And the saga continues…

Hello family and friends that we consider family!! 😉

And the saga continues… I was hoping that this week’s reminder e-mail was going to be filled with an update about how the immune protocol (alternative treatment) was progressing but, unfortunately, we’ve had to take a reprieve (God willing, a short one) from the treatment.

Quick update: Richard had faithfully been on the immune protocol since March 7th. For three weeks we were in an intensive regimen of supplements/IV and a strict Vegan diet. All was going considerably well until just over a week ago when his ‘minor’ back pain became ‘MAJOR’! Though he had suffered mid-back pain ever since receiving an epidural in his mid-back for surgery in September, the pain had started creeping to his lower back during this past month. Definite discomfort, but mangeable. Well, we never could have anticipated the back pain he’s currently experiencing. About a week and a half ago, his lower back pain became practically unbearable. He couldn’t find relief in any position and he had about 4 sleepless nights. The doctors put him on Oxycodone which gave his some relief, lasting only 2-3 hours at a time. After minimal relief, last Thursday we went to our oncologist and described the pain. He scheduled and MRI for the next day (last Friday) to rule out that there was a tumor mass that would, perhaps, be pressing against Richards spine. PRAISE GOD that was ruled out. No tumor mass on the spine/in the spinal column or surrounding bones. However, the oncologist did want to schedule a PET scan for this Wed (day after tomorrow) b/c the pathologist did see something “weird” in the muscle that extends from the buttocks to the groin and in the upper thigh area. “Weird” was the technical term used (no joke). We are believing that this will turn out to be nothing serious as well, BUT PLEASE KEEP THIS IN YOUR PRAYERS TOMORROW! (FYI: Pet Scan scheduled for 8:15am Wed morn)

Additionally, the oncologist believed that Richard should be on a stronger, slower acting but more powerful, pain medication: Oxycontin. Basically, it’s a narcotic, like morphine. It has helped to decrease the pain somewhat (not totally), but there are several tradeoffs:
drowsiness, nausea, constipation. So, at this moment, Richard is still trying to manage the pain with hot epson salt baths.
Unfortunately, he can barely keep his eyes open b/c of the drowsiness and the nausea leaves him with NO appetite. This is the most concerning to me b/c he had already lost 4-5 lbs on the vegan diets (which was at least healthy), but now with lack of diet, he’s lost about another 5-8 lbs. I’m doing my best to encourage him to eat and drink and he’s getting something down each day, but it’s been difficult seeing him tired, lethargic and skinnier.

There’s a chance that we might go have some blood test done tomorrow, just to be on the safe side.

All that to say… THANK YOU FOR PRAYING AND FASTING. Satan is attempting to dig in deep and trying his hardest because, no doubt, he recognizes the high calling that Richard has on his life. I’M SO THANKFUL THAT WE KNOW WHO IS IN CONTROL; WHO IS ON THE THRONE; WHO HAS ALREADY WON THE WAR. In all honestly, I’ve definitely had moments of sadness b/c of feeling helpless to relieve any of Richard’s pain, but I can’t thank you enough for checking in, coming to pray over us, your words of encouragement, bringing food, and so much more. Please forgive us for our lack communication, but energies have had to be focused internally these past 10-12 days. We appreciate your understanding!

GOD BLESS YOU FOR BLESSING US!! As always, please share your prayer requests with me- they help me to better focus on Tuesdays, which still are a struggle for me and why I need to be more prayerfully minded on those days.

Love you guys!

—
Maria Felipe (Abeyta)
310-254-8578 cell