It is a new experience for Nancy and I to wake up in a hospital cancer ward on Sunday morning.  Nancy says, “I’m very thankful for God’s care for me and for the wonderful people who have been praying for me.”  “If I had one wish this morning it would be to be at church with all of you.”  However, we are still here.  Fortunately, she has no cancer as mentioned in earlier updates.  Yesterday the doctor was pleased with her progress and almost released her because she looked so good and digestion issues were almost resolved.  Family joined us to celebrate her birthday in our exclusive high rise room (10^th floor).   Before being released she must be able to handle pain with oral drugs only. Maybe today.  Pray about this.  Treatment is also now starting.  She is still easily tired so if you want to visit please call me (pastor) on cell first to see if she is up to it.  Thanks again for your powerful prayers.  2Co 4:16  “For this cause we do not faint; but though our outward man perishes, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.”

 

Join us for a special Southern Gospel Quartet from Port Townsend with previous DBC people who will join our own musicians for a special night of musical worship. No SALT groups tonight. Wear your Hawaiian shirt and bring a favorite Hawaiian snack to share on our new patio complete with Tiki Torches.

We continue to be thankful Nancy does not have cancer even though we are still in the cancer ward as mentioned in earlier updates.  Testing clearly shows sarcoidosis to be the problem which also affects her arm numbness, arm pain and arm weakness related to minor neck/spine issues.  Intense stomach pain and distention is still an issue due to the narcotics she is on for pain.  This is a common and the doctor is working on it.   Treatment for sarcoidosis will start Saturday.  We can go home when her digestion works properly and we they can control pain orally.  Please pray for these two challenges they are working on.  We would like to be home Saturday which is her birthday. 

 

We are thankful the Army extended Ezra and Elijah’s leave until Tuesday to see out the diagnosis.  Miraculously, our family doctor happened to call us at the right time so we could request a fax from him to the Army to verify Nancy’s condition.  This happened only minutes before they were to leave for their flight.  

 

We have had opportunities to witness to a number of hospital people about God’s grace in our lives. Continue to pray for us.   Currently only immediate family can visit her.  

 

Pray for Nancy that the total diagnostic process would be fully complete by the weekend. See earlier updates for the history.  Only a few minor things remain.  She still has a weakened right arm but apparently caused by the sarcoidosis. Doctors just reported that the MRI of the neck revealed no problems.  We pray the biopsy will continue to show no cancer.  Once that is complete we will begin to work on treatment very soon.  Until then they are managing her intense pain.  Visitors are restricted to immediate family only for now.   We are so thankful for everyone’s prayer, gifts and concern and for God’s mercy to us which we do not deserve.  We truly have a great God and church family.   As always you can check with me by email or check back at our website for the most recent update. 

 

Pray for Nancy Suko who had a great night of rest for the first time in weeks on Tuesday night due to pain control.   We also had “GOOD NEWS” today.  Nancy does not have cancer!   She has Sarcoidosis which most often attacks the lymph system and involves inflammation that produces tiny lumps of cells (like sugar grains) in organs.  These can grow and clump making many large and small groups of lumps. If they form in an organs, they can affect them.   Many people have it and don’t know it.  There is treatment for it.  In some cases it simply goes away.   Read more at  http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/sarc/sar_whatis.html.   Nancy is rejoicing at Saint Joseph’s hospital in room 10B7.  Pain is under control and our doctor will see us in the morning to discuss treatment.

 

 

Check previous updates for the history at www.discoverybaptist.org.   Nancy is resting better at Saint Joseph’s Hospital under pain control.  Just minutes ago (9:45 a.m.) she had an endoscopy procedure to get a biopsy of the lymph nodes or glands that they anticipate may have cancer.   Her air ways all looked good and the procedure went well.  The nodes are just below where the bronchial tubes branch into two.  She is resting beside me in recovery and will go up to her room before noon.   Some time on Wednesday we will hear the report on the biopsy.  Keep us in prayer.

