David A. Lemmink

Hello all,

I hope you are all enjoying Spring.  It’s been cool in Michigan, and we are hoping the weather will warm up a bit.  One blessing that we have experienced recently.   Our next-door neighbor has kindly mowed our lawn a couple of times.  That is such a neighborly thing to do and is VERY MUCH appreciated!

It has been a while since I last posted.  I am sorry about that, but we are just in hold mode and it doesn’t seem as though there is much to write about.  As I have stated before (and it seems, often) WAITING is difficult.  I suppose that one of the  lessons we are  learning.  Waiting……

We went back to Iowa May 19 for David to repeat the Octreotide scan that he had here in Grand Rapids.  Apparently something did not go well with the Grand Rapids scan and it was not clear enough to be able to send to Basel.  Fortunately, he could be included in a trial there at the VA Hospital in Iowa City.  We left the 19th and returned on the 22nd.  Uneventful, and boring.  He spent 3 days on and off getting this scan and there’s not a ton to do in Iowa City.

…..and we are waiting.  We assume that all David’s information has been compiled and sent to Basel, but we have not had a confirmation of that.  I believe it must be difficult to get all of that together, especially when you are dealing with 3-4 hospitals, 2-3 doctors, many nurses, labs, etc.  Once it is all sent over to Basel, then we wait some more for them to go through the data and respond to us with an invitation.

So we are living the small life we have.  We don’t do much, but we do our best to keep busy.  David does not feel the greatest, so we just hang out around the house.  I’ve been gardening, reading and playing some crazy farm game.  David finds what he can on TV and John is here playing with his friends.

I think it might be time to start thinking about our trip to Switzerland, so I am doing a bit or research on flights, the weather conditions, places to see and stay at.  It is a lot to think about.  If anyone has suggestions for us, that would be welcomed!

Thank you always for your prayers and support!

Love, Connie

We’re back!

We just got home from the University of Iowa and our appointment with Dr. O’Dorisio, and I thought I would do an update.  We left late Thursday morning, and our trip was mostly uneventful, excluding the areas of roadwork.  On the way to Iowa, somewhere in Illinois, there was roadwork that slowed us down considerably.  On the way home, in the same location, even though it too was down to one lane, it was much faster and easier!  We made good time, but left much later than anticipated, so we did not get home until 10:30 pm.  A whirlwind 2 days, but we have great news!

David’s appointment went so well.  Dr. O’Dorisio and his nurse Jan Weatherford are amazing and truly caring people.  In fact, everyone we deal with at the University of Iowa is so helpful and friendly.  Basically, to make a long story short, Switzerland is a go!  Dr. O’Do said that David’s markers show that he is a good candidate for the Y90 treatment.  This, in essence, means that the tumors should respond well to the treatment.  Dr. O’Dorisio explained the treatment and that it generally takes around 2 months from when they send in the application to when we will actually make the trip.  He did say that he would suggest that they try to bump David up higher on the list.  We do not want to lose any ground from all the chemotherapy to the Y90 treatment.

While we were there, he sat down in his office and actually wrote the letter that will be sent to Basel.  This along with all David’s test results will be FedEx’d to Basel.  We then wait to receive our invitation to go for treatment.  Dr. O’Dorisio gave no indication that David would not be invited.

In the meantime, a few things will change.  Dr. O’Do suggested that for now Dr. Brinker discontinue with chemotherapy and David needs to work toward gaining back some of the weight he has lost, both of which will help to ensure that his blood counts remain high.  He also told us that David will no longer be receiving the long-acting Sandostatin shots monthly and will start with the short-acting, 3 times per day shots that he will administer himself.  This way, when the invitation is received, he will be ready to go!

So, as you can imagine, we are very excited about this news.  It is the news we have been waiting 365 days to hear.  Yes, it has been a year since David was diagnosed….a very long year.  One of many changes, treatments, and ups and downs.  We are very hopeful that the treatment in Basel will be what will bring David back to good health and normalcy.  We are so thankful to all who have contributed to the fund that make the trips to Switzerland possible.  God is good and we are so humbled and thankful.

I will continue to keep you posted!

Love, Connie

Hi there,

David has been doing pretty well.  He has not received any chemotherapy for a few weeks now and seems to be a bit stronger.  I also am posting to let you know that we are headed out in the morning to Iowa City for a consultation with Dr. O’Dorisio on Friday.   We are sure that he will discuss with us how David is doing following his multiple treatments, and we hope and pray that we will find out more about our trip to Switzerland.  I will post again following the appointment although it may take me a day or two as John and I are also going to be out of town on Saturday.

