Leaving a Comment and a Brief Note

Hi everyone,

I have heard from several people that they are having problems leaving comments on our blog. It seems as though it is much easier to do so if you have a "google" or "gmail" email account. I recognize that many of you don't have gmail as their email provider so....I set up a "blog" only gmail account for people to use. This gmail is registered in my name so unfortunately my name will appear at the top of each comment...however, if you include your name in the note that you leave we will be able to know who it was that wrote the comment.
So...please note...this IS NOT our email address...we will not be checking this account. It is simply set up for people to be able to leave comments.

cripeblog@gmail.com is the address/login and
blogsite - is the password

You will probably have to type in some identifying letters that appear on the screen but other than that you should be all set. Hope this helps some of you :-)

Also, Randy is doing well...he is napping right now. He is having some hearing issues (echo, vibrating sounds, stereo sound etc.). The doctor is aware of this and has told us to notify them if it becomes more consistant or worse as we approach the middle of next week. They believe it is just some residual fluid that is trying to figure out where to go :-) Hopefully, it will clear up soon. He is also plugging away at physical therapy although he doesn't like it...who likes pain anyway???? Hopefully, his range of motion in his neck will restore quickly and once his staples are removed in their entirety it should help out a bit.

We are looking forward to moving on with his radiation treatments and physical therapy and enjoying the many more blessings God has in store for us.

Enjoy the weekend,
Rachel

Seen the Radiologist today

Good afternoon everyone!

We were able to meet with Dr. Chan today to discuss Randy's radiation treatment in more detail. It was a long appointment, but very informative. We were able to go over all of the risks and side effects of radiation and get Randy all set for his treatment. They did another CAT Scan that they will use along with Randy's most recent MRI to make the plan for radiation. They also made a "mask" of Randy's face that he will wear each time he goes for radiation - it is designed to keep his head/face perfectly still for precise treatment...he can take it home with him when he is done with treatment :-)

We did find out that Randy will get the remainder of his staples taken out on Friday, March 20th...he can't wait! Then on Monday, March 23rd, Randy will have his first radiation treatment. He will have treatment Monday-Thursday the first week, Tuesday-Friday the following week and then daily (M-F) for the remaining weeks (until the first week in May). He will not be able to drive during this time (makes sense...he still has very limited range of motion in his neck...and they are radiating his brain so they want to be safe with side effects).

Along with this we also learned that Randy will continue to have in home physical therapy for another 3 weeks or so (3 days a week) and then outpatient physical therapy at a different site for 4 more weeks (3 days a week)...do I get a chauffer's license after all of this?????

Please be praying with us that Randy will have minimal or even no side effects to his radiation treatment. The most common side effects would be loss of hair in the radiated region, tanning or reddening of the skin in the area treated, fatigue (usually around week 3 or 4), possible swelling in his brain, and/or possible side effects with his pituitary glands. They believe that his pituitary glands will be okay because they really aren't doing a whole brain radiation so that is good. If he does have swelling in his brain he will be put back on a steroid medication. We obviously are praying that this does not happen. Randy's blood sugars tend to spike with this type of medication (as found out in the hospital) and it would lead to monitoring blood sugar levels, following an ADA diet, and possible insulin. Finally, we are asking that people continue to pray that this tumor does not return in any way shape or form and that the radiation does not cause any time of secondary cancer. We believe that God is preforming complete healing in Randy's body are looking forward to living a long and healthy life together. While any tumor of the brain is "technically" considered to be a form of cancer, Randy's results are promising (benign and the majority of the tumor removed) - God is SO GOOD and has given us a tremendous amount of faith and strength as we go through this journey...we can only hope that you are encouraged also as you walk this journey with us.

Thank you again for all of your support, prayers and kindness. We feel so humbled to be a part of such a tremendous family and group of friends. The outpouring of love is overwhelming. We know that we have a long road ahead of us, but we also know that with the support that we have in each of you along with the strength and faith we have in God - we will come out victorious...GOODBYE TUMOR - FOREVER!!!!

Have a great Wednesday everyone....we will be in touch with more updates and photo's soon.

Love,
Rachel (and Randy)

The news is in...yes, we have another MIRACLE to share!

Hi Everyone!

