James called me at 6:19 this morning from the hospital. He'd forgotten that today is Saturday and I wasn't up early getting the children ready for school. So much for sleeping in, right?? It was good to hear his voice though. I miss him so much. He mentioned that the results from his two scans two days ago didn't show anything significant so that's pretty good news! The scans weren't as clear as we would have liked (i.e. a fine-cut CT scan) so that a lot more detail would show up but we're still fairly satisfied with the news! Still no results from yesterday's scan though. He's hoping to be released from the hospital today, as am I obviously! The doctor mentioned that his blood calcium level (which was at a 6 when he arrived at the emergency room for those of you who understand that sort of thing...and how it was amazing he was still alive at that point with his level so low!!!) was still dragging a little on the low side as of last night. James mentioned that it wouldn't be and would have actually been just fine had the doctor not disconnected the IV that was GIVING HIM CALCIUM the day before yesterday!!! DUH?!? It's usually prudent to wait until the patient's blood chemistry is STABLE before removing his intravenious meds which were currently being used to fix said problem!!!! I wish doctors knew more about my husband's illness. At times James and I have to explain a lot of the aspects of the disease to the doctors rather than the other way around!

James is back up at the VA Hospital in Missouri again. Ok. Rewind that. A lot. It's been a year since I've posted here and so much has happened to us! First and foremost (as those of you who read my main journal already know) we bought our first home (in Arkansas) 2,500 miles away from where we were currently living (California). So now instead of going to San Francisco for treatment, James is going to Poplar Bluff, Missouri. His Oncology care is up in St. Louis (Missouri) though. That in and of itself presents some problems financially for us as it's so far away and getting up there and paying for room and board as well as food, etc. We know that the Lord has always provided for our needs according to His will and He won't fail us now!

So anyway, James was transported up there from our local hospital via ambulance early this morning around 4:30 am CST. Early this year he contracted a nasty virus called Clostridium. It's a very nasty Botulism-related virus. He's back in now for the same thing. I just spoke with him and he said when the doctor came in to see him (same DR he had the last time - very helpful) he said that the Clostridium virus can seem to go away completely but in fact it's really lying dormant elsewhere in the body. So now it's back and he's on round two of antibiotics. The doctor seems to think that James is just more prone to things like this because of the shape his body is in. The biggest threat at this point is dehydration so he's being flushed with IV fluids to remedy that.

As for treatments of any kind, everything's on hold for now. I hate that it is. I hate to think of the cancer that's been growing or spreading since November of 2005. It's times like these when I have to almost minute-by-minute put my faith and control into God's capable hands.

James is home safe and sound from a week of appointments in San Francisco. The results of the CT scan showed that the tumors in his lungs (and most likely the ones in his neck also) have indeed grown and that we can go ahead and begin radiation. So he will be going back to San Francisco on the 27th of March to begin two weeks of his final lifetime-allowed radiation threatment. Beyond this, if the tumors grow back as they have twice already we will be left without any other options save surgery. The amount and placement of the tumors in his lungs would make it extremely difficult for surgery to take place. So we're praying for a miracle. This radiation treatment HAS to work! I know that God can still perform miracles and I believe one can happen where James is concerned. Dr. S did mention that even if all else fails it would still take a year or two for the cancer to take his life. God's will only be done.

He'll be in San Francisco next week for a number of various appointments. Arthritis, Optometry (a mixture of the meds he's on can cause eye problems), Pulmonology (lung), Oncology, the whole gamut. I believe they'll be making an appointment for his next round of radioactive iodine. They're still waiting for the cancer in his lungs to grow to an acceptable, treatable level.

James went back to S.F. a few weeks ago to speak with the Cardiologist, Pulmonologist and Endocrinologist. They determined that the tumors in James's lungs are too small to treat. They need to grow more before they can do anything, most likely his final dose of radioactive iodine as metastatic thyroid cancer doesn't respond to chemo. Once they give him the radiation, he will no longer produce saliva on his own as what's left of his salivary glands will be destroyed (burned) by the radiation. So now we just wait for the tumors to grow. That's not a very comforting thought to be sure but we don't really have a choice at this point.

We're having quite a bit of rain today. We had a few errands to run this morning as a family and James had a hard time getting around. He uses a cane all the time but it only aids him it doesn't take his pain away. He's doing alright though and trying to stay cheerful for the sake of the children. I can see how much he hurts though and it pains my heart so to see him suffer. I wish there was something I could do for him to take away his pain. If only I could take all of his discomfort upon me for a day. Just to give him a break. I would do it as often as I could. Please continue to keep my beloved in your prayers.

Please be in prayer for James. He's having some setbacks. The healing from his lung surgery is so very slow. He's in a great deal of pain and we would really covet your prayers right now. Thank you so much.

