Doctor Paul, MD

A small-town doctor working to preserve the art of old-fashioned primary care.

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Happy Mother’s Day

May 11, 2019 by Paul Williams 6 Comments

Father thank you for your love and presence through these difficult days and thank you all for your prayers.

I missed a week blogging. I just didn’t find the time last week and I am sorry. Theresa finished chemo #5 last week, and #6 on Thursday. She is halfway through the planned regimen. She is finding it harder and harder on her. Her bone marrow has been pretty resilient so far, keeping her white count up, though she persists to be anemic. She is finding the GI effects are getting more intense. The chemo causes esophageal and small intestinal problems. She finds it causes pretty severe acid reflex and intense bowel pain. Each treatment seems to get worse. For a day or so after treatment she just has to wait it out as a variety of pain medications don’t seem to help that much. For a few days after she feels her body is lead and could sleep for days. The week without chemo, she does better. She is going to talk with her oncologist. He said she can do a higher dose 2 weeks on and one off, or do a lower dose every week which would cause less side effects. She thinks this is the way she will want to go.

She had her echocardiogram and saw the cardiologist. The fluid has not returned around her heart. She won’t need to go back again at this time, unless Theresa feels the fluid is returning.

Theresa’s spirits are good. There are days that are pretty rough, but they are fewer than the better days. The ups and down of cancer and cancer treatment are the norm. When you think it is looking up and you can make some plans, then there is a bad day and you’re not sure if those plans will need to be changed. Despite it all you learn how to live and hopefully thrive.

It is easy to get bogged down with negative thoughts, sadness, what could have been, and the like. It is easy to feel overwhelmed as well. But to persevere, to over come, means learning how to continue to live. And this is where daily habits help, daily exercise, devotions and prayer, family time, going to work, and keeping up with relationships. Though the balancing act is more difficult. God is good and provides the spiritual nourishment that is needed every day. He sustains, he waters parched hearts.

Isaiah 44:2-4
“The LORD who made you and helps you says:….For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children. They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank.”

May Mother’s day be a joyful time of remembrance, and celebration for you and your family. We are thankful for this Mother’s day we weren’t sure we would be able to celebrate with Theresa. Thank you for your continued prayers.

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Filed Under: Breast Cancer - our new normal

Comments

  1. Julie Gamewell says

    May 13, 2019 at 12:33 pm

    Thank you for this update to be able to pray more specifically for Theresa during this very difficult time, and your family. I rejoice with you for being able to celebrate another Mother’s Day!

    2 Corinthians says, “What a wonderful God we have who comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials.” May you feel His loving presence and encouragement.

    julie

    Reply
  2. julie says

    May 13, 2019 at 12:36 pm

    Thank you for this update to be able to pray more specifically for Theresa during this very difficult time, and your family. I rejoice with you for being able to celebrate another Mother’s Day!

    2 Corinthians says, “What a wonderful God we have who comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials.” May you feel His loving presence and encouragement.

    julie

    Reply
  3. Debbie O'Connor says

    May 13, 2019 at 8:44 pm

    I’m so grateful that you were able to celebrate Mother’s Day together. I’m praying for healing, comfort and peace for you all.

    Reply
  4. Candace Horch says

    May 14, 2019 at 9:59 pm

    May our God continue to bless your family and walk with you through this difficult time. We are so thankful for each good day and that Theresa remains positive and there are positive steps forward. We pray for the wisdom of her Dr. and that she continues to persevere. With daily pray for you all, Candace

    Reply
  5. Kathy Spencer says

    May 16, 2019 at 6:00 am

    Dear Paul and Theresa, I am rejoicing with you in the celebration of another Mother’s Day, and am praying with you for continued fortitude for your upcoming family graduations and 25th Anniversary!
    Disneyland is something wonderful to look forward to. Praying for continued success with the chemo regimen and for lessening of symptoms and pain that accompany it. Keep your eyes on our Lord through it all so you don’t lose hope in the land of the living.

    Love you two,
    Kathy S

    Reply
  6. Donna Rao says

    May 17, 2019 at 11:14 pm

    Thinking of you with love and prayers.
    Auntie Donna

    Reply

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About Doctor Paul

Dr. Paul Williams, MD is a small-town family practice doctor working in Centralia, Washington. He works from the same office where his primary care practice was established by his father over 38 years ago. He believes strongly that the art of the old-fashioned primary care doctor is an important feature of our medical system that should be preserved and protected from excess interference from insurance companies and government regulation alike.

Due to changes in the health care industry and regulations affecting it, and in an effort to preserve the art of old-fashioned primary care, Dr. Paul has shifted his practice to a Direct Care model, meaning that patients pay an affordable monthly fee to purchase primary care health care services directly, rather than having their services billed through an insurance company.

This blog is intended to help Dr. Paul's patients (and anyone else!) understand the changes the medical industry is going through, and to provide information about the Direct Care model of primary care.

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