Tomorrow is Thanksgiving yet everyday is a day of thanksgiving for me. After being in bed for 5 days (probably should have been 7 or 8) I am back among the living. Although I am not 100%, I am functioning and have been able to return to work (and I did get my Whataburger). I tried to revive the morning workout routine but I am not there yet. Have had a couple of episodes where I get really faint and dizzy and have to just stay horizontal for about 20 minutes so guess I will continue to keep the heart rate down. (Alma will have to stay fully clothed as she walks through the house-ha)
The main side effect of the medication, other than depleting my immune system, has been increasing the severity of the headaches. Sometimes it feels like I have a ball pin hammer beating on my head which of course just makes life difficult. Nevertheless, we will persevere through this giving thanks for everyday I make it through.
MDA has moved my appointments up to December 9th, which I am happy about. I hated having to wait until end of December to see how this medicine is working.
I have to make mention here of some unsolicited support I have received from some very special people. First, to the board, staff, children, and parents at Mid Valley Christian School for their prayers and extreme acts of kindness. Second to M Jones, K Jones, their children, M McCaleb, M Hesson, C Selman for the skeet shoot held in my behalf. It was unbelievably fun and well organized. There were some EXCELLENT skeet shooters and it was such a blast to watch. Scott came out and shot (first time he ever shot a shotgun---I know, I know--I deprived him as a child--actually, dad just wasn't fun to hang around with when Scott was a teenager) and he did very well. It must be all that hand/eye coordination from video games.
I pray that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Reflect on Life--everyday is a gift from God. Be thankful for it. Reflect on your family--Be thankful for each of them and the time you have to spend with them. Be thankful for your health--in sickness and in health, be thankful for God's healing power. Be thankful for Jesus and His supreme sacrifice, His love, and His grace. Happy Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
FLU!
Well, they said that the medication I was on would weaken my immune system and it did. I woke up Sunday morning with the flu and here it is Tuesday and I am just beginning to be able to get vertical. It has been so long since I have had even a cold and this hit me really hard. Terrible sore throat, a cough that would take the life out of me, and headaches. The flu has made the headaches so much worse. I received the ok to start on zithromax antibiotics and after two doses am starting to feel better. I know I will be on the road to recovery when I am hungry for a Whataburger. As of now, though, I will stick with chicken noodle soup, baked potatoes, and warm liquids. I am not a good patient, but my wonderful "nurse" Alma has been taking great care of me as well as my boys. Pray for God's healing power and that this flu is broken and rid from me....and that I can enjoy a Whataburger real soon.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
AMAZING GRACE
Just wanted to share a link to a beautiful song sung by a fabulous quartet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtrnB4FZ-yc
Be Blessed everyone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtrnB4FZ-yc
Be Blessed everyone.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
SURGERY POSTPONED
I apologize for getting this great news on the blog a day late but I was relaxing for one night and now am in a hotel room in San Antonio, TX. God has indeed heard our prayers and surgery has been delayed and possibly taken off the agenda. Dr. McCutcheon confirmed what the endocronologist has said. I feel it is best to just post the email from Dr McCutcheon which explains things much better.
Dear Mr. Summers,
What we had said during the visit was this: the likelihood was highest that the prolactin would be normal, in which case surgery would be done….BUT, if prolactin was elevated (as yours turned out to be), then we would use the medication as the first line of defense. It is never risk-free to have an operation, and treatment of a prolactin-producing pituitary tumor with medication has a long history of success with little risk attached. True, it doesn't always work, but it usually (90% of the time) does. You are not delaying the inevitable--cabergoline has a high chance of success. Thus, I agree with Dr. Devin that you should cancel the operation for now. I do not know what exact followup schedule she has proposed for you, but it would be typical to repeat the prolactin level after taking the cabergoline for a month or two, to allow for dose adjustment, and to repeat the MRI no later than 6 months after starting treatment. In this way, a decision can be taken as to the success of the cabergoline. It does not prevent or hinder the doing of an operation, should it become evident that the cabergoline is imperfectly effective. However, the drug may save you from having to have an operation, which is a very great benefit. Should there be a partial success, with (say) reduction of the prolactin level but not to normal, and/or partial shrinkage of the tumor, then the concept of surgery can certainly be revisited. A smaller tumor doesn't really make surgery easier, so the reason to take the cabergoline would not be to "prepare" the tumor for an operation, but to try to prevent an operation from being needed.
