Special Moment:

This weekend we were blessed to have Shi spend the night. At one point during the evening Shi noticed an angel doll sitting on the book shelves in the "Steelers' room." She picked it up carefully, looked at it from all sides, hugged it close to her little body and said, "I love this angel, Grandma." My response..."Shi, there's a story behind that angel. Why don't you let PawCaw  share it with you?" She promptly went over to the chair, carefully crawled up on his lap, and looked him in the face waiting. 

Stew shared with her how the weekend before friends came to visit from Louisiana, and gave him the angel out of love, encouragement, and faith. He  told her that one of the friends, Daniel, had been very sick with cancer like PawCaw was now and someone had given Daniel the angel doll to remind him that God was always with him. So, now that God had made Daniel all better, he was passing the angel to PawCaw so he would remember.

Shi sat quietly for a minute with a far away look in her eye. She then carefully hugged her PawCaw around the neck and said, "I just want you to get better and stay here. I asked someone at church to pray that, too." Needless to say, there was the glimmer of tears in our eyes, but not out of any sorrow at all.  We simply felt thankful for her gift of faith and her love for her PawCaw. Of course, in typical Shi manner, the mood immediately changed as she promptly decided to show us the "Chubby Bunny" dance. Cheerful hearts are good medicine! We all cracked up in laughter and giggles.

Chubby Bunny Dance:-)

Updates and You:

• Today is Stew's last chemo infusion which completes the second round. The third round begins on September 23. 

• On the 14th and 21st he will receive iron shots for low RBC/anemia. Please agree with us that the shots are effective and God's healing touch is seen so there is not a need for a transfusion now or in the future. 

• Hearts overflowing with gratitude for you! We have been blessed at different times in life with the support of friends, but we have never received such continual, daily/weekly support over a long term basis as we are receiving now. Each time you reach out to us  we are reminded of the Father's goodness, and amazed that he has placed you in our lives. You cause us to feel loved, prayed for, and as though we are part of a might army that is marching us forward to victory.

You are a joy in our lives.

Gary and Deb

This is a drawing that Nili's (our daughter-in-love's) mother drew 20 years ago based on what Nili saw about the chemo going into her body. At the time, Nili was battling leukemia.  She called them her chemo-sabes , who were blasting, with the joy of the Lord, every cancer cell invading King Marrow's kingdom. We know the continuing of the story...she was and is healed!

Love it! Believing the same is being done in Stew's body, as well.Thank you for continuing to pray and believe with us.

Gary and Deb

*Bless you, Robbie, for remembering and for sharing...*

Chemo Day Round 2...

Thank you everyone for the prayers that Stew's white blood cell count and platelet count would be at a place where they could proceed with the chemo as planned. They were!! Miraculous how the numbers could change so much in a day and a half. No doubt the steroids helped some, but the Father's answered prayer is what truly made the difference.

The cancer clinic is where Stew goes for the vel-cade chemo  injections, but it was our first time there for the chemo treatment. They gave us a mini tour, introduced us to the staff, and were very welcoming. The chemo infusion took 6 hours, but Stew was a trooper and even took a nap. (See below) As kind as they were, we did have a mini celebration when it was over with a stop at Smoothie King.

No side effects except for night sweats, and an increase in that overall fatigued feeling and need to sleep. Both are manageable, and he is handling them as graciously as always.

Please continue praying...Tuesday will be Day 4 injection and we will see Dr. K. again for another check of his stomach and spleen. If they are both still swollen and enlarged, more tests will be required. We are praying that all is well and would appreciate your agreement.

Including a link to a beautiful song being sung by Amanda Cook titled Heroes. Amy, our daughter, shared it with her dad during a quiet time of worship and prayer at her house. She thought it fit him. I do, too!

https://youtu.be/n5KNck6k5OY

Thanking God for you as always, and rejoicing in the Father's love and faithfulness displayed by His mighty power and through you!

Gary and Deb

Friends came in from out of state to visit with
us, pray, and simply be here.

Sleeping during chemo:-)

Tears with Thanksgiving...                                         

(All posts will not be this long...promise:-) It's catching up time since we haven't posted recently. Prayer requests and updates at the end)

This morning is a morning of tears. Not tears of sadness (though I have had some of those), but tears of thanksgiving for you...for glimpses of His love through others, and for allowing us to see that one of the ways He fulfills His promise of never leaving us or forsaking us is by those who come alongside  and remain there.

