Makn Memories

Preparing for radiation & chemotherapy

Joel & I, Brett, Kyndra, Brandon & Kyle all met with the radiation oncologist in Olathe Monday morning.  As disheartening as it was to listen to it all over again, we were all very pleased with the doctor that we have chosen.  Joel will start taking his chemotherapy pills Sunday, October 4th and then will start radiation the following day.  He will go in for radiation for the next 6 weeks, Monday thru Friday and will be on the first round of chemotherapy for 42 consecutive days.  We are all very nervous about the treatment but do feel it is necessary to get it started as soon as possible with the aggressiveness of the tumor.  It has been a very difficult decision to make and we  continue to pray that we have chosen the right path.  Joel is feeling well and his short-term memory loss and processing have improved.  Just a heads  though, he has decided to do away with his hair prior to losing it from the treatment (but not before family portraits this week or he may have bigger issues than a tumor with his daughter-in-law. lol)

Love,

Kim

We are back safe and sound

Soo, I forgot to blog and tell everyone that Kim, Joel and Brett are home safe and sound.  They arrived late Thursday night.  They left Houston with a game plan.  Joel will have his first appointment with the radiologist to start radiation on Monday.  We will get more information then.  So that will start soon along with Chemotherapy.  Joel will receive the treatments here in Kansas City.  Joel is feeling well. 
While at Houston they had another MRI done.  They did tell us the tumor has grown.  We do not know how much.  We will hear more on Monday. 
Thank you for your continued prayers and support

Kyndra J. Blackman

Quick update

Well i forgot to post that Joel, Kim and Brett went to Houston on Monday for an appointment today.  The appointment moved since my last post.  The appointment today was with the oncologist.  They went through the treatment options.  They recommend radiation and chemo therapy.  Tomorrow Joel will have another MRI in the evening.  And they return home late Thursday night.  We have a bit of information to process and pray about the way the Lord would want us to pursue for treatment options.  We thank you for all your prayers and support.  We will continue to update as we begin to make decisions. 

Kyndra J. Blackman

We will go back to Houston

Kim was able to call in to MD Anderson today.  Our appointment was rescheduled for Next Friday September 26, 2008. 

As a family our main focus is to get Joel's (and our own) immune system boosted as much as possible.  We all have switched to a very new, organic and healthy diet to support our efforts.  It has been quite an adventure so far.  Who knew there was so much health food!!! I certainly didn't. LOL  Joel is doing well.  Still no headaches but he does seem to be experiencing the first signs of some neurological change with some short term memory loss and confusion.  Joel has been hitting the gym to help get in shape.  We have been doing a lot of research about healthy changes we can make that will make a difference in our fight with cancer. 

We were blessed to have Kim, Joel, John and Shirley join us for dinner this evening before we went to church.  We successfully grilled fresh tilapia and salmon burgers!!  Very different.  Organic salad a special salad dressing and lots of veggies to add to the salad.  That I normally wouldn't even have purchased. 

I started a new Bible study today.  It is amazing how even the Old Testament is 100 percent applicable to our situation today!  His word is living and amazing.  The study is going to go through the life of Moses.  I am in Exodus.  And what is amazing is that Gods people were prospering in the best land in Egypt.  They probably thought nothing would happen to them.  Then one day after new leadership their world was turned upside down, they were put into bondage and slavery.  The key point of the lesson today spoke to my heart.  God chose bondage for His people.  Not so they would learn a lesson but so that the world could see His divine plan.  God remembers all of His promises delay is not denial.  Just because God doesn't do what we want in His timing doesn't mean He has forgotten us.  I needed that reminder.  I like many just want God to heal Joel and deliver us from this trial, yesterday.  But God will do His will when the timing is right.  And He hasn't stopped thinking about me or anyone in my family.  That grace I am thankful for. 

We are praying that God will lead us to the right choice and avenuee for treatment.  That He will prepare us for the knowledge the Oncologist will have for us next Friday.  Pray that we all will continue to rely on God and get in His word more than ever before. 

