Friday, October 9, 2015

October Update

Dear Prayer Partners,

Nathan has completed 6 weeks of chemo + radiation treatments which has been followed by a 4 week treatment-free period to allow him to regain strength and rest. During that time, his “rest” included a Knoxville and Chattanooga Celebration-from-Treatment party and even a trip to the Bahamas for 4 days. (Yes, we had a ball until the hurricane came calling!)

 This week Nathan had his first MRI since this brain tumor was removed. We went to Vanderbilt with him and the results were encouraging. I understand it, an MRI is a bit tough to read this close to radiation treatments because the radiation causes the brain to swell. Cancer cells and inflammation look the same in an MRI. There were “enhanced” areas on the MRI but the oncologist and radiologist both agreed that that they were a result of the inflammation from the treatments. So, we entered that appointment as a win for the home team and left relieved and grateful.

 Nathan will no longer get radiation treatments but his chemo will increase. Starting next week, he will begin taking chemo again but this time it will be in larger doses than before. He will take Temodar for 5 days and then no chemo for the next 25 days. That cycle will continue for 6-12 months. He will go back to Vanderbilt in 1-2 months for another MRI.

 To his credit, Nathan has kept a great attitude and an understated, steady faith which is infectious and uplifting. He has voluntarily committed to a strict ketosis diet in an effort to starve cancer while feeding the healthy ones. I am not sure what all that diet entails, but from what little I have seen, every food that I like is prohibited. Nathan exercises and goes to work almost every day, even after double treatments. Like most of us, I learn more by watching than my hearing and class never ends for me when it comes to how Nathan continues to deal with all this. Moreover, I could not be more grateful for his sweet, unfailingly supportive wife Elizabeth. They are a great pair.

 Thank you so much for your persistent prayers and many varied acts of kindness that in so many different ways have demonstrated your unselfish love. So many people have simply been so kind, truly so, so, kind.

 God continues to be Good. Even in the midst of this dark situation He continues to illuminate unexpected corners with joy, healing and . My brothers and sisters at Community Evangelistic Church will sometimes say, “No Test, No Testimony.” Amen. One thing we can say with certainly is that God is building in us a testimony and who doesn't like a good story?


Blessing on Each of You!


Buddy Sexton

Monday, October 5, 2015

Our month off

Hey everyone! We haven't blogged for some time, so I thought I'd give everyone a quick update.

We are finishing up our month off from treatment - which went by incredibly too fast. This past month was a blast filled with birthday parties, engagement parties, Nathan's "end of radiation celebration", a trip to the Bahamas, and ended with my 10 year high school reunion. We lived it up over the past 4 weeks! Nathan has been pretty good this past month. He's had some major headaches here and there, but, for the most part, he's felt well. Below are some pictures to document our fun...

Last weekend of August:
Stewart  & Jenny's engagement party on Nathan's last weekend of treatment
Nathan, me, Jack, Stewart (my brother), Jenny, Miller, Katie (my sister), Eloise (our neice), my mom, Beth, and my dad, Buddy


1st weekend of September:
Jack and Nathan at Simms' 2nd birthday party!

Nathan, Hannah (his sister) and Simms (our nephew)

Jack, obviously having a blast!


Nathan & friends in Knoxville to celebrate Nathan finishing radiation
James, Nathan, Walter, Paul, Cal & Carson


2nd weekend of September:
Nathan's "End of Radiation Celebration" in Chattanooga

Nathan and his mama, Gretchen, celebrating in Chattanooga 

Alex, Nathan & Stephen  in Chattanooga

Nathan and Matt

Girlfriends celebrating in Chattanooga
Kate, Hannon, Meredith, Liz, baby Grainger, me, baby Thomas, Lindsey, and Katie

Our sweet Jack playing football at the party


3rd weekend of September:
Nathan, Jack and me in Knoxville to cheer on our Vols!
(Clearly, it hasn't been helping them...)


4th weekend of September:
Our view from our room in the Bahamas

Nathan and his dad, Buddy, on the beach

Nathan and me swimming with Palmer, the dolphin

Nathan and me in the Bahamas

Nathan's dad, Buddy, his stepmom, Debbie, Nathan and me having a great beach day!


  


Now, back to reality. Ugh.

We are leaving tomorrow for Vanderbilt for a follow up MRI to see how well Nathan responded to those 6 weeks of chemo and radiation back in August. His doctors wanted to wait a month after treatment to run these tests, because his brain was too swollen to do them immediately after treatment. Because of the swelling, they wouldn't be able to tell if there was any regrowth and if he responded positively to treatment. So, tomorrow is the big day! Nathan goes in at 3pm for labs and 4pm for his MRI. We are spending the night in Nashville tomorrow night, and we meet with his doctor on Wednesday morning at 8:30 to discuss the results and our next steps. To all you prayer warriors out there, please pray for good results from this MRI and specifically that there isn't any regrowth.

Thank you for all of your support and prayers. We truly appreciate each one.

Love,
Elizabeth