So, here is our list of thankfulness this day: (It might get long:-)

• Birds at the bird-feeder we placed right outside our bedroom window. A reminder of God's care and provision.
• Weekly cards from a friend without fail. Yesterday's card cracked both of us up. (It was a boxer of course!)
• Homemade cookies from the same friend (above) mailed to our home. Memories of our military days. 
• An unexpected gift discovered outside our door with a card that made us smile and a 5 season DVD pack of the Andy Griffith Show to bring laughter to our hearts.
• A case of bottled water delivered to our door to keep Stew hydrated and because that's all I drink.
• A book of Jewish prayers given as a gift from a dear New Jersey friend. Before we even opened the book our hearts were moved by the prayer we read.
• The person who  "showed up" to mow our lawn two weeks in a row.
• Friends participating in a walk against Leukemia and Lymphoma...in Stew's name...in North Carolina.
• Cards with words of encouragement and caring. They are now filling up our "Steelers'" album and we both look through them on a regular basis. Seldom without a touch of tears caused by great joy.
• Homemade vegetable soup and prayer with a friend...happening this evening.
• Zagnut candy bars.Yes, I did eat a candy bar and enjoyed every bite.  It was "needed" after one of our appointments. :-)  
• The Smoothie King located near the hospital and Cancer Clinic.The apple,kiwi, and kale smoothie is the perfect follow-up to a visit at either place.
• Totally unexpected check given to help us  with a note included that touched our heart.
• Friends actively letting us know they are praying from California to Florida, New Jersey to Louisiana, Chicago to Texas, and many many places in between. 
• A roofer who inspected and fixed our roof for free...and offered to do it again in 2 years!
• The understanding of Stew's employers.
• The FB prayer group begun by Ben. Words could never express the gift each person is to us. Thank you for the prayers, scriptures, words from the Lord, and songs that are shared with us. We read every single one and add  them in our prayer journal.
• Those following the blog site...your encouragement, prayers, comments, and simply letting us know that you are on the journey with us is a strength giver.
• Text and phone calls...some daily, some weekly, all offering hope, understanding, and support. Love the words "you've been prayed for..."
• Our doctor and staff who speak of prayer, God, and fill the cancer clinic and offices with reminders of Who God is and what He promises,
• Our family...the beat of our hearts.
• Stew...the way he entertains the nurses, doctor, and phlebotomist with his quirky humor and made up jokes. The latest..."What do you call a dr. who is also a nurse? Dr. And-drew Blood." What can I say? !!! 
• And, so much more.

Every word spoken, every act of love and support, every scripture shared, every reminder that we are not  alone is a gift and evidence of the Father's love...and you are the gift givers. Thank you! Because of you and God's grace we are being made strong and get to experience wonderful splashes of joy throughout the day.

Prayer Requests:

• Stew:                                                                                                                                                White cell count to stop dropping, enlarged spleen to return to normal size, and no stomach pain. No delay in chemo treatments tomorrow because of white cell count. No chemo side effects! 

• All cancer healed and gone from colon, spleen, abdomen, bone marrow, and anywhere it may be hiding in his body. God's total and completely miraculous healing.
• For Dr. K.
• For Stew and I to have eyes and hearts open so we know how to bless the so many who are blessing us; including the medical team and the patients we see in the cancer clinic.
• Wisdom...Dr. K. spoke this week to the mantle cell specialist at MD Anderson. Once Stew is "more stable" she wants him to be seen there. Wisdom as to decisions and  favor with insurance/medicare.
• You...that each person who is praying for and standing with us reaps what they are sowing in abundance...favor, healing, strength, hope, and great great joy!
• The Father to be glorified in all and by all.

With hearts of gratitude,

Gary and Deb
Lamentations 3: 22-23

                                                                     

Updates and Prayer

Update: 

• Stew had his final injection for this first round of chemo on Monday. Each visit with Dr. K. is a lesson in faith. She shares the necessary information, but then makes time to just visit and encourage. She asks about our family every time, and shares something about prayer. We feel God is not only using her as a vessel to walk with us on the path to Stew's healing, but that He has given her to us as an encouragement to our spirits. 

• This time she told Stew that she never wants it to be just about the negative, but about the positive, too. That prayer and a positive outlook can make a difference, She shared that she has been praying and thinking about us, and believes that God brought us together so "let's see what He does."                                                                                                                                    
• Stew handled this injection well. The only thing he is experiencing, besides the symptoms that took him to her in the first place, is the tiredness. It seems to hit about 24 hours after each injection. As you are praying for his healing, please pray for strength in his body for the journey. He has now lost 30 pounds...but as he said, "Deb, I know how I look, but I am choosing to see myself healthy by faith, and not by what's in the mirror."

