Thursday, August 30, 2007
August 30
Dan is still doing great! He practiced tonight with the worship team at his church, so he will be playing his drums on Sunday morning and life doesn't get much better than that! (Okay, a miracle would be better) Classes are going well for him, and not only that, but I found his favorite sunglasses that have been missing for awhile. We thank God for big things and little things. Life is good and life is precious. Today I have been inspired by the life stories of several rabbis over the ages that have earnestly searched the Scriptures, and to their amazement found that Jesus is indeed the Messiah God promised in the prophecies of His Word, from Isaiah 53 to Daniel 9 and Micah 5 and many more. How faithful our LORD God is to reveal Himself when we seek Him.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
August 28 and Dan is doing great!
Hey Dan is doing very well - going to classes, living with his buddies and hangin with his friends! Praise the LORD! We are so thankful to our LORD God and all you pray-ers for upholding Dan in your prayers. I am flying to LA tomorrow and will be staying for about a week an a half. One of myy dear cousins will be flying into LA next week so I will get to see her also. I will be checking up on my mom and her progress as well. She is still in the hospital (transitional care unit), getting antibiotics and is now on oxygen. She needs prayer too.This next week will be Dan's nadir, when his white cell count drops, so PLEASE pray the count will not go so low that he becomes susceptible to the bacteria and viruses we all live with and are a part of our environment. This is a crucial week - Thursday to Thursday. Thank you all so much for your steadfast help for us on this journey.
This last Sunday the message at our church centered on James 5:13-16. One particular word that caught my attention was the Greek word “euthymeo” which means:
"to be of good spirits, to be cheerful, to be joyful, be of good cheer, of good courage"
I also looked up the Hebrew usage of 2 similar words in Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
BE STRONG: to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute
BE COURAGEOUS: to be strong, alert, courageous, brave, stout, bold, and solid
Friends, I need to have this courage and strength. I think we all probably do for whatever situations we find ourselves in.
The other place the Greek word is found is in Acts 27 when Paul is on the Mediterranean Sea in a storm and about to be shipwrecked. He tells the crew and his fellow prisoners to be encouraged because the angel of the Lord told him that even though the ship would be destroyed, all would be saved.
Our present situation feels like a storm at times and though the winds may be blowing and the sea choppy, I believe that we will all come through this storm safely, especially Daniel Christopher Howen. I believe others will be saved spiritually, too. Daily we receive our strength and courage from the Lord and from many of you. Praise His Holy Name for His Presence with us and for the many encouragers He sends along our way.
The key, I think, is “for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go”. As I read the Word of God and the promises He has made for now and for the future, I know I can trust Him, not only to work in our midst, but to be working out His plan and His purposes for all of man and for all of time.
This last Sunday the message at our church centered on James 5:13-16. One particular word that caught my attention was the Greek word “euthymeo” which means:
"to be of good spirits, to be cheerful, to be joyful, be of good cheer, of good courage"
I also looked up the Hebrew usage of 2 similar words in Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
BE STRONG: to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute
BE COURAGEOUS: to be strong, alert, courageous, brave, stout, bold, and solid
Friends, I need to have this courage and strength. I think we all probably do for whatever situations we find ourselves in.
The other place the Greek word is found is in Acts 27 when Paul is on the Mediterranean Sea in a storm and about to be shipwrecked. He tells the crew and his fellow prisoners to be encouraged because the angel of the Lord told him that even though the ship would be destroyed, all would be saved.
Our present situation feels like a storm at times and though the winds may be blowing and the sea choppy, I believe that we will all come through this storm safely, especially Daniel Christopher Howen. I believe others will be saved spiritually, too. Daily we receive our strength and courage from the Lord and from many of you. Praise His Holy Name for His Presence with us and for the many encouragers He sends along our way.