Thank you for all your support, prayers and good wishes.

Love, Connie

Hello,

Just a quick post this morning to thank everyone for a lovely evening Saturday! I hope to post pictures soon!

David’s Benefit was a smashing success.  Everyone seemed to have a lovely time.  The room was full with so many loving, caring people!

First off, many, many thanks to Linda and Ellen who were the driving force behind the benefit.  They were so organized and we are thankful for all they did!  Thanks too, to Diane, Jeff, Ted and Bryan.  They never stopped all evening making sure things  that needed to get done, got done.

Thanks to Brian & Marianne, Lexie & Mark, Cheryl & Rob, with the help of Julia & Ginger.  The food was delicious and the kitchen crew outdid themselves. Thanks, also, to Danica who came in to help with the kitchen clean-up!

The Lazy Blue Tunas were AWESOME.  Everyone enjoyed them and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts for their stellar performance!

Thanks to all the nieces and nephews: Jill, Griffin, Erin, Bryce, Lauren & Ryan who were so helpful in selling tickets, and beer chances, and bracelets!  (we missed you Kyle!) Everyone pulled together and all jobs were important!

Thanks to our children, Angela (and Derek)  Elisabeth (and Joe) & John (we missed you, too, Charlie!!!) They were very helpful throughout the evening and have been so helpful throughout this difficult year.  Elisabeth took lots of pictures, which I will post later.

The Auction was a blast.  It was so much fun hearing everyone talk about what they were bidding on!  Many, many thanks to all who donated!  Thanks to Walter, Sue & Nadine who produced all the fantastic gift baskets!  They were a BIG hit!  Just ask John!!

I hope and pray that I have not missed thanking someone, and if I have, please forgive me.  We are very thankful to ALL who had any part, large or small.

We thank God for all the beauty and wonder He shows us.  God is good and His love is shown to us daily through all the loving people He surrounds us with.

Hi all,

Today begins the start of a LONG week which in reality, will conclude sometime the middle to end of NEXT week.

Today we are at Lack’s repeating the drugs administered the last round.  The actual administering of the chemo wasn’t and isn’t so bad, but the aftermath was HORRIBLE. David got so dehydrated that it was a real concern and quite frightening.  After speaking with Dr. Brinker this morning, and following the BAD experience David had last round, we feel more prepared this time.  They are giving him something before the Irinotekan to help with the diarrhea, along with the Imodium AD.  We are armed and ready to combat it at the first sign of trouble.

Also, this week, following the time in Lack’s receiving chemo, David will be having an Octreotide scan.  They will give him a shot Tuesday morning before chemo begins.  He will then get the chemo, and following that he will go over to the regular hospital and get his scan.  This will be his schedule Tuesday through Friday.  WHEW!  That is a lot and we will be thankful when this week is finished.  He then comes back here next Monday for the final administering of the Irinotekan and then wait and see how he tolerates it.

Dr. Brinker told us this morning that he will be contacting us sometime next week with the results of the Octreotide scan.  He will also be contacting Dr. O’Dorisio in Iowa City.  They will at that time discuss what our next move is.  We already have an appointment May 8 with Dr. O’Dorisio, so hopefully at that time, we will learn more about our trip to Switzerland.  I personally am hoping at that May 8 meeting, we will be sending in David’s application for that trip.  Of course, I will do my best to keep you informed.

Also, I have added some new information about the fundraiser, which includes a preliminary list of a few of the items that will be included in the silent auction. I will also continue to post the information about the fundraiser until after April 25.  So many people have already been so generous.  We are so humbled and grateful for the support that is being shown. God is so good!

Pasta Fundraiser In Support of

David A. Lemmink

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

330 Lakeside Drive NE

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Time:  5:00–8:00 pm  Pasta Dinner

8:30–11:30 pm   Lazy Blue Tunas Concert

Dinner and Concert: $12.50 Adults

$3.00 Children 12 and under

After 8:00 pm, Concert only: $10.00

Beer & Wine donation cash bar available

Coffee, Lemonade and water, included

Both events will have silent auctions and 50/50 raffles

For Tickets please email David’s sister Ellen at:     melon1964@aol.com

Mail Checks to:

Ellen Hansen

5693 West Grove Dr. SE

Kentwood, MI  49512

Make checks payable to:  In Support of David A. Lemmink

Here are some of the items that will be included in the silent auction:

• Restaurant Gift Cards
• Movie Passes
• Dry Cleaning
• Flat Screen TV
• Tuxedo Rental
• Week vacation in Cozumel, Mexico
• Week vacation rental at Big White Fish Lake
• Many assorted gift baskets for the:   Wine Lover;  Golfer;  Griller;  Favorite pet;  Favorite girl/boy; Health & beauty; Coffee Lover

We look forward to a fun evening and thank you so much for all of your support and prayers.