Thank you for all your continued prayers, we need them and appreciate them,

Kyndra J. Blackman

A little Hurrincane

We haven't posted in a while because we got a little distracted with the evacuation process of Houston for hurricane Ike.  Joel checked out of the hospital Thursday morning.  Brett and I took John, Shirley Terry and Cindy to the airport.  We rushed around to pack.  Originally we were going to stay in Dallas.  Though we were all so home sick we decided to head for KC Friday morning. 

Kim and Joel arrived home to find yellow ribbons along their fence and driveway.  We surprised the girls!!  They were so shocked to see us!!  Brett and I slept in Saturday and we went to see Brett's grandparents and then after an afternoon of fun with the girls we went to spend the evening with Kim and Joel.  A few great family friends came to visit. 

We all were encouraged to spend the morning with our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Right now we are waiting for Monday to determine our next plan.  Our Oncologist appointment is scheduled for Tuesday Morning in Houston.  We will call on Monday to see if we need to reschedule the appointment.  That meeting will help us know the game plan for treatment.  We have been told a few possibilities but we will learn  the specifics from the oncologist appointment.  We will let everyone know when we hear more details. 

Our devotion has brought us through some very helpful versus and prayers.  It is always amazing how God's word can give you the perfect strength you need when you need it. 

Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Father, I want to be faithful when the night is dark and lonely.  When the supports are sliding away one by one.  When personal doubts and fears seem valid.   Show me how to cultivate faith when, as I look above, the sky seems to be falling.

Thank you for all your prayers,

Kyndra J. Blackman   

Another Memory

Whew!!! What a day it has been.  Joel was released from the hospital this morning and since we hadn’t been watching the news, didn’t realize the hurricane was REALLY heading our way until our doctor’s PRN told us she was heading to Dallas as soon as she was done with her rounds.  So we thought we should check into the Hurricane Ike situation.  Well, the Blackman’s now know what it feels like to be evacuees.  Joel’s family was able to get their plane tickets changed to today and the rest of us hit the road heading for Dallas.  Traffic was just like it shows on the news, 4-5 lanes of bumper to bumper moving at 5-10 mph.  While heading north, we decided we would just get ourselves back to Paola.  We are all so homesick.  Joel & I will fly back to Houston next week for his next appointment; the boys are very ready to get back to school and their activities. (I can’t blame them)

I also wanted to share with everyone that the Blackman’s are doing very well.  I’m not sure how to explain it but we all seem to be at peace and we are also joyful.  It’s very weird.  After hearing from the doctor Tuesday evening the results of Joel’s biopsy, I wasn’t sure how life was going to go on.  We had decided not to tell Joel the results until morning because of the anesthetic so each of us went in to spend time with him with our happy faces on.  (I’m not sure how the boys pulled it off, but they did).  I stayed at the hospital with Joel Tuesday night.  It was so painful sending the boys back to the apartment; I just wanted to go back and hold them.   I sat in the chair in Joel’s room and my mind just kept going through what my life would be like without him.  I prayed for God to help me understand why this was happening.  I suddenly had an image in my mind of Joel & I after growing old together.  I believe God put this image in my mind.  And it is because of this image that I think I’ve found some peace.  Life without Joel hasn’t crossed my mind, just that each day is so precious.  For 2 days now, it all just seems to be ok.

We will proceed with treatment and we will take one day at a time and we will be so thankful for each day.  We have had many inspirational stories shared with us and we love hearing each and every one of them.

This prayer was texted to me today & it is what we are feeling right now.

 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him.  Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13)

Love,

Kim

 

Hello everyone.  I can’t tell you how much it means for all of the prayers that continue for us.  It truly has helped us find peace.  After speaking with the doctor Tuesday night I knew I had to be strong to support my brothers and Kim.  But that I found out was impossible.  Thoughts started running through my head and just drain me emotionally.  After leaving the hospital I felt that my brothers and I must talk rather than bottle up or emotions.  We decided to go and get some pizza and hang out while Grandma and Grandpa and our aunts headed for bed. 