The only way I can start this note is by saying, "Praise God!" Randy and I just returned from his follow up appointment at Dr. Pieper's office and we have fantastic news. The tumor that was removed from Randy's brain was benign!!!! This of course is MIRACLE NUMBER 12.

We met with Judith this morning at 10:15 at Dr. Pieper's office. She was pleased to tell us the good news and said that Randy has a very good prognosis. As you know, he already had a full spinal MRI that came back all clear. The deal with this type of tumor is that there could be a trickle down cell that plants itself somewhere else in the spinal column and the news that his spinal MRI was clean was really a big deal (in an awesome way). Randy was also able to have every second staple removed from his neck region. They like to keep some staples in place because the radiation can make the skin around the targeted area weaker. Should the radioligist want them out they can take care of that prior to radiation...the more time for the incision site to heal the better.

The plan at this time is for Randy to undergo approximately 6 weeks of daily (M-F) radiation. We will have a more concrete plan after we meet with Dr. Chan at radiation on Wednesday morning. Following radiation Randy will be scheduled for another MRI (2 weeks post radiation). At that point we will make an appointment to go over everything with Dr. Pieper. Obviously, our prayer is that the radiation will wipe out any little cells that were trying to stick around. Randy will also receive an MRI every 3 months for 1 year post surgery, 1-2 MRI's the following year and then 1 MRI each year for the rest of his life. The frequency of MRI's is simply based on the fact that this tumor can return in the same or in a different location. We are praying and believing that we are indeed DONE with the whole tumor thing, however we will be happy to comply with the doctor's orders to keep Randy in optimum health.

Randy will continue to have in home physical therapy this week (at least). Once he graduates from that we will begin physical therapy at a different location (a bit more intensive) which will allow him to regain mobility in his neck. This should last for about 4 weeks - 3 times a week.

Randy and I are simply thrilled to share with everyone that the power of prayer and placing your faith in God offers more strength than we could ever explain. The support we have had and continue to have is powerful and has blessed us in ways that have impacted us forever. We believe that God has used this situation in our lives for us to minister to others in a variety of ways. Our relationship with each other, with our son, our family, friends and more importantly-Jesus has grown by leaps and bounds through this experience. We want each of you to know that should you ever need prayer, want to know more about a relationship with Jesus or need anything...PLEASE do not hesitate one moment to call us, email us, write us etc. We are excited to believe with you for miracles as well - big and small - God cares about every detail!

Thanks for reading...we love you...we will share more on Wednesday,

Randy and Rachel

What's new with Randy :-)

Hi!

Just a quick update to let you all know that Randy continues to make tremendous strides in his recovery. We were able to get outside as a family on Friday and enjoy the beautiful spring like weather and sunshine. Randy walked around the block and enjoyed breathing in some fresh air. We also made a trip to Costco and Target over the weekend...trying to make life as normal as possible. It is very helpful for Randy to have occasional outings so that he can begin to rebuild his strength by walking around (with his walker of course). His Physical Therapist has been working with him on regaining movement in his neck as well as working on a muscle in his hip area that has been aggravated due to over compensating for his neck and weakness in his legs (amazing how the whole body works together).

As I mentioned his appointment to find out his pathology findings is now on Monday at 10:15....be looking for a good news post later in the afternoon....that is our prayer. His radiation consultation and simulation was also moved up to Wednesday morning...pray that everything runs smoothly with that. He will most likely start radiation the following Monday.

Again, thank you to everyone that has stopped by, met us up at Target, walked with Randy, shared cards, emails, phone calls, meals, dessert, gifts etc. The support of so many has made this new chapter in our life much less stressful than it could have been.

Enjoy your day...much love,

Randy and Rachel

A Message from Randy with Better Volume :-)

Sorry about the previous video...this one says the same thing,

but should have better volume...also, it was sunny out...pardon the squinting :-)

Appointment Updates

Hi everyone,

I just got off of the phone with Randy's neurosurgeon's office. His appointment has been moved up to Monday the 9th at 10:15. He won't be meeting with his doctor, however he will get his staples out, find out his biopsy results, and find out what additional tests the doctor wants him to go for. There is a chance that we will be able to change his radiation consultation appointment as well...we will let you know. Continue to pray and believe with us that this tumor will be benign and that it will never return....until we chat again...

love,
Randy and Rachel

A Message From Randy

Miracle number 11

March 5, 2009
Hi Everyone!