For all these reasons, I have asked Paula to cancel the surgery--Dr. Devin will take the primary role in managing the medication, but she will send you back to me should there be any reason to reconsider the surgical option.
Best regards,
Ian McCutcheon
As you can read in the email, 90% odds are pretty good and ones which I will gamble on. This has been an emotional roller coaster for my family and I since finding out about this tumor on September 17th. I am so grateful to be on a level ride right now as we go through this treatment via medicine. I am so grateful for the literally thousands of friends and friends of friends who have lifted me up in prayer. Our Great God has heard those prayers. Praise Him! Please continue to pray that the side effects will be minimal and a tremendous reduction in the size of the tumor will be revealed in the mri to be taken January 7, 2009.
I will close with today's devo from Max Lucado who is one of my favorite author and preacher.
My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:2 (NCV)
For many people, life is—well, life is a jungle. Not a jungle of trees and beasts….Our jungles are comprised of the thicker thickets of failing health, broken hearts, and empty wallets….We don’t hear the screeching of birds or the roaring of lions, but we do hear the complaints of neighbors, and the demands of bosses.
Whether you are a lamb lost on a craggy ledge or a city slicker alone in a deep jungle, everything changes when your rescuer appears.
Your loneliness diminishes, because you have fellowship. Your despair decreases, because you have vision. Your confusion begins to lift, because you have direction.
You haven’t left the jungle. The trees still eclipse the sky, and the thorns still cut the skin….It hasn’t changed, but you have. You have changed because you have hope. And you have hope because you have met someone who can lead you out.
Amen and thank you God for showing us the way and leading us out.
Dear Mr. Summers,
What we had said during the visit was this: the likelihood was highest that the prolactin would be normal, in which case surgery would be done….BUT, if prolactin was elevated (as yours turned out to be), then we would use the medication as the first line of defense. It is never risk-free to have an operation, and treatment of a prolactin-producing pituitary tumor with medication has a long history of success with little risk attached. True, it doesn't always work, but it usually (90% of the time) does. You are not delaying the inevitable--cabergoline has a high chance of success. Thus, I agree with Dr. Devin that you should cancel the operation for now. I do not know what exact followup schedule she has proposed for you, but it would be typical to repeat the prolactin level after taking the cabergoline for a month or two, to allow for dose adjustment, and to repeat the MRI no later than 6 months after starting treatment. In this way, a decision can be taken as to the success of the cabergoline. It does not prevent or hinder the doing of an operation, should it become evident that the cabergoline is imperfectly effective. However, the drug may save you from having to have an operation, which is a very great benefit. Should there be a partial success, with (say) reduction of the prolactin level but not to normal, and/or partial shrinkage of the tumor, then the concept of surgery can certainly be revisited. A smaller tumor doesn't really make surgery easier, so the reason to take the cabergoline would not be to "prepare" the tumor for an operation, but to try to prevent an operation from being needed.
For all these reasons, I have asked Paula to cancel the surgery--Dr. Devin will take the primary role in managing the medication, but she will send you back to me should there be any reason to reconsider the surgical option.
Best regards,
Ian McCutcheon
As you can read in the email, 90% odds are pretty good and ones which I will gamble on. This has been an emotional roller coaster for my family and I since finding out about this tumor on September 17th. I am so grateful to be on a level ride right now as we go through this treatment via medicine. I am so grateful for the literally thousands of friends and friends of friends who have lifted me up in prayer. Our Great God has heard those prayers. Praise Him! Please continue to pray that the side effects will be minimal and a tremendous reduction in the size of the tumor will be revealed in the mri to be taken January 7, 2009.
I will close with today's devo from Max Lucado who is one of my favorite author and preacher.
My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:2 (NCV)
For many people, life is—well, life is a jungle. Not a jungle of trees and beasts….Our jungles are comprised of the thicker thickets of failing health, broken hearts, and empty wallets….We don’t hear the screeching of birds or the roaring of lions, but we do hear the complaints of neighbors, and the demands of bosses.
