It's been a long and grueling week!
Sunday- Bryan did not have the strength for church. We were very encouraged by the amount of bile draining in the new tubing, until the blood returned.
Monday- The bleeding continued and obviously his hematocrit and hemoglobin were falling due to his shortness of breath and increasing fatigue. Also, the edema increased rapidly in his abdominal cavity.
Tuesday- Chemo day! The increased fluid in his body makes walking and general balance virtually impossible. As a result, he fell going out the front door when he reached his walker over the threshold beyond his ability to step. Through valiant efforts of my sons, we got him into the wheelchair and into the car. The scales indicated Bryan was carrying 30lbs of fluid! No wonder it was so difficult; with a dry weight of 108lbs, his muscle atrophy cannot support 139lbs. The blood work indicated he was a quart low so Dr. Chen determined he should have a couple units of blood instead of chemo. Arrangements were made to transfuse at Valley Medical, a new hospital for Bryan! He was transported to Valley by ambulance, because he passed out while at the chemo center. It was a long night! Due to the excess fluid, the blood had to be transfused very slowly to prevent congestive heart failure. We arrived home around 3:00am.
Wednesday- We all slept -- except those who remained home Tuesday. The best news of this day, Sarah is now a licensed driver. This will help in many ways. Thank you to all those who helped her achieve this goal.
Thursday- Bryan stayed in bed all day. The fluid continues to increase and with it the weakness and inability to move his own body. Jonathan and I have become quite a team providing the care Bryan needs. I find God's ways unfathomable at times and yet I know "His lovingkindness is everlasting." (Psalm 136)
Friday- whew, we made it to today! You see, the doctors have determined they have done all they can do until his bilirubin level comes down. The bili can come down if the drain works and it can work only if it is not clotted with blood. The blood flows from the tumors in the liver which respond to the chemo that can only be infused with a lower bilirubin level. It is a vicious circle that only the mercy of God can break. Thus, we continue to pray for that miracle knowing that it can come here or on the other side of Glory! Bryan has asked that we don't call hospice, yet. He is still determined to overcome this disease. He is still fighting a very tough battle! We fight alongside--meeting all his needs to the best of our ability.
From Streams in the Desert:
God takes the most eminent and choicest of His servants for the choicest and most eminent afflictions. They who have received most grace from God are able to bear most afflictions from God. Affliction does not hit the saint by chance, but by direction. God does not draw His bow at a venture. Every one of His arrows goes upon a special errand and touches no breast but his against whom it is sent. It is not only the grace, but the glory of a believer when he can stand and take affliction quietly. --Joseph Caryl
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8 comments:
I'm praying!
It's always good to see an update so at least we know how to pray for you all and help carry your burdens in prayer.
With much love and prayers.
We are too! And what a blessing that Sarah is driving now! I'm sure that will help you out so much!
I have been praying and will continue to pray for each Pollock family member! I have been watching daily for an update and have had a heavy heart this week as I imagine all that is going on in your home ... I am so grateful that God is near and His grace is sufficient!!
Your sister in Him,
Terri
Dear Pollock family,
We are praying here and have passed it on to others here to please pray too. We use the "Statement of Faith" that you so beautifully did Bryan, for the Heritage conference in Redmond for our conference in SR so many feel as they know and love you. Our hearts ache for you but know our Savior loves you dearly.
Jeannie
Do you know how amazing you are? How strong and beautiful your love for one another is? Oh my God, I know of no greater beauty then godly love. Such a priceless gift you are—let us all pray, beseeching God, while you stand with such brilliant light in this dark world- SHOWNING us how: how to walk out our faith with true enduring grace, endless dignity and selfless love. What an unspeakable privilege has been given us through you, an opportunity to peek through your window and into the intimacies of your family life – to learn, be taught how this is done, to SEE our God, in real time, reflecting through your tired consistent hope-filled actions, Oh how I plead that our strong and powerful God would grant you remission, while your servant-hood, your continual submission to His will grows and grows. Let us love and honor are God, let us draw strength from his commands, “…in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” I have over come the world! See what it is to honor God in all things, to bear and share each other’s burdens,
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens.
Selah
Our God is a God who saves;
from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death. Take heart sister, reast on Him - and may you have an easy day.
Praying from Eugene – Love to you all Mrs. Frees
As always our daily reading encourages us and gives us Hope. May it be an encouragment to you as well. May God be gracious to Bryan as he was to Hezekiah to grant him 15 more years of life. We continue to plead His Glory and Grace upon you as you have so often displayed it in abundance.
~Brenda
I will give You thanks with all my heart;
I will sing praises to You before the gods.
I will bow down toward Your holy temple
And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name.
On the day I called, You answered me;
You made me bold with strength in my soul.
All the kings of the earth will give thanks to You, O LORD,
When they have heard the words of Your mouth.
And they will sing of the ways of the LORD,
For great is the glory of the LORD.
For though the LORD is exalted,
Yet He regards the lowly,
But the haughty He knows from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me. The LORD will accomplish what concerns me;
Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
~Psalm 138
You continue to stay in my prayers. Your quote from Streams in the Desert is one that I have copied and hung up on my wall at least a year ago. No one prays that God will bring affliction and trials, but it is only through them that we can truly discover God's amazing strength to help us not only to overcome the trials, but to be victorious through them.
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