Looking Back on This Day in 2010

January 20th will always be a significant day in EZ's Multiple Myeloma history. You can read all about it in my post from 2014 by going to the link here.

I couldn't let this day slip by without reminiscing. January 20, 2010 was when we first met EZ's local oncologist, Dr. Alan Kritz, and began this journey of life with Multiple Myeloma. We hardly knew what was about to hit us then, and it feels good to be six years down the road and looking forward to the future with great hope and expectation. We are so blessed to live in an area where two hospitals do stem cell transplants (Duke and University of North Carolina), and where there are many excellent myeloma specialists available to treat patients. We are thankful NOT to be in an oncologist's office today, but rather at home in front of the fireplace, waiting for some snow flurries to begin falling.

Lucy, our newly adopted English Springer Spaniel

As I think back to a time of deep uncertainty with EZ's cancer diagnosis, job/insurance loss, a 31 day hospitalization, huge financial concerns, radiation, chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, and a scary future, I am reminded that none of this came as a surprise to God. He holds our future in His hands, and He helped us get through each and every day with His strength, not our own. We hardly knew how to put one foot in front of the other, but He loved us. He helped us. People prayed for us. Friends and family supported us. Doctors cared for us. We are grateful. 

EZ's Mr. Clean look

We don't know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future. We will continue to be educated about all things MM. We will be involved in our Triangle Multiple Myeloma Support Group. We will give to wonderful organizations such as the IMF, MMRF, and LLS, in the hope that research and advances in treatment might continue to improve and prolong the lives of patients. We will pray for a cure. We will live life with hope, and treasure every day. We will try to show love and support to others who are fighting the good fight with MM. We will do this together, hand-in-hand, one step at a time.

Bacardi Beach, Samana Dominican Republic

Please leave a comment if there is any way we can encourage, or be of help to you today.

Bedtime Bible Stories

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up..." Deuteronomy 6:5-7

Bedtime bible story (from one of our favorites, Read~Aloud Bible Stories by Ella K. Lindvall) with our daughter, Tara, her husband Jamie, and their four children.

Thankful Thursday: My Dad's Testimony

This past Sunday was a very special day in the life of our church and family.  It was Baptist Men's Day, and for this year's service, my Dad was asked to share his testimony. I was so proud of him as I listened to him share about the difficulties that he has experienced over the last two years, but also about the joyous contentment that he has in Christ. I was brought to tears as I watched my father share from his heart, not only about his fears but also about his faith.  I'm so thankful for the spiritual and godly legacy I have in my Daddy.

In addition, my heart was filled to overflowing when Nathan and Natalie wanted to stay in "big church" (instead of going to Children's Church) so that they could "hear Grandpa talk about Jesus."  As I watched them listen to him speak, I couldn't help but think of the verse in Deuteronomy 4:9, when God is talking to His people: "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that YOU DO NOT FORGET the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. TEACH THEM TO YOUR CHILDREN and to THEIR CHILDREN AFTER THEM" (emphasis mine)."  

I have watched my Daddy closely over the last two years, and I have seen him on good days and bad.  He has never once complained, and has been an encourager to all those around him. He has clung to Christ and found his joy in Him, despite health, financial, and emotional difficulties. And on Sunday, he taught his children and their children; spiritual heritage if there ever was one. May you be blessed by his testimony as much as I was:

And just in case you are not able to watch all three parts (about 20 minutes total), here is an almost-complete transcript:

"Good Morning. It is a JOY for me to be here with you this morning.  I love to see all of your smiling faces.   I see a few visitors that have come to support me this morning.   Thank you for coming. I would like to start with a word of prayer. Let’s go to the Lord: 

 Father, I thank you for this beautiful day.  Thank you for this time when we can gather to worship you.  I would ask that you would help me share the many blessings that you have provided me and that everything that I say and do be honoring to you.   I ask this in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.  

When Jamie asked me to share my testimony, I asked him how long I would be speaking.   He said that it is Baptist Men’s Day and I could go as long as I wanted, but there was an evening service that did start at 7:00pm.  You don’t need to worry, I am just hoping my feet, legs and back hold out for 20 minutes…so you are safe. 