The key, I think, is “for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go”. As I read the Word of God and the promises He has made for now and for the future, I know I can trust Him, not only to work in our midst, but to be working out His plan and His purposes for all of man and for all of time.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Aug 25
Whew! It has been a ride! We are in Lodi and I am sitting at the table with my family - feels good. We made the trip to Sunnyvale Thursday night without a hitch. Arrived early Friday morning, slept some and woke up for the day's events. Dan's doctor was very pleased with the progress she could physically palpate on his body. His labs look good and chemotherapy #3 followed. She did reduce his dose and we are hoping and praying and trusting that there will be no side effects and no neutropenic infections in the coming weeks. Today Jess and Dan will drive back and I will stay here a couple days and fly down. God has faithfully given us the strength to live through the last few days of this hectic schedule and Dan the strength to handle his chemo treatment. We are grateful and blessed for his progress and for life itself. An update on my mom: she is still in the hospital receiving antibiotic therapy and her leg is improving. She is getting PT also to help her mobilize. So far the tests have shown no involvement in her leg bone. Thank you all for your prayers for her and for Dan.
The first 19 verses of Psalm 103 meant a great deal to me this morning. I hope they will bless you too.
Praise the Lord, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children
with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
The first 19 verses of Psalm 103 meant a great deal to me this morning. I hope they will bless you too.
Praise the Lord, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children
with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Wednesday Aug 22
Hello everyone. It has been a few days since I have written and I am thinking you are waiting to hear about life in LA. Classes at Biola officially started today but Dan does not have any classes on Wednesdays, so we went to the doctors today. The campus physician and a local oncologist were both apprised of Dan's situation. It was important to have someone locally who can take charge of Dan's care in case of an emergency. Both docs were very kind and we appreciate both of their input. Tomorrow night we head for Palo Alto and on Friday morning Dan will have labs, dr. appt. and chemo. It will be a long haul for all of us. Jessica is coming with us and Saturday we head back to LA after stopping in Modesto to bid farewell to cousin Michael who is on his way to Iraq. I am tired just thinking about all that! So you know what we need prayer for: energy and most of all for this chemotherapy to kill all the cancer cells and have no side effects for Dan. We thank you so much for including Dan in your prayer time with God.
Yesterday I was reading Romans 9-11 and so appreciative of the message to Israel that "all Israel will be saved" in the end times. Chapter 11 ends with these powerful verses:
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?”
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Yesterday I was reading Romans 9-11 and so appreciative of the message to Israel that "all Israel will be saved" in the end times. Chapter 11 ends with these powerful verses:
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?”
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Sunday August 19
Even though it was a hot and muggy day in LA, acknowledging the worthiness of God and His amazing love for us was at the top of my list. We (Dan, Ashley and her parents, Jess and I) worshipped together at Redeemer Church in La Mirada. It seems when you are in the middle of something hard, worship takes on a different dimension. Every song, every Scripture seems richer and deeper and more alive. Not only that but Dan looks great! He looks stronger and healthier than he has in a long time and we PRAISE GOD for that. He's enjoying being with his buddies at school and church. Chemotherapy is coming up on Friday and we are praying that he will tolerate this round like his first round - a piece of cake. Please pray that as he comes back to dorm life and his classes he will not acquire anything his white cell count cannot handle. Pray for wisdom for our family, the doctors and Dan's friends.
30+ years ago when I first believed in Jesus as my LORD and Savior, I had never read the Bible and I came across this verse Romans 8:28. I thought I was the first one to "discover" this gem and quickly called a friend to share it with. Maybe you have never read this verse. It is truly a great promise to hold in your hand and heart. I am including some of the following verses too. Actually the whole chapter, yes the whole book is definitely worth the read.
Romans 8:28-39
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
THANK YOU again for all your prayers - We are so blessed by your love and encouragement. May the LORD our God lavish His grace upon you.
30+ years ago when I first believed in Jesus as my LORD and Savior, I had never read the Bible and I came across this verse Romans 8:28. I thought I was the first one to "discover" this gem and quickly called a friend to share it with. Maybe you have never read this verse. It is truly a great promise to hold in your hand and heart. I am including some of the following verses too. Actually the whole chapter, yes the whole book is definitely worth the read.
