April 23 CT results (Scott)

April 23 CT results

I have had several hard phone calls and conversations, such as taking the call at age 21 to let me/family know that dad had cancer, Doctors letting me know that Elizabeth had a life threatening illness in 2005, the many challenging decisions for her health, but the phone call I received the afternoon of November 21,2011 was up there with them. As soon as my cell phone rang tha
t afternoon I knew I had cancer because I knew that they would not call only 3 business days after a biopsy if it were otherwise. My hands were shaking, palms were sweaty as the doc said the bad news is you have cancer, the good news is it is slow growing. He had very few answers to my questions. I went to leave and passed my boss, told him I had to tell Eliz 1st. With her in the middle of picking up kids, I had yet another tough phone call. Looking back, obviously I wish I didn’t have cancer, but I am extremely thankful to God for his provision. After Nov 21, I saw a specialist 2 days later. Things moved at a very fast past, much to the awe of my family doctor. A Blessing, Gods provision!
In December I would find out that the cancer had spread further than originally thought. It was stage 3 of 4 instead of stage 1. The doctor left it up to us as to whether or not we would proceed with Chemo. With this type of cancer, because there is no medical cure, they often let it go until it is too uncomfortable to bare before administering chemo. We decided to proceed with chemo, praying that the kids would not have to see me sick just yet. On April 10 I finished my treatments and have had no more than a minor cold and minor side effects. I have also been able to work. A Blessing, God’s provision!
My April 23 CT scan results showed that my lymph nodes have all shrunk to normal size, which is the desired medical result. Yet another blessing, God’s provision, what he has allowed! You may ask what I would say if it didn’t work out this way, well that would also be what God allowed, a test, a learning blessing just as he allowed me to get cancer and learn from it. My path unless I am healed may not be easy from here on out, but God is my strength. We will strive to be good stewards of what is ahead of us, both of the good and the challenging. The platform we are given by God and for him includes all facets of our life, including how we minister at work and thru challenges such as health. God’s word details his purpose for us, that we would be his vessels, his witnesses and be molded to be more like him. After all he did give his son for us so that through accepting the free gift of salvation, we can enter into a right relationship with him and have eternal life. Is giving our lives back in return to much to ask? I don’t think so.

My family and friends have all been awesome through this, but I especially want to thank my wife and kids for their acceptance, love and patience.

Next steps are chemo every 3 months for 2 years starting in July. This is part of their maintenance program. It feels kind of like I am a vehicle and need an oil change every 3 months

Verses that have meant a lot to me are;

Phillipians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Mathew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
James 1:2-6 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
Hebrews 12:6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.
1 Cor 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

April 17 2012 (Scott)

update in the form of a prayer;
Father in Heaven, I love you. I dunno your purposes; I dunno the outcome of this cancer. What I do know is that you are awesome and that one day sooner or later I will spend eternity with you. In the meantime I am your puzzle piece. I don’t know exactly where or how you are placing me in the puzzle of life. What I do know is that your plans and timing are perfect
. It’s hard Lord for a control freak like me not to know the outcome. It’s hard Lord to look at my family here and to think of the possible impacts of this cancer. But I am reminded Lord of your provision and of your ultimate goal. I am given to your plan Lord as hard as that is, and I am very thankful for the awesome friends that you have surrounded our family with. You have provided; you have made the road easier. Your protection over me has been obvious these last several months. So Lord may your will be done with the results of the April 23 CT-scan and may I accept them as part of your plan. Mold me and shape me I pray, use me according to your will and purposes, I love you Lord.

April 5 2012 FB post (Scott)

My personal boxing match
Round 6, the bell has sounded. I am cleared (passed blood work test today) to proceed against chemo in round 6 on April 10. This is the last round currently scheduled for this match (depending on April 23 CT scan). Chemo is a big opponent that throws uppercuts and quick jabs that can result in mood changes, loss of appetite, finger and toe numbness, loss of sleep, anxiety,
nausea, etc. I have a respectful dislike for chemo who hails from the following address, cancerville, sin, hell, postal code #$% &*@. I am fortunate to have God as my coach/armor. He resides in Heaven. I dunno why, but thus far God has chosen to keep the side effects of chemo at bay and has ensured that my blood work has passing grades. Win or lose this match, my next opponent is cancer. He hails from the same area as chemo. I dunno how God will coach me through that or how many rounds the fight will go, but I know he has a greater plan than winning that fight for me, it is to win souls for his kingdom.
Desiring to be a good steward and sometimes failing miserably, Scott

