Beautiful Day in Tennessee!

Wow!  What a beautiful day in East TN today!  Yesterday and today the temps are reaching the 80's so it really feels more like summer than spring.  The sun is shining from a gorgeous blue sky. Everything is very green already and almost looks like it's growing before our eyes!  What a glorious spring.

Matthew just completed a week of chemo and had his shot today.  He is sleeping as I type this update.  We are very thankful he has had an easier week than last time (3 wks ago).  He will have 2 wks off, another week of chemo and then the doctor plans to schedule a scan.  To this point in 2009, the cancer has remained "stable".  

Matthew has felt pretty well between treatments and is eating well.  He has begun a new diet that is geared around a plant-based diet, soy instead of regular dairy, mainly fish with little meat, organic as much as possible, nothing containing sugar or high-fructose corn syrup plus juicing vegetables and fruits.  

Matthew has always had a lot of will power and the ability to stick with something once he's started.  His handling of this new diet is no different.  He's doing SO well!  Greg and I are joining in the diet with him as well as his brother Ian in DC.  Actually Ian is the one that has done all the research and is responsible for us being on the diet and doing the juicing.  Thanks Ian for your hard work!!

If all goes well in May, Matthew is planning a trip to the beach with friends.  He is really looking forward to that!!

Thanks for your continued prayers for us as we travel this arduous journey.  I pray that you will be blessed beyond measure for your faithfulness.  

Nancy

The journey continues...

Tomorrow will be one month since I updated everyone on Matthew.  Hard to believe, but he has completed 2 full weeks of chemotherapy (the week of Jan 26 & this past week).  Thank you so much for your specific prayers because Matthew's side-effects these two rounds have certainly been there but not as severe as previous times as well as the fact that he has had an amazing spirit and peace about him as he has returned to this grueling schedule. 

The rest of us have felt the strength and support of your prayers as we help and support Matthew day to day.  It still doesn't get any easier seeing him suffer and face such unbelievably tough challenges but as his doctor told him 2 1/2 years ago - "This is your job now, Matthew" - and it is our job to be on the journey with him every step of the way.

Saturday and Sunday after the week of chemo is the most difficult but after the January round, Matthew started feeling a little better on Monday which is earlier than usual.  We are praying for the same thing tomorrow (Monday).   (btw:  There isn't a scan scheduled at this point. Matthew will have at least another week of treatments and maybe more before one is put on the calendar.)

If all goes well in Matthew's recuperation process this week, he and I are planning a trip to visit family on Thursday.  We plan to see Ian in DC first and then take him with us to Va Beach to visit the rest of our family.  This week is my Mom's 88th birthday so we are exited to be there for the celebration.  It'll be laid back and flexible to take Matthew's rest schedule into account. We are praying for traveling mercies as well as physical stamina for Matthew & I.  (Also, that Mom will not be too overwhelmed with the large family get-together.  We can get pretty rowdy! Ha ha!!)

There are many that read these words and each of you face challenges in your lives, big and small, including the uncertainty of the economic situation in our country.  My prayer for you is that you will find some peace, calmness, and strength in each day and that God will bless you with His goodness.

Love to each of you,

Nancy

2009 update on Matthew Fay

Happy 2009!!!  Hope your January has been great so far.

It is amazing how over the past 12 months we have re-established relationships from MANY years ago (high school, college, early family friends, etc.) most of which have been through e-mail and Matthew's blog.  Whether we have spoken through computer, by phone or in person, rest assured that we are SO appreciative of you being in our lives!  As we have updated each other on our lives, love, caring and prayers have begun to flow in many directions, mounting up strength beyond belief.  Thank you for these renewed relationships.

And for those who are in our daily lives, your love and steadfast commitment to us through your prayers, strong arms and listening ears are immeasurable.  God bless you for standing by us.

The Fays had a wonderful Christmas and New Years.  Ian was with us for a week at Christmas so we had a great time as a family even though we were unable to see our extended family this year.