It has been one of the best nights I have had since this all began.  We all talked about our fears and our futures.  The one thing that we all continue to realize is how blessed our family truly is.  All of our fears were only selfish wants and really did not matter in the great scheme of things.  We knew dad would be at peace once he heard the news, and that the Lord has truly placed him here for a reason.  We talked about all of the incredible testimonies we are already hearing about how God is working in the lives of others around us who because of Dad’s situation have drawn closer to God. 

 Kyle asked one question that many may ask including me but I have continued to remind myself of the answer.  The question was why does God allow this happen to such good people?  There are truly two perfect answers to this question.  Brandon told Kyle, if you never experience the dark you will not appreciate the light. The second answer is  God commanded us to go and evangelize the truth.  Just imagine if someone who had no family, had no friends, and was not a believer in Jesus Christ was diagnosed with the same disease, even if they found the Lord during their trials their impact on the Kingdom would be very little.   But put someone like Dad, who in my honest opinion has no enemies, who loves everyone and in return everyone loves him.   Has an incredible family who loves him so much that they would rather take his place than see him go through these challenges; God has put him on a pedestal for people to watch him.  Not to see if he will fall but to be a testament not to our own strength but to Gods strength through us. 

Many people continue to tell our family how strong we are, no we are not strong we are so weak it is Gods strength that you see.  We are here to Shout out to all those who are willing to hear it is not us but God who walks with us and keeps us upright.  He helps us sleep at night and gives us peace.  He helps us realize the true importance of life not what we do, not what we have done, but that our only job is to tell people about Him. 

That is why God lets bad things happen to great people.  He is Glorified, because he is the Alpha, the Omega and our GOD.  

I pray that everyone finds peace and truly finds their way. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of the families and our Country for 9/11. 

Love Brett and the Blackman Family

 

 

A message from Joel

I awoke today not knowing what most of you may have already known.  Kim gave me the news first thing as soon as I was able to comprehend what was taking place.  Again, I remain very positive.  God led me in, He will lead me out.

Now almost 8:30 pm, as it turned out today was indeed a very good day.  After waking from the night, Kim went back to the apartment to get showered.  I ended up sleeping for a few more hours and felt very well rested by the time she returned.  I was given a chance to get cleaned up and to begin preparing for my release tomorrow.  By night’s fall I am starting to feel like a normal human being again and getting rid of all of the attachments they have had hooked to me.

I can truly say I feel the prayers that are being delivered on my behalf.  I have not had any pain medication since before the surgery.  I continue to feel only a very slightly noticeable headache that comes and goes (mostly gone) without need to manage.  God has truly blessed me and my family with calmness and gratitude as He continues to provide ways to comfort us.  I remain very positive at each and every turn thanking Him for what He has provided.  The family and friends that He has surrounded me with have truly been uplifting to my family and I.  I cannot say enough thanks for the prayers and thoughts you continue to lift up on our behalf.  He is at work and He is all powerful.

Love in Christ,

Joel     

We want to thank everyone for pouring out their love and prayers for us.  It has been quite an adventure.  And tonight we are giggling about the fact that us Kansans have no idea what to do or expect from a hurricane!!!  But we are being well advised from staff at MD Anderson.

I woke up this morning praying that I could let go and let God handle my anxiety today.  And that I could keep Satan's whisper away.  We are so blessed that even in a dark hour we could all still reach out to God and feel comfort.  

Our devotional led us in this prayer yesterday morning.  

"Father, The mind plays tricks-doubts attack the core of my belief-that You personally love me.  Don't let these doubts linger.  I believe you, Father.  Even in this darkest hour I believe you." I found myself praying this this morning. 

We love you all and can't wait to return to Kansas City to be able to personally thank you all.  

Kyndra J. and the entire Blackman family 

 

 

Keep Praying

Hi Everyone,

It's Kim and it's my first time to "blog" so hang in there with me.   We have some preliminary news and I don't know how to say it except to just lay it out here.

