2008 Updates on Jere Patzer
October 24 Update from Jere Patzer
It has been so wonderful to feel more energetic the last few days—to feel like working out briefly on the treadmill or taking short walks in this colorful fall weather, instead of just sitting at the computer between naps.
However, one of the side effects of this outpatient chemo I receive once a week is itchy, watery eyes. Unfortunately I am apparently in the 7% for which that is an understatement. It has been more like periods of severely burning eyes. That has been followed by an extremely painful sore throat, which we are still trying to get a handle on.
So, do we still covet your prayers? More than you can imagine! Thank you ever so much.
“We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.” 2 Corinthians 1:9-11
September 24 Update from Sue and Jere Patzer
Several of you have reminded us that it has been quite some time since we have posted an update. That’s because there was no “new” news to report. We’ve been in a holding pattern—a waiting game. Dr. Nichols reminded us that a body that has been hit over and over again by chemo deserves the time it takes for its bone marrow to regroup and recoup before the next phase of treatment.
As you can imagine, for a Type-A personality waiting is not without frustration. Yet patience is part of the lesson, and we are trying to learn it well.
Now we are in the midst of a new outpatient, once-a-week chemo treatment, thankfully with minimal side-effects, the main one continuing to be the ever-present weakness. Jere receives platelets and blood transfusions as needed, often working from his laptop during them.
Amazing to us is that through all this (and yes, it does seem interminable at times!) there continues to be ongoing prayer and encouraging words from you, our neighbors, friends, colleagues, and of course, family. Thank you! Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!
“…but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that our suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5: 3, 4
August 20 Update from Sue Patzer
Last Tuesday Jere was admitted for two days of chemo treatment because his hydration needed to be measured during the procedure. Except for being weak, he felt quite good the whole time and we even celebrated by stopping at the Olive Garden on our way home Thursday.
So Thursday ended well. Much better than my no-good-very-bad-Thursday started:
First I discovered a flat tire on our car--I'd apparently run over a screw the night before. So I took our other vehicle, an old yet trusty Blazer, to the hospital. Jere was working on the computer and very ready to be discharged. But when we got ready to leave the hospital I couldn't find my Blazer keys. I went down to the Blazer to see if I was a complete idiot--having locked them in the ignition, but no, they weren't there. A security guy helped me empty the nearby garbage can (a humbling experience!) where I'd thrown paper on my way to Jere's room. No keys.
Having no idea if they were in the car or not it seemed futile to call a locksmith.
To make a long story short, our dear friend Cindy came all the way to Providence and rescued us. Then another loyal friend, Bryce, brought me back to the hospital on his way home so I could retrieve the Blazer with our extra set of keys. Finally we DID find the lost keys. They were in the back seat, wedged between the door and the seat and I remembered going in the back seat to get some office work to do while I waited for Jere to be released and I must have dropped them there.
Yesterday’s blood counts were pretty good—chemo reeks havoc on the cells so transfusions are routine but none was necessary. We are now just waiting for this chemo to take full effect. As soon as the white counts are stabilized the stem cells will be harvested after which we will be heading to Seattle.
August 1 Update from Jere Patzer
A significant part of the last two weeks has been spent with Adventist Health board, hospital CEO’s and families, (happily) including ours. The ongoing low energy level continued to be a frustration but thankfully I was still able to chair the board and attend the meetings, going in to a nearby hospital for a blood test and a transfusion of platelets.
We returned home Saturday night and left Sunday to join our NPUC, WWU, and conference administrators and families at our annual summer meetings/retreat. All week I was plagued with diminishing energy level.
A highlight of the week came at the close of the meetings on Thursday when these dear friends gathered around Sue and me for a season of prayer and anointing. Their thoughtfulness and earnest prayers really touched us. On the ride back toward Portland that afternoon I felt better than I had all week.
We went directly to our clinic appointment where our suspicions were confirmed: I needed blood and platelet transfusions, getting some yesterday and the rest as I write.
Though at times this has seemed like life on an endless roller coaster, that thought quickly diminished when we were reminded that these are all side-effects of the chemo doing what it’s supposed to do. To emphasize that fact Dr. Nichols surprised us by revealing yesterday that my white count is now normal! What had been just a few weeks ago over 100,000 is now down to 4,000. Whether this final downward spiral of the white cells happened before or after the anointing is inconsequential, we just know that God has blessed us with a chemo drug that is working.
We’re praising God for answered prayers, for the best in medical care and that we live where infusions are so readily available.