Tomorrow, James will be going back to a Cardio-Thoracic doctor in Sacramento to discuss some complications he's experiencing from his surgery. He's still in quite a bit of pain among other odd things. Please be in prayer for him if you have a moment.

James is still recovering well. I keep the humidifier going all day in the living room next to his big chair and all night next to his side of the bed. He's still pretty sore but all in all is doing a bit better each day.

Our church has been such a tremendous blessing! For about the past month and a half or so a family from our church has been bringing over a meal every other night. What a huge load off my shoulders!! There have been people bringing over gallons of milk almost daily, boxes upon boxes of diapers in almost every size (we still have four children in diapers at night and two during the day so we go through them rather quickly!) and so many other household and sundry items! For thanksgiving, a local business put together a HUGE, decorated basket full to the brim with items for a thanksgiving feast! Oh yes, and a turkey! (which, by the way will be turned into post-thanksgiving soup tomorrow!) Another family from church will be buying a Christmas tree for us and still others want to help out with Christmas gifts for the children. I am amazed at the blessings we've been given! I pray that each of you who have prayed, sacrificed and encouraged us will be blessed tenfold. Thank you, all so very much. :-)

A few questions answered:
(Tamara) ~ "By lifetime limit, does that mean he'll never be able to receive radiation in the future?"
No, he won't. At this point giving him more radiation will only add to his problems rather than solve them. The last two treatments almost completely burned out his salivary glands and Dr. S. suspects this next dose will do just that. Also, beyond this dose of radiation, they will have to surgically remove anything else that comes back. All of his radiation therapy will in fact increase his odds of developing other types of cancer in the future but we don't have a choice. It will also be difficult to detect whether or not this treatment even works. We still don't know what the other masses are (yet?) either or how to treat them.


(Tamara) ~ "How long was he a firefighter? Not that it makes a difference. One time exposure is enough."
He was a firefighter for 6 years and was exposed to some pretty nasty stuff. People have the false idea that all of the protective gear that firefighters wear is 100% (or close to it) effective but that simply isn't the case unfortunately.


(Lori) ~ "This is good news right??"
Yes, Lymphoma or metastisized Thyroid (not papillary) cancer would have been a lot worse and much harder to treat. :)



(Misty) ~ "You'd think after all that radiation he'd be sterile!:) The LORD is gracious, isn't he??"


Oh that was too funny!! Yes, you'd think so! ;)


(Morito) ~ "Do you know the story of Lance Armstrong?"
Yes, we do. Very well in fact. We have been quite encouraged by his story. He and my husband are the exact same age too! :)

If any of you have anymore questions, just throw 'em my way! :) :)

It seems James has metastatic (metastisized) papillary thyroid cancer in his lungs. So he will undergo yet another round (his lifetime limit) of radiation which will Lord-willing take care of it. There are a few other cells they can't seem to identify. They were tested for TB, Lymphoma and other toxins but so far everything is negative. He must have been exposed to something weird while he was a firefighter. That's my best guess.

We're safely home and James is recovering well. He's parked in his recliner and is back in command of the Castleberry Ship. It's SO good to have him back home! Thank you all so much for your prayers!! We still haven't heard from Pathology yet but I'll update you all when we do.

May God be with you all,
James and Rebekah (and family!)

Praise Jesus!! The surgery is over and James is in the Intensive Care Unit recovering quite well! The surgery lasted about 4 hours and they were able to extract three 'nodules' from his right lung without having to go in through his sternum! The pathology results from those will take about a week. PLEASE be praying that it's NOT matastisized thyroid cancer! That would be by far the most difficult (virtually impossible) to treat. He has a chest tube, catheter, an epidural and a bizillion various wires hooked up to him most of which will be taken out tomorrow with the exception of the epidural and chest tube. Those will remain in for another day or two. He's in great spirits and I even brought him chocolate ice cream, whipped cream (he ate all of it!) Oreos, milk, and peppermint patties!

Thank you all so very, very much for your faithful prayers!! I will update again tomorrow evening.

We're here safe and sound in San Francisco. The flight was a bit bumpy and I for one was VERY relieved to have both feet planted back down on good ol' Tera Firma! We're in our hotel room waiting for James' family to meet us here within the next few minutes. From here we'll go to the hospital to pick up a bunch of medication for James and then out to dinner.

I was in the Word awhile ago and was reading in the book of Psalms. What a comfort that book is to me! If any of you have some suggestions for Bible reading tomorrow during the surgery (specific verses or passages, etc.) please post them here and I'll write them down in my Bible. I'll post a bit tonight before bed. You won't hear from me after that until after the surgery most likely because we have to be at the hospital at 6:00am tomorrow morning. Your continued prayers are still greatly coveted.

