Delphine and Bryan Coupland ~ Our Family Journey

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Dear Ones,

We don’t have any dramatic news after Del’s chemo yesterday, but maybe that’s good. We asked the Lord to oversee every detail and it seems like He did. The morning started out with an hour-long appointment with Del’s oncologist (Dr D). As always, she was very gracious and available to answer all our questions. Here are some of her comments:

· She was adding the chemo agent Carboplatin to the Taxol that Del took in the last cycle.

· They took a blood sample before the appointment, and it showed that Del’s blood values were excellent.

· Dr. D said that she is not opposed to Del trying various ‘over the counter’ remedies for treating her neuropathy. [Some oncologists don’t like you to take any supplements when you are on chemo.]

· She suggested that Del take ‘magnesium’ daily to help with regularity.

· The cancer marker called CA 125 which is found in the blood, was lower this time which is excellent news.

· Dr D said that they will only consider surgery (total hysterectomy) if after the 9^th chemo treatment, the CT scan shows that the affected lymph nodes are substantially reduced in size.

· Del was urged to drink a lot of water following chemo to wash the chemo out of the kidneys.

Following the doctor’s appointment, Del went right away into the infusion center. The nurses are so caring and kind there, and they almost make it a pleasant experience. The chemo infusion took about four hours and Del slept a good portion of that time. Most likely the days following the chemo will be the same this time as the previous treatments. The three days right after the chemo are usually good ones where Del feels energized and eats well. During the next two days she usually feels tired and even a little nauseated, and then feels gradually better leading up to the next chemo day.

Your prayers are making a tremendous difference in our lives and we can only thank you with our deepest appreciation. We are grateful to our dear heavenly Father for you and your loving concern.

Lovingly,

Bryan, for Del too

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Dear Friends

News update from the Couplands…

It seems like when we go through a serious trial in our lives, the Lord will often give us a verse or verses of Scripture that we can hold onto as our source of strength and hope. Early on, the Lord gave Del and I verses from 2 Chronicles 20 which were so comforting.

~Verse 12 – “For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

~Verse 15 – “Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, FOR THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS BUT GOD’S.”

~Verse 17 – “You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf…”

Our dear wife, mother, grandmother, and now great grandmother, Del, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of uterine cancer. By the time it was accurately diagnosed, it was already stage IV. Del was not in the best physical condition when she had her first chemo on Nov. 9, and the chemo just dragged her down further. Our oncologist, who also treated my lymphoma 2 years ago, admitted her to Allegiance Hospital in Jackson, MI where for four days, she tried to build up Del’s condition with blood transfusions, and numerous IV’s. Since the cancer was beyond the point of being treated effectively, and Del could no longer tolerate the chemo, the only solution was ‘hospice care.’ This was an excruciating choice for the family, but it was beyond human control, and we wanted Del to be comfortable at all cost. As an aside, Del won the hearts of so many of the nurses and aides, and had different opportunities to talk to the medical staff about Jesus. Her oncologist was a dear lady and a believer, and the two of them really bonded.

We had the choice of Del going to Allegiance Hospice House or going home to our apartment and having Home Hospice Care, where they equip your residence with all the equipment you need including a hospital bed. Then a nurse is assigned to you along with a nurse’s aide; the nurse comes by two times a week to check on her condition, adjust her meds, and help with the medical decisions. The aide bathes the patient and meets the other physical needs. And the family loves on Del, provides the meals, and encouragement. I don’t know what we would do without our three kids and their spouses. We have formed a team and the Lord is leading us as our Head. We would appreciate your prayer that God would have His desired outcome and that He would be glorified in all things.

Thank you.