“Yet I am confident that I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” Psalm 27: 13, 14. (NLT)
July 18 Update from Jere Patzer
The last couple weeks have been rough ones, no getting around it. We went to the clinic Wednesday, July 9, for my next chemo treatment only to find out I really needed blood transfusions and platelets first, and this could be most efficiently and quickly done by admitting me to the hospital - unplanned and a disappointment to say the least.
By Friday I had received the needed transfusions plus two successful chemo treatments of a recently released-for-use-in-the-US drug called Bendamustine. Through it all I felt weak but good enough to work at times on my laptop. By Friday evening I was homeward bound.
The next day a fever decided to take up residence in my body. And until last evening, five days later, it appeared to resist all attempts to evict it (three clinic visits for blood cultures - all negative, two antibiotics, even more platelets). Thankfully I was able to stay home during this time and forego another admittance. Finally the fever is gone, though my energy level is still quite low from the effects of the chemo. The great news from Dr. Nichols is that this chemo drug is working well so the low energy is tolerable.
“Greatly rejoice, though for a little while you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” 1 Peter 1: 6-7.
June 27 Update from Sue Patzer
Jere's 2nd treatment yesterday went very well, along with the doctor's visit. We were so encouraged when Dr. Nichols commented on how good Jere was looking and that his counts showed "you have turned the corner," which means this treatment is doing what it's supposed to do. We really were not too surprised, thanks to your prayers and the fact that Jere has been feeling so much better in the last few days.
Other than stopping by for blood tests and a consultation with Dr. Nichols, there will be no clinic treatment next week!
"Praise be to God, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows" II Corinthians 1:3-5.
June 17 Update from Sue Patzer
Yesterday we had an appointment with Dr. Nichols. We hadn’t seen him since our stem cell transplant consultation at the University of Washington two weeks ago. The last two weeks have seemed very long to us since learning from them that the transplant would not happen immediately, as we had first been led to believe. So we were very anxious to get a schedule of whatever does have to happen before Jere’s stem cells can be harvested. Since Dr. Nichols has been out of the country (at conventions in Switzerland and England—with much of the content having to do with mantle cell lymphomas) there has been nothing to do but wait. This lesson in patience is sometimes a hard one!
Someone asked what the best news of yesterday’s visit was. I quickly responded, “That there was no bad news!” It is always calming to visit the clinic and feel the warmth of the staff. Dr. Kristy Moore, Dr. Nichols’ “shadow,” spent half an hour with us, examining, answering questions, getting our “read” and sharing hers re: the U of WA’s stellar transplant program. Dr. Nichols joined us and did more of the same, as well as laying out the plan for the next few weeks.
So the schedule is for a couple rounds of outpatient chemo over the next few weeks in preparation for harvesting Jere’s stem cells which is scheduled as of now for around the middle of August. This will all take place at the clinic in Portland. So, yeah, it’s great that we can still be at home for all of this “pre-work” before heading to Seattle for the actual stem cell transplant.
Even though we’ve already learned some about stem cell transplants we will be much more educated in the next few weeks and months! What we do know is the reason we need to go to the U of WA immediately after the harvest: a relatively new drug will be used, before Jere’s stem cells are given back to him, that calls for him to be in a lead-lined isolation room for 7–10 days. (The scheduling of that room was part of the reason for the delay.)
So that’s what we know for now. As we look back over the past two weeks and towards the next few weeks, here are just a few of the texts that have taken on new meaning for us:
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3: 17
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1: 9
“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” II Corinthians 12: 9–10
He is faithful!
June 2 Update from Jere Patzer
Hi Dear Friends,
We just got home from the Seattle Cancer Center Alliance which we’ve recently learned is where three cancer care organizations: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington Medical Center, and Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center, collaborate. While waiting in the lobby we read a simple yet, to us, a profound statement: Cancer is a word not a sentence.
At our consultation today we were informed by the doctors that Jere’s stem cells will actually be harvested here in Portland. Before that happens he will receive another out-patient chemo regimen which partially will be determined by today’s blood test. The “move” to Seattle for the stem cell infusion (including radiation isolation) will take place about mid August.
While we were disappointed at the seeming “delay” to the end of all this, we were happy to know that some of it will be able to take place in the outpatient clinic and near home. So instead of packing to head to Seattle later this week, Jere, will thankfully, be able to head to the office.
One of you shared this text that was especially meaningful today:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Is. 41: 10
May 22 Update from Sue Patzer
We just returned from the 4 th (and final) part of Jere’s last chemo treatment, and an appointment with Dr. Nichols. This round has gone quite well for the most part, and Jere has been able to work both at the office and in his home office (even in the quiet hours of the night when he can’t sleep).
Next is our pre-stem cell consultation at the University of WA on Monday, June 2. Dr. Nichols assured us today that he is confident in the long-term success of this procedure “otherwise we wouldn’t put you through this”.
