Val's Home!!

Val just came home at 3:00 this afternoon (Sunday). Words can't describe how happy the boys and I are. Tyler has been saying Mama over and over since late Thursday night. He wakes up in the middle of the night and comes in and sleeps with me and says it 40 times over 3 min. When she walked in he said Mama and was hugging her. She stills needs plenty of rest and the plan is to have her go to her parents for the next couple days tell she has a little more strength. It's hard to rest with three boy's under 7 and Tyler almost two, he's always wide open.

With the Gallbladder removed the infection is now gone. The pictures of this are incredible. You could see the Green in the Bile Duct of the GallBladder before it was removed. The GallBladder itself was enlarged and nasty looking. The Dr. Nissen said the normal cells were pulling away form it and it was like pulling a peanut from it's shell. Her Liver counts look great and the latest Scan showed Stable. There has been no growth from the start of Chemo back in Nov 05. The goal is to have her off the Med's soon. Her appetite comes back up to 100% and she can put back on the weight she has lost over the last 2-3 weeks. With the infection gone she should be better every day. If any one has stayed in the hospital for more than a night knows how hard it can be mentally. She can not mentally take another hospital stay.

I want to say THANKS to all the prayers, the cards, and flowers that have gone out and continue for Val. To Aunt Char for flying in from Denver and helping with everything. Vals Mom (Nancy) and Dad (Richard) for always being there. To Julie, Kelli and Dan for there continued support. Also - to everyone who has delivered or who is planning on bring Dinner over, this really helps out a lot!

We just ask God for continued healing of Val's body and mind. The Meds work and the Nausea stays under control. That she has quality time with the Boy's. She can be there next Tuesday the 5th for Gavin's first day of Kidergarden and Ryan's first day as a 1st grader, feeling strong and looking Awesome like she always does!

Thanks again for everyone's continued support thru all of this!!

-Chris

Coming Home!

Lamentations 3:22-23

Through the LORD'S mercies we are not consumed,
Because HIS compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is YOUR faithfulness.

I was thrilled when I got the call from my mom that Val was doing much better. One detail that I had not heard was that the doctors put a tube in Val's side to drain any excess Bile that might be present. It seems that this tube may have been the culprit for her post surgery pain because soon after they removed the tube today her pain disappeared. She ate regular food all day, and she has been walking around and slowing getting back to her old self. This is not to say she does not have days left to recover from surgery and that she needs to recover from two weeks in the hospital, but she is expected to go home tomorrow.

God is good. His faithfulness is great. We prayed for the pain to go..it did. We prayed for clear blood tests...they were. We prayed she could go home...looks like tomorrow. I could go on and on about His mercies and faithfulness.

Thank you for your continued prayers. You are all an amazing blessing to Valerie

julie

Roller Coaster

Val's gall bladder surgery was successful and for that we are thankful, BUT she is in an increasing amount of pain again. We are so baffled and frustrated by this. Prior to surgery doctors give meds to slow the body down to handle the stress of surgery. They also fill the abdomen with air so the gall bladder is more accessible. Her body has stayed in this "slow down" mode and she has not been able to eat solid foods or have normal bodily functions. Combined these things have caused too much pressure in her abdomen. Today the doctors did an x-ray of her abdomen to see if there was a blockage, but THANKFULLY there was not. Tonight she has developed another 101* fever so the doctors decided to do another blood culture. We pray that this culture is negative for infection.

As you read this you probably sigh at how much our dear Val has had to endure. We as her family share your thought. We are so grieved that our lovely Valerie is in her second week of misery. We pray God will get her body to a place where she can come home to recover and relax with Chris and the boys. Pray with us that there is no infection, her body will strengthen, her pain will subside, she can go home!!!

Our family has learned very well to heed God's command "do not worry about tomorrow" for in fact today does have enough to worry about. Lord give Val a brighter day tomorrow. May she sleep well and because of the prayers of Your people ,oh Lord, we hope Valerie will wake up in the morning with renewed strength straight from your hand.

julie

WHAT A WEEK THIS HAS BEEN!!!!

