Rollercoaster Ride

After writing our last blog post when Alan was in hospital, he had his other lung lining drained (1.2 lites of fluid!) and we came home the same day. The doctor thought she had sorted that lung and it wouldn't cause any more problems...

On Wednesday, Alan had his first lung drained again and on Thursday he started immunotherapy treatment. There were no problems that we knew of, although Alan mentioned that he was still breathless and the doctor wasn't sure why. 

On Friday, Sharon and Dave departed for a long weekend away and we took over grandparent duty. Alan was insistent that they didn't cancel their break and I got back-up people in place just in case there were problems. 

That evening after the children were in bed, Alan was very breathless and didn't think he would cope with the night. So, we called Auntie Mandy for a sleepover whist I took Alan to A&E for a sleep over there. (Actually, it was a more a wake-over there as no sleep was had.) 

Alan wondered if he was going to survive the night, despite the medical staff being around. In the middle of the night he said it would have been so easy to give up trying to breathe, but he felt God had more for him yet. I asked him why he didn't press the bell - I thought it was because he wouldn't want to bother anyone. He did eventually manage to grab a nurse and explain he couldn't breathe. The nurse upped his oxygen levels, but because they didn't know what was causing the problem until various tests came back, they didn't know how to treat him.

Alan had an emergency tap put in to his other lung lining on Saturday afternoon. This tap is different from the first one, and is continually draining, apart from hour-long rest periods to give his body a chance to adjust. This was a tremendous relief and meant that Alan was a lot more comfortable and able to breathe a bit easier. He also had a good night's sleep that night - the first he'd had for quite some time. 

It may be a coincidence, but we tend to think of them as God incidences, but when putting our granddaughter (A) down for a nap that afternoon, she suddenly said, 'I know what we can do - God make Bampa better!' Did the prayers of a 4 year old touch heaven? It was shorter afterwards that the Dr did the procedure needed!

Beth came over to help look after the children on Saturday afternoon, and babysitting that evening, with Mandy popping up for a while before heading out again. That meant that I could pop over and see Alan on the Saturday night,after getting the children to bed - I felt much more at peace seeing that he was doing better and that he was being looked after. I had asked A if she wanted to talk to God as I was putting her to bed. She said 'yes - God give Bampa a good nights sleep, give Gran a good nights sleep, give L and me a good nights sleep. love from Jesus'. that prayer was just what was needed - altho A and I were up to deal with the itchy chicken pox scabs!!

Despite all the ups and downs, I think A quite enjoyed her weekend, waking up in the morning to discover Auntie Mandy had had a sleep over too! L (our grandson) seemed fine except puzzled to where Bapa had disappeared. He was going around calling, 'Bapa' and I'm sure he put 2 words together and said, Where Bapa?' Maybe he thought Alan was stretching the hide and seek game a bit too far!

Nannie (Dave's mum) took over grandparent duty on Sunday morning so that I could spend the day with Alan in the hospital. Nathan and Zoe popped in for a visit too, and Alan was glad to see them. 

He's still in hospital - it's been a real roller coaster ride and neither of us have ever liked roller coasters! Alan is still struggling to breathe and the doctors can't yet work out why. But, we are in God's hands and are thankful for all the prayer support we have been getting. We feel a bit like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who were thrown into the fiery furniss. They said, 'Our God can deliver, but if not, we will still not bow down and worship any other God'. (Sue's paraphrase). 

On the positive side - Alan doesn't seem to have had any side effects to the immunotherapy. 

Love Sue

Adapting to the Big Changes

Alan's other lung lining is now being awkward and filling up with fluid, so we are waiting for an appointment for that. He is panting sitting down and we have given up going upstairs at the moment. 

Dr Wheatley (oncologist) and a lovely Romanian Dr - Margarita - saw us yesterday and are doing all they can to get the treatment sorted ASAP with the respiratory team and the immunotherapy team at the Headland unit. They still seem extremely hopeful that the treatment will be successful and Alan will have a good few years yet. We are in God's hands and trust him to work through them. 

