Update November 30, 2007

UPDATE
November 30, 2007
This week has again challenged us with the unexpected. Jack’s left leg has been swelling over several days. Each evening both of his legs are encased in a mechanism that inflates and deflates to enhance the circulation is his legs. There is always a concern for the occurrence of blood clots when a person is less mobile than they had been previously coupled with chemotherapy side effects. As his leg began to remain swollen and even worsen, the Dr. decided to do an ultrasound test on him last Tuesday afternoon. What they discovered was that he has 2 large blood clots now – a likely side effect of the chemotherapy he was on during September and October. One of the clots is in his right groin while the other one is behind his left knee. The concern is that as the body tries to absorb these clots that pieces will break off and migrate to his lungs and heart. Unfortunately, Jack is not a candidate for blood thinners. Tumors are huge blood banks. If Jack was given blood thinners, he would potentially have a brain hemorrhage at the tumor site. Thanks to modern medicine, the Doctors went to plan B. Jack was taken back to Lahey Clinic emergency room on Tuesday evening for Plan B. Plan B is a filter that looks like an umbrella that was placed in the large groin vein. If the clots try to migrate, the filter prevents large pieces from going to the lungs and heart.

Here comes the fun part of the evening – we can always find humor and joy in the events. Picture Jack in this high tech emergency room with various people coming and going doing their jobs. The doctor comes in and describes in detail what the procedure is going to be and how it works. Jack is flat on his back, paralyzed on his left side, special stockings to improve the circulation, Jonathan and me at his side – as the doctor describes the filter, Jack wants to know the pore size of the filter. Only Jack!!!! That engineering mind has not stopped yet. The evening only gets more interesting. A young Dr. walks in the room and says – hello Professor Howard. MIT students always refer to faculty as Prof. We immediately have a clue. Apparently, this student thought Jack was a math professor at MIT (there used to be another Jack Howard in the math department at MIT). This Dr. decided to google Jack; consequently, Jack was discovered. The procedure finally occurred in the middle of the night since the team that specializes in this procedure had gone home for a quiet evening. Jack was conscious throughout the procedure. Apparently, there was much discussion about the world’s energy crisis with this team consulting with Jack during this surgery. Who would have guessed that maybe our energy crisis might be solved in an emergency surgery room! Thankfully, the procedure was successful and we all went home to sleep for a short winter’s night.

Jack was admitted that evening to Lahey Clinic since the doctors and Jack had decided that he would have the brain surgery. There are several hopes for the surgery. One of the big hopes is to maybe restore the use of Jack’s left leg, extend his life for some months, and remove the need for steroids that have many negative side effects. Initially, surgery was not an option due to the high risk for paralysis. We have the paralysis, so we do not have that as a concern. Jack has another brain image (MRI) this morning followed by surgery at 1:00 PM today.
Jack had a very comfortable day yesterday. Two more “southern” friends came in to visit him. Victor Vejins, Nano-C’s CEO – I think Viktor and his family must live in Southwest West Concord, MA, and Jack’s first office mate at MIT last century, Bill Dalzell, who definitely qualifies as a Southerner since he lives in Marshfield, MA on the deep south side of Boston. Jonathan spent time with him during his lunch. Jonathan called to say he was off to get Jack more coffee – Jack’s favorite drink of choice.

I spent time with Jack last evening. It was a time of reflection on our Lord and his tender mercies toward us over the many years that we have shared. We discussed our abundance in the ways that we have been blessed with our families and friends that are far and wide. We are truly resting in the shadow of the wings of our Lord, our only place of refuge from the journey of our lives and especially the storm of this disease.

Another amazing event that has happened is that Megan’s (Jonathan’s wife) family have some dear friends in Orange County, CA. This family escaped the Serbian war a few years ago. Megan’s Mom, Margaret met them on the plane as they were traveling to the US. Margaret is a flight attendant and befriended them. They knew no one. The two families have become very close friends. We have had the pleasure of meeting this wonderful family. The woman works in a lab that tests cancer tissues to determine the most effective treatment for the cancer. She has offered and is sending via overnight the kit that is used to collect cancer tissue. Jack’s tumor tissue will be exposed to many forms of chemotherapy in her lab for potential treatment after surgery. Thank you Megan for orchestrating all of this work.

When an experience such as the one we are going through happens, it is truly an awesome thing to see how the Lord has woven the fabric of our lives. It is also wonderful to see the far reach of so many people that desire to help in so many ways. We deeply express our gratitude to all of you. I told Viktor this week that I felt like I was training for a marathon. His response to me was that I am in the marathon. I agreed with him. Unfortunately, there is no training as we know training for this marathon. By God’s grace, our strength is supplied sufficiently moment by moment.

I will close with the verses that I shared with Jack last evening. Also, I will be updating the blog throughout the weekend. Jack's sister, Myra, is arriving this morning to be with us over the next several days. We continue to covet and need your prayers.

Excerpts from Psalm 16
V1. “Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.
V7. “I will praise the Lord, who counsels me: even at night my heart instructs me.
V8. “I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
V9. “Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure”
V11. “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
Blessings,
Carolyn and family