Wow – what a week! Last weekend, my husband and I took our kids to Iowa to spend the week with Grandma and Grandpa. When we arrived home, I collapsed into bed only to be jarred awake a few minutes later by the phone ringing. It was one of my sisters and she told me I needed to get to the Emergency Room ASAP… our brother was not doing well and things weren’t looking good.
I arrived at the ER to discover my brother in a horrible state. He was hallucinating, dehydrated, extremely weak and his chest sounded like a fish tank gurgling along. His oxygen level was very low and he was in tremendous pain. To make matters worse, he was nauseous from the chemo he had earlier in the week and he couldn’t throw up because the tumor was blocking his esophagus. He also had pneumonia in both lungs, but couldn’t clear his chest because of the tumor blocking his esophagus. Can you imagine how horrible that would feel?
I watched helplessly as my sister-in-law dealt with the “do not resuscitate” orders… nurses came in and out just trying to keep him comfortable. It was one year to the day that my friend Ann lost her battle with cancer. I was cursing cancer and hating what this disease had done so quickly to my brother.
I ended up staying the night with him at the hospital. I had to leave for a short business trip to Chicago the next morning and as I gave him a hug and kiss goodbye, I honestly was fearful that this would be the last time I saw him alive.
Our friends here at home and those of you who heard the news online committed to praying relentlessly for him, his doctors and his family. I’m excited to tell you that those prayers have worked…my brother has taken an unbelievable turn for the better, thanks to your prayers and the innovation of a great doctor who has apparently gone through something similar with his own family recently.
It was discovered that the tumor had punctured a hole in my brothers trachea and esophagus causing everything from his feeding tube and other fluids to leak out into his lungs and body cavity. The doctor decided to perform surgery to put a stint in his esophagus and it worked! He came out of surgery and is now able to eat, drink, cough, breathe again. After seeing him on Sunday and then visiting him again today, I can’t believe the improvement in just these few short days.
His prognosis is still the same… he’s not going to be with us all that much longer, but we are thankful that we have awhile longer to have him in our life.
So, today’s happiness project is a long story but boils down to one thing. I’m thankful to have my brother alive. Actually, make that two things… I’m thankful for your prayers as well. I’ve received so many kind emails, phone calls, tweets, facebook messages from all of you. Thank you so much for keeping our family in your thoughts. It is so appreciated.
Oh, Kristen, my heart goes out to you, your brother, your whole family…. He and y’all are in my prayers. If there’s anything I can do, let me know. Love you!
Kristen,
I’m so thankful your brother made such a wonderful improvement! Praise the Lord! We’ve been praying hard for you all and will most certainly keep them going!
Love and hugs!
Kristen,
You guys are in my thoughts. I am so glad he is doing better. Sending many hugs to you!!
I’m so glad they were able to do something to relieve his suffering and give him the chance to spend every minute he can with his loved ones. Sending my love to you and your family, you are in my thoughts. -xo
Kristen,
still praying for y’all and so thankful you get more time with your brother.
It really does become about the little joys doesn’t it when you are walking with cancer? I hate that disease, too (and I don’t use the ‘h’ word very often).
Hugs and prayers to you and your family.
I’m so glad to hear of the improvement. I will continue to pray for you, your brother, and family and friends!
Such wonderful news!! I hate Cancer in the worst possible way! I’m so sorry that your brother doesn’t have long, but I”m so glad his days are better!! Love and hugs. and prayers to you and your family 🙂
Praying for your family tonight. I’m thankful with you that you still have him.
That’s such wonderful news. We’re so thankful too and beyond happy.
sending our love to you and your family.
diane and todd
Hi Kristen,
I’m so glad that the doctors were able to do something to help you brother feel a bit “better”.
I know it might be a bit too late but I think it is important to understand that behind most of our illnesses there are stressful situations, conflicts, etc.
I think healthy nutrition is very important to prevent cancer, also to go through a live blood analysis but if your mentality is not right, if you live a stressful life, healthy nutrition is not enough. I don’t know if you heard about the German New Medicine? This “method” offers a completely new understanding of what we call “diseases”. By understanding the system’s 5 biological laws (that Dr. Hamer discovered), we liberate ourselves from panic and fear that often come with the onset of an illness. It is really a gift to humanity. Here you can find some information about it: http://www.germannewmedicine.ca/. It might help you to understand what was the reason that caused your brother cancer. It also helps you to avoid illnesses/diseases in the future.
Sending love to you and your family,
Zita
Fantastic news. Your family has been in my thoughts and prayers.