Whether you are a lamb lost on a craggy ledge or a city slicker alone in a deep jungle, everything changes when your rescuer appears.
Your loneliness diminishes, because you have fellowship. Your despair decreases, because you have vision. Your confusion begins to lift, because you have direction.
You haven’t left the jungle. The trees still eclipse the sky, and the thorns still cut the skin….It hasn’t changed, but you have. You have changed because you have hope. And you have hope because you have met someone who can lead you out.
Amen and thank you God for showing us the way and leading us out.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
GOD IS SO GOOD------NO, GOD IS GREAT!!!!!!
Surgery may NOT be in my future. Wonderful news!! I received a phone call from my endocronologist at 5 pm on Friday. It was her 4th call as I had missed the previous 3 because I was on the phone. I thank God she was persistant. I wonder if that would have happened with the local docs or is that something unique to MD Anderson.
Anyway, as mentioned in my previous blog, we were waiting on the last test to see if the tumor was a producing tumor or not. The test finally came back and my tumor is a producing tumor; producing the hormone prolactin. My prolactin levels are 12 times what they should be. What this means is it is possible to treat this type of tumor with medication first to see if the medication can shrink the tumor; if not we go to surgery. She said she was going to confer with the neurosurgeon and a final decision made on Monday 11/10. Being that surgery is currently set for 11/17, not having to have surgery would be an answer to thousands of prayers. God is hearing and answering those prayers......just in the nick of time.
The medication, of course, has some side effects, one of which is headaches--oh great!, nausea--lovely, and fatigue--yawn. But, if it works, it is better than surgery. Although, I really was looking forward to 4 weeks of rest; oh, how I was looking forward to that. Oh well.
The doctor said there is an 80% chance the medication will reduce the size of the tumor and possibly eliminate it. If it doesn't, it will at least shrink the tumor making the surgery easier when we have to do it.
Prolactinoma is a benign tumor in the area of your pituitary gland that produces prolactin, and is the most common type of pituitary tumor. This prevalant tumor can cause overproduction of prolactin, resulting in high levels of prolactin and corresponding low levels of estrogen in women and testosterone in men. (I wonder if the person who invented viagra had a pituitary tumor and didn't know it :)
Symptoms for prolactinoma, when experienced, are the same as those for hyperprolactinemia plus headaches and vision changes.
When treatment for prolactinoma is necessary, it is often effectively treated with medications to restore your prolactin hormone levels back to normal by mimicking dopamine effects.
Bromocriptine and cabergoline are drugs used to reduce prolactin levels in both men and women. Usually taken for life, most responding with lower hormone levels. Bromocriptine may cause side effects, such as:
fatigue
headache
dizziness
constipation
lightheadedness
nasal congestion
abdominal cramps
nausea & vomiting
Cabergoline causes significantly fewer side effects, is more expensive and may have a heart valve issue with high doses.
Anyway, as mentioned in my previous blog, we were waiting on the last test to see if the tumor was a producing tumor or not. The test finally came back and my tumor is a producing tumor; producing the hormone prolactin. My prolactin levels are 12 times what they should be. What this means is it is possible to treat this type of tumor with medication first to see if the medication can shrink the tumor; if not we go to surgery. She said she was going to confer with the neurosurgeon and a final decision made on Monday 11/10. Being that surgery is currently set for 11/17, not having to have surgery would be an answer to thousands of prayers. God is hearing and answering those prayers......just in the nick of time.
The medication, of course, has some side effects, one of which is headaches--oh great!, nausea--lovely, and fatigue--yawn. But, if it works, it is better than surgery. Although, I really was looking forward to 4 weeks of rest; oh, how I was looking forward to that. Oh well.
The doctor said there is an 80% chance the medication will reduce the size of the tumor and possibly eliminate it. If it doesn't, it will at least shrink the tumor making the surgery easier when we have to do it.
Prolactinoma is a benign tumor in the area of your pituitary gland that produces prolactin, and is the most common type of pituitary tumor. This prevalant tumor can cause overproduction of prolactin, resulting in high levels of prolactin and corresponding low levels of estrogen in women and testosterone in men. (I wonder if the person who invented viagra had a pituitary tumor and didn't know it :)
Symptoms for prolactinoma, when experienced, are the same as those for hyperprolactinemia plus headaches and vision changes.
