Finale from Feb. 27, 2005

I thought the adventure was over when Pam's chemotherapy regimen was shortened from 8 treaments over 4 months to 4 over 2 (this happened when it became very evident that this protocol treatment and Pam were not compatible). Little did I know that the effects of the chemo would continue to haunt Pam for a very long time, so I closed out my regular updates for the most part and Pam drifted into obscurity to wage a more private battle with what she was left with. It hasn't been fun, but the last four years have been very special. The update below contains some bald pics of Pam. I hope she doesn't mind, she didn't back then, but she was in la-la-land at the time. More potential trouble for me...

Email update from 2/27/2005

Hopefully the last word




This should be the last time you hear from the Lingenfelter family, medically speaking. After adding a half gallon (4 units?) of blood to Pam, she was released from the hospital. That was around 9:30pm last night. There was no internal bleeding as they first freaked us out with upon arrival in the ER Thursday night. Just a nasty dose of chemo 8 days earlier that worked it's magic and killed off a lot of Pam's blood supply. If her chemo has worked it's way out, this new blood should keep her feeling better until her body once again begins producing new hemoglobin.
We don't plan on having to go back as the chemo regimen is over. Pam has made some new friends on the oncology floor at the hospital, but she won't be longing to have any more sleepovers there. Pam had a friend stay with her Friday night, so I could go home and try to sleep off my flu. Somewhere between 11pm Friday night and 8am Saturday morning they had a party. Remember, Pam gets drugs in the hospital. When I opened the door to the room Saturday morning the first thing I saw was a Domino's Pizza box on the floor. Munchies? Seems that around 1am, with the sleeping drugs not working, Pam ordered up a pizza. Whoops! She went to the hospital in her jammies. No money. Her friend Deb was moneyless as well. Somehow they "sort of" paid for it. It was probably the only pizza delivered to the cancer floor all night.

Friday, after the first two units of blood were given, but before Pam really started feeling better, the kids came to visit. No matter how bad she feels, Pam always cranks out a great smile. By Saturday night, with the full half gallon of blood, Pam's color had recovered from the awful gray of last week. She was actually feeling better and ready to be home.

Below is a picture of the binders containing the encouraging letters, cards and emails. The card binder is ten inches thick, and the printed emails number into the hundreds. The gifts, meals, babysitting, Pamsitting, housecleaning, laundry, errand running and above all prayers have meant more than we can ever express. My hope is that we are not unique, that everyone who is sick and needs help is supported as much as we have been. But I know they aren't, and that is sad. It is hard enough getting through with a ton of help, but alone it must be unbelievable. All I can say is if you encounter any major illness, let people know so they can pray for and serve you. That is what we as Christians do, we serve. And sometimes we need to be served.

I am droning on as I usually do, but at least this is officially the last Pam update. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Rick

Chemisery from Feb. 3, 2005

I have decided to post some of the updates I gave on Pam when she went through cancer the first time four years ago. I am posting them in no particular order. Pam's memory once chemo started in Jan. of 05 was virtually erased, except for the bad stuff. Actually much of the details of Pam's life during 05 and 06 are at best vague memories to her now. Some of what I am posting, if she reads this, will be news to her. I could be in trouble.

Email 2/3/2005 Pam News

First of all, I hadn't planned on sending another update so soon, so if getting these emails is driving you nuts, just block me, I won't be offended. Pam will be crushed, but I won't mind.

Secondly, if you are getting this it is likely bad news. Bad news is almost always more interesting than good, just watch TV news, it is all bad and we all watch.

Finally, I send these updates because people seem to honestly care about what is going on. I get asked all the time how Pam is doing. She is so encouraged as people respond. Everyone should have the support our family has received. I will be sending a photo soon that graphically illustrates this. You have that to look forward to.

Bear with me on this email, it is getting harder and harder to make cancer information entertaining and humorous. Especially when it is Pam's cancer. Cancer takes on new meaning when it is you or your family. I have a much greater appreciation for many, many people nowadays.

Treatment #3 was yesterday. You would think it would be getting easier. Think again. The treatment was from noon to 5pm. They slowed down the introduction of the toxins in hopes that the side effects would be lessened. By 9:45pm last night (Wednesday) the expected nausea/vomitting began. At least I didn't hear much about the headache this time. The vomitting never stopped. It worsened all through the sleepless night. We are talking literally here, she threw up (or heaved for a while) at least 6 times an hour. That doesn't leave much time for sleeping.

By 3:45am today (Thursday), she couldn't take anymore. Her body was aching and she could no longer control many of the things we all take for granted. She hadn't had anything to eat or drink since the required ice chips at 1pm Wednesday (the ice keeps the sores in her mouth caused by the chemo from erupting). Anyway, we woke her oncologist up at 3:45am and asked him what to do. He said wait for his office to open at 8am or go to the ER now, our choice (thanks!?). Here is where Pam and I differ. I always choose the option that says wait. In my mind, in 4 hours she would likely be better. That is what I would choose if it were me (recall my wise move a year ago, waiting for the heart attack to go away, man I am stupid). Pam was voting for the ER. I was stalling, then her body, that had lost most normal functions, spoke to me independent of Pam herself. How? It had not been producing much more than spit during the most recent heaves, but it suddenly produced a load of electric yellow sryup, right into the 4 cup measuring cup she uses as she is too weak to get to the bathroom. (Sorry for the graphic description, but everyone wants to know this stuff, really). Wala! I changed my vote from WAIT to GO.