 If you have your Bible, please turn with me to Philippians 4, verse 11.  This has become one of my favorite verses as I have lived my life with cancer these past two years. This is from Paul’s letter to the church in Phillipi.   He was in prison at the time of this writing:
 11 “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
13I can do everything through him who gives me strength." 

Seven years ago, I spoke up in the sanctuary on Baptist Men's Day.  On that day I shared the importance of being an encouragement to those around you.
 Seven years ago, this was the scenario: 

·      I was CEO of a small software company at RTP
·      I had one daughter, Tara,  married to a preacher
·      My other daughter, Leah, and my son, Nick, were in college
·      This building was just in the planning stages
·      Jamie and Tara did not have any kids.   Zero 

Anyone Remember?  A lot has changed in seven years! 

Two years ago, my world was turned upside down. In late 2009, I was having back problems…..lower back pain that the doctors and chiropractors all said it was a degenerative disk disease, a common condition that comes on as we age..... I was not improving, so my orthopedic doctor recommended an MRI,…..which I had on January 4^th, 2010. 

I remember Linda and I being in the orthopedic doctors office here in Wake Forest, on a Tuesday morning when we first heard the words “PRIMARY TUMOR, ABNORMAL CELLS and BONEMARROW CHANGES”, The doctor also used some other unfamiliar terms:   Lymphoma, Leukemia, Myeloma….he did not know exactly what it was, so he scheduled a biopsy a week later. 

By the time we left his office, we were pretty certain that I had some sort of cancer. Two days after this appointment, and having shared my condition with my employer, my job was terminated and I was told my services were not longer needed. 

Cancer, such an terrifying word……by a show of hands, how many here have cancer or have had someone in their family diagnosed with some form of cancer?……Each of you know how it can change your life in an instant. 

Overnight I had gone from an executive in a small company with a stable income and  a ‘normal’ life to someone who was unemployed and in for the fight of my life with cancer……Linda and I knew a bit about cancer….we had lost Linda’s dad only seven months before and knew first hand all the trials and tribulations cancer treatment. I remember Linda and I returning home and making a list of all the things we were going to have to address: 

·      How do we tell our kids and family?
·      Could I ever work again,
·      Could we stay in our home?
·      Could we afford insurance?
·      What was the outlook for my cancer
·      What about the future? 

Linda and I began earnestly asking the Lord to guide us, to help us, and to let us be an example to others of how to handle a situation when life throws you a curveball. Needless to say, the Lord had already been working on our behalf.   As we awaited the biopsy results, our own Cindy Coats, a lymphoma survivor,  was talking to Linda one night and said “If you ever need a hemotolgy oncologist, you have to call Dr. Kritz”.  When the biopsy revealed a tumor called a plasma cytoma, my doctor asked if I had an oncolgist. I looked at Linda with a blank stare and she cooly said “We’d love it to be Dr. Kritz”.
The very next afternoon, we were sitting in Dr. Kritz’s examination room.  He is recognized as a leading oncologist, and one of the top 100 doctors in America. It is hard to get on his calendar….but the Lord had miraculously opened up a window for us.  Dr. Kritz spent over 2 hours with us that afternoon, immediately doing a bone marrow biopsy, and ordering bloodwork, long bone x-rays, urinalsys, vaccines and radiation for my tumor.   

So, on January 29^th, 2010, exactly two years ago today, the test results were back and Dr. Kritz told me that I have Multiple Myeloma. MULTIPLE MYELOMA. Multiple Myeloma is a blood cancer that affects 20,000 people in the US each year.  The bone marrow ends up making abnormal plasma cells that multiply out of control causing lesions or tumors that destroy the bones.  Unfortunately, at this time, it is not curable but treatable. 
In my case the Myeloma had already destroyed the lower 70% of my sacrum.   The sacrum is that bone on the lower part of your spine that connects the backbones to the pelvis.   The top portion of the sacrum is the load bearing bone that transfers the weight of your upper body to your legs.   