Romans 8:28-39
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
THANK YOU again for all your prayers - We are so blessed by your love and encouragement. May the LORD our God lavish His grace upon you.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Saturday August 18
I arrived in LA tonight after a not too long drive of singing my heart out to the Lord. Went straight to the hospital to check on my mom and she is getting better but still has a long road ahead. Her leg is still quite painful but the redness is decreasing and after chatting with her doctor, I feel that her situation is under control. Praise God! Thank you for your prayers for her. Dan got moved in and is doing well. I will see everyone in the morning at church in La Mirada. The music I sang with is mostly Scripture set to music (Marty Goetz) and as I sang Isaiah 6 I thought this will be my "Scripture of the Day" to share. Her am I Lord, send me. I believe this is His call for each one of us. May we all hear Him and obey Him. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Proverbs 9:10
Isaiah 6:1-8
In the year of King Uzziah's death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.
Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
And one called out to another and said, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory."
And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke.
Then I said, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."
Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs.
He touched my mouth {with it} and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven."
Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Isaiah 6:1-8
In the year of King Uzziah's death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.
Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
And one called out to another and said, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory."
And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke.
Then I said, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."
Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs.
He touched my mouth {with it} and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven."
Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
another family in need of prayer
A friend just emailed me and asked us to pray for Richard, a young man of 22, who is on life support following a serious accident. We need to pray for him and for his parents, Alan and Perla. Only God knows what miracles need to happen in each of their lives. May the LORD our God receive the glory. May He sustain them through this valley and give comfort and peace in the midst of the storm. We ask for healing and restoration, for humble hearts and a deep knowledge of God's amazing Love. Thank you for praying for them.
Friday, August 17, 2007
they arrived!
Dan, Jess and Ashley made it to Biola and are in the process of moving in and getting settled. Thank you Lord! I am on my way tomorrow and will stop at the hospital to see my mom and go on to La Mirada. Amazingly, I feel pretty good with Dan being in LA and it surprises me too. Bob and I went to an Elliot Board/Staff get together tonight and I had a wonderful time with good friends. Could it be that God is working in my heart? You bet! I am learning to lean into the curves and go with the flow. Pastor Chuck Smith said years ago (and I have adopted it as my life motto, being married to an ObGyn), "Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be broken." So all these years of flexibility training are coming in handy now. Again and again I feast on God's Word to sustain my heart:
Isaiah 57:15-19
For this is what the high and lofty One says—
he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
“I live in a high and holy place,
but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
I will not accuse forever,
nor will I always be angry,
for then the spirit of man would grow faint before me—
the breath of man that I have created.
I was enraged by his sinful greed;
I punished him, and hid my face in anger,
yet he kept on in his willful ways.
I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;
I will guide him and restore comfort to him,
creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel.
Peace, peace, to those far and near,”
says the Lord. “And I will heal them.”
What a picture of His grace, that even though God knows our sinful ways, He heals us.
It is His work in us all the way - for His glory. Amen
Isaiah 57:15-19
For this is what the high and lofty One says—
he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
“I live in a high and holy place,
but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
I will not accuse forever,
nor will I always be angry,
for then the spirit of man would grow faint before me—
the breath of man that I have created.
I was enraged by his sinful greed;
I punished him, and hid my face in anger,
yet he kept on in his willful ways.
I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;
I will guide him and restore comfort to him,
creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel.
Peace, peace, to those far and near,”
says the Lord. “And I will heal them.”
What a picture of His grace, that even though God knows our sinful ways, He heals us.
It is His work in us all the way - for His glory. Amen
On their way
They (Dan, Ashley and Jessica) are on their way to Biola. Please pray for guidance and strength in the coming days. Dan looked better last night but mornings are always a bit difficult for him. I received this note from a friend who is a surgeon that has worked with the Voice of the Martyrs, an organization that helps many Christians around the world who are being tortured and incarcerated and sometimes murdered for their faith in Jesus Christ:
As I served with VOM I saw many patients who had also suffered greatly.
They taught me a lot as they suffered not from a "natural" disease but from
the disease of hatred and cruelty. They were hated and abused, yes, even
tortured, because they bore the name of Jesus Christ and they refused
to reject Him. Many are lying in prisons, as I type, with no amenities and
not surrounded by loved ones and friends.
Can we stop for a minute and pray for these brothers and sisters?