My experience has always been that as soon as you get to the hospital, your symptoms are gone and you are going to ace all the tests. Pam got there at 4:15am and proceeded to flunk every test she was given. Her body kept finding unusual things to throw up in the ER. They were taking her very seriously. Let me tell you, I have never seen my beautiful wife look worse. I actually teared up. I don't remember crying since I was like 4 years old. While in the ER, her failed tests were indicating that her body had some major life threatening issues that required admission. So she has been there ever since, with interesting bags of fluids being pumped into her and more tests being administerd. Don't know when she gets to come home, but I assume tomorrow. I managed to make it to tonight without sleeping since Wednesday morning. The hospital will take better care of Pam than I can tonight. Last night I realized I could never be a doctor. I glaze over and don't know what to do. My instinct of waiting for it to get better is not all that helpful in real emergencies. I have also found that there is very little you can do to comfort someone in Pam's condition last night. The oncologist told her today that she is in yet another small percentage group of people who have her chemo reactions (1 in 10). Treatment #4 will be administered in the hospital with a mandatory post-chemo admission.

Tonight we had a blessing as across the hall from Pam was our friend Kendra Fowler. Her brother has been admitted, his life on the line. Pam has nothing but time to pray right now. So she is praying for Harold, as Kendra continues to pray for Pam. You know, in Pam's clear times/healthy times, she is totally focused on ministry ideas and opportunities. Amazing. She has been encouraging many and serving God while her body has been busy coloring and blending fluids for public display.


Rick

PS - cancer and it's treatment deserve the reputation it carries...uh oh, Erin just checked my heart and didn't hear anything, that can't be good. Better wait this out and see if it is beating tomorrow morning, when I have to go back to the hospital anyway

DLmail 12/01/2008 τριάντα τρία

I think I was in my early forties when I stopped believing in Bigfoot. I managed to put that fear away (put it in a mental lockbox with the terror filled thoughts of the childcatcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the monkeys from the Wizard of Oz, then threw the imaginary key away). Then along comes this dude from the Treehouse. I hadn't thought of Sasquatch at all last Saturday until Mr. Messin plops down to listen to Rogy. Dang I have issues.

Now I couldn't concentrate much on what Rick was saying, but at some point he pulled out the drama team and recaptured my attention along with a roomful of eager listeners. It is the most wonderful time of the year. These kids just love the Christmas season and we have some incredibly talented Discoveryland graduates available to help Mr. Rick deliver some of the Christmas message. Rick did a great job with the teaching for the second week in a row. Keith Lindgren is back on the scene in his role as Factory programmer/worship guy and worked the crowd like few guys from Henry can.

This coming Saturday we will continue the "What If" series with What if Christmas was all about presents? Our memory verse is "This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world." 1 John 4:9. Our Bible story is the Birth of Jesus, Luke 2:1-20. Click here for the small group leader material. Click here if you missed Cal's mainstage message and want to catch it. Pray for all these kids so that they will understand the actual meaning of Christmas. Pray for more gifted leaders to step up to serve with us (we are just three for this coming weekend until I find someone who will join us).

τριάντα τρία...you wonder what this means I suppose. Jesus lived to be τριάντα τρία...yes, that is Greek for thirty three...pat yourself on the back if you already knew that. Now, go get a life if you are such a GrEEK scholar that you knew the Greek words for 33. Anywho, it is well known by me that Kevin Stewart really admires Jesus, loves Him as a matter of fact, and is now τριάντα τρία (33), just like Jesus was. Happy belated XXXIIIrd birthday Kevin, you are greatly appreciated young"not-so-much-anymore" man.

Randy

Please pray for Randy and all of the Shafer family right now. Thanks.

DLmail 11/25/2008 thumb up

I planned on four of us serving last Saturday night. I figured we would be cool, even though we had no staffers around. Keith, Jeannine and Rachel were off to Willow and I think Gary was missing as well. Susan took the leadership reins and bounced between the Treehouse and the Factory. Rick Rogy, uber qualified teacher, battled the audio/visual board without a tech volunteer as he prepared himself to present the lesson. I started noticing that a lot of kids were arriving early. Too many. I was just about to set up a card table and start charging a cover (I figured it would keep some kids out and our numbers managable and/or get me some extra Christmas shopping money) when help arrived. Zach Van Buren arrived to save the day. I had forgotten Zach was scheduled, but was so relieved to have him. So Kevin, Monica, Tim and Zach handled the 46 kids that came Saturday. It was a good night, although we really need more adults serving. There is a prayer request.