We are generally at peace although tired and tearful at times - an extra touch of love and we may well "well up," or a comment that touches a raw spot. e.g. Alan got a couple of hours good sleep in the chair and then said 'I didn't want to wake up!' which hit me that it could have been taken another way - ouch!

Alan's body is quite battered but his spirit is still buoyant. 



Since starting to write this, Alan and Sue have gone back up to Treliske as Alan is incredibly breathless, so I (Beth) will write the last bit for them!

Alan and Sue are adapting to life being a bit unpredictable (this blog entry being a classic example of that!) and seem to be coping with lots of changes incredibly well - especially on not a lot of sleep.

Sue wanted to add that the song going through her head at the minute is "Will your Anchor Hold?" I'll post the link below - the words seem very appropriate at the minute. 
Watch: Will your Anchor Hold

I suppose the next prayer request is for Alan's current trip to Treliske - that they would be able to sort his current breathlessness. And then that the immunotherapy treatment would be able to happen as soon as possible - all in God's perfect timing of course. And if Alan and Sue were still writing this, I think they would ask that God would be glorified through all of this. 
Alan had some good conversations - or 'divine appointments' as he likes to call them, when he was last in Treliske so I reckon God has a plan despite the waters looking a bit choppy at the minute. 

Thanks for reading, 

Love Sue (and Beth)

Edit: since writing this, we have found out that Alan’s immunotherapy treatment will start this Thursday. Thank you for praying!

Sleepy Sunday

Hello, 

It's Beth here (Family friend of The Offords.) I've temporarily taken over the blog to post a quick update:

After coming home from hospital on Tuesday, Alan has had the fluid on his lung drained on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Despite having it drained regularly, he's still struggling to breathe whilst lying down and so he's been trying to sleep sitting up in a chair. 

Saturday night was a particularly restless night, so both Alan and Sue have been trying to rest today. 

They have an appointment with the oncologist tomorrow (Monday 17th June.)  Originally, they thought that this appointment would be to start immunotherapy treatment, but Alan now reckons it may just be to talk about starting it. Prayers for that appointment would be greatly appreciated. 

Alan has several other appointments this week to drain the fluid on his lung. This is now so much easier with the newly installed tap, and the nurses are doing a great job. 

With it being Father's Day, I am reminded of the perfect love of our Heavenly Dad. There's a song by Graham Kendrick which seems to capture this love ever so well, and the words of the second verse seem relevant:

"When bruised and broken I draw near

You hold me close and dry my tears

I love the way you father me

At last my fearful heart is still

Surrendered to your perfect will

I love the way you father me."

You can listen to the full song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4RiA95xjps

Thanks for praying!

Beth

Overwhelmed by Love

We are thankful for answered prayer and God's provision of a tap for Alan, which was fitted on Tuesday afternoon, when he had another litre of fluid drained at the same time. After an x-ray and all the usual checks, Alan came home on Tuesday evening. 

We'd like to thank all of the staff that oversaw Alan's care while he was there. All of them were brilliant, and treated Alan so well, coping very well with him winding them up in his usual style! 

We were a bit disappointed that we didn't sleep so well that night. After 5 nights in hospital with disturbed sleep and having to sit up, we were hoping that Alan would enjoy a good nights sleep lying down. However, his lung liner is still quite full of fluid and so lying down was not an option!

On Wednesday we were expecting a nurse to come to the house to drain more fluid, but by 3pm nobody had arrived. At 5pm we bundled into the car after various phone calls and went up to the doctors surgery, where a lovely nurse (who had done it several times before) drained Alan's lung liner. We really feel that she was God's provision for us. 

We have been overwhelmed with messages and cards showing us love and we are ever so grateful for everyone who has contacted us. 
Alan is extremely tired (and I'm feeling a bit weary too...) so if you're planning on visiting, please check with us first via text, Whatsapp or Messenger; as we may be having a nap!

We received an amazing card from a dear friend, Marion, last week with a picture of a boat in a storm on the front. She bought this card weeks ago, knowing that it was for Alan but not knowing anything of our storm that lay ahead. 
The words on that back said:
"Pause for Peace
Toiling long and hard against today's storm, you faithfully completed the assignments God asked of you. The Lord is proud of you and what you have accomplished. He's noticed all of it - every detail. Nothing goes past his attention. Refreshment, tranquility, and rest are here for you. It's time to pause for his peace."