May we not take for granted the freedoms we have and do what we can to help others who do not enjoy these basic freedoms.
As I served with VOM I saw many patients who had also suffered greatly.
They taught me a lot as they suffered not from a "natural" disease but from
the disease of hatred and cruelty. They were hated and abused, yes, even
tortured, because they bore the name of Jesus Christ and they refused
to reject Him. Many are lying in prisons, as I type, with no amenities and
not surrounded by loved ones and friends.
Can we stop for a minute and pray for these brothers and sisters?
May we not take for granted the freedoms we have and do what we can to help others who do not enjoy these basic freedoms.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
August 16 - Dan's blog and a few words from mom, too
Dan's blog:
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Laughing til it hurts
Current mood: happy
Category: Life
Laughing til it hurts happens to me quite frequently. That's because I have pain in my ribs. It makes it hard to sleep on my sides (and stomach), but that's pretty much all I have to complain about right now.
After the devastation of the last 2 weeks or so, I am doing quite well. Before I left Stanford, I had a CT scan that revealed my tumors have shrank 50%!! So that's really cool. My back spasms just stopped happening in the hospital. I am still pretty limited in my back movement, but I'm getting stronger each day. My mouth sores have gone away, and I can eat normally again. I haven't had a fever since the hospital, and my body chemistry is getting back to normal. Furthermore, tomorrow is a great day for at least two reasons: 1) It starts a chemo-free week when my body can recoup and stuff. 2) I'm coming back to school. Over the summer, it was kind of up in the air whether or not I would be able to come back. But I'm coming back and attempting to go to school while going through chemo. There is a possibility I will have to leave, but I think I'll be fine.
God is good... He was good when I was sick and suffering in the hospital, He is good now, and He will still be good when this is all over. It was interesting: in the hospital, praying was different than I've ever prayed. I was probably in the worst condition I've ever been in my whole life. I know God is a refuge, a strong tower, and the Rock, but in the hospital with my fevers and mouth sores, I really experienced that.
Anyway, I'd better get to sleep so I can be awake for the drive tomorrow. Good night and good tidings. What is a tiding?
Mom's words:
So there you have it! Dan heads to Biola tomorrow with Jessica and Ashley. I will be driving down on Saturday and join them for church on Sunday, meet a new oncologist and the school doctor on Wednesday so Dan will have some available local medical care, just in case. On Thursday night Jessica, Dan and I will drive north and Dan will have chemotherapy at Stanford on Friday. Many miles I know, but we feel that he needs continuity of care especially in light of what he has recently been through. At this point I will be spending some time in the LA area after Dan's chemo treatment to be available should he react severely again. It will be good also to spend some time with my mom while she is in the hospital. For all you family and friends in the LA area I hope we can connect while I am there as well.
Today my Bible study in Isaiah resumed from a summer break and it was so good to review chapters 40-57 and again witness the great plan and purposes the Lord our God has for His people, Jews and Gentiles alike who know and worship Him. He longs for all to know He is the only true God, the Creator of the universe, the Savior of the world. My favorite chapter in Isaiah is 53 and I may have already put it on the blog but it can never be read enough. In fact I am reading a booklet about rabbis who have come to know Jesus as Messiah and when they read and studied this chapter their hearts were opened to see Messiah. Read this and ask yourself who is this chapter speaking of?
Isaiah 53
Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Laughing til it hurts
Current mood: happy
Category: Life
Laughing til it hurts happens to me quite frequently. That's because I have pain in my ribs. It makes it hard to sleep on my sides (and stomach), but that's pretty much all I have to complain about right now.
After the devastation of the last 2 weeks or so, I am doing quite well. Before I left Stanford, I had a CT scan that revealed my tumors have shrank 50%!! So that's really cool. My back spasms just stopped happening in the hospital. I am still pretty limited in my back movement, but I'm getting stronger each day. My mouth sores have gone away, and I can eat normally again. I haven't had a fever since the hospital, and my body chemistry is getting back to normal. Furthermore, tomorrow is a great day for at least two reasons: 1) It starts a chemo-free week when my body can recoup and stuff. 2) I'm coming back to school. Over the summer, it was kind of up in the air whether or not I would be able to come back. But I'm coming back and attempting to go to school while going through chemo. There is a possibility I will have to leave, but I think I'll be fine.