Kevin and Monica's groups finished their Operation Christmas Child boxes and delivered them. Zach and Tim had their groups completely under control and engaged. 55 (or more) 2nd-3rd graders came in for teach time, putting us over the 100 mark for Rick's teaching. Here is Rick giving the "thumb" up. What you can't see, and what I wanted a pic of was his left thumb. He injured it playing football earlier that afternoon and it was swollen to at least twice the size of his right thumb. Rick wins the award for the most swollen thumb/hand in the Factory Saturday.

This Saturday Tim will be back to join the Stewarts and me as we begin our lessons about Christmas. The lesson is titled "What if God didn't send an Angel?" Click here for the material. The memory verse is "This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world." 1 John 4:9. Our Bible story is "Joseph heard the Good News," Matthew 1:16-24; 2:1-15; Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-20. Be in prayer this week as you prepare and read these Scriptures. Pray for the kids who are coming and the leaders who give up their time to serve. This week especially I am thankful for you all for serving. I don't know what I would do without you and this ministry. I have much to be thankful for. For Cal Rychener's mainstage message "Be the one to say Thanks," click here. Uh, "Thanks."

Have a safe Thanksgiving. Remember, you need to roast your turkey to at least 100 degrees before you eat it. You also want to cook your stuffing in the bird. The giblets can be eaten raw of course, but you already knew that. I have a couple of friends who are county and state policemen and they say they generally allow drivers to travel up to 25mph over the limit during the holidays. Keep that in mind and set your cruise control at 24 over the limit or less. You also don't actually have to wear a seat belt on Thanksgiving day, the day before and the day after. I am not sure why, but as a rule you are better off flying loosely through the windshield anyway if you hit something. Be sure to rehash this years exciting political season as you finish dinner with rarely seen relatives. Have plenty of alcohol available to counter the effects of the tryptophan in the turkey. But above all, be safe.

DLmail 11/19/2008 Shortest DLmail Ever

We had a great night in DL last Saturday. 30 or so kids, Kevin, Monica & myself leading, and Jeannine teaching = busy but good night. Jeannine is an extremely gifted teacher. She delivers in a rapid fire CharlieJeffSchwartzentraubDeanish pace. I like it. She is really hard to take pics of while she teaches though, she NEVER stops moving. Wow. Jeannine, you are human caffeine on stage.
For reasons you probably understand, this will be the shortest DLmail I will ever write. Sorry to disappoint (or not).

For this weekends lesson material, click here. For Bill Allison's excellent mainstage message, click here. Pray for our ministry. Pray for other leaders to step up, specifically a woman who will commit to each Saturday. Read the following Bible story Exodus 23:14-19 (choose NIV).

As a bonus, here is the Reconsilosec video Bill used.

DLmail 11/11/2008 Kevin and Jewish Customs

You know you are in Central Illinois when at 5:00PM on Nov. 8th you are walking in to church freezing and in the dark, with memories of walking in to church at 5:00PM on Nov. 1st in the daylight enjoying 75 degree weather.

It takes an attorney to elaborate on a passage that is essentially a list of names Paul wrote a word of thanks to in the Bible. Good thing we have a legal practitioner on our roster of teachers. (Actually all we seem to have is a lawyer on that list...uh, pray for some gifted volunteer teachers to step into this role with Kevin). The lesson was a good one and Kevin used his gift well as he skillfully lead the kids to an understanding of listing those we need to express our gratitude to. I know in my small group of 4th grade girls (with a couple of boys mixed in for their own good) we came up with some good lists and they left church planning to express their gratitude to those on their lists. (While you are praying for gifted teachers to join Kevin - and "sometime" Factory teachers Rick Rogy and Keith Lindgren - look at this pic, take mercy on these girls I am small grouping with, and pray for a gifted woman to step into this role, really, for the girls.)

Big thanks to Tim Thorson and Zach Van Buren for taking care of the boys. Zach prepared an Operation Christmas Child box with his boys and said it went really well.

I was really thankful when Emi Ragan said she could help with the 5th grade girls at the last minute. My original sub for Monica ended up with a funeral and couldn't make it. Emi then upped her cred with Jeannine by jumping up on stage to help with worship as well, right as I was about to jump in to help. Sort of. Not really. thnx emi i o u. (Emi is in high school and only reads text)

This weekend Kevin and Monica will be back to join me and hopefully one other leader as we continue our study of Gratitude, letting others know you see how they've helped you. Our memory verse is 1 Chronicles 16:34 "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." The Bible story is Day Job (The parable of the vineyard workers), Matthew 20:1-15. Bottom line, don't let the wrong attitude spoil the gratitude (this lesson applies to adults as much as it does to any of the kids). Study your lesson, read your Bible and above all, pray for the kids who are coming, for the other leaders who are serving and for the ministry of Northwoods as a whole. Important stuff. Click here for the small group leader material. Click here for Tim Reist's sermon from last weekend if you missed it. Click here for something totally useless.

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I know that most of you talk to 77 year old men pretty much everyday in your jobs about the botched circumcision they got at age 75. I recently had this conversation with a client as well, but man I don't think I can get used to it. He came in to talk about car insurance?!? That conversation was over a week ago and I can't shake the mental images from my mind. And why did you click on the circumcision link and what did you expect to see by doing so? Leave a comment below if you clicked. Looking forward to those.