A couple of updates from last week’s post:
We got the results of Sarah’s CT scan and the tumor has shrunk a little!
And the other good news is that unless something changes, she does not need treatment for the foreseeable future; she also won’t need to have another CT scan until next January.
Sarah said she and Gage were walking into the oncologist’s office fully prepared for her to be put on a medication for the tumor with all of its accompanying side effects. To leave the office with a 6-month hiatus from Duke trips was incredible news for them.
Gage mentioned to Steve and me that several months ago, he and Sarah were fully convinced that their first year of marriage was going to be filled with difficulties: frequent trips to Duke, scans every month, oral meds, possibly chemo. He said, “I feel like we got our first year of marriage back!”
Those are beautiful words to say, beautiful words to hear, beautiful words to live.
We also have good news about Summer.
When I wrote last week’s post, we were sure that we were within hours/days of having to put her to sleep. But now she seems to have turned a corner.
The hardest part of last week was not just getting her to eat but also knowing that any food intake would be followed by vomiting and diarrhea. The food wasn’t staying in her long enough to provide nutrition and she was so hungry and miserable.
Since she had stopped eating her usual dog food, I had been feeding her safe-for-dogs people foods which she was scarfing down; however, the vet said that was only an option for 2-3 days. She gave us some canned food specifically for dogs with digestive problems and said, “If she won’t eat this, she will have to be hospitalized for 3 days for IV meds, nutrition, etc. And there’s still no guarantee she will get better.”
And so, when Summer ignored the food on the first day, my heart sank. But on the second day, she stuck her nose in the dish and scarfed the food up like she was a Hoover. And now six days later, she is eating like a champ, rarely vomits, and has gotten some light back in her eyes.
Unfortunately, the (expensive) food she is Hoovering up is still speedily making its way through her digestive system which means that Steve and I have launched into new careers as doggie poop cleaners. Even after a week of meds and a specialized diet, she is obviously still having some challenges so I will give her vet another call today.
In the meantime, Steve made up a spreadsheet for her meds because it’s all a little complicated. (We’ll be adding another med tomorrow.)
But it’s worth it to see our sweet gal resting well and feeling a little better. She says to tell you thank you for all your sweet comments last week.
Gage had an accident on his job last Tuesday.
Here is an excerpt from an email he wrote to our church family that explains things a little further.
In case you haven’t already heard, I broke my finger at work while operating a power drill. Normally I would heal just fine from a break like this, but upon having my X-rays reviewed by a hand specialist we discovered the situation to be far worse than expected. It’s a spiral fracture/di-punch fracture with a dislocation to boot.
The specialist said that in his twenty years of practice, he’s never seen a fracture this severe. If left untreated, the finger would fuse straight and become useless leaving the best course of action (hold the Dad jokes) to be actual amputation of the finger. Prayers would be appreciated as I go into surgery Tuesday afternoon to put the many small little bones back together.
Recovery could take a long while. Even a perfect surgery does not promise a perfect recovery. My job as an A/V Tech is also in a very vulnerable spot considering I do a lot of manual labor which requires the use of two functioning hands. Thank you again for all your love and support!
Gage has been such a rock to Sarah throughout the past four months of her medical challenges and hospitalizations. And now, over the past couple of days, I’ve seen her capably and compassionately switch roles and offer her strength to Gage during this tough season. Each new challenge they face just draws them closer together.
Many of you may recognize the name Ruth Rehberg from various posts, and also from the comments area. She is my younger sister who lives in rural Wisconsin and whose house and surroundings have given me many happy hours of photography.
Her doctors have found a mass on one of her ovaries and both ovaries will be removed today. The biopsy isn’t back yet on whether the mass is cancer.
I just wanted to send a shout-out to her today and remind her of how much she is loved. Ruth, we are praying for you!
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What about you?
What joys and challenges do your days hold?
Goodness, love the good news, not so much the bad. Many prayers for you all and so thankful for Sarah’s good news! I hope and pray Summer will be ok soon. We just got a mini. Yorkie puppy this week and I have no idea how we are going to pad train her… so far, she is not taking to it well. I am in the ranks of poopy cleaner too..ugh. My hubby fell off of a roof he had put a metal roof on.. this was back in August. He hit his heel over a cement stoop and shattered it. He broke four bones from his left knee down to the shattered heel. He had surgery to rebuild his heel out of metal and pins put through, with one having to be taken out due to it being in between joints in his foot. He couldn’t walk for five whole months but could get around in the house with a knee scooter. He had major back surgery in 2019 with metal cages being put around his spine. We were so afraid he had messed that up but everything in that area was still in tact. He does have sciatica bad now and we are waiting for our insurance to agree for him to get a pain stimulator. He has a lot of pain daily with that whole left side from the hip down. So that is our story for the past year. I am a nine year breast cancer Survivor and my latest mammogram was all clear. Woohoo… God is good. He is taking care of me so I can continue to take care of others. He is my strength daily. Any suggestions on the pad training for Jilly Bean would be appreciated.. God bless you and your family and you will all be in my prayers daily.