This really spoke to us and provided us with so much comfort that God is with us through our rough waters. Alan noticed the 'pause' bit and wanted to say that this doesn't mean he's putting his feet up for long, it just means he's going through a rest phase! 

As a house group years ago we were saying what we valued about each other. Phil said 'If Alan was stranded down a mine with the water rising, he'd find something positive to say!! It doesn't come naturally for me to be so 'buoyant' but I have learnt over the years to count my blessings and trust in God to work good out of every situation; and we have seen him do that so many times. 

As the old hymn says:
The storm may rage about me
My heart may low be laid
But God is round about me
How can I be dismayed?

Thank you for your continued love,
Sue

A Waiting Game

Alan has been in hospital since Thursday awaiting a suitably qualified person to drain the fluid from his lung, and for an implement (which we are calling a 'tap') to be inserted, to enable regular draining and an eco -friendly way of watering the garden!!! We reckon it would be quite nutritious, and are thankful that we are still able to laugh through our storm. 
Alan has been on and off oxygen since Thursday morning, when his oxygen levels fall and he needs a bit of extra help. His body seems to be learning to cope with less capacity - our bodies are wonderfully made and there is a lot of prayer going on! So he is needing the oxygen less now and only takes it when he needs it. 

Today we have heard that there is a possibility that the drain can be done this afternoon, but we don't know if they've found a tap yet - there seems to be a shortage in the country! So, Alan may be home tonight. 

One of the last stories Alan told in his assemblies was of Jesus calming the storm. At the end he encouraged the children to get to know God before the storms of life.
The last week at Kidz Klub (which we've had to stop as Alan is not the only one of the team weathering a storm) they were telling the story of Paul's shipwreck after a storm and God at work through it all.
Then, our friend, Peter, dropped a card around with a note about a bible verse that seemed to speak to him of our situation.
"We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die but as a result we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God; who raises the dead. and he did rescue us from mortal danger...
Many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety." - 2 Corninthians 1: 8-11 (NLT)  
Thanks Peter.

This seemed to confirm to us that Alan's time to go is not yet - although we're ready when we need to face this. The oncology team still think that Alan is an ideal candidate for the new immunotherapy treatment that is available now on the NHS (God's timing?!) and his first session is on the 17th June. 

The song going through our minds at the minute is "King of Kings, Majesty" ....' your majesty, we can but bow. we lay our all before you now. In royal robes we don't deserve, we live to serve your majesty.'
Here's the song if you fancy a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5VutCGsVXE

Thanks again for your continued prayer support. We can definitely feel that people are praying. 

Love Sue

Greater than the Storm Song

Our young friend, Beth, has been great in helping us keep folk informed as to what's been happening in our lives - co-author of this blog. 

She's also a talented musician and has written this special song for us and others going through storms in their lives.

Thanks Beth!

Greater than the Storm

© Beth Tumbridge

1. When the waves crash down

Your anchor keeps us safely near the shore

We hope in you

And you cross the seas to meet us where we are

CHORUS

God, you're greater than the storm

And we trust in You alone

In Your presence there is peace

And the strength to carry on

2. The rain pours down

You bottle every tear that we have shed

Your grace abounds

And you shelter us in your place of rest

3. The strong winds blow

As you stand with us, we will not be swayed

Your mercy

Strengthens us and guides us to your way

4. As the thunders roar

Your comfort means that we no longer fear

Your love flows down

And in to your arms we run and hide again

Pestering A&E

Hello again, 

This last week has been a bit unpredictable with Alan in and out of A&E, but we really feel that God has gone ahead of us each time. I usually look after our grandchildren one day a week, and a friend's children another day; and both days were cancelled in advance with other people wanting to look after them- so it left me free to chauffeur Alan in to A&E!