March 25 2012 FB post (Scott)

Recently many have asked how we are doing and where I (Scott) am at with my treatments. Thanks again for your interest and support. It means a lot. I completed my 5th treatment on March 16 and go for my 6th and final one of the initial phase on April 10. On April 23 I will have a CT scan to confirm the progress. To date the doctors are very pleased and we are extremely grateful for God`s provision
. I have been able to continue life as normal for the most part, even through the treatments. That`s the physical side.
The mental game is always tougher. While it’s easy to quote bible verses and put on a brave face, the reality is, it isn`t always easy. Your support makes the path easier though. Hard things impact people differently. One of the things I have struggled more with is anxiety. I have learned through these challenges to lean on people more, to be more open and that it`s ok to seek out professional council.
Life can be mentally exhausting and for me, it has been as our family has surfed through difficult times and as we walk through this current one. We are blessed with these life lessons. God is great and he has provided us with awesome support. Thanks for your continued prayers.

February 15 2012 (Scott)

Thanks so much for supporting us since Scott was diagnosed with B-Cell Follicular Lymphoma in November. He has since had 3 of 6 chemotherapy treatments with the next one scheduled for February 24/12. He has a catscan on February 16, which the doctors will use to confirm whether the lymph nodes have shrunk as desired. He will get the results on Feb 23.
We are very grateful to God that the chemo side affects have been minimal to date. We continue to value your prayers and pray that by God's grace we would be good stewards of what is ahead of us.

We pray for healing according to God's will and purpose

Just an update Feb 3 2012 (Scott)

Scott completed his 3rd of 6 treatments on Feb 3 and goes for his 4rth on Feb 24. His recent treatment went well and we are very thankful to God that Scott is feeling so well. In between Scott's 2nd and 3rd treatment he was able to work and even do some workouts at the gym. We can easily see how God has made our path easier through things like this and by, keeping Elizabeth and Scott flu free this winter even when it has passed through our house and by the peace he has provided us.
We have really appreciated the support we have received from family, church family, friends, and Scott's awesome team mates at work. It means so much!!!. We don't know what the future holds, but we know He holds it.
Items of praise and prayer;
- praise for how God's people have supported us and for the sense of peace he has given our family
- prayer for Elizabeth as she goes for a catscan Feb 8 to rule out a bowel obstruction (doc doesn`t want to do surgery at this point) and results on Feb 29
- the kids; you can see big questions on their faces when ever we experience a bump in the road or when someone in the community does. For what ever reason, of late, it seems like there has been a lot of sickness and sorrow in the community. Most recently a father who has a girl in Kamryn's grade and a boy in Colson's class passed away. He was only 46 and died of a sudden heart attack
- for God's hand at work through the treatments, that they would be effective according to his will and purpose (Scott has a catscan Feb 16 to confirm if the lymph nodes are returning to normal size, followed by results Feb 23 and the next chemo on Feb 24)
- during the treatments Scott is more susceptible to viruses, and fatigue (we are so grateful that he has been spared from this).
- that by God's grace, we would be able to be a witness throughout this trial.

God has richly blessed us with many lessons from trying experiences. We pray that we will be good stewards of both the good and the challenging experiences.

A recent timely reading;
What Jesus did on the cross was to break the power of death. By rising from the dead, He determined that death would no longer be the final word. He was reversing the cruel fate to which all of human creation had been subjected, beginning when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden and were sentenced to death. From Adam onward, humans have known what it means to be haunted by death, and to know that at any moment, breath can be extinguished, and life evaporate.
Apart from Christ, the fear of death is a form of slavery. Those who have no eternal hope are powerless in the face of death. They cannot control or determine when or how it should come. In a universe without a Sovereign God, death is the ultimate victor. Every day is pregnant with fear, whether conscious or subconscious.
But Jesus Christ has conquered the grave. He has reversed the curse, and He has set the captives free. What is there to fear if death itself, seemingly so ultimate and terrifying, has been rendered powerless?
APPLY THE WORD
Maybe you’ve recently received a terminal diagnosis—or someone you love has. Death is cruel, and aging and disease were not part of God’s original plan for the world He created. And yet, even in death, there can be freedom and hope. Look to the merciful and faithful High Priest, Jesus Christ, who suffered a very cruel death on your behalf. Cry out to Him, knowing that He understands and sympathizes. Because of Him, death is not the end of the story.
From;
http://www.moodyministries.net/