Kaye,
I can only imagine how cute your mini Yorkie puppy is! Sorry, I have no advice for you; Summer was trained when we got her as a 5-year old.
Your husband has certainly been through the wringer of medical challenges. That’s a LOT to go through! So thankful his back surgery was not undone by the fall. Hopefully, the pain stimulator will come through and be able to give him some relief.
Thankful for your clean mammogram. Rejoicing with you!
Wonderful news regarding Sarah’s tumor- so glad to hear she and Gage have a respite from Duke visits. So sorry to hear about Gage’s accident- praying for a good recovery.
The wedding pictures are just gorgeous! I love the one of Gage seeing his bride for the first time.
Praying for Ruth and Summer as well.
Heather,
I love the “first look” photo, as well. Such a big moment!
We are definitely thrilled that there won’t be any more Duke trips for a while. As much as we love that hospital, we are perfectly fine with not going there. 🙂
Hooray!! Sarah’s tumor has shrunk and no Duke visits for 6 months! That’s really wonderful news!! Sorry to hear about Gage’s accident and that he will have to have surgery to fix the finger though. I hope he recovers quickly and completely. Sweet Summer…..glad she is feeling somewhat better. That’s an impressive med list for such a little thing. By now Ruth has had her surgery. Praying it went well and that the mass is identified and for a complete recovery. Prayers for peace and patience for the rest of you as you wait.
I just love looking at all of the wedding pics and the one of Steve and Vernie is really good! I still can’t pick a favorite as they are all so great. The whole setting for the bridal pictures is just spectacular and Sarah and Gage must feel so fortunate to have gotten to use that space. Such beautiful and unique pictures unlike any I have ever seen before!
LeeAnne,
Gage did well with his surgery; now it’s just a matter of 5-6 weeks to heal up.
I love the photo of Steve and Vernie, too. So much love there. We were definitely blessed to be able to use that yard for the photos. It was like a little corner of Eden.
Praying for Gage’s surgery, that it will go well and will heal quickly (he knows the Great Physician). So happy to hear about Sarah’s tumor shrinkage and that she won’t have to go back for another 6 months. Summer, you cute thing, keep doing better. Some more great pictures. Because of their attire, really like the black and white ones. And prayer for your sister Ruth. My difficulty for tomorrow will be to go see my sister who is in the stages of Alzheimer’s. She knows me, but a couple weeks ago I was her mother and told me that mom was there with her. I find I can’t stay too long – for one thing she says things I have no idea what she is talking about, but it is hard to see her like this when I remember how she was a year ago. So thankful she knows the Lord.
Sharyn,
I’m sorry that your sister is dealing with Alzheimer’s. It is definitely difficult when they don’t know who you are; I remember when my grandma didn’t know that I was her granddaughter. Sisters are so very special; seeing your sister in this state must be so very difficult. Hugs.
What wonderful news that Sarah’s tumor has shrunk some! praise God. Also, good to hear that Summer is doing a bit better and holding her own.
So sorry that Gage really did a number on his finger. Prayers as he goes into surgery tomorrow. Also, prayers for your sister Ruth as she undergoes surgery. j
I love seeing a bit more of the wedding pictures each week. It was sooo beautiful. What a wonderful picture of the dads with their mom’s. Precious to have.
Wendy,
It’s been fun to share the wedding photos bit by bit. So much joy and love wrapped up in them. I also loved the photos of the dads and their moms. Without them, that wedding would have been nonexistent so they are definitely VIPS.
Thanks for your prayers over all the situations in our family recently.
So glad to hear the good news about Sarah’s scan. Prayers for Gage’s surgery and job concerns, Summer’s issues and Ruth’s results.
This is a busy week for me. I was supposed to have a haircut today but my stylist texted me last week and needed to change it to tomorrow. After fostering two little girls since January of 2018, they finalized their adoption today. I was happy to change the appointment. The youngest was just days under 3 months when they got her and the oldest had just turned 3 the preceding October. This was her parents first grandchildren so they are celebrating today for sure.
I have dinner with an old boss Wednesday night, dinner with three friends from church Thursday night, rehearsal dinner and my birthday Friday and my niece’s wedding Saturday late afternoon. In between all that, I need to start looking at places for my parents to potentially move. At almost 95 and 90, I need to have something lined up for them. They have been lucky to stay in their house this long.