The lower part, the part in my case that was destroyed, is the part that shields all the nerves of the lower half of your body from any upward or twisting pressure…..like when you bend or sit.

In short, I can’t sit or bend.  Many of you have seen me laying down or walking there in the back ….it’s because I can’t sit up here with you…..believe me, I would much rather be sitting up here with you than laying down and looking at the back of your heads!
By the time March of 2010 rolled around, I had already had a dozen or so radiation treatments, had a infusion port installed, was on chemotherapy and daily pain medicine.  The pain in my lower back and legs was increasing. On March 29^th, the siatic nerve pain was so intense in my back and legs that I could not get out of bed.  Linda called 911 and the Stony Hill Fire Department transported me to Rex hospital. 

For the next 26 days, I was unable to get out of the hospital bed.  I had daily radiation and chemo treatments as  the doctors tried eveything from morphine to snail toxin to relieve the pain.   Nothing worked. A friend commented then that perhaps the Lord had put me on my back so all I could do is look up to Him……so true. The doctors were out of solutions….however, Linda and I learned of the many people that were praying for me….believers in North and South Carolina, Tennesee,  Georgia, Florida and even in Africa.   This church body and others were also praying for me. 

And the Lord answered those prayers.   On the 27^th day, a young physical therapist helped me out of bed.  I was up, learning to walk again and I came home on the 31^st day.
An additional difficulty with walking is the nerve damage done by the chemo drugs.  This nerve damage, called neuropathy, usually affects the feet and hands.  In my case, the drug damaged the nerves so that both feet are completely numb with severe tingling and false pains, making walking difficult. 

This church body has stood with me and my family constantly over the last two years.    I cannot say thank you enough.  Your prayers are felt every single day as I work to recover.
The Lord has continued to sustain me through this trial:·      He was working on my behalf before I even knew we had cancer.

• He was with me everyday in Rex hospital…granting his comfort and peace
• He was with me every trip to the cancer center for radiation and chemo
•  He raised up Christian friends to host a fund raiser for me in July 2010 that allowed us to stay in our home
• He was with us for my Stem Cell Transplant in August 2010 at Duke.
• He was with us in March of last year when I had a pin placed in my upper femur to strenghten the area where the myeloma had eaten a 1 inch hole through the bone.
• He provided a loving and dedicated caregiver in my wife that has been with me every step of the way. 

He continues to bless me as the medicines are working for me, my cancer is for now complete response, and with his help may I stay there.  I want to continue getting stronger so that I can again serve this church.   I miss teaching Sunday School, being on committees, serving as a deacon and helping with Awana. 

On this journey, Linda and I have met many others, some walking with Christ and some hopelessly lost without Him.   We have hopefully been an encouragement to them and a witness of how to run this race with Christ by our side.   I can’t  imagine battling cancer without Christ…… 

So when you see me with a smile, or you see me “looking good today”, it is because as the verse says:  I am content. I am content that the Lord he has equipped me with whatever I need to walk in this world.  He has raised up many friends and family that continue to pray for me and to be there when I need something.  I am content whatever the circumstances because it is the Lord who gives me strength to carry on, to count my blessings and to serve Him in any way I can. I am not content because I have cancer, I’m content with Christ. Let us pray: Lord help us be content.   Help us to be aware of the many many blessings that you bestow on us.   Thank you for the safety you provide, the substanence you provide and the many brothers and sisters in Christ that walk with us.   Lord, give us your strength to walk the good walk and fight the good fight in order to glorify you and be an example and encouragement for others in need.  In your Holy name, Amen."

I love you, Daddy! Thank you for exhibiting contentment in Christ, despite all circumstances. I am so very proud of you.

Two Years Post Diagnosis

On January 29th, 2010, I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. On January 29th, 2012, I stood before the congregation of my home church and testified to God's faithfulness in my life. What a privilege it was to share, from my heart, what the past two years have meant to me.