Directly from the Cedars-Sinai Hospital room that Valerie is in today, recuperating from two hours of surgery on Tuesday...here is an update of the 'incredible' last few days.

After being in Scripps Memorial Hospital for one week, fighting the very serious infection that was diagnosed upon her arrival, it was determined on Sunday, 8/20, that her gallbladder was enlarged and appeared somewhat abnormal on a CAT scan. Physicians at Scripps Memorial determined that gallbladder surgery was not an option, due to the proximity to the liver and tumors. Their recommendation to put in a tube to drain the gallbladder which is a process with "no end to it", and comes with its own set of problems. After several phone consults with Dr. Nick Nissen, an incredibly talented liver surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Hospital, who was actually our first consulting doctor at the beginning of this 'journey', we decided not to proceed with the tube option, and we transferred Val via ambulance to Cedars-Sinai Hospital in LA on Monday evening, 8/21. As many of you know, 'waiting patiently' is one of the most difficult aspects of life, but it certainly takes on a whole new dimension, when one's life is concerned. We waited three days for a bed to open up at Cedars so we could transfer Val......three very long days during which she was in severe pain and had a fever which would not completely go away.

We arrived on Monday night, 8/21, at Cedars-Sinai Hospital and Val was checked in quickly and taken right to a room. Early Tuesday morning, Dr. Nick Nissen examined Val, ordered an abdominal ultrasound, and a few other tests, and scheduled her for surgery later that day. At 4:00 PM Val was 'wheeled into the operating room', and two very long hours later, Dr. Nissen came out and told us that her 'nasty, red, angry, filled with poisoning pus' gallbladder was entirely gone, and that the infections she had been fighting should clear up in days. He actually showed us several 'amazing' color photographs of the gallbladder, both before removing and after. It did look 'angry' to say the least, and we rejoiced that this 'culprit' was gone!!!!

Wednesday, 8/23, was the first day 'after surgery'......and as all who have had any surgery know....it was a very difficult day. Val is experiencing discomfort from the surgery and from the fact that her 'systems' were shutting down for several days, and needed to be 're-booted' to function normally again. She is very aware, however, that the 'culprit' is gone and that she is 'on the mend'. The 'mystery' surrounding the cause of the recent recurring infections has been solved. She should be able to return to her home, her own bed, and best of all to her three boys on Friday or Saturday. We have all been thankful for the outcome this week. Nancy, Chris, and I have been on hospital duty up here in LA.....Rich and Paul are on 'kid duty' back in San Marcos.....while Julie who accompanied us to LA on Monday night and then drove home to San Luis Obispo in the middle of the night....checks in frequently......and so many others in the background are helping too. WHAT A TEAM!!!!

Thanks for your prayers.

Aunt Char

The Surgery Was A Success

The surgery went well. They removed the gall bladder and did not have to open her all the way up, and it was the cause of the infections. We are hoping that Val will be home in a few days. Thanks for your prayers.

Chris

Up to Cedars

Yesterday at 4:00 p.m we got word that there was a bed available at Cedars Sinai Hospital. Val was transported by ambulance and got to room 6105 around 10:00 p.m. Val is in serious condition. She had an abdominal ultrasound and has met with a team of excellent doctors. Surgery is scheduled for 3:00 today and we are not sure yet what the doctors have decided is the best solution to Val's very swollen gall bladder. There are many tumors in this area and disturbing them makes them grow. Will the gall bladder be drained, removed, or just watched? We do not know yet. Val is in a tremendous amount of pain and gets quite a bit of morphine to manage her pain. Her appetite has remained strong so when the doctors asked her not to eat today due to surgery she has been very hungry! Pray for Vals comfort. Pray for the doctors to make the best descisions. Pray her organs and vital signs stay strong during and after surgery. Pray for relief of pain without morphine. Pray that God will minister to Val and she struggles so hard. Pray that all infection will clear from her body with no reoccurance. Pray for endurance, discernment, peace, and comfort for all of Val's immediate and extended family as it is a group effort.

