Update #10

Dear family and friends,

It's the day before Christmas and we're still in the hospital! There hasn't been a post in a while because things haven't changed a whole lot. Or rather we had hoped they would have changed more but they haven't. A week and a half ago Rob had a chest tube put in so that his lungs could drain properly as he had a buildup of fluid in his right lung. Since then he has drained approximately 9 liters of fluid.  Ah!! This drain is constantly open but it seems to 'dump' sporadically large amounts (700 mLs) every other day or so while draining slowly at other times. Last Monday a larger 'dump' occurred which his body definitely reacted to. His lung is partially collapsed due to the fluid so when the fluid drains his body has to take the shock of his lung re-expanding. His heart rate went up and his oxygen saturation went down which took pretty much all week to recover from. He went from being on a high rate on a oxygen mask all week to finally no oxygen at all on Sunday! This was a huge relief  for all of us. Of course though this slowed down physio the whole week, which kept us from attaining the tentative goal of being home by Christmas. Chemo also was put on hold for a bit, hoping to get Robs health more stabilized. Things are still up in the air to a certain extent though because his chest tube is still draining regularly and the doctors aren't totally sure as to why the fluid keeps building up. The likely theory that we've been told is that the lymph nodes which drain this fluid are obstructed due to the cancer.
  Dr. Wong met with Rob this morning and apologized for being vague because he couldn't tell us a whole lot. His wish is to get chemo started again as soon as possible so that also by that the lung drainage issue might be solved. Robs chest tube is a slight concern to him as a possible area for infection so somehow between him and the lung doctors they have to figure out the best possible plan. We will meet with Dr. Wong again on Thursday to set some action in motion hopefully. Please pray for wisdom of the doctors and our peace of minds as we look ahead to the next round of chemo.
  This is as you know a time of year when you least want to be in hospital, but we realize that this too is in God's hands. He has brought us this far and will continue to be near. We have so many things to be thankful for;  and with His faithfulness and love towards us being at the top of the list, how can we complain about spending these next couple of days in hospital. That doesn't mean it isn't tough, we of course miss the usual festivities of gatherings with family and friends but are very grateful that our families live close by so we can still enjoy some parties here at St. B.
  We would both like to thank you all for your continued support and prayers. It all means so much to us. We wish you all a blessed Christmas and joyous holiday season. All year round we celebrate the birth of our Savior and salvation that God has brought to us through His Son, yet there is something so special about this time of year. Truly the riches of the gospel are something to hold close in this Christmas season.


For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
 Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9: 6-7