Matthew has been taking 1 medicine (Avastin) since the end of Nov. 08.  There have been no side effects and he has been able to grow his beard back as well as a little hair on his head.  His energy level has increased and he actually went on a ski weekend with Ian and some friends. They had a blast.  It has been a fabulous break for him.

When we saw the doctor in early January, Matthew had a long discussion with the doctor as to the best treatment plan for the future.  He could continue the Avastin and wait to see if the cancer remained stable or resume the treatment of 3 meds (Avastin, Temodar & CPT 11) which could possibly give him better odds.  Even though he will return to severe side effects, loss of hair and feeling bad about 1/2 of the time, Matthew chose to resume the 3 meds.

Monday, Jan. 26, Matthew will return to the schedule he's been on for the last 6 months:  a cycle of one week (5 days) on chemo and 2 wks off.  It will be a while before a scan is done so we won't have any official word on his status until then.

Some suggestions for specifics in your prayers include:  1.  that the side effects will be minimal for Matthew;  2.  that there will be renewed effect of the meds meaning more reduction of the cancer;  3.  that Matthew will have peace as he begins a new round of extensive treatment;  

4.  that his Mom, Dad and Brother will have what we need to help Matthew in the way we need to;  5.  that new treatments will become available.

God is working in Matthew's life, without a doubt.  At the last visit, during the discussion with the doctor, he actually said that what Matthew had experienced as far as results over the last 6 months was "nothing short of miraculous."  Of course, we agreed wholeheartedly!

Again, thank you for your love, friendship, support and prayers for us.  I look forward to hearing form you.

Love and blessings,  Nancy

Matthew's Scan Report

Dear Friends and Family,

We saw Matthew's doctor late yesterday afternoon to receive the results from the scan he had on Monday. Basically, the scan showed that the cancer is stable with low activity rate and some slight reduction in a few areas.

To help Matthew continue to build his weight and strength from being so sick a couple of weeks ago, the doctor wants to take Matthew off of 2 of the 3 meds he takes as part of his treatment until January. (The 2 he's coming off of are the culprits for his major side effects.) The one left (Avastin) is a very good drug that helps keep cancer stable and should have virtually no side effects. So he'll have a wonderful break through the end of the year.

Matthew had gained 7 pounds back yesterday - great news! He has been feeling pretty good this week, able to get out and hang out with friends, appetite returning. So, without chemo, his basic health situation should improve tremendously through the end of the year. (Boy, that's a paradox, isn't it?) Thank you for your continued prayers for Matthew and our family.

I got to go to choir rehearsal last night for the first time in awhile. Whew, what an uplift and blessing to my spirit! We're working on our Christmas music to sing each Sunday morning in December as well as a complete program on the 14th.

This is the first year in many that I am not directing - a bit of an adjustment. But this year God is giving me the cherished blessing of allowing me to add my voice to the many others who, up to now, I have directed. Along with the choir and a friend who is singing the part of Gabriel, I am singing the words of Mary's response to the angel sometimes referred to as The Magnificat.

Once Gabriel tells Mary of the task that God has for her does she say:
no, or let me think about it, or maybe someone else would be better prepared????

No, she humbly and courageously accepts God's task by responding:
(in the paraphrased words of the song)

My soul glorifies Your name, O God; My spirit rejoices in You.

My offering to You is my service, Lord. Let it be as You say.

My heart embraces Your gift of love;

My hands will nurture Your living Word;

I will be the earthly mother to Your holy Son;

Let it be as You say.

From the Fay Family: Merry Christmas to each of you, God bless you all and, hopefully, along with Mary, our hearts can embrace God's gift of love this season!

Dec. 1st Update for Matthew

Dear Family and Friends,

I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving. We were blessed to have 13 members of our family and friends to share our Thanksgiving meal. The meal was prepared by our Sunday School class at our church which was a double blessing. Other dear friends brought special gifts of food to round out the meal. We were so humbled and uplifted by all the generosity and love displayed to us that day!! We praise the Lord for His goodness shown to us through these precious people.

