Scan Day

Well tomorrow is "scan" day! Troy is scheduled for his PET CT scan tomorrow (no not a CT scan for the dog). He had to eat a high protein, low to no carbs today and was not allowed to exert himself at all which is not easy for him. In addition, he isn't allowed to eat after midnight (poor guy, he is going to be hungry since he won't be able to eat until tomorrow after his scan which is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.) He has been a bit nervous, as have I, but I feel that it is going to come out clean. I am guessing that we won't know the results of it until Monday when we go in for Troy's seventh chemo treatment so I'll have to post an update early next week. Please keep your prayers coming!

Christmas, New Years and Junk Food!

Happy New Year! We are praying for a healthier 2009 for the Turner family! We are all impatiently awaiting Troy's PET CT scan which is scheduled for Thursday, January 8th @ 12:3o pm. Troy is feeling extremely nervous about this scan (I am a little as well but am really optimistic, God has brought us this far and I just feel deep down that it is going to be a clean scan). Troy is coming to the end of his second week which is always the worst out of the three by far. Again with the mouth sores and the boils that pop up on him. Another set of antibiotics to keep his infection at bay. And so this is how it goes for Troy!! Only two more treatments though. I can hardly believe it myself, TWO?! He is sooooo looking forward to ending his treatments as am I! Hang in there baby!!!

I had some great news just before Christmas as well. As many of you may (or may not) know, I was diagnosed with a rare form of cervical cancer back in 00 and had a cone biopsy to remove a portion of my cervix. I was so very lucky and did not have to undergo any sort of additional treatment. I had been doing great ever since until a couple of months ago when I started to experience a bit of bleeding. Well, I went in right away and a biopsy was done which came back benign! We were all very relieved at this news! We were pretty worried but are now feeling much better. Thank God!

We are all feeling the effects of the plethora of food made available to us over the Christmas break. We have way too much junk food around here for sure! I do really well myself most of the time until the stinking peanut butter M&M's enter my house! Extremely tasty little buggers. I'm telling them to keep out from now on though!!!! We are working towards getting in a bit better shape (it may be slow coming but we'll keep at it). Exercise does every body good!

We have had the most wonderful Christmas and New Years celebrations! We were so very blessed this year as God continues to work through those around us! Tears fill my eyes each time I think about the generosity of so many people, family, friends and strangers who bless us each day! Thank you for a wonderful and memorable Christmas season! Here's to a blessed and healthy 09 for all!!!!!

Whew Round 6 is done

What a day! We had a fun drive into McKayDee Hospital on Monday morning as we drove there on a bit of an icerink but we finally made it. We arrived there just shortly after 9:30 am. The receptionist said that she had already had about 6 people call to cancel their appointments for that day due to the snow, so it really wasn't as busy there as most Mondays. We met with Dr. Hansen and he said that, on physical examination, Troy looks great! What wonderful news! He said that he wanted to schedule another PET CT scan for a couple of weeks after this treatment to check if the cancer is in remission. This will take place on Thursday, January 8th. We are both very excited and a bit nervous but are looking forward to seeing the results. So far, Troy is doing fairly well (although the first week isn't generally the bad one). He's a bit sore and tired but all in all is doing really well. We are both so very grateful for the advances in medicine. Thank you to everyone who contines to pray and help us during this difficult time in our lives. May God bless and keep you!

Tomorrow is Cocktail Day

Well tomorrow is round 6. Neither of us are very excited that this has to take place during the week of Christmas but we are both so very thankful that these treatments are doing their job! What is sad is how much more common cancer has become over the years and how many people have been affected by this tragic disease. This Christmas, and always, I pray for all who have been touched by cancer. May their lives be filled with the love and joy of Christ!

I will give you all an update on Troy within the week. Until then, have a blessed Christmas!

Praise be to God!

This is an amazing video that potrays how incredible Jesus truly is!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiexiAVLX_c&feature=related

Thanks to all who have reached out to us....

'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' ~Matthew 25: 35-40

Just Thinking

I am overwhelmed with the kindness of so many people. Family, friends and strangers alike have reached out with their hearts and hands to help us during this difficult time in our lives. We are so very blessed! As we go through this Christmas season, we are constantly reminded of God's many graces and gifts to each of us. I know that Troy, myself and our girls will remember this Christmas with great love and fondness for all who have (and continue to) help us celebrate the birth of our Savior. There are honestly no words in our language (or I'm sure any other for that matter) to describe how thankful we are for each and every one of you!!! We both hope and pray that all are filled with the peace and love of Christ this Christmas season. There honestly is no greater joy than to look for Jesus in every experience of our lives. May the many memories you make with family and friends this Christmas fill your hearts with great joy and anticipation!

