Surgery and Prayers


Thursday, March 2, 2017:

Yesterday, we saw a surgeon for his input as to the viability of Stew having the surgery which two of his doctors suggested.

After  prayer, sharing with our family, talking with Dr. K., and waiting on the Father's direction, Stew has peace and has made the decision to have the surgery. It is scheduled for 1 PM Friday, tomorrow. 

( Actually today, now.)

The surgeon will remove the tumor in the cecum and, if possible, the largest one in the abdomen.

There are risks involved, but the hope is that this may give Stew's body the opportunity to fight the cancer. The new Pet Scan showed that Stew still/ again has mantle cell lymphomas located in various areas in the abdomen and colon. Some are new. He has also begun losing more weight.

He will be in the hospital for 4-5 days and off work for a minimum of two weeks. Chemo will begin again as soon as his body is strong enough.

Those are the facts before us. They were not easy to hear or comprehend. Stew said it was as if we were on a merry-go-round and he couldn't grab the ring. I just wanted to hold him tight and never ever let go.

Tonight though we are thankful to be in the grasp of the Father's love. And, we are trusting Him and believing for His healing touch.

One truth never changes regardless of any circumstances we face. He is and will always be God. That  truth gives us strength...it give us hope. 

You have stayed in the fight with us for 7 months now. We are amazed at and filled with gratitude for your prayerful support. May you reap all the blessings you are sowing.

With love, gratitude, and prayers for you and yours,

Stew and Deb

* Shiloh prayed Psalm 23 for her PawCaw tonight.  

To view: Cut and paste the link below in your browser and it will take you to the video.

https://www.facebook.com/deb.stewart.35/videos/10211930515084043/

Pet Scan Update

First, what a blessing it was to see Dr. K. again. The first comment she made was she was sorry our Steelers didn't make it to the Super Bowl. That speaks volumes when you realize she is a Cowboy fan!

Now, for the Pet Scan results: nearly all of the lymphomas are gone and most of the areas are clear. That is definitely a praise!

The rest of the news is we are not in remission.  The  mantle cell tumor/mass in Stew's colon is still present, and it is "worsening" not improving. Statistically, it will not remain contained in just that one area. Chemo again is a possibility, but there is a question as to what impact it would have.  Dr. K. will be consulting with the Mantle Cell Specialist at MD Anderson and a doctor at Baylor. In fact, she called the doctor at Baylor while we were there. Surgery is not a normal option for mantle cell, but that is being considered as well.

As we were leaving we reminded her of how thankful we are that she is our doctor and that there are so many who are  praying for her both from the blog site and our son's Prayer for Dad face book page. She was very touched and said thank you.

She encouraged us to "rest, enjoy each day, don't worry, and that she was with us all the way."
As we parted ways, she tossed a comment back and said with a smile, "Tell your son Virginia is a good name for a baby girl!" We both burst out laughing. It felt good!

We will see her again, after having another colonoscopy on the 9th, to discuss options.

Thank you for praying, encouraging, and being a blessing in our lives.
Stew and Deb

 Even in a cancer clinic you can be reminded of God's caring love. This was on Anna's desk as we made our final stop on the way out of our new oncology clinic. She said she put it there to remind her of its truth, but left it there for others to see as well. Wise lady!

We believe in memorials that remind us of God's goodness and faithfulness in times past, and since He never changes, His goodness and faithfulness in the present and days yet to come. It is why we have Scripture on the walls of our home in strategic places, photographs of special moments and special people, prayer and praise journals, etc.

Here are two of my "present" reminders that I wear. One a gift from my sis, the other a gift from a friend who wears the same bracelet and is fighting her own very painful battle of a different kind. 

All that to say, after some rejoicing over the good news, and a few tears for the journey yet to come, 

God still has this!

Psalm 103

 Tomorrow...

The time has arrived! Found out a little while ago that Stew has an appointment with Dr.K. tomorrow morning at 10:30. He has been feeling stronger the past couple of weeks with no chemo. Believing the pet scan results will confirm what we have all prayed.

Stew and Noah, our oldest grandchild.

Hearts filled with gratitude.
Spirits filled with hope.

Stew and Deb
(Three posts today.. Hope you haven't gotten weary reading them all. Promise...it's not the norm!)

You have been very faithful to pray with us these past several months. We are so thankful for you, and continually keep you in our prayers as we give thanks to the Father for you. We pray for His Will to be manifested in your life...on earth as it is in heaven.

But, we have a request for each of you. We want to be praying for you in the same way you are praying for us...for needs, healing, strength, relationships, wisdom, etc.

We hope you will give us the privilege and blessing to do so; to link hands and hearts with you as you have for us. 

Please text, call, email, or reply to this blog post. I have set it up so your request will not be seen on the blog site. We hope to hear from you.

With love,

Stew and Deb

stewanddeb@sbcglobal.net

214-491-9822

Again, I truly tell you that if  two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19-20

All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer. Acts 1: 14

And they continued steadfastly together in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.  Acts 2:42

Let's Just Dance...

