Dec 18 2011 prayer chain update (Scott)

Dear teammates,
Another week has gone by. Just thought I would give a brief update on my (Scott's) health.
Thanks for all your prayers and acts of kindness.
We did end up telling our kids that I (Scott) have cancer. This is just one way where we have experienced God's hand at work. They handled it well and it has allowed us to talk more freely and pray openly as a family about it.

Also God has given us peace in our decision to proceed with chemotherapy treatments, which will begin Dec 23/11. The specialist has assured us that with the nausea medication taken for 5 days after the treatment, that I shouldn't feel more than a little tired for a few days after the treatment. The first treatment will be a 7 hr experience at the "chemo lounge" at GRH. After that there will be 5 more every 3 weeks, 4hrs per session. An appointment with the specialist will precede each treatment to determine if any treatment changes are required. At some point during the treatment timeline an ultrasound will be completed to determine the effectiveness of the treatment. After the chemo sessions are complete I will be on a chemo pill for 2 years.

Thanks again for your prayers, please continue to pray for;
- praise for how God's people have supported us, on how quickly the medical staff has acted, for the sense of peace we have had
- the kids as they try to comprehend what is going on

- for continued peace for our family
- praise and prayer for continued stability in Elizabeth's health
- for God's hand at work through the treatments, that they would be effective
- during the treatments Scott will be more susceptible to viruses, pray that he might be spared from any additional colds, flu's etc

- for healing according to God's will and purpose
- that by God's grace, we would be able to be a witness through out this trial

Dec 10, 2011 (Scott)

Many of you are probably on the prayer chain and recieved this email, but for those of you who aren't below is the prayer chain email from the Rupperts

Thanks so much for your prayers
Scott had a catscan this week and met with the cancer specialist today. The diagnosis of "b cell follicular non hodgkin's lymphoma" has not changed, but the catscan confirmed that it is in stage 3 of 4, 4 being the most advanced stage. This is a slow growing cancer that Scott has likely had for years. The doctors remain hopeful that it can be managed over a long period of time. There is no medical remedy as far as the doctors know, only God's healing powers. The doctor is leaving it up to Scott whether to start chemo now or keep monitoring the lymph nodes before making a decision. Please pray for;
- praise that Scott's organs and blood look normal, and that overall he has been feeling well
- the spirits leading in determining whether to start chemo now or wait
- how to communicate to the kids who up until now have only been told that Scott has a blood disorder
- for Scott and Elizabeth to be good stewards and faithful witnesses during this very difficult time
- for healing according to God's purpose
- for continued stability in Elizabeth 's health
Thanks so much for being such a loving church family and community of friends,
Scott and Elizabeth