Thank you Lord for your word and your promises to us. Thank you that you never leave us or forsake us, thank you for a family that knows you, thank you for going before us in all things. Thank you for the prayers of your saints that lift Valerie to You. Thank you that she had a private room at Scripps and has a private room at Cedars, thank you for your church and body of believers who have brought meals, prayed for, helped with kids, calls/notes of encouragement, brought books, movies, cards, magazines, and all of the wonderful support that keeps on coming. Thank you for world-class doctors that are available to Val.

Even in unbelievable trials we know You are the God of our salvation. We will trust in you in all things. Hear our cries oh Lord.

An Open Door

Val and Char left Scripps Memorial tonight for the trip to Cedars Sinai. With tears, I followed the ambulance up I-5 to Leucadia Boulevard. There I had to get off to kiss my dear Tyler goodnight before he fell asleep. Before exiting, I called Val in the ambulance to tell her I was right behind her and would always be there throughout this dark journey. Chris, Nancy, and Julie went with in separate cars.

The past week has been the darkest days of my life beloved. I can only trust God Most High that we have done the right thing. The door to Cedars opened and we went though it. O God, may the days ahead be illuminated with your power and mercy. Please give wisdom to Dr. Nissen and Dr. Lo in the treatment of Val's Gall Bladder swelling. Please cure this painful infection. Please Halt the cancer. Please allow the gall bladder to be removed with a minimum of surgery. Please bring Val back to San Marcos soon.

O Holy Spirit who dwells in my beloved daughter, walk with her. Talk with her. Comfort her. Hold her. She is a beloved gift to us from the hand of God Most High. Please let her continue to enrich our lives as she has done for 37 years.

Godspeed Dear Ones

Kyrie Eleison

Latin for "Lord have mercy", Steve Amerson wrote and sings this praise song. Tonight, this is the cry of our heart. Kyrie Eleison, Lord have mercy.

In Psalm 139, David praises God for creating Valerie and confesses how vast and continuous His thoughts are for Valerie. Valerie is the apple of God's eye. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!"

O God Most High, why are we cast down? Why has the darkness surrounded us so? We are helpless unless you intervene. Please be present tonight in Room 700 at Scripps Memorial. Please give Val and Char a good night's sleep. Please relieve the severe pain in Val's abdomen. Please clear the obstacles preventing a transfer to Cedars Sinai. Please give the doctors wisdom in treating Val's swollen gall bladder. Please make Dr. Simon Lo and Dr. Nick Nissen available for the procedures necessary. Please give Dr. Lenz at USC the wisdom to respond to my e-mail. Please help all of us to pace ourselves as we support Val.

And most of all, O God Most High, please do not let us lose heart and begin to question whether you really care or if you are really there.

Klebsiella Pneumonia

The bacterial blood infection that Val has is called Klebsiella Pneumonia. http://www.personalmd.com/news/klebsiella_102299.shtml

Most likely this infection originated in the bile ducts, but to be safe she will have to have her port removed and another one inserted. She will remain at Scripps La Jolla until she is stabilized... hopefully by the weekend and then Val will be transferred to Cedars Sinai Hospital in L.A. Dr. Lo (the best in his field) will do the stent replacement procudure and drain the fluids that have made it so easy for her to get infections.

Val is still suffering from the symptoms of this infection which include fever, chills, nausea, headache and body aches. Please pray that these things subside and that the infection will quickly clear up so she can get up to Cedars. Our mom, Nancy, will park herself up there in a hotel until Val is able to come home.

We know that God goes before us and never leaves Val's side. This is our hope and our confidence. Pray for rest, peace, and healing for Val. This is the longest she has been away from her boys, so please pray for the whole McCrea family during this time.

