Pray For....
At West Hills, the people of the church are the church. When one of our church has a serious diagnosis, we establish a page on our website to communicate:
- The latest medical status
- The prayer requests
- Who to call to help
Dale, Carol and Paul Chisolm
Status
After a routine mammogram, Carol Chisholm was alerted of an abnormality in the results. The following week, a biopsy indicated the presence of cancerous cells. Further testing and an MRI revealed a mass that must be removed. Carol and Dale are in the process of setting a date for the mastectomy. (hopefully in November). Fortunately, the lungs are clear and the doctor categorized the cancer as stage I.
Prayer
The Chisholm’s prayer is for wisdom in decisions regarding reconstructive surgery. Please pray for them.
Help
Meals are not required at this point. We will set up a calendar to supply meals after the surgery. Send an email to 2ndserve@att.net if you want to help with meals.
Update - 11/15/09
Status
Carol will have her preoperative exam, blood work and EKG on Tuesday, November 17th . Surgery will be on Thursday, November 19th The doctor expects her to stay overnight and go home on Friday. They are planning to travel to Michigan on Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Nate and Paul will both be in that weekend (20th-24th ) and through Thanksgiving so meals for 4.
Prayer
Prayer that Carol’s preoperative work is done without complication and that the surgery can occur as planned. Pray that the doctor is successful in removing all the cancerous cells. Pray for healing and recovery.
Help
We are using the website www.takethemameal.com to coordinate meals for the first few days after surgery. Search by last name Chisholm and password is WHCC. We are just planning meals through Tuesday the 24th and hopefully can cover this through the life group. After surgery, they will know more about post operative procedures and if other meals are needed.
Update 11/20/09
Carol had a right-side mastectomy on Thursday, 19 Nov 2009.
The surgery went well. Dr Radford, the Surgeon, said that there were no surprises: she found what she expected fo find, and didn't find what she didn't expect to find. Preliminary analysis of samples taken during surgery indicate that the cancer has not entered the lymph system.
A more comprehensive analysis is being performed to verify this finding, and we expect results to be reported early next week. Future treatment will be determined after all results have been reported.
Carol has been out of bed since surgery and seems to be recovering well, although still in pain. I expect she will be discharged on Friday afternoon, and will be able to travel next week.
We have received fabulous support from our church family. Special thanks to all who participated in those efforts.
God is faithful! Praise Him! SDG.
Update 11/30/09
Status
Carol is recovering well after surgery. Evidence of cancerous activity appeared in the lymph nodes biopsy taken after surgery. Appointment(s) this week will review the options for further treatment.
Prayer
Prayer for discernment in evaluating further treatment options.
Help
We are using the website www.takethemameal.com to coordinate meals. It is doubtful that food would be needed until next week (12/7) if then, depending on when further treatment is scheduled. After the doctor appointments 12/2, they will know more about post operative procedures and if other meals are needed. Search by last name Chisholm and the password is WHCC on the website to see what meals are need.
Update 1/11/10
Carol started chemotherapy the first week in January. The chemotherapy will continue for 18 weeks, for a total of 6 sessions.
She is thankful that she was not sickened by the drugs. However, she is tired and has noticed a decrease in appetite.
Prayer Requests
The Chisholm’s would appreciate prayers that the chemo would eradicate any remaining cancer. Also pray that Carol’s energy levels would be restored.