I apologize for the delay in sending out another miracle letter. Since I last wrote we have been super busy relishing in MIRACLE NUMBER 11. Read on…

On Monday March 2, 2009, Randy was released from the hospital!!! The doctor’s talked with us on Saturday explaining that Randy was making tremendous strides in his recovery and they were hoping to let him return home on Monday or Tuesday. This was AMAZING! My family quickly came together to turn our very full office into a bedroom in just a few short hours in anticipation of his return home. I’ve always known how blessed I was to be a part of such an amazingly supportive family, but witnessing their complete dedication to helping us make our home comfortable for Randy touched my heart in a very profound way. When I returned home from the hospital on Sunday evening we had a first floor bedroom in place for Randy with access to both computers and even a lounge chair in the living room…WOW! I left for the hospital very early on Monday morning to be able to meet with Randy’s doctors and therapists. On my way I was able to call into our local Christian Radio station to share with those listening how God was healing my husband (I had called in on the morning of his surgery also to thank God for what I knew HE would do during Randy’s surgery). It brought such peace and joy into my heart knowing that in some small way other’s might find encouragement in being reminded that indeed God is so real and is very much at work in our lives.
Randy and I received the okay for his discharge from the hospital on Monday morning. Randy and I were both thrilled to return home and move on with recovery in our normal surroundings. Things moved quickly as we consulted with Physical and Occupational Therapy, ordered and received a shower chair and walker, and celebrated his remarkable progress with Dr. Pieper.
Upon our return home Randy was greeted with hugs and kisses from Joshua and Mocha. They were both thrilled to have their daddy back home and it has been awesome seeing how the comfort of home brings about tremendous healing. We have already established a comfortable routine and are gearing up for a very busy week next week – while at the same time anticipating seeing God’s hand move with more blessings and miracles.
Randy has already started physical therapy to help him in restoring movement in his neck as well as regaining strength in his arms and legs. It is such a blessing that we are able to have a Physical Therapist come to our home to work with Randy so that I can see first hand how to help him continue his exercises throughout the day.
Please continue to pray with us as we look forward to the remainder of this week and the days ahead. We have a jammed packed schedule next week – pray for strength for both of us. Randy will have Physical Therapy in our home on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday – an in home nurse visit on Tuesday – our BIG doctor’s appoint with Dr. Pieper on Wednesday (we are continuing to pray for amazing pathology results…minimal radiation treatment and NO chemotherapy) – a doctor’s appointment with his family doctor on Thursday – and finally, his consultation and simulation for radiation on Friday. We will be sure to keep you posted as we get results and learn more about his continued plan for treatment. Also…I promised many of you that I would let you know when we could use meals etc. – well, as of next week I am sure we will be ready J. The next few weeks will be very hectic for us as we manage daily radiation as well as multiple therapy and doctor’s appointments. If you are interested in helping out with a meal we would be very appreciative to accept your generosity and kindness.
In closing I would like to invite you to check out our new blog site. We will be posting our miracle letters, photo’s, and video clips on this site to make it easier for us to share with others what God is doing in our life. I will try to update it in some way on a weekly basis so be sure to check it out. You can access it by going to http://randyandrachelcripe.blogspot.com . Let us know what you think!
Again, thank you for your support and prayers as we continue on this journey. It is our prayer that through this you will find yourself being encouraged and renewed in your faith of exactly how big and how real God truly is.


