would kill those white blood cells.
I am asking God to clear up the infection quickly, and that my sines would heal. They are still discharging blood and stuff that is also being forced by into my hears. It's painful to blow and my fear is that I will end up with infections in my ears. So that is another important request.
I am not one to complain much, but the battle is wearing on me. Keep interceding.
Thankful,
Kelly
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
We thank God in our every remembrance of you all.
Today was a good day. Kelly had his second sinus surgery. We were concerned over the possibility of loosing his sight in his left eye. The fungus was around the eye and an optometrist was going to possibly remove the floor of the eye and insert a catheter in order to inject the fungus medicine directly around the eye.
Well if you don't believe that God answers prayer, no offence but you are wrong. Many had been praying that God would remove the fungus and surprise the doctors and basically that's what happened. The optometrist came out of the OR only 10 min. after entering and, with a smile on his face said the the eye was no longer swollen shut as it had been for a week and that there was no need to do his part of the procedure.
The ENT, (ear, nose and throat) doctor worked on Kelly for almost 2 hours and once again cleaned out the sinuses and implanted catheters just beneath the inner part of Kelly's eyebrows so the medicine can go directly through the sinuses.
The other great praise is that the pathology for the lungs came back negative for the fungus. He does have pneumonia but so far no fungus.
It seem that the fungus has stopped progressing, which is what the medicine is supposed to do but Kelly's body needs to begin producing white blood cells in order to kill the fungus. His white blood cells are almost non-existent, which is what the chemo was supposed to be doing so... now we wait for his body to grow white blood cells and kill the fungus.
Kelly and I are very encouraged by today's outcome and see God's hand directly upon us and we are so grateful for all of your prayers. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Sincerely, Gabriela
Today was a good day. Kelly had his second sinus surgery. We were concerned over the possibility of loosing his sight in his left eye. The fungus was around the eye and an optometrist was going to possibly remove the floor of the eye and insert a catheter in order to inject the fungus medicine directly around the eye.
Well if you don't believe that God answers prayer, no offence but you are wrong. Many had been praying that God would remove the fungus and surprise the doctors and basically that's what happened. The optometrist came out of the OR only 10 min. after entering and, with a smile on his face said the the eye was no longer swollen shut as it had been for a week and that there was no need to do his part of the procedure.
The ENT, (ear, nose and throat) doctor worked on Kelly for almost 2 hours and once again cleaned out the sinuses and implanted catheters just beneath the inner part of Kelly's eyebrows so the medicine can go directly through the sinuses.
The other great praise is that the pathology for the lungs came back negative for the fungus. He does have pneumonia but so far no fungus.
It seem that the fungus has stopped progressing, which is what the medicine is supposed to do but Kelly's body needs to begin producing white blood cells in order to kill the fungus. His white blood cells are almost non-existent, which is what the chemo was supposed to be doing so... now we wait for his body to grow white blood cells and kill the fungus.
Kelly and I are very encouraged by today's outcome and see God's hand directly upon us and we are so grateful for all of your prayers. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Sincerely, Gabriela
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Doctors comments
Good new, you made it through the surgery well in spite of the low blood counts. Bad news, it is a fungus and it is the worst kind. Good news, it is treatable and the prognosis is positive. Bad news, it will be a long hospital stay, minimum one week or more. There will also be more sinus surgeries, at least two, to clean out area. There is also concern that the pneumonia is back and that the fungus might have made it's way into the right lung which will require more treatment. Chemo is suspended until the fungus clears.
Good news,
God is good.
He is faithful.
His strength is perfected in our weaknesses.
His grace is sufficient.
His love is perfect.
His is trustworthy and beautiful!
Prayer requests? Many needs, don't know where to begin. Please pray that the whole family will know God's presence and continue to walk with thankfulness to God for His goodness and faithfulness. Please pray for all the physical needs Kelly has, (The pain is quite severe) and for his doctors to have wisdom. Please pray for the kids, they will not get to see Kelly for a while and I will be away from them more then usual. Please pray I will have stamina and stay healthy.
With much thankfulness for your love and prayers, Gabriela
!
Good news,
God is good.
He is faithful.
His strength is perfected in our weaknesses.
His grace is sufficient.
His love is perfect.
His is trustworthy and beautiful!
Prayer requests? Many needs, don't know where to begin. Please pray that the whole family will know God's presence and continue to walk with thankfulness to God for His goodness and faithfulness. Please pray for all the physical needs Kelly has, (The pain is quite severe) and for his doctors to have wisdom. Please pray for the kids, they will not get to see Kelly for a while and I will be away from them more then usual. Please pray I will have stamina and stay healthy.
With much thankfulness for your love and prayers, Gabriela
!
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Kelly is still in hospital, dealing with great pain and awaiting sinus surgery. He is scheduled for Friday at 7:00 a.m. to have his sinuses flushed out and to get a culture to see weather the infection is bacterial or fungal. Our doctor said that Kelly most likely will be in the hospital through the weekend and chemo will resume by the end of next week. It is a bit disappointing to be off schedule with treatment. Please pray that the leukemia will not build up resistance during that time. We are confidant that Dr. Pascuzzo is making the best decisions for treatment. He said that Kelly's body needs a break from the chemo so that his body can heal from this infection.
We are thankful that my sister-in-law, Amber, is in town with her kids this week. The visit was planned a while ago and again, God's timing is perfect. My nieces, Emily and Julie have been a huge help with the kids and that has enabled me to be with Kelly when I need to be. They leave Sat. and I will be sorry to see them go.
I want to thank you all again and again for your prayers and your faithfulness to us.
Sincerely, Gabriela
We are thankful that my sister-in-law, Amber, is in town with her kids this week. The visit was planned a while ago and again, God's timing is perfect. My nieces, Emily and Julie have been a huge help with the kids and that has enabled me to be with Kelly when I need to be. They leave Sat. and I will be sorry to see them go.
I want to thank you all again and again for your prayers and your faithfulness to us.
Sincerely, Gabriela
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Bumb in the road
Hello dear friends and family,
Kelly was hospitalized today. He was having tremendous sinus pressure for a couple of days and when he went in for treatment today the doctor decided that he had better be admitted. He got an MRI and it was determined that he has a severe sinus infection. Tomorrow they will go into his sinuses and extract a culture to see if the infection in bacterial or fungal. Please pray for Kelly as the pain is debilitating and please pray that the doctors will have wisdom as to how to best treat this infection. We are disappointed that treatment had to be suspended. There is a danger in that because we don't want to give the leukemia a chance to build any resistance to the chemo. We really don't have any idea how long this hospital stay will be or when chemo will resume. ANYWAY... I am so very thankful that the doctors finally found a drug that eased the pain at about 5:00 this evening. Kelly is resting comfortably and now it is time for me to go to bed :)
lots of love, Gabriela
Kelly was hospitalized today. He was having tremendous sinus pressure for a couple of days and when he went in for treatment today the doctor decided that he had better be admitted. He got an MRI and it was determined that he has a severe sinus infection. Tomorrow they will go into his sinuses and extract a culture to see if the infection in bacterial or fungal. Please pray for Kelly as the pain is debilitating and please pray that the doctors will have wisdom as to how to best treat this infection. We are disappointed that treatment had to be suspended. There is a danger in that because we don't want to give the leukemia a chance to build any resistance to the chemo. We really don't have any idea how long this hospital stay will be or when chemo will resume. ANYWAY... I am so very thankful that the doctors finally found a drug that eased the pain at about 5:00 this evening. Kelly is resting comfortably and now it is time for me to go to bed :)
lots of love, Gabriela
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