Joel's  biopsy this evening shows he has a Grade 4 Astrocytoma ( more commonly known as Glioblastoma).  This is a very aggressive tumor.  The formal pathology report will be available by Friday but this is what is seen as of right now.    Joel will stay in the hospital until Thursday.  We will meet with the neuro oncologist next week.  They will be able to go over the treatment so we understand it.   He will start with radiation & chemotherapy within the next 2 weeks after his incision has healed and the sutures have been removed.  We will be able to seek treatment in Kansas City with doctors who are under the direction of our doctors here at MD Anderson.  The treatment will not cure Joel of this cancer but will only prolong his life.  Everyone reacts differently with the treatments.  Doctor has seen people live 12 years, but that is very rare.  The median is 12-14 months.  Though on the other side, this is not typically found at Joel's young age, and typically patients are already experiencing neurological side effects. 

I will tell you all that the Blackman's are not going to get hung up on the "time left"...we will start livingg each day to our fullest.  We are continuing to rely on God and will continue to pray for a miracle.

Joel & I love you all and continue to ask for your prayers.

Kim

Please pray for our strength.  Pray that we will avoid Satan's temptations of doubt and bitterness.  Pray that Joel's tumor will be very responsive to his Chemotherapy and Radiation. 

As Joel's sister was on the phone discussing with her husband the news a women walked by and handed her a note that read.  "With God all things are possible-The doctor's don't know everything!"  What a sweet thing to do!!!

Keep praying we know you all will.  We love you we will discuss when and how we will return in the next few days and keep you posted. 

Joel's actual procedure went normal with no complications thus far.  Because the surgery did not start until 4:30 this afternoon he will likely stay in the hospital until Thursday. 

Love,

Kyndra J. Blackman

Longest Day

Just wanted to update everyone.  We arrived at the hospital a little after 9am today and they finally took him to surgery a little around 1:30 pm.  We will receive updates every two hours and will let you all know when everything is over.  We thank you all for the continued prayers.  Please pray for the doctors and Joels protection.

Thanks everyone

Brett and the Family

Getting Ready

We had a simple day today.  Joel's sisters flew in this afternoon.  Joel, John, Brett, Brandon and Kyle started a bible study of Joshua today chapters 1-5 and truly enjoyed the time the spent in the word.   They had a great conversation about how Joshua trusted the lord while his army crossed the Jordan river and prepared for battle in Jericho.   Knowing that God is in control truly our focus and God continues to show that to us.   Cindy and Terry cooked dinner, taco salad a Blackman family tradition for us to enjoy!

Tomorrow is the big day.  We will head to the hospital at 10a.m. we will wait for about two hours and the surgery will last anywhere from two to four hours.   Then we will wait for the answers from the biopsy.   We may get to know a little bit but will get most of the results at the end of the week. Then we will meet with an oncologist to get more details on the game plan for treatment.

Please pray for us ALL to have a deep and peaceful sleep.  Pray that we will leave the worries of tomorrow for tomorrow.  Pray for our nerves while waiting during the biopsy.   Pray for God's will in our lives.  Please pray for Joel's health during the procedure that God will guide the hands of the doctors and nurses who are caring for him tomorrow.

Thank you for all your prayers, we feel them

Love,
Kyndra J. and the entire Blackman family

Not Much

Saturday and Sunday have been pretty uneventful.  Yesterday we woke up late, took naps, then went out to dinner.  Today we woke up and enjoyed visiting Second Baptist Church of Houston. The message focused on getting into God's word every day.  The focus was on spending 28 minutes a day reading or listening to the Bible.  If you spend 28 minutes a day for 40 days in the Bible you can read the entire New Testament.  It was an amazing church,  the auditorium seated 5,000 people!!  We video archived from First Family their guest speaker Joe White, it was incredible he runs  a childrens camp in Branson and spoke about his cancer that he has been battling fo the last 8 years.  If you get a chance watch it touched us. http://www.ffc.org/media/Players/archive/SermonArchive_2008.php?ID=763&SermID=62 

 Just resting and waiting.  We will be able to call tomorrow and get the details of the biopsy. 

When I woke up this morning a friend had text-ed me a scripture that gave her and us peace. 