Thank you for your prayers for Matthew over these past 3 weeks. It was very tough on him. The combination of the virus and chemo left him dehydrated, weak and with loss of weight as well. He had IV fluids along with additional meds a week before Thanksgiving to give him some help for recovery. He is feeling better now but has not regained his appetite. He is going for his Petscan today. We'll receive results Wednesday afternoon. I'll e-mail as soon as I can.

In the meantime his Dad also contracted the same dreaded virus and is just now recovering after 1 week's time. Thankfully, I just got the "Reader's Digest Version" of the virus. Mom's just can't get sick, right?

As we begin the month of December, let's challenge each other to smile and be especially kind in the midst of the hustle bustle where others may be rushed and agitated (and make us agitated, too!). This is the month we celebrate God's greatest gift to all of us, His son, Jesus Christ. He gave us His greatest gift. As the result of the love we know in Him, surely we can find small ways to give of ourselves to others at this glorious time of year. You never know how the smallest kind act will touch someone.

Love and blessings to all,
Nancy

Update for November 19th

Dear Family & Friends,

Just wanted to bring you up to speed on Matthew's progress.

He did complete his week of chemo that came on the heels of a stomach virus. The week turned out to be one the most difficult chemo weeks in a long time.

When the weekend arrived, we knew we were on the "uphill" climb to Matthew feeling better. But unfortunately, with continued chemo side effects that mimic the stomach virus and the inability to eat more than apple sauce and popsicles, Matthew has been unable to make much progress at feeling better.

We canceled the Petscan that was scheduled for tomorrow (Fri, 11/21) and the doctor has requested that Matthew come in and see him instead. Hopefully, we'll get some more answers tomorrow. His scan will be rescheduled when he feels better.

The most likely scenario is that because of the virus, Matthew's body was in such a weakened state that it could not handle the chemo and its side effects as well as usual. We continue to pray for improvement even if it is ever so slight.

Thank you for the encouraging e-mails and entrees on the blog site. They really encourage us! Of course, your faithful prayers lift us up when we don't have the strength to do so.

In case I don't talk to you before then, I pray that each of you will have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving! We ALL have much to thank the Lord for!!

Love to all,
Nancy

Riding on the wings of prayer...

Dear Friends and Family,

I would like to bring you up to date on Matthew's current situation and schedule. Yesterday (Nov. 10) began another week of chemo (This will be the usual Mon thru Fri w/ shot on Sat). Even after 2 years, Matthew does so well "taking things in stride". He is amazing!

This chemo week had a tough beginning since Matthew had a stomach virus on the weekend that was still underway Sunday evening. It was touch and go to see if he could even begin chemo yesterday. Riding on the wings of prayers of those that knew that he was sick, Matthew was able to get up and make the trip to Knoxville.

Since his bloodwork was acceptable and the virus seemed to over, the decision was made to go forward. Matthew was given extra meds to help him rest during chemo as well as to help his "post virus" symptoms. It was a long day, but thankfully he completed his treatment.

On the ways home, around 5 pm, we stopped to pick up something for Matthew to eat. (He had hardly had anything for a day and a half.) As we left the parking lot after getting the food, a driver to our left did not see us ( I believe the sun was shining right in her eyes) and came very close to "t-boning" us (better known as hitting us broad side on the driver's side). I slammed on the brakes and blew my horn...it was very, very close.

Well, since it was so unexpected, this finished Matthew off and he became so sick to his stomach we had to pull over for him. Needless to say, he didn't get to eat the food we had just purchased. We got home, Matthew ate a little bit of applesauce, laid down and went to sleep. Thank the Lord for restorative sleep! We are praying for a calmer, better day today!

Matthew is also scheduled for a Pet Scan on Friday, Nov. 21st. We'll receive results on the 25th at a follow-up doctor's visit. We will be praying for phenomenal news to add to our Thanksgiving celebration that week!!

It has been 2 years this month that we have been on this journey with Matthew. Thank you for loving us, praying for us, and supporting us through these tough times. Your faithfulness to us has been so humbling and we love you for it. God has blessed us in so many ways during this time and you definitely are a big part of His blessings! Thank you.

Love, Nancy