Phyllis,
Sounds like you are going to be having some good food and good conversations in the next few days. You’re blessed with a life rich in relationships.
Best of luck in finding a place for your parents to move. That is a big job, for usre.
Happy to hear your updates on Sarah’s CT Scan and Summer! Will join your prayers for your sister and Sage’s broken finger. 😢.
Your plate has definitely been filled with sweet and sour lately. Praying your coming seasons will have more sweet.
Your wedding photos continue to wow us. Stunning. Unique. So them. 👰 🤵♂️
Thanks for another glimpse of your journey. 💕
Cheryl,
Sweet and sour. I like it on chicken. Not so much on life! 🙂 But that’s a great way to put it.
So glad to hear Sarah’s good news!! I will keep Gage, Ruth and Summer in my prayers. Love the photoshopped English setting photo of you & Sarah and the photo of Meagan & Sarah. Meagan is truly my hero, so impressed with her generous spirit!
Mom turns 91 years old on July 23rd. I plan to visit her next week in Eastern NC, medical appointment, house cleaning, grocery shopping, house repair projects. Your prayers would be most appreciated.
Blessings to all,
Gloria
Your mother shares a birthday with me.
Gloria,
Sounds like your mother is blessed with a wonderful daughter. I hope you have a very special time together next week. And happy birthday to her!
How wonderful for Sarah to get good news on her scans!!! But I’m so sorry to hear about Gage’s finger. Prayers for his surgery and healing. Continued prayers for sweet Summer – I’m happy she is eating better. Hopefully she will begin digesting it better and absorbing all the nutrients (and no more messes). Prayers for your sister, Ruth and all her family & medical team. Thank you for sharing more of the wonderful wedding photos – they are all amazing!
As for joys, my husband and I leave Wednesday for our first solo vacation since 2001 (except for a quick 2-day trip to check on his parents in May). Prayers appreciated as I have to make a decision this evening about a possible job position change (same dept. different duties). I’m pretty sure I want the position, but we’re making sure there would not be a pay cut involved.
I hope you and Steve have a great, safe, stress-free week!
Sue Ellen,
I am so excited that you and your husband are taking off on a solo vacation. Hooray for you BOTH!
Making a job change is always a little stressful because you’re trading the known for the unknown–even in the same department. Prayers for wisdom; I know you’ll make the right choice. It will be nice to have it decided before you go out of town.
I did take the new position – and because it involves a lot more computer work I was able to use previous experience to add to my years on this job resulting in a small raise instead of a pay cut! We got home from our trip last night and it was wonderful spending time just the two of us, no set itinerary, just deciding what sounded good.
Sue Ellen,
Thanks for the update on your job; hooray for your pay going UP and not DOWN! I hope you really enjoy the new position.
Your vacation sounds exactly like something I would love to do. Just wander without any great plan. So happy you enjoyed it.
Yay for good news for Sarah and Summer!
Prayers going up for Gage and your sister!
Life never stops…there are (as I frequently say) blessings amidst the burdens. Praying that the blessings far outweigh the burdens for you ALL!
I also meant to add that the pictures are beautiful! I just love them all!
Thanks–Suzanne! We are thrilled to have such lovely photos of that memorable day.
Suzanne,
Blessings admidst the burdens. What a great thought–I am so thankful for that!
Beautiful photos and beautiful news of a respite for Sarah! I’m terribly sorry for Gage. I can certainly feel for him, as I broke my left ring finger back in March, and healing continues to be challenging. I pray for Gage’s complete and speedy recovery. As well, I pray for good news from your sister’s surgery. My own sister is my rock, so I can only imagine the pins and needles you all must be on. Praying for you all!
Cheryl,
Yes, you don’t realize how important your fingers are till one of them is not working. I’m sorry to hear your healing has been a challenge.
Aren’t sisters great? Thanks for your prayers for Ruth.
I’m thrilled to hear the tumor has shrunk and equally sad to hear of Gage’s challenge. Prayers up for Gage and Ruth. I bet the prednisone is spurring Summer to eat voraciously! It certainly does that to me!
Biggest challenge recently concerned my 11-year-old grandson (lives with me) who managed to tweak his back after sleeping outside on the ground with a pal and then taking a fall at a friend’s picnic using a straight-arm landing bringing on a week in a half-splint with a bum buttock….good news after that week was nothing broken or seriously injured in either place! Now he’s visiting his Mom for 4 weeks in another state and I am praying nothing goes wrong there!
