It is always difficult to write the post that gives an update on how effective chemo has been in attacking the cancer in Stew's body. It is difficult for two reasons:
*We receive the same news each time.
*And, we have to tell each of you the same news each time.

When you share with friends and family who have been faithfully praying for over a year through the ups and downs of four different chemo regimens, it hurts to say "No remission, no healing yet." Why? Because we know how long most of you have been standing with us, we know some might be getting tired of the battle (and understandably so), and we don't want to cause any discouragement or hurt to those we care about.

Yet, here we are again.

According to the test results, and the way Stew's body feels, the cancer continues to grow. Stew is considered to be in that extremely small percentile whose body seems to simply resist chemotherapy and targeted therapy.

This time the two major medical professionals in our team met with us. They were caring, supportive, and gently direct. Even when we sat in the room hearing what they had to say, we felt so much gratitude for the caring concern they both displayed.

So, no more chemotherapy. They have tried all of what there is for the type of mantle cell Stew has.

After prayer and conversation, Stew has begun taking four pills a day of a targeted therapy regimen with the hopes of slowing down the cancer growth. Our doctor has also been contacting different hospitals across the United States to see if they will accept Stew into a clinical trial. There is one called CAR-T that seems to hold the promise of being effective against Mantle Cell. No positive responses yet to their inquiries, but they are not giving up.

As for us, it is a new season. Stew had been trying to work some, but is now no longer able to keep it up. The weariness and headaches are too overwhelming at times.

Our days are spent taking slow walks, reading, sharing, praying, and working on small projects one step at a time. (With a few naps thrown in for Stew) We are determined to live life with prayerful intentionality. Not just to make moments, but with the purpose of capturing moments. 

A captured moment in words: Just last week we were told about an 80 year old gentleman who lives alone in our neighborhood and has cancer. His days are now limited to a wheelchair with his dogs as companions. Stew and I walked down to meet him and ended up visiting with him for almost two hours. He has lived such an interesting life, and due to some of the challenges he has faced, he does not believe there is a God, heaven, or hell.  Our hearts were broken for him. While there we discovered that he loves to play cribbage or backgammon, but has no one to play with.
 He does now. :-)

Captured moments in pictures:

My masked wood worker, time with Noah, teaching Shi about coin collecting, early mornings on the patio, and getting ready for cribbage with Clarke.

Slow walks part way around the lake. 

Teaching Noah guitar.

With hearts of gratitude for you and to the Father,
Love and Prayers,
Stew and Deb

"This is how I fight my battles"
Be sure to listen to the words:-) You will want to break out in dancing and praise! We do!

https://youtu.be/NoAqymNcBTk