“So we don’t look at the troubles we have right now; rather we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:10
We continue to be amazed and humbled by your ongoing prayers. Thank you so much. May this be a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend for all.
May 4 Update from Sue Patzer
Just now Jere is between cycles two and three, giving him a few days to build back up, while monitoring his blood counts, which have remained good thus far. If all things go as planned he’ll be able to go into the office some again this coming week.
Encouragement from Dr. Nichols this week was not only how much progress Jere continues to make, but additionally he informed us of a new drug to be released later this summer. "We just have to keep ahead of the curve," he stated.
While our courage is good and our faith is strong, we still continue to covet your prayers for the ongoing challenges of this battle, and thank you in advance!
April 18 Update from Sue Patzer
With the stubborn pneumonia finally on the run, Jere was able to receive his second treatment yesterday. This is actually the beginning of a new treatment that can be given on an outpatient basis at the clinic. (You can imagine our happiness that he was able to return home the same day!)
The treatment went well and Jere is even feeling relatively good. There will be 4 parts to this treatment, given over 12 days during which time his immune system will become compromised, but not to the degree he experienced a few weeks ago. It is felt this change in protocol will be every bit as effective on the cancer cells, but will allow for healthier bone marrow as he prepares for the stem cell transplant in May.
At this point Jere continues to be able to work, from home for the most part, and with frequent rests. He is still on track for speaking appointments the latter part of June so we will see how that all transpires.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers in this journey, not one we chose, but one we are optimistic will bring some eternal advancement to the Lord's work.
April 14 Update from Sue Patzer
After a CT scan last Tuesday showed the stubborn strain of pneumonia was continuing to retreat Jere was sent back home to complete recuperation. For the most part he felt quite good, except for sporadic lower back pain, and was able to work from home, even venturing into the office for a while.
We had been told to come back today for another CT scan, so we went to the appointment this morning with a packed suitcase, figuring that after the scan Dr. Nichols just might admit Jere. While we were anxious to get started on round #2, we admittedly had some anxiety as well. (At a time like this how precious are the Bible promises learned as a carefree child and now brought to mind by a friend or loved one! We repeated them over and over to each other during our unusually long wait.)
Well, the scan revealed some good news—Jere's lungs are continuing to clear, and the enlarged lymph nodes are still shrinking. It did not indicate anything unusual to explain the sometimes severe lower back pain he has been experiencing, which leaves us and the doctors thinking it may simply be a pulled muscle.
We were happily surprised to learn Dr. Nichols, after consultation with colleagues around the country, has decided to adjust Jere’s chemo meds. He plans to start Jere later this week on a different chemo regimen. It will be on an outpatient basis over the course of 12 days. Dr. Nichols has assured us that this change is not expected to diminish the effectiveness to the lymph system. He believes this new regimen will be not so hard on Jere's sensitive bone marrow so that the stem cell transplant can still take place in a few weeks as planned. The previous regime left him open to infections such as this stubborn pneumonia he has been battling.
That is the layman’s version, as I understood it! What I do perfectly understand is that I got to bring my husband home, feeling good, upbeat, and with the dread of imminent admittance gone. What better birthday gift could I receive?!
April 4 Update from Sue Patzer
Yesterday was a beautiful spring day, but it was made even more so when Dr.Nichols released Jere from the hospital. Since his counts were good we stopped by the office and surprised our wonderful staff, joining them for lunch. This week started with Jere's admission on Monday. But we soon realized there would be another delay in the Round #2 chemo since a chest X-ray and scope revealed a stubborn strain of pneumonia was still in his lungs. Several days of antibiotic IVs followed. Since he was feeling relatively good all week, and with wireless internet access in the room, he was able to work even though the IV antibiotics kept him hospital bound.
The latest CT scan shows the lymph nodes are shrinking, and Dr. Nichols has assured us that he is not concerned about this delay. He expects to have Jere return to the hospital to begin Round #2 later next week, if and when the pneumonia is gone.
Thanks, dear friends, for your support and prayers.
March 28 Update from Sue Patzer
Jere and I headed into the hospital on Wednesday morning the 26th. He had originally been scheduled to go in Monday the 24th for Round #2 in his treatment, but the medical experts decided to give him a couple extra days at home to recuperate from Round #1's neutropenic fever and accompanying pneumonia which had resulted in an extra 8 days in the hospital.
But when they examined him on Wednesday, even though his blood counts were good, there was still a little congestion in his chest. So ... our doctors decided to let him have the rest of this week at home. This has been a marvelous gift as he now feels great and has for the most part been working from home all week. We plan to begin Round #2 on Monday morning, March 31, which we hope will last only about three days.