Less of us and more of him we pray

Jan 15 2012 update (Scott)

Just an update, we appreciate all of you who have encouraged us in some way during our journey,

Scott finished his first chemo treatment on Dec 23. We are grateful for God's provision in that we were able to enjoy Christmas. Thankfully Scott did not experience any major side effects and he has not missed a beat at work either (to date). The only side effects he says he had are dopiness (normal for him :o)), some stomach uneasiness that food always seems to address, difficulty concentrating (chemo brain), infrequent mild headaches, infrequent numbness in fingers and he tires a little easier. These have all been quite mild.
Other changes have included;
- Scott is trying to eat healthier. Those that know him well, will know that chocolates, jubejubes, cookies, steak, sausage, coffee, etc. were some of Scott's favorites. These have been exchanged for white meat, sardines, lots of salad and fruits, green tea etc.
- general precaution to avoid viruses and colds
- gargling 3 times a day with salt water in order to avoid mouth sores that are inherit with chemo.........to the kids amusement he has perfected gargling to the tune of "we wish you a merry Christmas"
Our kids have responded well, all things being considered. Understandably, Kamryn (6) does not comprehend it as well as Colson (8) who is very open and detailed with his questions. He prays with Scott often, asking "God to take daddy's cancer away". We have been able to be very open with him, which is a huge answer to prayer. In the past he has been extremely anxious concerning Elizabeth's health and his own well being. He has been exposed to a lot at a young age. He is also very perceptive and beyond his years in many ways in comprehending things. Kamryn shows her sensitivity by giving hugs, but seldom mentions the cancer. We periodically ask her if she has any questions about it, to ensure that we give her the opportunity to talk too. Recently Colson asked Scott if this cancer could kill a person. This gave Scott the opportunity to explain why these bad things happen; per the bible it is because sin entered the world (Genesis 3), but Gods desire is that we would all enjoy eternity in heaven (John 3:16), which is a choice he gives us. We talked about Colson asking Jesus to forgive his sins and come into his heart, a decision that he made previously and it comforted him in knowing that whatever happens here, we will meet again in heaven because of that choice.
Scott completed his 2nd of 6 treatments on Jan 13 and goes for his 3rd on Feb 3. His recent treatment went well and we are very thankful that he is feeling well. The specialist said that he shouldn't experience anything different than after the 1st treatment. And for now Scott is still able to boast that he has more hair than any of his brothers.

Readings that have meant a lot to Scott are as follows;
"When we are ruled by fear, we demand safety and security. We’re unwilling to take risks. But the life of following Jesus is a life full of risk. Which character in the Bible wasn’t asked by God to do something extraordinarily risky? Our Lord Himself faced the ultimate danger, that of losing His life. He did it willingly because He knew of God’s greater plan. Faith means trusting God in the face of risk, and it requires we see God’s protection over us even in the midst of danger."
"Our culture often tells us that everything is meaningless—so you might as well as have all the fun you can! Ecclesiastes reminds us that neither fun nor work can protect us from fear. Only when we are willing to release our priorities and illusion of control to the will of the Lord can we discover freedom from fear. Pray today that the Lord will examine your heart and strengthen you to remember your Creator and all He’s done for you."
Taken from:
http://www.todayintheword.com

God has given us a real sense of peace during this time. We don't know what the future holds, but we trust in him. Thank you so very much for your many acts of kindness, such as praying, calling, emailing, texting, generous offers, cards, etc. We continue to value it and need the support.
Please continue to pray for;
- praise for how God's people have supported us, 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 (she did have a cold/sinus infection in early January that had us very worried (her heart rate was spiking), but God returned her to health and strength
- peace as Elizabeth is undergoing tests for a possible bowel obstruction
- for God's hand at work through the treatments, that they would be effective (the next one is Feb 3, but will be preceded by blood work on Feb 1 to ensure that the counts are stable for the chemo treatment). Scott will likely have a catscan in March to determine the effectiveness of the treatments.
- during the treatments Scott will be more susceptible to viruses, and fatigue; pray that he might be spared from any additional colds, flu's etc. (thankful that he is just getting over a cold)
- for healing according to God's will and purpose
- that by God's grace, we would be able to be a witness throughout this trial.

God has given us this platform and we pray that by his grace and power, that his name would be honored and glorified.

Considering the recent tragedies in our community, we are blessed

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