God is good... He was good when I was sick and suffering in the hospital, He is good now, and He will still be good when this is all over. It was interesting: in the hospital, praying was different than I've ever prayed. I was probably in the worst condition I've ever been in my whole life. I know God is a refuge, a strong tower, and the Rock, but in the hospital with my fevers and mouth sores, I really experienced that.
Anyway, I'd better get to sleep so I can be awake for the drive tomorrow. Good night and good tidings. What is a tiding?
Mom's words:
So there you have it! Dan heads to Biola tomorrow with Jessica and Ashley. I will be driving down on Saturday and join them for church on Sunday, meet a new oncologist and the school doctor on Wednesday so Dan will have some available local medical care, just in case. On Thursday night Jessica, Dan and I will drive north and Dan will have chemotherapy at Stanford on Friday. Many miles I know, but we feel that he needs continuity of care especially in light of what he has recently been through. At this point I will be spending some time in the LA area after Dan's chemo treatment to be available should he react severely again. It will be good also to spend some time with my mom while she is in the hospital. For all you family and friends in the LA area I hope we can connect while I am there as well.
Today my Bible study in Isaiah resumed from a summer break and it was so good to review chapters 40-57 and again witness the great plan and purposes the Lord our God has for His people, Jews and Gentiles alike who know and worship Him. He longs for all to know He is the only true God, the Creator of the universe, the Savior of the world. My favorite chapter in Isaiah is 53 and I may have already put it on the blog but it can never be read enough. In fact I am reading a booklet about rabbis who have come to know Jesus as Messiah and when they read and studied this chapter their hearts were opened to see Messiah. Read this and ask yourself who is this chapter speaking of?
Isaiah 53
Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Mellow Monday
Dan has gone on 2 walks around the block and made a trip to the grocery store with Ashley. He says he is feeling better than yesterday. Progress is being made. Thank You LORD! We pray that progress is continuing for every cell of Dan's body. My mom is on 2 antibiotics and looking at a 3 week stay in the hospital. There are other family members in the area caring for her, but it is hard for me to be so far away and only be able to pray. So I want to ask all of you to lift her up as you have been lifting Dan up to the throne of the KING of Kings and LORD of Lords. She herself does not believe in our King but I am praying that He will wrap His arms of love around her and bring healing to her body and salvation and comfort to her soul. Our famliy has been through alot this year starting with my sister being hit by a bus in January (she is a walking living miracle). I can't help but believe that the Lord is speaking rather loudly to us in the midst of all these trials. May our ears be inclined to listen for His still small voice. We need Him so.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
if friday was a good day saturday is AN AMAZING DAY!
We are HOME! Yes you heard it right. Dan was discharged this morning and we were out of there STAT! And even better they told us the results of their comparison of the first CT and one done this week: there is a "substantial decrease" in the size of the tumors in his liver! Hallelujah! We are thrilled, excited, jumping up and down and praising the LORD our God! Dan will be having his next chemo on the 24th so he will be spending these next 12 days building up his strength and stamina. On another note my mom who lives in southern California just went into the hospital today so please pray for her - she has a second round of MRSA, methicillin resistant staph aureus infection in her leg. It's a bad bug that needs some "big guns" to knock it out. I am pretty tired right now so I hope to rest up myself :) Love and blessings to you all.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Saturday is blood drive day
Today at Temple Baptist there is a blood drive. Dan has received some blood (4 units) during his last stay at Stanford and we are thankful that many of you are replacing that blood and adding to the needs of others requiring blood products. Blood is truly a gift of life for many, and the blood of Jesus is the gift of eternal life for all who receive Him as LORD. Dan continues to do better each day although he continues to have these fevers of unknown origin at night. Today he will be off another antibiotic, have a CT scan to recheck the bowel inflammation, and take his FIRST shower since being in the hospital! The doctors are wanting to let him go home(probably Monday) but checking again on any sources of infection. His WBC's are up to 19.8 which is now higher than normal, but about what he has been running since late June when this all started. Bili is down to 4.1 (normal is below 1.4). So many of you have been praying -THANK YOU! So many of you are holding us up with your love and support and encouragement. Only in heaven will we know the fullness of what God is doing in our midst.