• We have a 9 day break with no appointments, and then it begins again. Schedule so far for prayer purposes:

         Wednesday, 31 August- Labs, Prep, and Dr. Visit

         Friday, 2 September-Chemo Infusion (4 hours) 10am

        Tuesday, 6 September- Day 4 Injection

One of Stew's early morning prayers:

Thank you more than words can express for praying and standing with us. We thank God for you daily. May you reap abundance from every seed being sowed.

Gary and Deb

Face to the Wall

Remembrance, Remission, Reflection, Rejoicing

Remembrance:

This date, 48 years ago, is the day Stew and I met at a teen dance. He was a newly graduated 18 year old and I was a 15 year old who wasn't allowed to date. He waited :-)

Even then, there was a confidence and conviction when he truly believed something. The first time he said he loved me went like this..."Deb, I love you, and I know you love me, you just won't say it. I'll wait." End of conversation.

The years since have taken us through many ups and downs. Yet, no matter how down the downs were, they ultimately made us stronger. And, the ups taught us to be continually thankful. 

In both, sometimes at the time, and sometimes later, we eventually recognized God's provision in each circumstance. But, Stew is still better at waiting than I am. I see it in him even now, the conviction and confidence (in God) that "HE has this" and that we can trust in Him no matter how long the wait, no matter where the journey leads.

Remission: 

Here are some of the facts we haven't spoke out yet, and we want faith to erase...facts do not equal God's truth.

• The cancer is in Stew's bone marrow and is at 60%
• The type Stew has is not considered a "curable" cancer
• There is a high rate of re-occurrence even with remission
• Once chemo is done, depending on if the percentage increases in the bone marrow, a transplant may be needed...followed by more chemo

Reflection:

But God...

• We walk by faith, not by sight. 
• He has come that we might have life, and have it more abundantly.
• He never leaves us nor forsakes us.
• He fulfills the number of our days.
• In Him we are more than conquerors.
• He heals
• And, above all else...He loves us.

Rejoicing:

• In Him
• For the power of prayer
• For our family
• For christian doctors
• Because of You.

Something Stew wrote this morning. Face to the wall. Exodus 25:1-2

"Tell Beni Yisrael to take up an offering for ME from anyone whose heart compels him." I read this in my reflection time and it reminded me of the many who answered the face book call that Ben sent, and those that responded to the call of the blog. Please thank them for their "compelled hearts." It humbles me greatly and builds up my faith. Love to all.

Schedule for August:

19th: 8:30 Injection

22nd:1:45 Labs

     2:15 Dr. K

     4:15 Injection

Thank you more than words can express,

Gary and Deb

CHEMO DAY IN PICTURES

Even as chemo began Stew's faith and humor were shining through as he made this sign silently giving forth his declaration. For those who are not Star Trek fans it means, "Live long and prosper." :-)

How overjoyed we were to hear a gentle knock on the door and see our son enter the room! Thankful for his presence, love, and red-eye flights from Chicago. 

  Thankful for our Amy's unending support and love. These two kept us somewhere between laughter and tears!  

My sis took three days off to help, take care of the dogs, keep me fed, and anything else she could do to be a blessing. 

 

This is one of a kind...Ellie and "T" designed this, made it,and stayed up working on it to almost 1 am so Ben could bring it with him. Stew and I cried.

 Family

*Update:

Stew was able to come home Friday afternoon. How happy we are that he is home after 4 days in the hospital. Stew only experienced slight nausea and a mild headache the night of the treatment. Praise God!! We believe that is due to faithful prayer warriors, like you, lifting him up to the Father in prayer and intercession.

 Fatigue is evident, but naps and rests make it manageable.

The chemo he is taking is new and only very recently approved by the FDA. It offers hope of remission for which we are very thankful! Though we know that our Father offers total healing for a lifetime. :-)

The cycle that is projected for the next 5 1/2 months looks like this:

Chemo given every 21 days. 

On days 4, 8, and 11, after each initial treatment day, we will go to the Oncology Center where he will receive smaller additional treatments/injections. 

Ten days after, the process begins all over again. 

Psalm 118:17 declares...I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. Thank you for not only agreeing with us for healing, but walking with us through the journey. It makes all the difference.

Love, prayers, and gratitude for you,
Gary and Deb

Thank you Robbie for creating this!