Thank you for your prayers and notes of encouragement as we continue this journey.
March 20 Update from Jere Patzer
My blood counts are much better so they finally released me from the hospital this afternoon. I’m glad to be feeling good again and back home for an extended weekend of recuperation.
While I originally planned to begin the second round of treatments this coming Monday, March 24, my medical team has postponed it a couple of days to give me a little more recovery time. If all goes well, I will return to the hospital on Wednesday, March 26, to start the second series.
My courage is good. We so very much appreciate your prayers.
March 14 Update from Jere Patzer
When we entered the Providence cancer center in Portland on Monday, March 3, it was with some assurance that these next few treatments, or at least the side effects, were not to be as severe. And that indeed seemed to be the case when I was released on Wednesday, March 5. Unfortunately, after several days of nausea, I seemed slow in bouncing back. After a couple days with a low-grade fever we headed to the clinic. While talking with two of our oncologists, a nurse practitioner and a few others I began to feel faint. According to Sue my eyes rolled back, and I was out cold. The staff immediately called for the rapid response team. Sue said she had never seen such hustle from these generally calm professionals.
When I finally began to come to, Sue was kneeling beside me, holding on to me, praying. It was about then that I realized she thought she might be losing me. After five hours in the emergency room I was admitted to the hospital which is where I have been ever since. Since this is my fifth time with a neutropenic* fever, I suppose we should be accustomed to these roller coaster rides, but each is unique.
As to my release, right now it is a waiting game as I receive antibiotics and wait for those low white blood cell counts to climb back up and destroy the infections that linger in the body. So what started out fairly promising has turned out to be one of the most challenging and difficult procedures we have been through since we began this journey two years ago.
Sue and I say a very heart felt "thank you" for your encouragement, and especially your prayers. We cherish your support. I suspect you had no idea how much we needed those prayers these past 12 days ... and will continue to for at least the immediate future!
The fact that God has always seen us through, sometimes hour by hour, sometimes minute by minute, gives us confidence that He will continue to do so.
* Neutropenic: An abnormally low level of neutrophils (white blood cells manufactured in the bone marrow that ingest bacteria, and which make up 60 percent of all white blood cells). A fever that occurs while the body is neutropenic is of concern since the body is temporarily less able to fight off the infection.
February 29 Update from Jere Patzer
Last week I had my quarterly CT scan at which time they noticed something irregular in a few lymph nodes. I had a CT biopsy the next day. Needless to say we spent several days in a rather unsettled state, praying and claiming the promises and assurances one does at times like this. “He will have no fear of bad news, his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear.” Psalm 112:7, 8
With our board meetings all this week I knew I couldn’t get back in for an appointment until yesterday. Dr. Nichols kindly called Sue on Monday with the preliminary results. After my meetings Sue informed me that Nichols had indeed called and while all test results were not back, it did appear that the Mantle Cell lymphoma had returned. Complete information would be available on Thursday the 28th. In the meantime he would be checking with his colleagues around the country on treatment options and would have those for us then as well. We decided to keep the incomplete diagnosis confidential until all results were in.
Yesterday we met with Dr. Nichols and one of his colleagues. It’s hard to think of good news when you are dealing with the shock and disappointment we experienced but there definitely are signs that God is already working with us. Nichols stated:
- My good health would once again work to my advantage.
- Since my first bout there is now a new protocol out of Denmark that for the first time has given medical research the ability to talk cautiously in terms of a “cure” rather than remission.
- That on a scale of 1 -10 with 10 being most serious, I was a 10 in 2006, and this time I am a 2!
As far as treatment we learned that I will be admitted to the new Providence cancer center on Monday, March 3, where they will begin treating the cancer aggressively. I will have two or three inpatient series of 3-5 days each. He does not expect that I will have as severe, adverse physical reactions as before.
I will be able to work some from my (new) hospital room, at home during recovery times--even back in the office between sessions.
I will then go to the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle for one month for a stem cell transplant. If everything goes as planned, all will be completed by late spring/early summer.
We are of good courage. We have our faith in the Lord, our family, our wonderful support team of praying friends and colleagues and the best treatment that modern medicine can give.
Paul’s statement comes to mind. “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair,…struck down, but not destroyed…Therefore we do not lose heart.” 2 Corinthians 4:8, 16
We are sorry to have to share this with you. Please keep us in your prayers as we go through this bump in the road to a complete cure.
The last cycle will begin Monday, May 12 and continue for four treatments, one every 3-4 days. Following completion of this final round of treatments the plan is still to go to the University of Washington for the stem cell transplant.
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