I "met" a brother in the LORD the several nights ago in another area of the hospital (he works here at the hospital) and asked him to pray for Dan. I have this insatiable desire to add to this army of prayer warriors for Dan and have been known to ask complete strangers I run into if they pray and would they pray for my son Dan) I never found out his name and did not see him again until last night. Terry happened to come to Dan's unit last night as I was speaking with a friend and the 3 of us prayed for Dan. Terry was such an encouragement to me. I know God placed him there to again be used by God to speak to me, "trust Me and walk in faith and hope". As the Lord Jesus calmed the wind and the waves, He is calming my heart and growing my faith in Him. How ridiculous we are in our thinking that the LORD God, King of the Universe (at least 150 billion galaxies) cannot be everything we need and perform His perfect will in our lives. All glory and honor and power is His.
1 Tim.6:11-16
But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance {and} gentleness.
Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
which He will bring about at the proper time--He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him {be} honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
I "met" a brother in the LORD the several nights ago in another area of the hospital (he works here at the hospital) and asked him to pray for Dan. I have this insatiable desire to add to this army of prayer warriors for Dan and have been known to ask complete strangers I run into if they pray and would they pray for my son Dan) I never found out his name and did not see him again until last night. Terry happened to come to Dan's unit last night as I was speaking with a friend and the 3 of us prayed for Dan. Terry was such an encouragement to me. I know God placed him there to again be used by God to speak to me, "trust Me and walk in faith and hope". As the Lord Jesus calmed the wind and the waves, He is calming my heart and growing my faith in Him. How ridiculous we are in our thinking that the LORD God, King of the Universe (at least 150 billion galaxies) cannot be everything we need and perform His perfect will in our lives. All glory and honor and power is His.
1 Tim.6:11-16
But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance {and} gentleness.
Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
which He will bring about at the proper time--He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him {be} honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
Friday, August 10, 2007
it's a good friday
quick update:
WBC up to 13,000! PICC line in! Hallelujah! Bili is holding around 5. Dan is up and walking around without difficulty so we are cruising. The hand swelling went down in a couple hours and Dan has been without a fever today. We are so thankful for his progress. Appreciate all your prayers. More later...
WBC up to 13,000! PICC line in! Hallelujah! Bili is holding around 5. Dan is up and walking around without difficulty so we are cruising. The hand swelling went down in a couple hours and Dan has been without a fever today. We are so thankful for his progress. Appreciate all your prayers. More later...
Thursday, August 9, 2007
fever again - thursday night
dear ones
Dan is spiking another fever. Not too high but he also has some swelling and redness in his left hand. Another obstacle along this course. 1 Peter 1 was my food in the wee hours of the morning and the Lord I believe is calling all of us to relationship with Him through the precious blood of Jesus and to holiness as a believer. I am asking Him show me my sins and help me to repent of them: things like bad attitudes, the lies I believe in my heart, anxieties, lack of trust, fears I cling to rather than clinging to Him and His perfect love. My friends I am so weak in myself and I know that I am sustained by the LORD and by the intercessions of others, many of whom I do not even know. I am humbled and very grateful. I am surrendering to Him as best as I can and I ask you to do the same. Let us come boldly to His throne based on His grace and the righteousness we have through our faith in Jesus. here are the verses. i hope they are a blessing to you. all the Scriptures you have sent to me have been so special and meaningful. Thank you for your encouragement. We are together in this.
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self‑controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”[
Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers,
but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
For,
“All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of the Lord stands forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you.