Isaiah 33:2

"O Lord, be gracious to us; We have waited for You.  Be their arm every morning, Our salvation also in the time of trouble." 

Kim and Shirley have been reading two books that have been very helpful.  The Red Sea Rules, 10 God Given Strategies for difficult times  by Robert J. Morgan.  We have been given a couple of copies from friends and families.  

Thank you for your continued prayers, emails and test messages.  They pour into our spirit.  We love you all and miss you.  Our girls are doing great and love spending time with Amber.  

Isaiah 41:10

"So do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." 

Love,

Kyndra J. and the entire Blackman family

Inoperable...

Inoperable…that word can grab you in my condition.  I think we all were taken back a little when the doctor said this.  Obviously, it wasn’t what I was expecting to hear, but it wasn’t the worst thing I could hear either.  I am still holding strong in my belief that God is not done with me yet.  I am in His hands and He is in control.  Now comes, the long wait.  I will have a biopsy done sometime Tuesday.  With the biopsy they will be able to determine the grade of the tumor and the next course of action.

I still hold firm in my belief that God is not done with me yet.  I may still have more discouraging sounding news in my near future, but for me today the news was not as discouraging as you might think.  God has been with me and keeping my outlook very positive.  I am sure this is because of the strength I continue to draw from all of your prayers and thoughts on my behalf.  Thank you all for continuing to bless me through out each hour of each day with your prayers. 

Joel Blackman

A really, really long day

I know you all are going crazy waiting for this update.  But after getting up at 4:30 a.m. to pack our bags, check out and to beat the traffic in Houston to the hospital.  Our day at the hospital was a ten and a half hour day.  With only one break for food around 4:00.  Our nerves were frazzled.  We just needed to rest and decompress all the information we took in. 

We started the morning in the waiting room with our devotional.  Then Mike and Linda Gibson had given us a prayer bag and we all drew one.  They poured comfort into us. 

Psalm 27:14

"Don't be impatient wait for the Lord, and He will come and save you!  Be brave, stouthearted and courageous.  Yes, wait and He will help you." 

Our favorite isPsalm 50:14-15

"What I want from you is your true thanks: I want your promises fulfilled.  I want you to trust Me in your times of trouble, so I can rescue you, and you can give Me glory. 

We started in the morning waiting for the business office to open for registration.  Since we left early to miss the traffic.  We also arrived early.  After that Joel headed to his MRI.  The machine broke so that appointment took longer than planned. He has these round lifesaver, cheerio looking things stuck to his head which he has to leave on until surgery.  They are a computer mapping system for his procedure.   We had to get squeezed back in to see our new doctor.  He will be the one performing the procedure.  Then to an anesthesia analysis.  We snuck in a quick bite to eat then Joel had blood drawn.  We then headed to our new place to unpack. 

Ok , in a nutshell without all the big words this is what we found. The MRI showed no change in size in one week.  Which the doctors did not expect to see any change.  They will only do a biopsy on Tuesday.  The mass at this point will not be removed.  Due to the location inside the brain the risks out weigh the benefits of removal.  The mass is close to the Thalamus which controls, Motor Control, Receives Auditory, Somatosensory and Visual Sensory Signals ,Relays Sensory Signals to the Cerebral Cortex.  We all didn't expect this, however it doesn't feel as discouraging as it did before.  After the biopsy they will  be able to identify it by grade (or growth rate)  and we will have an appointment scheduled with an oncologist.   The Final diagnosis from the biopsy which will have a name for the mass will come around Friday.  We really won't know what we are in for until those two things.  The biopsy will take one to two hours.  We will know the exact time after we call on Monday.  Joel will stay the night at the hospital, and can be released the next day as long as there are no complications. 

Joel is feeling well, his pain is undercontrol. 

Please pray that we will not carry the weight or the burden of our news ourselves; that we will all lay it at the cross.  Pray for our strength and patience.  Pray for our strength while we wait during the biopsy. 