ALSO, if you are unable to attend the fundraiser and wish to contribute, you can do so at any Fifth Third Bank.  If you do not have a Fifth Third Bank near you, you can mail your check directly to Ellen at the address above, or to:  Fifth Third Bank,  3785 Plainfield Ave. N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49525.  Make your check payable to “In Support of David A. Lemmink, #9429″ .

Thank you again!

Love, Connie

Hi folks,

Today we just returned from Lack’s Cancer Center where David went to get fluids because he was becoming dehydrated from the effects of the new chemo drug they administered for this round.  As I stated before, he was getting Cisplatin, but because he was experiencing many of the side effects that go along with that, Dr. Brinker, switched his drug to Irinotecan.  One of the side effects of this drug is diarrhea, and boy did David experience that!  After 3 days of spending way too much time in the bathroom, I finally called and spoke with Dr. Brinker.  He suggested Imodium A-D and also going back to Lack’s and getting the fluids.  So that’s what we have done.  I will say that half-way through the bag of saline, he started to perk up a bit and hopefully he will continue to feel better.

We are home now and he is in bed sleeping.  Rest is a great help and hopefully he will now be on the mend.

I will continue to post the information about the fundraiser until after April 25.  So many people have already been so generous.  We are so humbled and grateful for the support that is being shown. God is so good!

Pasta Fundraiser In Support of

David A. Lemmink

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

330 Lakeside Drive NE

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Time:  5:00–8:00 pm  Pasta Dinner

8:30–11:30 pm   Lazy Blue Tunas Concert

Dinner and Concert: $12.50 Adults

$3.00 Children 12 and under

After 8:00 pm, Concert only: $10.00

Beer & Wine donation cash bar available

Coffee, Lemonade and water, included

Both events will have silent auctions and 50/50 raffles

For Tickets please email David’s sister Ellen at:     melon1964@aol.com

Mail Checks to:

Ellen Hansen

5693 West Grove Dr. SE

Kentwood, MI  49512

Make checks payable to:  In Support of David A. Lemmink

We look forward to a fun evening and thank you so much for all of your support and prayers.

ALSO, if you are unable to attend the fundraiser and wish to contribute, you can do so at any Fifth Third Bank.  If you do not have a Fifth Third Bank near you, you can mail your check directly to Ellen at the address above, or to:  Fifth Third Bank,  3785 Plainfield Ave. N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49525.  Make your check payable to “In Support of David A. Lemmink, #9429″ .

Thank you again!

Love, Connie

Monday, March 2, we got home from Lacks and it was only 9:45 a.m.

Generally, when David begins chemo, on Monday we are there until at least 4:00 p.m.  It is a long day and exhausting.  Today, we had our appointment with Dr. Brinker at 8:15 a.m.  This appointment was to talk about the results of the CT scan that David had last week, and the progress (or no progress) being made with these last 2 rounds of chemo.

As you may recall, he went through 4 rounds of chemo, then had his surgery, then had a period of healing and was to go through at least 2 and possibly 4 more rounds of chemo.  He has done 2 of those last 4 rounds, and the results of the CT scan show that 2 of the tumors have grown a bit, 2 have shrunk a bit and the rest have remained the same.  BUT, he is also experiencing some of the bad side effects of the Cisplatin.  Numb fingers and toes, lowering of his white blood cell counts, ringing in the ears.  So, Dr. Brinker has told us that he wants to discontinue using Cisplatin, which is the cause of those side effects and look for another, more gentle-on-the-body, therapy.  There are other drugs available that do not have the side effects of Cisplatin.  Dr. Brinker is going to do some research, consult with his collegues, and then call us with the results of his research.

Our feelings are mixed.  Sad that some of the tumors have grown.  Thankful that some have shrunk, and relieved that most have remained the same.