So thankful for the answered prayers!! Yea! for more time. Hugs to all of you!! Here’s to many more good moments together…
Love ya, D.
This gave me chills. I am so amazed that you have found the light in this situation and so glad your wonderful family gets a bit more time with your brother. Thinking and praying for you guys.
Glad to hear this news Kristen and happy that you have a little more time with your brother.
Sending love to you and your family
Pleased to hear the news, Kristen. The relief you are all feeling must be wonderful. I will keep him in my prayers.
Kristen, I’m so happy to hear this! I’ll keep your brother, and you (and your family) in my prayers.
So happy your brother is doing better. You are all in our thoughts and prayers! Hugs!
Kristen – You’ve got a good attitude in the midst of all this sadness and that will help you get through – and will help your family too. Of course we are praying for your brother and family. Stay strong.
Such fantastic news Kristen!! I just can’t imagine what he was going thru!!
Keeping you all in my prayers!- Stay strong!
Dear Kristen,
I am so glad to hear that the dr.’s were able to ease your brother’s suffering and give him more quality time with all of you. I am so very sorry that you all have to go through this and I am keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs to you!!
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family! I hope you get to spend some good quality time with your brother, and your family. Thank you for sharing your story!
oh Kristen. I’m so, so terribly sorry. I somehow missed this until now, but please know that you, your family and your brother are in my prayers. Sending you all the love in the world.
So glad to hear! I’ll keep sending prayers and enjoy the time you have.
Continuing to pray for you and your family, Kristen. It sounds like Larry has some excellent doctors there. You are such a strong person. Thank you so much for sharing.
While I’m sorry to hear his prognosis hasn’t improved, it is very good news that he has recovered from this latest scare. My heart goes out to you and your family right now. I know you will enjoy every moment you have with him.
Oh my friend… I just want to hug ya. Blessings and prayers and tons of love as you continue to journey through this… cherishing the blooms along the way <3
Thank God that the surgery was successful and he is more comfortable now!! *big hugs*
Cancer sucks!! I’ll be praying for you and your family to have quality time together.
Still praying for you and your family!
This was great news, Kristen. My best and most heartful wishes for your brother and you and the rest of your family.
Kristen,
I am so sorry your family has to go through all of this. Prayers for your
brother and the whole family.
I enjoyed getting to see your family at Grandma’s this week. Sweet little kids!!!
Love, Mona
I’m sorry to hear about your brother, I hope he’s feeling well.I know the pain of losing love ones because of cancer; my mother and two aunts , one just pass away this month. Stay strong and be there for him. My prayers go out to you and your family.
Thanks for sharing. I am so thankful they were able to make him more comfortable and give you more time with your brother. Thoughts and prayers are with you all!! God Bless!
There are no words for such a miracle! Hugs to you and your family, Kristen. Your brother is still in my thoughts, as are you and your family.
Fondly, Les
I just read this out to my mum and properly choked up whilst reciting it, I dont know what came over me! Such a horrible situation, cancer has devastated this family too more times than i wish to recall. I will be adding another prayer to the long list that im sure God is being bombarded with on behalf of your brother 🙂 I am so happy for you that his condition improved so dramatically and you got some more precious time, my thoughts are with you and all your family
I’m so happy for y’all! What a relief to have a doctor that has such insight too.
God is in this Kristen . . . (((hugs)))
Phenomenal news. God is GOOD!
You and your family are continually in my prayers. I am praying for strength, comfort, peace and perseverance!
Amazing, Kristen. Thanks to God. So glad to read this update. Thanks for sharing!
What amazing news – what an insightful and resourceful doctor he has! I’m glad your brother’s got more time with you and you with him, and that that time will be a little more bearable for him now.
I can’t even imagine what you’ve been going through but know that I have been thinking about you and your family.
I am happy the doctor was able give you more time with your brother. I am sure you have lots of people in your life to talk to but if you ever need to vent or talk let me know. I took care of my Dad for 8 months while he had cancer. He wanted to be at home through it so I was lucky to be able to give him that wish. Cancer is such a hard thing for everyone, we all are touched by it at some point. I am always hear to lend an ear if you need it. You and your family are in my thoughts daily.
I’m so happy to hear he is getting some relief. Keeping you all close at heart.
What a wonderful Happiness Report! So glad to hear that things turned around. Continued prayers for your brother and more of these Happiness Reports!
So happy to hear that, at least for now, they were able to give him some relief and comfort. Thank you for these updates. My heart goes out to you and your family. Cancer sucks. ((hugs))