Psalm 42:11

"But O my soul, don't be discouraged.  Don't be upset.  Expect God to act!  For I know that I shall again have plenty of reasons to praise Him for all that He will do.  He is my help!  He is my God!

Love,

Kyndra J. and the entire Blackman family

We made it!!

We made it safe and sound to Houston.  However after leaving our hotel and headed towards the hospital during rush hour we realized.  We may need to relocate to a closer location.  We have a prospect for new accommodations.  Tomorrow is  a big day.  We will hopefully leave with a few answers and a plan of action.  Please pray we will make choices for Joel's treatment that are in God's will. 

A note from Joel:

You know how sometimes you can read something time and time again and not get the same meaning of it or even make sense of it at all?  Today was the day the light came on for me.  Since hearing the news of my tumor I have been drawn to the book of Joshua.  It simply started with the memory verse we used for our Mountain Men hike, Joshua 1:9.  It was fresh in my mind and I was continuing to draw strength from Joshua’s words.  But I kept feeling like I was being led to get more.  So, knowing Joshua was a short book, this morning I awoke around 3 and began to read.  Finishing the book of Joshua brought me renewed strength for the battle for which has been brought before me.  As the rest of the members of my family began to arise, I felt ready to charge out and confront whatever lay ahead of me.  I felt as though I was ready to defeat any challenge placed in front of me.  It was going to be a GREAT DAY!   

Joel

Love,

Kyndra J. and the entire Blackman family

No news is good news

Ok, so I am guilty of not posting for two days now. Sorry.  But Tuesday for Kim and I trying to get absolutely everything ready for our trip.  We were slightly overwhelmed.  Tuesday, Kim Joel and the boys had a string of friends visit before they left.  And so many people contributed to a travel kit for us all.  It was an overwhelming gift!!!  Everyone who contributed were soo, soo, soo generous we appreciate it.  Most of us stayed up past our bedtime and woke early to finish packing and be on our way Wednesday.  We started the morning sharing some incredible homemade Cinnamon rolls!!  Then we went through our morning devotion before our trip.  It led us in a beautiful prayer.  Father, Fear haunts me as an enemy.  Your perfect love drives my fear out.  Warm me with your secure presence.  My security comes in full trust in your trustworthiness. 

A friend of mine pointed me to this scripture: Jeremiah 32:17

"Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and out stretched arm  There is nothing too hard for You". 

Our trip went well.  Though we left around 8:00 a little later than planned.  And by 10:00 we had already stopped twice!! LOL But the rest of the trip we stopped once for lunch and once for gas.  We checked in and some of us went to bed and some went to dinner.  Kim had a friend from Dallas meet her.  We decided we would sleep in and start the last leg of our trip around check out time.  Houston here we come.

Love,

Kyndra J. and the entire Blackman family. 

Family Matters

We had an amazing devotion this morning and discussion about what the Lords will and what the Lord getting us through this means.  Our daily devotional brought us

Psalm 121  I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, The Maker of heaven and earth, He will not let your foot slip-he who watches over you will not slumber;indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  The Lord watches over you-the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The Lord will keep you from all harm-he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. 

A friend texted me Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

Today we continued to check things off of our to do list.  Then we enjoyed a delicious lunch with Kim's family.  After enjoying most of the afternoon with them.  We came back home for most of us to take a small nap until Joel's sisters came to enjoy dinner with us.  It was good to enjoy a little laughter and fellowship with them. 

Our devotional we have been using includes a small prayer to say, I think it will be all of our prayers tonight. 

Father, I know you love me.  Help me Feel it.  Give me peaceful sleep tonight because you give me your Spirit to confirm to my spirit that I'm yours.  Help my pillow to be trust my cover to be the warmth of your love. 

Please pray for us to carry the Lords strength with us tomorrow as we try to conquer a large to do list before we leave to Texas.  Pray for our safe travels.  Pray for Joel's stength on our trip.  Pray for us to have clear minds in the Friday appointments and for our understanding of what they will tell us about Joel.  Pray our choices will be in Gods will for the situation.  Pray for the protection of Jillian and Elizabeth and our nanny!