Tuesday, March 22, 2011

First day at OU Cancer Institute

(If you have checked in here to sign in for the prayer challenge please check the post below this one)
Today I (Amy) was able to go down to Oklahoma City to join Billy and Kristi at her first day at the OU Cancer Institute.  Overall we are thanking God because it is very apparent He held Kristi in each and every encounter of her day. As Katy stated in a previous post - a picture is worth a thousand words! So I thought I would update you with pictures of her day. They are not top quality as I took them with my phone - forgot the real camera!
Kristi started her day off by arriving at 5:30 and being taken back to the outpatient center by 7:00am to get her ovaries removed and the 10 catheter needles put in place.  The doctor felt like every thing looked really good and that there was no scar tissue or obstructions in the way of the interstitial brachy radiation from working
posed and ready for her surgical procedures
After these procedures were completed Kristi was then taken in for a CT scan to make sure all the needles were in the correct place.... this took much longer than anticipated - we are not sure why but the doctors both did great at calling Billy and keeping us up to speed. Therefore we sat in the waiting room and Kristi hung out in Recovery or on the CT Scan table!  By 12:45 we were able to join her in her room.
Here is Kristi in her corner room! We praised God for the Window!! 
We were able to be with Kristi for about an hour before Billy and I were ushered out of her room while the physicist and Doctor came in to insert the radiation seeds into her catheter needles. This was where we had to give hugs and say goodbye because when we returned we would only be allowed to stand in the door way. During our time with her she was very alert and said her pain levels were at a 4 on a scale from 1 to 10. The doctor said her pain levels should only get better from here on out. 
Radiation seeds are now in place and killing the cancer cells! These partitions were rolled in as protective  walls that contained lead to keep the radiation from seeping out of the room.








When we returned the nurse, Anna, and George the radiation technician were taking measurements of how much radiation was being released into the air from different points within Kristi's room as well as at the door.
Such an odd thing! At this point it was quite surreal to think they had to monitor these levels and note the amounts on the door yet Kristi is going to lay in there with it for 47 hours (recently told this would be 49 so praising God for 2 less hours in quarantine).
I know you can't read this well but it notes the radiation levels at different points of interest plus states the rules that visitors can only stand in the door way for 15 minutes per day and that the nurse can only be in the room for 15 minutes per day.
Other signs hung on her door along with a sheet of paper that explains interstitial  brachy radiation
Here will be Billy's perch for visiting. Fortunately the bed really is not too far from the door. Once again praising God for 15 minute daily visits.
We were able to pray in her room while we had just a few minutes without nurses, doctors or technicians. Scripture says we can approach His throne with boldness - and we boldly asked for healing, for God's presence to be real and alive, for peace of mind and for Gods glory to shine through.  I thank each and everyone of you who wrote such heartfelt prayers, verses and words of encouragement on the previous blog. Thank you for sharing an hour in your next few days to pray for her. In reading your comments they brought such delight to my heart and I know they will for her too. She is able to have access to her blog while in her "private" room so please continue to post as you feel led. What a blessing to look at a time and Know someone is praying on your behalf. Amazing!! I love that though we may be separated we are still ONE in the Name of Jesus and can Call out to Him on her behalf.

As you pray , please add to your prayers, that her pain medicine is working. They hooked Kristi up to pain meds through an epidural and a morphine drip. Not long after Billy and I left she did send a text saying she wasn't sure the epidural was working because she was having pain in her lower back on the right side. It is critical that they manage her pain. They did say she was at her worst and the pain levels would get less the longer she's in there which is encouraging - If the pain medications are effective! Also pray against long term side effects of being exposed to the radiation.
Thank you for joining us in prayer
Philippians 4:4-9 
 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

7 comments:

  1. Kristi- Heya chica!! I'm wrapping you, your wacky needles, boarded up room, and your beautiful family in my prayers-I haven't let you go for a second since I first "met" you:) I put on FB that a certain *honorary* Cancer Posse chica is busting out some major radiation quarantine style and saying "In your face, cancer!!"

    You are amazing and beautiful (I'll refrain from the "you have a special glow about you" jokes as only a fellow cancer survivor can LOL). Never doubt for a moment that God is not completely ingrained in every single second of this journey and is with you always. It is really fun to freak out the radiation techs when you start talking out loud to God:)

    Can't wait til you can join the Cancer Posse for brunch so we can all laugh, cry, and kick cancer's butt together! We are with you every step of the way!! Sweet dreams:)

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  2. Amy, I am so happy that you went and was able to be there with Billy while he waited and also see our sweet sister when given the opportunity. That was the best decision! Thanks for going!

    Kristi, I love you to pieces. I can't wait for you to come home and I can just wrap my arms around you.

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  3. I hope this works and you are in my prayers and thoughts often... So sorry that this has to be such a trial, so hard as a mommy, but be selfish as needed to heal and be around for a very long time. Kids are so resilient and with your faith they will be fine and have so more to offer the world as kids that have been thru the dreaded cancer. It will help form them as the people they are going to be and I believe it will be nothing but a positive influence in their lives... always thinking of you and praying.. Melanie Mckee

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  4. Think of it - the Lord is ready to heal me! I will sing his praises with instruments every day of my life in the Temple of the Lord.
    Isaiah 39:20

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  5. Precious Heavenly Father,

    I thank you today for your love and Your provision of everything we need at just the time we need it. Today I thank You that You will continue to "be on time" to meet each and every need Kristi has while she is quarantined. Thank You that she is not alone because You are sheltering her in Your Almighty Presence.

    You hung the stars in space, and You call each one of them by name. The universe and our very tiny, tiny place in it functions perfectly because You spoke it into existence. Your wonder and majesty are beyond our comprehension.

    Today, I praise you for the healing Kristi has already received through the treatment she has received so far. There is no more mass! Thank you for your faithfulness! And I ask for you to continue the healing with her current treatment. It is a small thing for you to heal her so we confidently place her in Your loving hands knowing that You will accomplish Your perfect plan in her life. God we ask for complete healing, but more than that, we ask that You use this experience to further Your kingdom and bring honor and glory to Your Holy Name.

    You have promised to take care of Your children so I am trusting You to meet each and every need that Billy and Kristi have through this experience. And even more, I ask you to protect their precious children from anxious thoughts. Surround them with Your presence and use this experience to draw them closer to You.

    I pray all of this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

    Good night, sweet Kristi Dawn. I love you, Mindy.

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  6. Thank you all so much! It is very encouraging to read your comments and know that along with Jesus and I, there are multiple people asking God to provide for the needs of my family as well as full healing!

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  7. Kristi,

    I was up for most of last night with my 3 year old as he was coughing and having a tough time sleeping. So as I rocked him, I took those hours to continue to pray for you and your family. We continue to intercede for you today and maybe throughout tonight, too! It was a blessing to see your smile. Praying for God's presence to be your strength.

    "To you I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens!
    Behold as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till He has mercy on us."
    Psalm 123:1-2

    Love, Brian Hyde

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