• Monday 3rd June-  Another rough night, and we were back in A&E by 8am. Alan had more fluid drained off his worst lung, and we were sent back home in the afternoon. 
• 4th and 5th June - Alan was very tired, and we started cancelling our commitments and offloading things on to members of our brilliant team. 
• 6th June - Alan was really struggling to breathe through the night, and we left at 3am to go back to A&E. We were expecting to have the lung drained again, and were hoping that they may put a 'tap' in to make things easier - meaning that a nurse could come to the house and drain the fluid, and save us going to and from the hospital. 

After a lot of waiting around yesterday, Alan's lung still wasn't drained and they kept him in over night. 

We are hoping that this will be done today, and then we can have him home again. 

We spoke to the oncology team last week, who seem optimistic that they can get the cancer under control with immune therapy. We have an appointment with Alan's consultant on the 17th June. 

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We are generally at peace and are thankful for God's provisions, always. 
My sister sent me this song this week - it seemed so relevant:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_Spi6YzQ20


Love Sue

The Story So Far....

Hello!

Many of you have heard us share God in the good times, and we thought it only right that we share God in the stormy times too. We feel quite vulnerable doing so because we don't know what lies ahead (or how we will cope with it!) but for the minute, we are trusting God and know that our times are in his hands. 

Many of you will be aware that Alan is currently coping with renal cell (kidney) cancer. We thought we'd share a bit of our journey so far and keep you up to date with what is happening. 

So...

• 29th December 2017 - Alan had one kidney removed as he was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour. We were so grateful it was found early because of blood in his urine - it's usually found too late to treat. 
• 23rd July 2018 -  Alan had another cancerous growth removed 
• 25th March 2019 - Routine scan showed more cancerous 'dots.' Because Alan is generally fit and well, they didn't want to treat him with chemotherapy as this would make him feel quite poorly. We were told the cancerous dots were slow-growing, and that they would keep an eye on him with a scan in a few months. 
• 12th May 2019 - My birthday celebration - Alan was chasing the grandchildren across the beach, in his usual style!
• Over the next two weeks, Alan started getting breathless and coughing.
• 21st May 2019 - visit to the doctor, thinking it was a respiratory infection. Alan was given antibiotics and told to come back if they didn't help to clear things up. 
• 24th - 27th May 2019 - Alan and I went on a short holiday and enjoyed time cycling on the Granite Trail and visiting Buckfastleigh Abbey. Alan spent the Sunday and Monday in bed as he was feeling quite unwell, and we cut our holiday short and came back home. 
• 28th May 2019 - We tried to get a doctors appointment for Alan but it was a no-go. That evening, Alan could hardly breathe and we ended up to A&E. It eased off a bit and they sent him home, instructing him to go to the doctors in the morning. 
• 29th May 2019 - The doctor sent Alan straight back to A&E as his oxygen levels were extremely low. They drained 1.5litres of fluid from his worst-affected lung, and he felt much better after that! Various tests were carried out to try and determine the reason for the fluid build up. 
• 30th May 2019 - Back to hospital at 8am for a scan. They encouraged us to go on our planned trip to The Minack to see Sister Act. We were very grateful to our friend Beth who drove us there and back - the show was excellent. 
• 31st May 2019 - We had a call from the doctor - not looking good, it looks like the fluid build up is caused by the cancer. Restless night. We were up at 4am eating yoghurt... I said to Alan "you know this isn't looking good, if it's in your lungs." He shared that he didn't feel that it was his time to go yet but we were in for a bumpy ride. 

When Jesus was facing the cross he asked his father if he could be spared going through what lay ahead, 'but not my will but yours be done'. This is our prayer too.

We know that the road ahead is looking rough. The song going through my head at the minute is the Johnny Cash song "You've gotta walk that lonesome valley, you've got to walk there by yourself." 

Despite that, we are so grateful that we don't have to walk this on our own. "Even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will be there with you. " The Bible tells us that God will be with us, and we are so grateful for all of the prayers from our friends and family. 

Thank you for reading this, and for your continued support, 

Sue

P.s. Here is a video of Alan (in the red coat) 'recovering' 1 month ish after having his kidney removed - major op!! You can't keep a good man down!!