Home Sweet Home

We were hoping to come home yesterday, but Mom was too weak, so we ended up coming home today.  She is still very weak and in a lot of pain, but improving each day. 

Progress despite lack of sleep ;-)

Mom is doing a bit better today.  Monday night was hard with no sleep for her (not much for Dad and me either).  Last night was much better and she was able to sleep a few hours.  She had some issues getting the pain meds to work for her, but that is doing a bit better now.  The doctor wants her walking as much as she can, so she has been walking around her room some and was even able to walk a little bit in the hall once.

We are still at the hospital, but there is a possiblity that she could come home later today (after 4:00), or she may need to stay one more night.

She is still weak and is hoping she can sleep today.  Dad and I are hoping we can catch a little sleep too as there hasn't been much for us either.

Thank you to everyone for their prayers and support!

Quick Update from the Hospital...

It was an early morning today and surgery was already underway by 8:00am.  By 9:00, the removed mass was off to be tested.

Praise GOD, contrary to the earlier blood tests, the removed mass was actually benign - huge, but benign!!!

God’s Word Brings Comfort

God’s Word Brings Comfort

I have eighteen 3x5 cards in my back pocket. They each contain a scripture passage that I have been committing to memory over recent months. Throughout the day I pull them out and work on a few of the newer ones and refresh my memory on a few of the older ones. They get jumbled around in a pretty random and changing order.

Last week, I pulled them out and just started reading them sequentially in the order that I found them. The first 8 of them seemed like an amazing, single message directly to me and to my family, as we contemplated the difficult path ahead. Here is what I read:

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation [steadiness] be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. … For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; … For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. … Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. … Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

(Phil 4:4-7; 2Tim 1:7-8; Rom 8:18; Psa 46:1-3; Isa 41:10; Josh 1:9; Rom 8:28; Jer 32:17; Psa 27:14)

Consultatations, Options & Scheduling

Thank you all for your prayers. It has been a difficult week but God has been faithfully orchestrating travel, appointments, tests, doctors, etc. We met with two surgeons (and a host of support staff and technicians) over the last few days, and have a clear path at least to the point of surgery. Ellen is scheduled for surgery at 7:30 a.m. Monday, July 25.

The pre-operational appointments and testing have left Ellen quite exhausted (the rest of us are dragging too), but we are hopeful for a positive change soon.

Your continued prayer support is appreciated.

A Cancer Diagnosis

As most of you know, Ellen has had serious health struggles for a couple decades.  Although she has seen many MDs and specialists, we have not made adequate progress, and this last year has brought a big increase in physical pain. The greatest advances have been through alternative approaches, and recent efforts have increased strength paving the way for what is next.

July 14th, Ellen had a CT scan that showed a large ovarian mass 28x25x14cm (11" x 10" x 5.5") (about the size of a round watermelon or 2 to 3 laptop PCs).  The ovarian growth is pressing up on her lungs causing fluid build up there, clamping her colon and applying problematic pressure elsewhere as well.  Further tests indicated it to be cancerous.

We are looking at the options before us and are hopeful for a resolution soon.  Next steps include consultation with an gynecologic oncologist surgeon July 20th.  Your prayers for wisdom, discernment, strength, courage, healing, ... are appreciated.