1 Peter 1:3- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Fighting cancer is definitely reminding Stew and I that we are not in control of the circumstances we face, and it is foolishness for us to even presume that we are. The past few days have continued to drive home the truth that even though it is a tremendous blessing to have skilled doctors and caring professionals in our lives, our hope can not rest in what they say, who they are, or what they do. Believe me, it is an easy trap to fall into, but when we do, hope becomes something we have to fight for instead of Someone to rest in.

When all of this began three months ago, we truly believed that at this point (over half way through) we would be on the rejoicing side of cancer with indicators of remission or cure. But, we're not there. That doesn't mean we're not going to be, just that the time hasn't yet come. It appears that, if we agree, a different chemo protocol will be tried once this cycle of treatments ends.

So, while we are still waiting and believing, please know how thankful we are that you are in God's waiting room with us...praying, praising, and waging warfare. It strengthens us.  Thank you!

Prayer Requests:

*Stew: White blood cell count and neutrophils to return to an acceptable range, and bone pain to be gone.  Chemo was to be given yesterday, but both counts were critically low so it has been delayed till next Monday. Neutrophils are only at .22 which means filgrastim injections are being given. They can have a side effect of bone pain which he is experiencing.
*Dr. K.: Favor on her new job, and that others will be blessed by her as we have been. She will no longer be at the cancer clinic after the end of the year. Honestly, this news set us back at first as she has not only been Stew's doctor, but also a source of encouragement and prayer.
* New hematology oncologist: To be expertly skilled, operate in wisdom, and one who sees Stew as a person, not just as a patient.
* Healing!
* Opportunities: For us to make a difference in someone's day each time we are at the clinic.

Praises:

*Special moments with family.
*Encouragement from friends
*God's love and strength
*Hope
*Music
*Rainy days
*Laughter
*Stew's smile
*A man named Samuel (more about him in the next post.)
*You!

With hearts filled with gratitude and HOPE!
Stew and Deb
Romans 12: 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and constant in prayer.

It's Just One Day

 It's Just One Day...

Thursday, Stew and I had our appointment with Dr. K. to receive the results of the Pet Scan. From the very beginning we knew that at the chemo halfway mark this test would be done and the results of it would indicate how the treatments were working. The hopes were that it would show significant reduction in the cancer, and possibly point to a remission.

Imagine then, what it was like on Wednesday, when the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart repeatedly "It's only one day. It's only one day." It began in early morning prayer and continued throughout the hours to come. Didn't matter what was going on...He was gently reminding me over and over again of the message we needed to hear. At Mardels...there He was. Sprouts...He was there, too. Lowe's...more of the same. 

Truthfully, my initial response fluctuated between fighting of tears, shouting the words as if they were a battle cry to the enemy, and saying "Thank you, Father, for the reminder."  The words should not have come as a surprise though, because we had already shared with family that in prayer a week prior the Lord had spoken to us there were still battles to come, but that meant victories were coming too.  They were still a surprise, though.

 When Stew and I discussed it in bed Wed. evening, we realized that the Holy Spirit was issuing encouragement and preparation to our hearts. Not a discouragement or denial, regardless of where our thoughts and feeling were trying to take us. Our Father was giving us a caring reminder that what ever we heard, it was just "one day" out of eternity, just "one day"in His provision and plan for our life, and it was up to us to make a decision to believe that it was just "one day" closer to hope evidenced...regardless of any report.  

Thursday afternoon, we were told that Stew's labs are the best they have been! Even though they still need to improve that is a big Yay! We were also told a few auxiliary lymphomas had shrunk or were gone, including the small one in his chest, and that a couple in the spleen had begun to decrease slightly in size. More praise! 

Then the gentle talk. The several tumors in the abdomen and colon remain. Stew is still Stage 4. Dr. K. shared we have two more rounds to complete at this time, and then we are probably looking at another series of chemo treatments. (not sure if it will be a different protocol or the same) There was no talk of remission at this time.

She is also beginning the process for Stew to be considered for a bone marrow transplant, and be seen by a mantle cell oncologist at MD Anderson.

As always, our visit ended with her asking about our family, telling us to hang in there, encouraging us, and reminding us that she is praying and believes we are headed in the right direction. Our visit ended with a Dr. K hug.:-)

So, we thank you once again for continuing to turn your face to the wall in prayer, and not growing weary on this journey. Our hearts continue to be filled with overwhelming gratitude for you!

Prayer requests:

* Healing! 

*Wisdom and favor with insurance for treatments, a visit to MD Anderson, and the possible bone marrow transplant.

*Stew's strength and not to be totally overcome with fatigue. 

*For us to be an encouragement and comfort to those in the cancer center who are walking a similar path, and those who care for us there. Creative ideas as to how to make a difference and bring some hope.

*Dr. K.-God's blessings on her, her family, and her staff.

Rejoicing in the gift of you, and the love of Our Father,

Stew and Deb

Steven Curtis Chapman - "Warrior" (feat. scenes from War Room)

 Warriors

Feeling such gratitude this afternoon for those who are Warriors with us, calling on the powerful Name of Jesus for Stew, and causing the enemy to tremble and flee.



Praying for you and yours today.

Stew and Deb

Today...