Check previous updates for Nancy’s problem.  Sunday evening Nancy’s pain level went up so I called our doctor who wanted her admitted.  We went through the ordeal of going to ER, getting evaluated and admitted (The way it is done now).  We are at St. Joseph’s Hospital in 8D5.  New X-rays indicated her abdomen is normal even though in pain.  Low sodium in the blood has caused some confusion but is being replaced by IV.  Pain is under control and we expect to talk to doctors about the biopsy for possible lymphoma and why the severe pain.   We are so thankful for our boys who came to the hospital with us last night and helped get her in.  They went home about 1 a.m. and I stayed with her.  They have internet access here which makes it nice for communicating by email.  Keep us in prayer as doctors meet us today.  -Pastor  

Today results of the third scan on Nancy (This time with contrast dye) indicated no unusual tumors or problems in the chest area outside of the enlarged lymph nodes near the lungs already noted.  This may mean that the nodes themselves are the primary site of what may be lymphoma.  The nodes may be pressing on something that causes the severe back pain.  Therefore, the doctor will consult with pulmonary specialists to get a biopsy of the nodes next week and go from there.  With medications we are now able to handle the pain which is good.  We are so thankful for everyone’s prayers and concern.  The most powerful thing you can do is pray as we ‘”wait on the Lord.”   For more information on Nancy’s condition see earlier updates during the past two weeks.   We’ll keep updating you on the website at www.discoverybaptist.org.   Isa. 40:31a  “Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength”

 

 

Thanks for praying for us.  Pain meds have finally allowed Nancy to get free of pain and be able to sleep last night.  Praise God for meds.    Nancy had a third scan today but this time with contrast dye of the chest area.  The doctor believes this will be significant in determining if there is cancer.  They told us that we will have results in 24-48 hours.  They will tell the doctor who then tells us.  So pray as we await a doctor’s call to us on Friday hopefully.  See previous updates for how things progressed.

We got word this morning from our doctor that a CT scan revealed Nancy has some enlarged lymph nodes in her chest. She has been in increasing amounts of pain so they have been checking things. It first looked like muscle/skeletal pain but didn’t respond to treatment well. The doc says it could be cancer but we don’t know for sure. She will have another scan soon and a biopsy. Please keep her in prayer since she is on a large amount of pain killer.

Today also happens to be the second anniversary of Gabe dying in Iraq. Our Army boys surprised us by showing up unexpected last night for dinner. What a blessing. God is good. -Pastor

For months our men have worked hard to complete a high quality handicap ramp, attractive patio meeting area and permanent flag pole location. The ramp will assist folks getting to the Fireside room for Bible studies etc. The patio will be a great meeting area. The flag pole will remind us to pray for our country. It was dedicated earlier to SGT De Roo who died in action in Iraq two years ago this week. Following an air conditioned morning service on Aug. 17^th we will warm up on the patio as we dedicate those things to the Lord and enjoy a coffee fellowship.

Nancy has been doing a little better since our last update on Aug. 13. See it below. Pain meds have minimized muscle spasms and allowed her to get much needed sleep the last two days. She is also able to eat to get needed nutrition. Today a visit to the physical therapist helped isolate the muscle causing the problem. It is still uncertain why it cramps since the degenerated vertebrae are farther down. The good news is that today her pain level seems to have dropped a little also. She'll be in church one way or the other in this heat wave since it is fully air conditioned. Thanks for praying.

Update on Nancy Suko

Many are praying for and asking how my Nancy is doing in the health crisis. We’ll keep the website home page posted in the future as we go along so you can just check there too for further updates at www.discoverybaptist.org. No news is good news.

Nancy has been experiencing intense pain in the back and sometimes abdomen for the past 3.5 weeks. It has reached child birth labor levels causing a lack of sleep (for both of us), exhaustion, weakness, no appetite and a loss of ten pounds. We have made six visits to three doctors and had a number of tests and a CT Scan this week.

Today the doctor went over the scan and said it showed no life threatening problems or cancer. The organs appear to be functioning normally. Only a small gall stone and a cyst on the liver were found and were of no concern.

The one thing the scan did show was a “very advanced” bilateral degeneration of the vertebrae (L4-L5) which is likely from age. This appears to be the likely cause of the problem she is experiencing as far as he can see. Grating of the vertebrae may be cause of the intense pain which snowballs causing pain to radiate around the walls of the abdomen and appear like labor pain.

The treatment is so continue the pain meds more faithfully to prevent snowballing. We will also begin physical therapy. If these do not care of it we could also do cortisone shots. If all else fails there is the option of surgery and fusion of the vertebrae.

We are reminded that even in Job’s personal loss, physical pain and sorrow he continued to worship God and said, “…Blessed be the name of the LORD." Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God. Job 1:21b-22. Intense physical pain causes us to understand the pain many have been through and appreciate our many blessings. Job’s example has always been a great encouragement. Who could have lost more yet still praised God. This attitude is our goal.

We are so thankful for your prayer for us and concern. The Lord is sustaining us and we are thankful for you. Nancy is often groggy from pain meds at this point but does see your emails. Thanks again for your care and concern.

Pastor Mark