We're flying out tomorrow morning and will be in San Francisco by late morning. Jacob, Sarah and Leah will be with us. Jamie and Hannah will be with friends from church. James' family (mom, brother and wife and sister) will also be flying into S.F. tomorrow. James' surgery is scheduled for 7:00am Monday morning. We check in at 6:00am. Please check back here Monday afternoon for a post-surgery update.

It's amazing how precious the little moments are when faced with a loved one going through a horrible, life-threatening and complex disease. The little things are much more meaningful. The stolen moments throughout the day mean so much.

Lord, help me to never take my loved ones for granted. Teach me how to be a servant, to put my family always first before myself. To never have any regrets when this life is done. Thank you so much, Lord for my husband. Unknown to me for the first 20 years of my life yet You were continually shaping both of us for each other all that time. As a child I remember praying for the man I would one day marry. So often I would do that. Those prayers were for James. I didn't even know him yet. But You knew. You fastened him together in his mama's womb. Before she even knew of him you did. You knit every fiber of his being together. You know him better than even I, his best "earthly" friend knows him. You created him. You love him more than I ever could imagine loving him. Nothing is too great for You. You still heal. You still perform miracles every day. I don't know the plans You have for James' life, what the outcome of this disease will ultimately be. But You do. What a blessed thought. I'm not afraid. If you choose to call my husband Home, precious Father, I will grieve. But I won't dispair. You will hold me as a small child and care for me. My children will never be Fatherless. You are always with me, comforting and protecting me. Thank You for your divinity and providence. Your will be done. My earnest prayer is that I may grow old and gray with the lover of my youth. My greatest and dearest friend. The only one who is as much a part of my being as one of my own limbs. To watch our children grow. To see him walk our daughters down the aisle on their wedding days...Lord, you know the greatest desires of my heart. Please, if it's your will, bring my beloved James through this surgery and through this disease victoriously. May he be a living testament to your greatness and Your glory. May You only be glorified in all of this. May your mighty name be praised in all that I do and say.
Your daughter,
Rebekah

Everything went just fine. He had some routine x rays done. The ones of his lungs came up clear which is good. That means the tumors haven't grown large enough to be picked up on it. Also his EKG went well. He spoke with the surgeon and anesthesiologist too and felt a lot better about the surgery after that. Basically they'll be making a 3 inch incision into his right upper lung under his armpit. Then they'll deflate the lung and insert a camera into it. If they can spot the tumor they're after they will 'grab' it with an instument that looks a lot like an eyelash curler but with scissors on the end. If they can't see the tumor, they will then have to open his chest cavity and get to it that way. So pray that they see it the first time! After they get the tumor they will put five titanium staples into his lung to keep it closed. He'll have those for life. Then they'll reinflate the lung, put a chest tube in to help it drain and he should be out of the hospital within a few (3-4) days barring any complications.
Also, because James has malignant hyperthermia (he's allergic to general anesthesia) they will purge the anesthesia equipment for 24 hours before his surgery (force oxygen through it) to rid it of any traces of the usual anesthesia. They will be using a different anesthesia on him during the surgery and have some sort of antedote on hand should there be any problems like he had in 2000.

James is in San Francisco. He left earlier this evening and will be back sometime late tomorrow evening. Just a routine pre-op appointment. A nice man from church is driving him down, paying for a motel and driving him back. Praise Jesus.

We have a date scheduled for James' lung surgery. Monday, November 14th. We'll be flying out there on Sunday afternoon and should be home (Lord-willing) by the following Saturday. Please, please be in prayer for James. He's been having a lot of anxiety over this. His entire family will be flying out for it.

Hi, Lynn! You asked...I'm answering... ;-)
"...why are they removing one tumor from the lung, as opposed to more than one?"

In answer to your question, Lynn the doctors are only removing one tumor because of the invasiveness of the surgery required. There are tumors on both of James' lungs, top to bottom and so to remove them all surgically would be next to impossible and extremely dangerous. The reason for removing the tumor is not for the tumor's sake but for a biopsy. Once they test the tissue/cells of the tumor they'll know what type of cancer we're dealing with and how to go about treating it. Initially we were simply dealing with papillary thyroid cancer. Apparently when the thyroid and parathyroids were removed, some of the cancerous cells were sloughed off and traveled throughout the bloodstream to other parts of James' body where they mutated and became another sort of cancer. Dr. B. (from Denver) thinks James could possibly have testicular cancer and that's what traveled to his lungs. The testicular cancer theory comes from a few tests given to James about 6 months or so ago. I hope that's about as clear as mud for ya. ;-) It just goes to show how confused I can get about all of this at times!