Pet Scan Day

Good morning!! Today is Stew's "1/2 way thru chemo...believing for an amazing report" pet scan. For 2 hours he gets to have the scan. We're believing it's only a 2 hour test to a life time of confirmed healing. Trusting the Father.

Monday's chemo was a go...after a 10 day delay for labs to be where they needed to be. But, what matters when it is all said and done is the fact they lined up! Will share more about that day's events in the next post, A lot happened and we saw God so many times over throughout the 6
 1/2 hour day.

Thank you for "Face to the Wall" praying and standing in agreement with us for healing. You are teaching us what it means to truly be a part of the body of Christ the way the Father intended it to be.

With hearts of gratitude for you and to the Father,

Stew and Deb

Masked Crusader/My Hero: 

No chemo today. When we arrived at the clinic, the first thing our chemo nurse did was draw Stew's blood to send to the lab. It wasn't long before the doctor came in carrying the lab report with the word "critical" in red, once again.

She kindly explained to us that even though the wbc had gone up some, the neutrophil count dropped more and was a .48. Much too low to proceed with chemo at this time. Treatment has been postponed till next Monday where we will try again.

In the interim Stew gets to avoid groups of people, wash his hands all the time, and wear a very stylish mask when he goes out. His response...he always wanted to be a masked crusader. :-) 

And, he's quite a handsome one if I do say so myself! 

You can't tell from the picture, but the masks they gave him this time are a soft sunshine yellow. Not his first choice of color, but I kind of like it.

Initially, it was a bit of a disappointment, but all is well. We are choosing to believe Stew's body is responding more and more each day to God's total health and healing...the tests just haven't discovered it yet.

Thank you for continuing to agree with us in prayer. What a gift you are!

Face to the Wall

Gary and Deb

Prayer Request

(A gift from my sister and her friend, Toni. Not only is it a reminder of the scripture God gave us to keep praying regardless of man's reports...but it also in Steeler colors:-)

Well, here we are again:-)

Our visit with Dr. K. did not go quite as well as we hoped Friday. Seems as though the unexpected is to be expected when you are dealing with cancer.

Labs appear to indicate that Stew's white blood cell count and neutrophils are too low for chemo to be given on Monday, 17 October. They will draw blood first thing that morning, but chemo will not be given unless the count is at least 1500. That is a little over three times more than what it is right now. If that doesn't happen, treatment will be delayed a week and the regimen Stew is taking will probably be changed.

So thankful our ultimate hope is not anchored in lab results or medical reports. Will admit though that it would be nice to have at least one test indicating we are moving forward.  Believing that in time...God's time... it will happen!

Please join us in prayer and faith for everything to be as it should so chemo can be given as originally planned.

Thankful for your presence in our lives and your prayerful support.

Stew and Deb

P.S. A special moment: We mentioned before how blessed we are to have Dr. K. as Stew's doctor. This time not only did she remind us that she was praying for us, that God heals, and to hang in there, but she also shared her own touching testimony of healing. Each visit with her is not only time with our doctor, but a "pause" in the day to share about and celebrate God. Thankful!

Praise and our Prayer for You!

The time is drawing near for another chemo treatment. This will be number 4. Only 2, maybe 3 treatments left to go. It really is hard to believe that we are already at the half way point.

Stew is doing well.  (Thanks to your prayers lifted up to Our Heavenly Father.) We have said more than once that if we didn't have the erratic lab reports, and a few days of struggle after each chemo/steroid treatment that it would almost seem as though he wasn't having chemo. At least, not the chemo we have read about or seen in the battles of others. The only continual ongoing symptoms/effects he has are the cancer symptoms that took him to the doctors in the first place. (Stomach pain, weight loss, and extreme tiredness) All of which we are believing will disappear soon...very soon!

It has been a good chemo break this time. With prayer, determination, a cane, and a smile, Stew was able to walk almost the entire three miles of the Walk to End Alzheimer's. Our son came to spend a day with us last week, and Stew's sister came to visit us for the weekend. We have been blessed with bottled water, fruit, and flowers delivered to our door along with texts, fb private messages, and cards of encouragement. Thank you!!!

The next 6 hour chemo treatment is Monday, October 17th. We have a visit with Dr. K. this Friday, at which time labs will be checked. Sometime between this chemo and next, Stew will have another  PET Scan and  colonoscopy to see if the chemo is doing what needs to be done. Please agree with us for a good report...no cancer...total healing!! Faces to the Wall and trusting in God!

Our prayer for you:
Father, thank you for the gift of those You have placed in our lives who are praying and Facing the Wall with us.  You have given us family and friends who bless us with kind words and loving actions. In You, they have lifted us up in ways that have made us soar on wings like eagles. Thank you that they have not grown weary, but are faithfully marching with us to healing---to victory. 
Father, may they know and see Your grace abounding to them, Your goodness filling up all the areas of their lives, and Your amazing love surrounding them and those they love.Bless them with health, joy, and peace in their hearts, their homes, and their lives. Because of You, may their faith stay anchored, and their hope remain strong both now and always as they continue to be lights in the world around them!In Jesus Name, Amen!

With gratitude and love,
Stew and Deb
Numbers 6:24-26