My brothers and sisters at Stony Hill Baptist Church faithfully prayed for me when I was hospitalized for a month, endured chemo and radiation treatments, had my stem cell transplant, and recovered from my hip pinning surgery. I have been blessed beyond measure by their compassion, kindness, sacrificial acts of service, and prayers. I love the people of this church and was humbled and honored to stand before them on that beautiful Sunday morning.

Two years ago my world was turned upside down in a matter of days, and I went from being an executive in a small company with a stable income and a "normal" life, to someone who was unemployed and in for the fight of my life with a blood cancer. However, with the love and support of my family, my friends, my doctors, and my church, I have gotten through some really rough times and been blessed in more ways than I can count. My prayer is that God would use me to glorify Him and encourage others who are in need. I cannot imagine cancer without Christ.

For me these verses summarize what I have learned on my journey thus far:

I'm not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives my strength.  Philippians 4:11-13

To be 'content' means to be satisfied. I am content that the Lord has supplied all that I need. I am content that whatever my circumstances, it is the Lord who gives me strength to carry on, walking the good walk and fighting the good fight. I am content...not with cancer, but with Christ.

Answered Prayers

I was looking back to when our blog began on 1/29/10 with a post by Tara called "Prayers for My Dad". Ernie had begun radiation, he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, I was no longer working and he had lost his job, we were scared of losing our home, and our whole world as we knew it felt like it was falling apart.

Tara quoted Psalm 91:14-15 Because he loves me, says the LORD, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him, with long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation. What a wonderful scripture to cling to in times like these and God has, as always, proven himself to be faithful and true.

Tara asked for prayer for Ernie and our family, that his treatment would be effective and that God's glory and power would be revealed in our lives. We will not know if his transplant was effective in erradicating his cancer for another 3-6 months, but we sure are hopeful that it has, and we pray that our walk has truly revealed God's power at work in us. He has gone above and beyond in caring for us and answering the prayers of so many who have lifted us up. Here is a partial list (I could go on and on and on, but you may have other things to do!)

1. We prayed for Ernie's tolerance for radiation and chemo and praise God he did really well with his treatments!

2. We look back on that terrifying Sunday in March when the nerve pain down both legs was so bad he could no longer bear weight and walk, and we had to call 911 and have him admitted to the hospital. After 26 bedridden days in the hospital, pneumonia, and many failed medical attempts to relieve the pain, we all prayed for God's help. A young PT thought outside the box, helped Ernie to stand, and the shooting pain down the legs was gone!

3. We look back on the prayers of many that we might be able to find a way to stay in our home, even if we had to sell many other possessions to do it. God opened doors we never expected and we are still in our home.

4. We wondered how we would ever afford Ernie's medical expenses. Then there was Standing in the Gap for Ernie Baker, and the generosity of so many provided funds beyond our wildest dreams.

5. With unemployment running out, we prayed that Ernie would get approved for disability. Seven months later, without the aid of an attorney, he was approved!

6. We look back on the prayers that Ernie would be a candidate for bone marrow transplant, and they were answered...he qualified!

7. We prayed that I would not get sick so that I could be Ernie's caregiver. I've remained healthy and well!

8. We prayed for the whole transplant process to go smoothly without complications such as severe vomiting or diarrhea, infection or mouthsores. Ernie's side effects were very minimal and he had no infections or mouth sores and his numbers continued to rise.

9. We prayed that I would be able to get Ernie to the Clinic every day from the apartment and that his mobility would remain strong. Those prayers were completely answered.

10. We prayed we would be able to go home in 2-3 weeks after transplant. We went home on Day of Transplant +16!

Today we have a follow up appointment with our home oncologist, Dr. Kritz. We fully expect more answered prayer for good bloodwork showing a red blood, white blood, and platelet count that continues to rise.

Ernie is now able to walk with only a cane and is having to take much less pain medication. His ability to sit and bend is improving, little by little. He has never fallen or had a fracture with his disease, which is a rarity.

All of these things point to a God who loves us, cares for us, strengthens us in times of trial, and ANSWERS PRAYER! Thank you for being faithful to pray. Please continue to lift Ernie up and to God be all the glory!