The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Prayer Requests => Topic started by: PegLeg45 on September 27, 2012, 11:52:56 AM

Title: Request for family members
Post by: PegLeg45 on September 27, 2012, 11:52:56 AM
Folks, I have two nephews on my wife's side of the fence that are in big need of prayers.

Robert is 25 years of age and has been battling a severe bout with Chrohn's Disease. He has had several surgeries to try and help, but needs major corrective surgery that will require removal of some intestine/colon. The major problem is that he is too sick for the surgery and the docs are trying to get him well enough to undergo it. They are trying to avoid emergency surgery, but I am afraid that is what it will come to because he isn't improving. Right now my fear is sepsis/blood poison from the bowel leaking. He has a perforate abdominal wall that will not heal and can't even bend over to tie his shoes without rupturing something internally. The doc feels he can fix the problem, IF he can get Robert to the point to where the surgery itself is not "life threatening".

Austin is the other nephew and he is 17 and a senior in HS. Two weeks ago he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
As some of you may remember, that is what my wife, Amy, had back in 2009. We know what he is facing, and while he does have a good perspective over-all, for a 17 year-old, he does have bouts of sudden anxiety at times. He had his life-port put in last week, and begins his chemo treatments this week.
As with Amy, we know this type of cancer is highly treatable, but can also have some serious and lasting side effects. I know Austin will get through this, but is still a tough, long row to hoe for someone of his age to face.

Thanks in advance for your prayers for these two young men.

Chuck & Amy
Title: Re: Request for family members
Post by: ellis4538 on September 27, 2012, 02:23:22 PM
Chuck and Amy,

Prayers will be said for your nephews.

God Bless,

Richard
Title: Re: Request for family members
Post by: Timothy on September 27, 2012, 06:23:02 PM
Done!

Knowing they have family like you and Amy and I'm sure the rest of the clan, should be reassuring even in the most trying times!  Keep the faith!

God Bless them both and give their caregivers the knowledge and skill they need!
Title: Re: Request for family members
Post by: PegLeg45 on October 02, 2012, 04:07:33 PM
Quick update:

Robert is looking at maybe late November for surgery.... unless emergency surgery comes into play.

Austin begins his treatments this Thursday. We went with him for his consult last Friday and they gave some upbeat news. They stages him at a 2A (only because he had one active spot in a chest node which took it beyond stage 1).....so in essence they found his really early. This means he should only need four rounds (at 2 treatments per round) of chemo and some follow-up radiation.
The doctor told him he would still be "going through hell because of the strength of the type of chemo he will get"..... but due to his age, he should tolerate it well.
Title: Re: Request for family members
Post by: Magoo541 on October 02, 2012, 11:54:11 PM
That's good news Peg.  Prayers sent and keep the faith friend.

Bryan
Title: Re: Request for family members
Post by: Jrlobo on October 03, 2012, 08:38:48 AM
Pegleg, add my prayers for your nephews. But for the grace of God go I.
Title: Re: Request for family members
Post by: PegLeg45 on October 04, 2012, 04:10:57 PM
Thanks, guys.
Title: Re: Request for family members
Post by: tt11758 on October 05, 2012, 11:22:44 AM
As you know, you have but to ask.  Prayers are going up.
Title: Re: Request for family members
Post by: MikeBjerum on October 05, 2012, 02:22:27 PM
Here for you Chuck and Amy!
Title: Re: Request for family members
Post by: PegLeg45 on January 31, 2013, 07:49:01 PM
Update and more prayers needed:

Austin finished his chemo two weeks ago and had the standard follow-up PET Scan. He got the results today and it showed the cancer had not been knocked out......so, two more months of chemo.

After seeing how they set up and calculate dosages (when my wife went through it with the same type), I think they probably under-dosed him because of his age and the early stages/early detection. It is toxic stuff and they try not to overdo it. I expect they will hit him with a 'hotter' dose this time.



Title: Re: Request for family members
Post by: ellis4538 on February 01, 2013, 05:41:06 AM
Prayers continue.

God Bless,

Richard
Title: Re: Request for family members
Post by: twyacht on February 01, 2013, 06:18:54 PM
Continued prayers Peg.

Make sure he starts eating LOTS of fresh spinach. Like every day. My wife and I were like Popeye when she went through chemo. Her blood count stayed in the normal range, and see if Marinol can be prescribed.

It is a cannabinoid (synthesized THC), that keeps the appetite up (munchies), and was very beneficial to my wife at the time.

http://www.drugs.com/pro/marinol.html

Title: Re: Request for family members
Post by: PegLeg45 on February 02, 2013, 12:42:16 PM
Thanks, guys.

TW, I will pass the info on.
Title: Re: Request for family members
Post by: santahog on February 04, 2013, 01:01:13 AM
Done, and thanks for the opportunity..
Cancer just plain sucks..
Title: Re: Request for family members
Post by: Rastus on February 04, 2013, 05:41:24 AM
I just saw this.  What can I say but yes to crying out.
Title: Re: Request for family members
Post by: cookie62 on February 04, 2013, 08:52:52 AM
Cancer just plain sucks..


Ain't that the truth!!
Title: Re: Request for family members
Post by: PegLeg45 on May 01, 2013, 10:40:26 AM
Just got word from our nephew Austin, who had to undergo a second series of chemo for Hodgkins Lymphoma. He finished treatments last month and had to wait until last week for a PET Scan....... They got the news this morning that the second set of treatments was successful and there is no sign of the cancer. He may have to take some radiation (like my wife did) as a precaution, but he won't know that until Friday.


Our other nephew Robert, mentioned in the OP, had surgery on the 15th of April and had some sections of colon and intestine removed. He went home last Thursday and continues to recover. The doctor was able to resection "good tissue" and Robert did not have to have a colostomy bag, and on top of that is back to eating regular food for the first time on nearly four years.


Now, hopefully, our oldest son will not need chemo and can get on with healing also.


Title: Re: Request for family members
Post by: Solus on May 01, 2013, 11:48:21 AM
Things are heading in the right direction for all of them  :D :D

But it just always seems like moving along on a very narrow ledge...

Title: Re: Request for family members
Post by: ellis4538 on May 01, 2013, 07:22:40 PM
Continued prayers for full and speedy recoveries!

God Bless,

Richard and Norma