Stew had his Pet Scan completed on Friday. Blessing! We know the results were to be at our new Cancer Clinic on Monday, but when we will get them? We don't know. No appointments have been scheduled for Dr. K. as of yet.😊

But, God is constantly reminding us that...

         Life doesn't stop while we are waiting. 

                 So, live it!

          Grab moments...
                    make memories
                              And, dance!!

On that note, what are Stew and I going to do while we wait?  We are going to take country dance lessons beginning next Tuesday evening for four weeks. If we make it through half a lesson, 3/4ths of a lesson, or an entire lesson...we will still be enjoying life and making moments.

You are a joy to us!
Stew and Deb

*A note about waiting that we hope will encourage anyone who is waiting for an answer about anything.

With Greek meanings included...
Matthew 28:20- And, behold (see, know, consider, be aware, understand) I am with you always (at all times, in every when, daily, in every way, in every whatsoever and whosoever) to the end of the age.
Psalm 119:114-You are my hiding (covering, keep close, protection) place(standing, locality), and my shield (my protector, defender)
I hope(wait, be patient, stay, trust) in Your Word (answer, command, name, promise, message, power, provision, purpose, report).
Whatever we are waiting for, God is reminding us over and over again that it is not man's answer we are to be waiting for, and putting all our hope. This is true whether it is about a decision we face, a job applied for, a prayer prayed, a test taken, or a sickness we are fighting. Man's answer can help us, encourage us, and even discourage us. Ultimately though, it is His answer we are waiting on. Nothing on earth determines our now or our future. Only our Father...
When we look to Him as our place to stay, our place of hope, our place of trust, and yes, our  place of shelter where we wait patiently...look at what is ours:
an answer
a command
a promise
power
provision, and
purpose.

It's not always pleasant to wait and sometimes it is a continuous battle to do so,  but with our God it is always worth it! He is worth it!
"Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen."
           

Praise!

These are the words Stew and I wake up to each morning on our bedroom wall. It is interesting though how our view of a miracle has changed over the past few months.

It is seeing God's hand do something that no man could ever do. It is a miracle that He changes our hearts, gives strength beyond any that we could have on our own, and sees us as we are and completely, abundantly loves us more than we could ever imagine. It is a miracle that we have one single breath of life, because without Him it would never happen! 

And, sometimes it is an answered prayer! We are still getting everything lined up paperwork and referral wise, but today we found out that the Oncology Center where Dr. K will begin working in February will take Medicare with our military insurance as a secondary. We get to continue with Dr. K! Feeling so very thankful!

Stew is scheduled for a Pet Scan tomorrow, as long as everything is in place in the morning. We won't get to see her till sometime in February for the results, but it's okay. The tests are a report of Stew's progress...but they are not the answer. Waiting is sometimes a good thing. It reminds you of Who is.

Thank you! This victory, this answer to prayer is a shared one with each of you because you have added your prayers to ours!

Love,
Stew and Deb

Samuel

One afternoon, Stew and I stopped to pick up a few groceries on our way home from an appointment. Stew was feeling tired, but decided to go in the store anyways.

While choosing some bananas, I heard a voice behind me say, "Here, let me help you with that." I turned around and there was a tall, slightly stooped gentleman with a produce bag in his hand. He was holding it open for me to place the bananas inside.

Resting atop his head was a Veteran's ball cap, on his hands were plastic gloves, and lighting up his entire face was a big, gentle, smile. I dropped the bananas into the bag while saying "Thank you."

Noticing the emblem on his hat I asked him when he had served and he shared briefly about his time in the military.When I shook his hand and said "thank you/God bless you for your service" a glimmer of tears pooled in his eyes. I mentioned that my husband had served in the military 24 years and had been in Vietnam. Samuel had been there as well.

We talked for a few minutes more. I left to find Stew so I could introduce them. There was just something different about this gentle man...gentleman.

Stew came around the aisle as I was walking away, and patiently returned with me to Samuel. He didn't fully understand how much I wanted them to meet. I didn't myself.

They shook hands and shared a few words. We told Samuel what a blessing it had been to meet him, and that God had brought him as an encouragement to our day. He smiled.

And, then God!

Samuel looked intently at Stew while gently pointing his finger and said, "You take good care of her." Turning his face to me he whispered softly, "You take really good care of him, he needs it." Then he spread out his arms quietly declaring, "And, God will take the best care of all of us."

Stew had tears in his eyes, I had tears falling down my cheeks, and Samuel was beaming. He let me give him a hug.  While doing so I whispered to him that my husband had cancer, and I was so thankful to God for letting our paths cross.

He responded with a "Uh-huh" as if Stew having cancer was no surprise to him. After a moment's pause, Samuel bowed his head a little and shared that he had cancer as well and was currently in remission, but God had been with him through everything in his life and God was with us, too.

Since then, every time we go to that store, we look for Samuel just to share a hug and a hello. Sometimes we go in just to see him. We know now that he is 80 years young, goes to church on Sundays, is still in remission, believes God will continue causing him to bear fruit in older age, and his heart hurts because people don't smile anymore. He so wants to bring a smile to each person's face.

He definitely did that for us, and continues to do so.

Samuel-God's smile maker.

God-the center of every story in our lives.

Love and prayers,

Stew and Deb