Guerrina,
Even though your grandson’s situation is not at all funny, I did have to laugh at the “bum buttock” line. So sorry he (and you) have had to go through all that, one thing after another. Young men seem to fall headlong into adventures that aren’t always kind to their bodies.
I know this isn’t for everyone, but when my sister’s dog got elderly they ordered some doggie diapers. They have a little hole for the tail and you can get washable ones.
Prayers to the surgical recipients. ❤️
Ellen,
I have heard of those a long time ago; thanks for the reminder. We may very well need to go that direction until her digestion settles down. It’s not great fun to walk into the kitchen every morning and spend the first 10 minutes cleaning up!
Such good news that the tumor has shrunk some and treatment is postponed. I understand Gage’s comment. Within the first six months of my marriage my husband started chemo, my dad was diagnosed with multiple brain tumors, my husband spent 10 days in the hospital with chemo induced pnemonia and my father passed. I pray for a successful surgery for Gage and that they can move on with their happy marriage.
Patti,
That was certainly a memorable first 6 months of marriage! Marriage itself takes such adjustment; to add all those other challenges to the mix would be incredibly difficult. That’s a lot for a new bride to carry on her shoulders.
I hope year two was a WHOLE lot better.
One thing after another in this life it seems….
In this world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world… We have the everlasting word of comfort.
I have had the Lord’s perfect peace and rest this week and today. I know you and the family there will too as you deal with Summer and Gage.
He gives his angels charge over us to keep us in all our ways. Amen.
Ruth
Ruth,
So glad to hear from Arnold that you are back home and resting.
Glad for God’s peace and rest and the care of your family. Love you!
cheers for Sarah and Summer (who looks so precious napping in her doggy bed).
tears and prayers for Ruth and Gage.
Mrs. Pam,
Summer is definitely a cute napping dog. Thanks for the compassion and prayers for the ones dear to us.
Wow! You packed a lot into this post! Fantastic news about Sarah! Temporarily good news about Summer! Not-so-good news about Gage’s finger, and Not-good news about Ruth. I’ve already said a prayer for her and will continue to do so.
Of the photos, I loved the one of Steve and Vernie. Your grandkids of course. Nathan and Meghan have such photogenic children! Your photoshopping is amazing! You took a really good photo and turned it into a wonder! And finally, I love all the pictures where I’m sure Gage is a man not believing his good fortune. So sweet.
So happy to hear that Sarah’s tumor has shrunk and that Summer is better.
I sure hope Gage’s surgery goes well and that his finger heals quickly and that he gets back full function of his finger.
Sarah and Gage sure have had a lot to endure but they know who to go to for peace and comfort. They make such a good team and take such wonderful care of each other.
I love all the pictures.
Prayers and love to all of you.
Joy,
Yes, Sarah and Gage have learned a lot about being a team these past few months. Not an easy start to marriage but their support of each other is such a great foundation to build on.
Thanks so much for the prayers!
I haven’t posted in a couple weeks. But I’ve been reading and rejoicing and sobbing. Lol
The wedding pictures are some of the prettiest I have ever seen. And believe me I have seen and been to a lot of weddings in my day. Richard has performed beautiful weddings for 40 years.
The song you wrote for the dads to sing. Oh my. Amazing.
Yay for the scan results! And praying for Gage and his surgery. Bless his heart. He’s got more joy in him that anyone I have ever seen! And I haven’t even really seen him. Lol
Also thankful Summer is on the upswing.
Prayers for Ruth as well.
Hope you are having some down time this summer.
I’m having some back issues and a tooth issue. Ugh. Always something. Have a great week!
Buff
Buff,
Back issues and a tooth issue all at the same time? Not so fun. Hope they both speedily get taken care of.
Thanks for your comments about the wedding photos. It wasn’t a fancy and expensive wedding, but there truly was so much beauty all around.
Isn’t it great to be married to a man who has been doing weddings for 40 years? Same with Steve and me. Such a privilage.
Oh my goodness…so much good news and bad news in one post! Praise for Sarah’s tumor shrinking and for your Summer feeling better! What a weight off of Sarah’s and Gage’s shoulders not to have to worry for at least 6 more months. And I’m so glad Summer is feeling better! You are great doggie parents to take such good care of her and to be so understanding when she has accidents. I’ve got one super senior and two senior dogs so I know how hard it is to see them struggle. I hope for many more good weeks/months/years for your Summer.
I sure hope Gage’s surgery goes perfectly and your sister’s as well. Praying for complete and smooth recoveries for both of them and for peace and patience for the rest of you!
Gayle,
I’ve never heard the phrase “super senior” before. I love it! That’s what I’ll call myself when I turn ninety.
Thanks for the kind words and the prayers.