Today, Monday, March 9, we also were sent home from Lack’s.  This time, it was because of some confusion and a mix-up with Matt the scheduler.  I spoke with Matt on Friday, following a conversation with Dr. Brinker on Thursday.  Dr. Brinker spoke of another drug that hopefully will be beneficial, but not cause so many side effects.  Friday, when I called and talked to Matt, he told me that he would put us on the schedule for Monday, but that he would have to speak with Dr. Brinker to clarify what they would do on that Monday, and that he would call me back later in the afternoon on Friday.  I never heard back from Matt, but because we have never had problems with any scheduling, I assumed that everything was to go as planned.  We went to Lack’s this morning and found out that David was on the schedule, but there were no orders in his chart from Dr. Brinker as to what he had planned for David’s treatment.  So, we waited around until 11:45 or so and then were sent home.  They have scheduled him for next Monday, and hopefully all will go as planned.

We got home, and because of the stress of planning on having chemo, David went right to bed and slept most of the afternoon.  It must be awful to psych yourself up for the long days at Lack’s, hooked up to machines and having them pump chemicals into your body that you know will make you feel awful….that stress must be unbearable and then to have the disappointment of AGAIN being sent home.  It was just too much!

At least David will get another week of healing and rest.  We are thankful for that!

I am again posting the information for the fundraiser.

Thank you for keeping David in your prayers.  We appreciate it!

Love, Connie

Pasta Fundraiser In Support of

David A. Lemmink

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

330 Lakeside Drive NE

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Time:  5:00–8:00 pm  Pasta Dinner

8:30–11:30 pm   Lazy Blue Tunas Concert

Dinner and Concert: $12.50 Adults

$3.00 Children 12 and under

After 8:00 pm, Concert only: $10.00

Beer & Wine donation cash bar available

Coffee, Lemonade and water, included

Both events will have silent auctions and 50/50 raffles

For Tickets please email David’s sister Ellen at:     melon1964@aol.com

Mail Checks to:

Ellen Hansen

5693 West Grove Dr. SE

Kentwood, MI  49512

Make checks payable to:  In Support of David A. Lemmink

We look forward to a fun evening and thank you so much for all of your support and prayers.

.

ALSO, if you are unable to attend the fundraiser and wish to contribute, you can do so at any Fifth Third Bank.  If you do not have a Fifth Third Bank near you, you can mail your check directly to Ellen at the address above, or to:  Fifth Third Bank,  3785 Plainfield Ave. N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49525.  Make your check payable to “In Support of David A. Lemmink, #9429″ .

.

Thank you again!

.

Love, Connie

Hi there,

This has been a difficult week.  David had chemo Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  Each day got progressively harder and he was not able to go to work at all.  He tried each day and was just too exhausted.  Friday, he got up, ate breakfast and then headed to the shower.  He came upstairs, (kind of zombie-like) dressed and ready to go, but was so exhausted, he sat for a bit in his chair, and then just got up, put his pajamas back on and got back into bed.  Amazingly, Saturday morning, he walked down the hall from the bedroom, and before he could say anything, I could tell that he was feeling SO MUCH better!  A minute later, he said to me “WOW, I can’t believe how much better I feel today!”  I won’t say that he is running any marathons today, but he is here and present.  Such a great change!  YAY!!! I have heard comments that when you go through chemotherapy, they take you to the brink of death, and that is so true. We are thankful to be through this week.

.

Next up is a CT scan and then an appointment with Dr. Brinker to assess the last two rounds and were we go from here.

.

I am repeating the information from the past post regarding the fundraiser.  I have also added at the end, information about donating directly to Ellen or Fifth Third Bank if you are unable to attend the fundraiser, and still wish to contribute.

Pasta Fundraiser In Support of

David A. Lemmink

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

330 Lakeside Drive NE

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Time:  5:00–8:00 pm  Pasta Dinner

8:30–11:30 pm   Lazy Blue Tunas Concert

Dinner and Concert: $12.50 Adults

$3.00 Children 12 and under

After 8:00 pm, Concert only: $10.00

Beer & Wine donation cash bar available

Coffee, Lemonade and water, included

Both events will have silent auctions and 50/50 raffles

For Tickets please email David’s sister Ellen at:     melon1964@aol.com

Mail Checks to:

Ellen Hansen

5693 West Grove Dr. SE

Kentwood, MI  49512

Make checks payable to:  In Support of David A. Lemmink

We look forward to a fun evening and thank you so much for all of your support and prayers.

.

ALSO, if you are unable to attend the fundraiser and wish to contribute, you can do so at any Fifth Third Bank.  If you do not have a Fifth Third Bank near you, you can mail your check directly to Ellen at the address above, or to:  Fifth Third Bank,  3785 Plainfield Ave. N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49525.  Make your check payable to “In Support of David A. Lemmink, #9429” .

.

Thank you again!

.

Love, Connie