Love,

Randy and Rachel

Miracle After Miracle...Part 3 of Our Story

Dear Family and Friends,

Well, it has been exactly one week since our lives were changed forever. It is almost mind numbing to try to process all of the events of the past week. However, what we do know is that God is so good and so full of miracles. We are looking forward to experiencing first hand all of the wonderful and amazing things He still has in store for our family.
We experienced MIRACLE NUMBER 8 shortly after Randy was put into the care of the nurses in the Neuro ICU. I was originally told that I would only be able to see Randy for a few moments and then had to go home. I prepared myself to go into see him and once I did, I really didn’t want to leave. I talked to the nurse (Michael) and he was more than happy to allow me to stay with Randy for the night. It was obviously God’s hand at work yet again because the other nurses Randy hand during the day wouldn’t have allowed this to happen and Randy really needed me to be there. We spent the evening making minute adjustments with his bed and pillow every 5-15 minutes. Thank you God for putting compassion into the nurses heart to give Randy the comfort he needed during this time.
MIRACLE NUMBER 9 also occurred during Randy’s stay in the Neuro ICU. As you know he had a tube placed into his head to drain the ventricular fluid as needed…well, he didn’t need it for long. On Saturday morning they were able to take out that tube along with two others. Randy was THRILLED!! MIRACLE NUMBER 10 followed shortly thereafter and he was sent to a regular room in record timing. Praise God!
Randy is doing incredibly well. He is determined to press onward and praising God every step of the way. We are working on restoring his range of motion to his neck and increasing his level of independence in small ways each day. He has already gone on 3 walks on his floor and is very ready to return home. Each day we see tremendous growth and are overjoyed at how God continues to provide healing. He is still very tired which we expect will continue for some time. However, the doctor’s are thinking that he may be able to return home on Monday or Tuesday (most likely Tuesday). Yeah God!
As I wrap up this note, Randy and I would like to take a moment to say thank you to everybody. I have spent many hours trying to figure out an appropriate way to thank everyone for their constant prayers and never ending support. I simply have had to come to terms with the fact that on this side of heaven I will never be able to adequately express my gratitude. We know that we have a journey that we will continue to walk for a bit longer and that we will be calling on many people that have offered their help in the days ahead. Knowing that we have people there to support and help us out has been overwhelmingly comforting as we go through this chapter in our life. Thank you!
Keep praying, keep believing for more miracles. We are still waiting for lab results and preparing for radiation treatments. God has given us confidence to know that “no weapon formed against us will prosper” and that His hands are so big and so capable of providing COMPLETE healing.

Until we chat again – Love,

Randy and Rachel

Part 2 of Our Story

Dear Family and Friends,

It is 8:27 p.m. on Thursday evening and we have just received the wonderful news that Randy is out of surgery and doing well! Randy went to pre-op today at about 9:00 a.m. and after several hours (long and boring hours according to Randy) he was taken back to the operating room at 12:45 p.m. I received a call saying that they started his surgery at 2:25 p.m. I received an additional update at 5:00 saying that things were going well and at 8:00 is surgeon reported to me that Randy was out of surgery and in recovery…moving and breathing! PRAISE GOD!!!

I think I left off the last letter at Miracle number 4 so let me fill you in with a few more miracles that have since taken place. An obvious concern of ours has been how we would handle this financial adjustment seeing as that we were just getting used to living on one income let alone none. On Tuesday we were informed that Randy would receive his normal pay during this time and that he would be able to use his AFLAC insurance for short term disability. This was MIRACLE NUMBER 5 and a HUGE relief to Randy as he was very concerned about this situation. On Wednesday we learned that Randy’s full spinal MRI came back all clear….no trickle down cells to deal with…MIRACLE NUMBER 6! Now, I am thrilled to share with everyone and shout it from the rooftop that God’s hand brought my husband through surgery and that he is moving along through the recovery process beautifully…MIRACLE NUMBER 7!

Please continue to pray that Randy moves through tonight and the next few days in ICU as perfectly as he has gone through everything already. We are believing for no swelling in his brain, limited blood loss, the fluid in his brain to drain properly and quickly to its designated location and for the results of the lab work to report a benign tumor (we will know this in approximately one week). Randy will undergo radiation treatment to destroy the small portion of the tumor that remains (this was expected-the origination of the tumor was on the lining of the brain and in order to assure movement and independent breathing the remnants will be treated with radiation). Randy will also go through an MRI tomorrow morning that we know will go well J.

I will be able to see Randy briefly tonight, however he probably won’t remember it…I WILL!!!!! I also won’t be able to see him tomorrow until a bit later (rounds, tests, etc.). I will do my very best to keep you all apprised of each miracle as they continue to unfold. I just heard as I am typing this letter that Randy has been calling for me…continually…I have been interceding for him continually. Praise God for miracle, after miracle, after miracle!!

I will be sure to let people know when Randy is up for visitors and/or phone calls (probably in 2-3 days or so). Please continue to believe with us for the continuation of good news and miracles to be made real during this time. We are praising God for his POWER and MIGHT and for giving us the peace that only the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ can give. We will continue to praise Him for the miracles that He will give to us!!!

Love,

Rachel (and of course RANDY!!!!)