When treatment for prolactinoma is necessary, it is often effectively treated with medications to restore your prolactin hormone levels back to normal by mimicking dopamine effects.
Bromocriptine and cabergoline are drugs used to reduce prolactin levels in both men and women. Usually taken for life, most responding with lower hormone levels. Bromocriptine may cause side effects, such as:
fatigue
headache
dizziness
constipation
lightheadedness
nasal congestion
abdominal cramps
nausea & vomiting
Cabergoline causes significantly fewer side effects, is more expensive and may have a heart valve issue with high doses.
Pray for a confirmation of no surgery.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
VISIT WITH DR MCCUTCHEON
More steps of my journey have been completed as today I met with the Neurosurgeon, Dr. Ian McCutcheon, as well as had lab work done, met with many depts. of MDA and visited with the Endocronologist. God's hand was definitly there today as everything ran so smoothly. Appointments ran on time, EVERYONE was so helpful and friendly. The second person I met with this morning was a lady who took my vitals. When I finished, she said, "give me a hug Mr. Summers, I want you to know everythings going to be ok and we will take care of you." I almost cried.
Anyway, the tumor is causing problems with thyroids, hormones, and testosterone. All levels are very low and they are going to put me on medication to replace those prior to surgery. We are also waiting lab reports for levels of prolactin. If those levels are real high, then additional medicine will be prescribed to bring those levels down. Sometimes, if the tumor is producing prolactin, then medication can reduce that and often times shrink the tumor. However, due to the size of the tumor, the symptoms, and how close it is to the optical nerves, Dr. McCutcheon recommends that regardless of the level of prolactin being produced, that it be removed. I am in agreement.
Intially we had been given a "soft" date for surgery of November 11th. Once we were with the Dr., the choices given were this Friday November 7th or Monday November 17th. As much as I want this removed, I felt it best to wait till November 17th in order to get some preparations made and take care of some deals hanging at work. That is the week prior to Thanksgiving so things will begin to slow down at work and perhaps make things a little easier on everyone.
The doctor says to prepare for a 3-4 day hospital stay. Typical is 3 days but if there is a spinal fluid leak, an extra day will be required. Time out of work will be 3 - 4 weeks. He said after 2 weeks I will get really bored and want to go back to work but to hold off another week at least. Guess I can get some online Christmas shopping done.
I have more peace about my situation after visiting with Dr. McCutcheon. God delivered me to the right neurosurgeon.
The Rotary House is the place to stay if you ever have to come to MDA. It is right across the street from MDA and is connected by a skybridge. You never have to step outside and plenty of places to eat. The hotel is owned by MDA but managed my Marriott. Make your reservations early. When we tried to make reservations for the week of surgery, there were none to be had. When I was mentioning this to the driver on our way back to the airport, he told me to write down the dates I needed and he would see what he could do as he used to work there. While waiting on the plane, he called and gave me my confirmation numbers. God is definitly in control.
As I sit waiting, for the plane to head home, I thank everyone for their prayers and continued prayers. And thank you Pat B. for your comments and scripture. I will close with that. May God Bless.
In Joshua Chapter 1 vs. 9 God said to Joshua, "Remember that I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don't be afraid because the Lord your God will be with you everywhere you go".
Anyway, the tumor is causing problems with thyroids, hormones, and testosterone. All levels are very low and they are going to put me on medication to replace those prior to surgery. We are also waiting lab reports for levels of prolactin. If those levels are real high, then additional medicine will be prescribed to bring those levels down. Sometimes, if the tumor is producing prolactin, then medication can reduce that and often times shrink the tumor. However, due to the size of the tumor, the symptoms, and how close it is to the optical nerves, Dr. McCutcheon recommends that regardless of the level of prolactin being produced, that it be removed. I am in agreement.
Intially we had been given a "soft" date for surgery of November 11th. Once we were with the Dr., the choices given were this Friday November 7th or Monday November 17th. As much as I want this removed, I felt it best to wait till November 17th in order to get some preparations made and take care of some deals hanging at work. That is the week prior to Thanksgiving so things will begin to slow down at work and perhaps make things a little easier on everyone.