Thank you for the prayers and encouragement for Val.

Julie

Blood Infection

Val has a blood infection and will remain at Scripps La Jolla probably for the rest of the week. Hopefully she will be released by Thursday. She surely has been through the ringer. Please pray that this infection clears quickly. Pray her, pain, nausea, and headaches can be managed well. The doctors have identified the bug (thankfully) and they are being aggressive with the antibiotics and are taking good care of her. Pray for physical and spiritual strength as she fights this infection. As you all know Val is very tough. God has given her a special measure of grace to fight this battle.

Pray for Chris and the boys as well as this is tough for them too. We are all so thankful to hear so many praying for Val. She is in room 700 at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla so if you want to send her a well wish please call her at 858.626.6700. She would love to hear from you and it would certainly raise her spirits.

You know that sitting in a hospital for days on end could make a person a little stir crazy.

Thank you for your kind words, thoughts, and prayers.

Julie

Pray for Val...

Last night Val got very sick and feverish and had to go to emergency again. She was down at the Mission Bay Hilton with her family and this came on very quickly. These symptoms indicate infection again. Please pray that the doctors treat her with the utmost care and that the antibiotics will quickly get the infection under control. Pray that are the best descisions are made for her treatment. Val last spoke with our mom at 12:30 am this morning and they got her fever down to 101*. As you can imagine she is not happy to be back in the hospital...during her vacation no less. Pray she can come home or resume her vacation quickly. Of course it is our prayer that God remove this cancer altogether if it be His will.

Thank you for taking Val before the Lord with us.
Julie (sister)

CT Scan Results

My scan showed no new growth anywhere. Everything was stable. No shrinkage either. This is supposably good news. I was bummed in the oncology office because I NEED RESULTS. Those of you who know me, I am pretty driven to get my way or be able to make the situation work for me, with me etc...(I think it comes from the 15 years of medical sales). It is frustrating that I do not have control over this...I know, God does and I believe this whole heartedly but when I wake up in the morning and remember I am fighting for my life every day, it gets really old. Theres some venting for ya!

Lord,
Help me to be like Job. Faithful, even when I want to wave my fists at you. Thank you Lord that in those times you promise that your spirit searches my soul and intercedes on my behalf. Thank you Lord for worship and the fellowship we enter in with you. Thank you that you are our high priest and we have direct access to you and your kingdom. Thank you for my husband, Ryan, Gavin and Tyler. They are such blessings in my life. I pray for the strength it takes to take care of my family on a daily basis.
Amen

This is a BIG reason why I am going to get rid of this cancer (God willing). This is my angel. I look at him and there are just not words.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know I am in trouble with all of you for the time it has taken me to blog again. My wireless on my lap top was giving me some problems. I am feeling much better. My infection seems as though it is behind me. I get my IV antibiotics off tomorrow. It has been attached to me for almost 10 days and I am so happy to get it off. I got a scan last Friday and get the results this Thursday up at USC, along with chemo. I am scheduled to get a stent replacement the first week of Sept. The boys start school on Sept 5th and so I am planning on sometime after that. I am so excited for Gavin's first day of kindergarten. Ryan will be in first grade and Tyler is turning 2 Sept 21st. Crazy hugh??? Time seems like it goes soooo fast these days. I want it to slow way down. Today was so beautiful. I enjoyed playing nerf football with the boys and Ry and Gav had a good friend spend the night. Tami came over and brought yummy roemary porkchops. A group of us from Valley Christian have been getting together to pray every week. We could pray for hours. It feels good to support friends in prayer. Our lists are long and we could go on for hours, which we do. A lot of us are from the Mom's in Touch from Valley Christian. It has been a good way to pray together over the summer. You are all invited!!! Tomorrow at Tami's at 11:00am. I am sure she will not mind. Hi Tam!I will let you all know my scan results... Maybe there is no cancer left at all??? What a day of rejoicing that would be.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Val