Update on Kim - Monday, 1/9/12

Email Sent on Jan 9th

 Dear friends and family,

I know many of you have been anxious for a comprehensive update and Kim has been resting so here it is...

First of all, thank you so much for all your thoughts and prayers. Kim and I have shed a lot of tears the last couple days but I am being totally honest when I say that most of the tears are tears of gratitude for all the wonderful friends God has given us and feeling his perfect love through his beloved children. When's she's alert I read through many of your emails and Facebook posts and we are overwhelmed. I know so many of you have called, emailed, texted, etc and I'm so sorry I haven't been able to get back to most of you but we do appreciate it!

For those wondering when this started, Kim had been dealing with nausea since Christmas and had been coughing since Nov. We thought it was a cold that turned to bronchitis. She started experiencing light nausea around Christmas (which she's had on and off since we've been married) and then on Thurs/Fri last week it got worse so we scheduled a primary care visit for this week but couldn't wait that long. So we went to the ER late Friday night.

Things have been touch and go since the last update. We talked to the oncologist yesterday afternoon and the CT scan showed multiple masses with the largest in the chest region. At this point, they are thinking lymphoma, which is a treatable cancer, but it's still too early to tell. They are hoping that is also the cause of the stomach ulcer. They just completed a bone marrow biopsy today and are still waiting on other biopsy results which will take a while. Please pray that the doctors would find the cause soon and whatever it is - that it would be treatable.

Last night around 8pm after putting the kids down I was making some phone calls when the nurse called me from the hospital. It took her a while to get it out but she was crying and said, "You need to come to the hospital right now. You're wife is calling for you and she's in a lot of pain and she's not breathing." When a nurse calls you crying and says "come to the hospital now" I know that's not good....in my heart of hearts I thought I had lost her. While driving 70 mph local, speed dialing whomever I could to get on their knees and pray and bartering with God to take my life and not hers - it was the longest 20 minutes of my life. By the time I sprinted to the ICU a nurse stopped me in the hallway and said, "She's fine now." and I just wept in this random nurses arms. Kim was shaking from a high fever, her blood pressure was very low and pulse rate was high but she was nearly stabilized at that point. After I collected myself I prayed with her and whispered in her ear that there are so many people all over the world who loved her and were praying for her she started to calm down. I know your prayers are covering all of this and I am so grateful.

Kim has an infection of some kind as well which triggered the fever and she hasn't eaten since Friday so she is feeling weak and needs rest. I know so many of you want to come and visit her and as much as we'd LOVE to see you I'd ask that you please do not come to the hospital at this time. I'll let you know when it might be a good time or shoot me an email if you like. We really need her to rest right now so she can focus on getting better and I'm sure you all understand that. If you want to write her a note send me an email or post it on my FB and I'll make sure to read it to her as we have been doing. If you really want to talk to her please direct your calls to me first. I'm sure you understand. As many have asked, my sister Lydia will be sending out a care calendar soon for anyone who may want to contribute future meals.

I know many of you have wanted to take (and have been asking about the kids). They obviously miss mom and haven't seen her since Friday. When they went down on Friday they thought everything was fine and so did we. Caleb is staying true to his strong, silent self. I had a good talk with him on the way to school this morning and he seems a little worried but just internalizing it. Timothy asks lots of questions. When I told him mommy had a bad tummy ache he asked, "Can't she just go poo and make it better?" (we always tell him if he doesn't poo he's going to get a tummy ache). Selah is dealing with this by beating up on Timothy. (just kidding - sort of) On Sat night when I went into her room after putting her down she was fast asleep - but when I put a blanket on her - half awake she just murmured softly, "Mommy?" and that just broke my heart. Please keep them in your prayers.

As I said before - I always knew I was married to the most beautiful woman in the world - but her strength has matched her beauty. I'm so very proud of her that I could burst. Don't let her kindness deceive you - this woman is strong and it's a beautiful thing to see her drawing strength from the Lord. If you know Kim, you know even in the midst of all this she's constantly thinking of others and not wanting to be a burden on anyone so it's obvious why God paired us together as I have no problems with imposing on people. =)

Ok -enough for now, please pray for an accurate and favorable diagnosis - if it's the Lord's will. At the new year I had this strange feeling that 2012 would be a very difficult year but a good year. I shared this with Kim at New Years and even with our small group on Friday (before we even thought to go to the ER). So far it looks to be taking shape that way. For some reason, I know the Lord has a plan for all of this and He makes all things beautiful - in His time.

We don't know what the future holds. But we know who holds the future. And He is good and His love endures forever. Psalm 118:1.

We love each and everyone of you so much.

In His grace,

Peter & Kim
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Email Sent on Jan 7th (pm)

Friends and Family,

Kim just got an endoscopy done and she has a large bleeding ulcer in her stomach. Normally, ulcers are treated with meds but our GI doc is concerned by the size and location (middle of stomach) of the ulcer along with her chronic coughing. She is scheduled for a CT scan and has had several biopsies taken. They will be testing for malignancies (cancer) and it is precautionary at this point but obviously there is more concern now than your typical ulcer.

We already feel overwhelmed by your love and support and are finding strength in the Lord especially through your thoughts and prayers.

God is good.

Peter & Kim
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Email Sent on Jan 7th  (am)
Just wanted to shoot a quick email and ask for prayer for Kim. I took her to the ER around midnight last night due to severe stomach pain and she is still there. She's been struggling with it since about Christmas and it got progressively worse the last couple days. We were scheduled to see a primary care doc on Tuesday but couldn't wait until then. At this point it looks like it may be a stomach ulcer and she appears to have anemia and is losing blood and they are going to do an endoscopy later today. We do see the Lord's hand and protection in all this and we are thankful we have a better idea of what it may be. Thanks for your prayers.

In His Grace,

Peter