The doctor says to prepare for a 3-4 day hospital stay. Typical is 3 days but if there is a spinal fluid leak, an extra day will be required. Time out of work will be 3 - 4 weeks. He said after 2 weeks I will get really bored and want to go back to work but to hold off another week at least. Guess I can get some online Christmas shopping done.
I have more peace about my situation after visiting with Dr. McCutcheon. God delivered me to the right neurosurgeon.
The Rotary House is the place to stay if you ever have to come to MDA. It is right across the street from MDA and is connected by a skybridge. You never have to step outside and plenty of places to eat. The hotel is owned by MDA but managed my Marriott. Make your reservations early. When we tried to make reservations for the week of surgery, there were none to be had. When I was mentioning this to the driver on our way back to the airport, he told me to write down the dates I needed and he would see what he could do as he used to work there. While waiting on the plane, he called and gave me my confirmation numbers. God is definitly in control.
As I sit waiting, for the plane to head home, I thank everyone for their prayers and continued prayers. And thank you Pat B. for your comments and scripture. I will close with that. May God Bless.
In Joshua Chapter 1 vs. 9 God said to Joshua, "Remember that I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don't be afraid because the Lord your God will be with you everywhere you go".
Sunday, November 2, 2008
P-R-E-S-S ON
I returned home Friday evening, to celebrate my 22nd wedding anniversary with my bride Alma, after spending most of the week at the ICSC Texas Retail Roundup Convention. One of the highlights of each convention is the prayer breakfast hosted by the Retail Christian Network. It is always refreshing to meet others in the industry who call Christ their Savior, enjoy a good breakfast, hear a testimony or brief message about our Lord, and pray.
God is so amazing and He always assures me in different ways that He is in control. The message was delivered by Tarrant (last name not remembered at this time) with Panera Bread. He is a graduate of TCU and played football there. Naturally, his message had a football theme but Phillipians 3:12-14 was the verse his message centered around.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
He used the example of a football team being behind in the score and the quarterback working hard to rally his team to a last minute victory. We, too, as we go through life, have to keep our sight on the goal, the prize, the victory that our faith will bring. We will have trials and tribulations but we must press on.
P-Patience. Phillipians 4:6 - 7 Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
R-Reflect. Think about what you know, about what you have been trained to do.
E-Extra Effort. Go the extra mile
S-Support. Get others to believe in the vision, the goal. Encourage others.
S-Score. Finish Strong. Battles will be lost, but don't lose the war.
Jesus was the best quarterback ever....and His best score was for you and me on the cross.
Don't worry about what you don't have control over. That is what I keep telling myself with regard to my situation. I take comfort knowing that God is in control.
Matthew 6: 25 - 34
25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I leave tomorrow to be able to make my appointment at 7 am on Tuesday morning. I will write an update Tuesday afternoon or evening. May God Bless.
God is so amazing and He always assures me in different ways that He is in control. The message was delivered by Tarrant (last name not remembered at this time) with Panera Bread. He is a graduate of TCU and played football there. Naturally, his message had a football theme but Phillipians 3:12-14 was the verse his message centered around.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
He used the example of a football team being behind in the score and the quarterback working hard to rally his team to a last minute victory. We, too, as we go through life, have to keep our sight on the goal, the prize, the victory that our faith will bring. We will have trials and tribulations but we must press on.
P-Patience. Phillipians 4:6 - 7 Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
R-Reflect. Think about what you know, about what you have been trained to do.
E-Extra Effort. Go the extra mile
S-Support. Get others to believe in the vision, the goal. Encourage others.
S-Score. Finish Strong. Battles will be lost, but don't lose the war.
Jesus was the best quarterback ever....and His best score was for you and me on the cross.
Don't worry about what you don't have control over. That is what I keep telling myself with regard to my situation. I take comfort knowing that God is in control.
Matthew 6: 25 - 34
25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I leave tomorrow to be able to make my appointment at 7 am on Tuesday morning. I will write an update Tuesday afternoon or evening. May God Bless.
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