God bless!

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” ~ Matthew 11:28-30

Fifth Treatment Update

Treatments continue to be difficult for Troy. He awoke this morning with a mouth full of sores, exhausted as he hasn't been sleeping all that well and achy! Not a fun experience for him at all. It is difficult to watch him suffer when the only words I can offer him are "I'm so sorry". I will say this though, through all the trials and sufferings we have, and continue to see so many blessings and meet many wonderful people! A HUGE THANK YOU to all of you who continue to support and pray for Troy and the rest of our family! We have so much to be thankful for this Christmas and thank God each day for the many people in our lives!

God Bless!

Fifth Treatment

Once again we made it through another treatment. Troy received his fifth treatment on Monday 12/1 and things went really well. We were overjoyed after Dr. Hansen examined Troy and said that he could no longer feel any lymph nodes, ANY!!! This is incredible news! We are so very thankful that the chemotherapy is working! It continues to be rough on Troy as he has many side effects from both the chemo and the Neulasta shot but he is amazing in spite of all he must endure! No matter how run down he is or how crappy he is feeling, we can always get a smile from him! Here he is in the infusion room on Monday!

Isn't he handsome?

Although this is a very challenging experience for all of us, we are still blessed in so many ways! We met a gentleman on Monday who was recently diagnosed with colon cancer and was receiving his first treatment that day and had just had his port placed that morning as well. While we talked with this roughlooking man, the beauty of his spirit opened and we couldn't help but notice how much he reminded both of us of Troy's sweet father Les (God rest his soul). This man was 50 years of age, a workaholic employed out at Kennecott, and a bulldozer operator. Although the many years of labor were etched within the lines on his face, he had such a kind and loving personality. We talked for many hours with this man. He shared with us that he wasn't sure what to expect that day so he came completely unprepared (when receiving chemo, one has nothing to do but stare out into the room unless you come prepared with movies, card games, books, etc). When he left for the day, he and his sweet wife thanked us so much for our conversation. He told us that he doesn't know what he would've done had we not been there to talk with him. What a blessing it is to meet such wonderful people who have also had their lives touched by this horrible disease. Our prayers go out to he and his family!

Another Update

It seems that each treatment gets a little bit harder on Troy. He is finally dealing with severe mouth sores, weakness, fatigue and soreness and just can't seem to get past this cough he has. He gave me a bit of a scare this past Saturday when he became very dehydrated. We were having our pictures taken at St. Olaf for our church directory when he became very weak and pale and started shivering to the point he couldn't get warm. I quickly took him home and he jumped in a very warm bath and I started giving him good old Gatorade and he came out of it. Thank God!

On another happier note, we went to Tonya's house for dinner on Sunday, November 16th and were pleased to see all of her kids there as well. Troy's hair was starting to grow back in a tiny bit however; due to the continued chemotherapy, it was growing back very patchy. He asked his sister Tiffiny to bring her hair trimmers so she could just shave it off. After he was finished, Kolton needed his hair cut as well and asked if he could get his hair cut like unkle Troy's so, he had his head shaved as well. Next was Kurtis who had his head shaved and finally, unkle Tim! Kevin had his head shaved the week before. Needless to say, it brough tears to our eyes to see Tonya's family filled with such love for Troy that they would shave their heads for him. Below is the end result:

What a handsome group of men!!

Fourth Treatment Update

It seems that each treatment has a slightly different effect on Troy. Unfortunately he has been feeling nauseated, weak and achy the past couple of days and he stayed home from work again today. It is so hard watching him go through all of this and being limited on what I can do to help him. I have a feeling this is going to be a very long winter. I pray that he is able to avoid all other illness and be cured of this wicked cancer.

A HUGE thank you to everyone who prays for him each day and who help us with our daily needs. You are angels sent from God!

Fourth Treatment

Well, Troy has finallly made it to the half way mark on his treatments! Yay, we're in the home stretch now!!!!



Yesterday was his fourth treatment and it went fairly well. It was another long day at McKayDee Hospital watching the meds drip but he made it through without any reactions or major issues. So far, he experienced some minor nausea last night and has had a bit of a headache but, he is doing well besides.