Category: Status Update

The blood work has come back and confirmed that Tim has Acute Monocytic Leukemia. Chemo treatments will start today. He will have a 7+3 regimen of chemo, meaning for the 1st three days he will have two drugs (Cytarabine and Daunorubicin) and then just Cytarabine for the rest of the 7 days. They will do another bone marrow biopsy on Day 14 and see how the chemo worked.

An update from yesterday. Last night he felt like he was having a lot of trouble breathing normally. We finally decided it might have to do with sleep apnea. They had him on oxygen all night and that seemed to do the trick. He slept well and feels quite ready to face the day! PTL!!

Thank you all so much for your prayers and all your calls, cards, and comments. We can feel God’s presence!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Prayers as he starts chemo. That the side effects will be manageable and he will be able to work through them well.

Prayers for our kids and extended family. It’s hard for those who are not close and can’t be here to ‘see’ how he is doing.

We would also ask that you specifically pray for our daughter Sarah who is down to the last 3 weeks before college graduation. This diagnosis, obviously, came at a time when distractions are not welcome. Please pray as she tries to finish up her classes and prepares to move back home.

PRAISES:

That whatever happened yesterday was a minor thing and we think we have it under control.

That we finally have some answers and are able to move forward with treatment.

Tim woke up about 4 this morning with chest pain and shortness of breath. There were blood tests, EKG’s, an X-ray, and the heart monitor came back. We haven’t actually heard from a Dr yet but it seems they are not terribly concerned about it. He did feel rather terrible and wiped out most of the day but by evening started feeling better. This journey will have many ups and downs and today was just a down day.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

That Tim’s heart episode would not be anything serious and that he would not have anymore.

That even during these ‘down’ times, we can continue to see God.

PRAISES:

We have some wonderful family and friends that have been so supportive and we feel so blessed by everyone!!

Well, today did not go how we expected it to! Due to a shipping error Tim’s bone marrow sample was too deteriorated to get the necessary test completed. While that is frustrating and disappointing, both Tim and I very quickly saw that this would give us a little more time to heal his foot (the right one has gout) and his cough (it is progressively getting better). We are both at peace about this and are praising God for his omniscience.

We are getting closer to the time when visitors will be more limited and more restrictions will be placed on them. Please feel free to reach out to me about visiting and what’s expected. If you do happen to just stop by, please just read the signs on his door as to what is being expected. One thing I would mention is that they ask no flowers be brought up. 

If you would like, you can send mail. Simply send it to Mary Greeley at their address and add Tim Henriksen, Room 5012.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

That these next 2-3 days of waiting for results will help heal Tim’s foot and his cough so he can be as healthy as possible before treatments start.

PRAISES:

Despite this ‘setback’ both Tim and I are at peace with the situation and know that God is in control!

We have been very blessed by the care we have received to this point the Drs and nurses have been fabulous!

We are still waiting on test results to start the treatment. Have to know exactly what we are treating. The lab is in California and when the Doctor’s office called yesterday they were told 24 hours so hopeful for early today.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Tim’s blood sugar levels are very out of whack with all the different medications he’s on so prayers that those would be brought under control would be appreciated.

He is still having some issues with a cough and gout in his right toe.

PRAISES:

Tim had a good conversation with his HR yesterday and we were very pleased with how it went.

Tim feels very at peace with all that is going on!

Dad went to urgent care on Wednesday (4/8) evening to get checked out for a nasty cough, fatigue, and some chest pain. After some initial tests, urgent care recommended he go to the emergency room for further testing. What we had originally believed to be a mild heart attack has transformed into a diagnosis for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. This diagnosis has been a complete shock to all of us. While we are still awaiting some final test results, plans are in place for treatment to begin late Monday evening or early Tuesday (4/14). We expect that he will remain in the hospital for 3-4 weeks during his first rounds of Chemo.

Today, dad is feeling good and he is enjoying time with all his kids and grand kiddos. His one complaint is that stinking cough that has continued to hang on. Please pray that the cough would be eliminated entirely and that he can enter into treatment as healthy as possible.

There are still many unknowns. We will continue to update this page as we are able. Thank you for the love, prayers, and support we have already received from you all. We are grateful to have you walking alongside our family during this time. ❤️