Dan is spiking another fever. Not too high but he also has some swelling and redness in his left hand. Another obstacle along this course. 1 Peter 1 was my food in the wee hours of the morning and the Lord I believe is calling all of us to relationship with Him through the precious blood of Jesus and to holiness as a believer. I am asking Him show me my sins and help me to repent of them: things like bad attitudes, the lies I believe in my heart, anxieties, lack of trust, fears I cling to rather than clinging to Him and His perfect love. My friends I am so weak in myself and I know that I am sustained by the LORD and by the intercessions of others, many of whom I do not even know. I am humbled and very grateful. I am surrendering to Him as best as I can and I ask you to do the same. Let us come boldly to His throne based on His grace and the righteousness we have through our faith in Jesus. here are the verses. i hope they are a blessing to you. all the Scriptures you have sent to me have been so special and meaningful. Thank you for your encouragement. We are together in this.
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self‑controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”[
Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers,
but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
For,
“All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of the Lord stands forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you.
in Dan's words...
Before I copy his blog to you, I want to tell you that Dan has not complained to anyone (that I have ever heard) even after getting stuck 5 times last night (and 2 of those times were goofs inasmuch as one guy forgot to draw one test when he drew another and the lab lady this morning had to stick him twice to find the vein). His veins are shot. Tomorrow we hope to get a PICC line in (we need to wait for the blood cultures to come back negative) His mouth sores are better but have been very painful this week and causing lots of extra saliva. All these details to let you know how to pray and how brave this young warrior is that you are helping. His football coach told me today that Dan never said to him he couldn't do what he was asked to do like blocking a player(except for #4 on the Calvary Temple team). He's the most awesome center that Jim Elliot Christian High School has had. He has heart. He has a BIG heart and this is a BIG battle. Fight on my dear son and all you prayer warriors joining this fight. We will not give up.
Here are his words...
Thursday, August 09, 2007
How long, how long?
Current mood: hopeful
Category: Life
Gotta make this quick, I'm on a public computer in the hospital.
Honestly, I am tired of it. I am tired of bouncing back and forth from one problem to the next. I'm at Stanford Hospital right now, recovering from a fever, found out I have (or had, I'm not sure on its status) an inflamed large intestine, and I have horrible mouth sores that make it difficult to eat or talk, and this is just right now.
When will it end? I don't know. When will I stop going to the hospital? I don't know.
Boiling down to: I am frustrated with my body, it sucks right now, but I have a hope that one day I'll be all healed from these diseases. And then another day, I will be in a place that has no diseases. Hallelujah.
I am thankful for your encouragement. I will get out this hospital and write more.
Con el fuerte de Dios,
Dan
Here are his words...
Thursday, August 09, 2007
How long, how long?
Current mood: hopeful
Category: Life
Gotta make this quick, I'm on a public computer in the hospital.
Honestly, I am tired of it. I am tired of bouncing back and forth from one problem to the next. I'm at Stanford Hospital right now, recovering from a fever, found out I have (or had, I'm not sure on its status) an inflamed large intestine, and I have horrible mouth sores that make it difficult to eat or talk, and this is just right now.
When will it end? I don't know. When will I stop going to the hospital? I don't know.
Boiling down to: I am frustrated with my body, it sucks right now, but I have a hope that one day I'll be all healed from these diseases. And then another day, I will be in a place that has no diseases. Hallelujah.
I am thankful for your encouragement. I will get out this hospital and write more.
Con el fuerte de Dios,
Dan
thurs
quick update: WBC up to 5.4 and bili down to 5.4. Hallelujah on both accounts; plus Dan is feeling better. He wrote a blog which I have not been able to read yet. I am as anxious as you are to hear his heart. Will forward it to you asap. Need to get going. No discharge plan as of yet. I am thinking it will be Monday, but then again what do I know:) Love you all and we are experiencing the love and support of the body of Messiah (same word as Christ; it means "anointed") praying for us. God is our strength and our refuge in these difficult days.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Wednesday looks good
Morning report for all you wonderful people: WBC 2700 (up from 900); bili 8.5 (down from 9.6); NO FEVER SINCE MIDNIGHT! Dan is drinking clear liquids! WOW! A BIG thank you to the LORD and all you praying souls. Still no discharge plan as of yet but it is looming on the horizon along with the sunny skies and puffy white clouds.
Reading for today that boosted my heart - hope it helps you too:
Colossians 1:9-17
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully
giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Reading for today that boosted my heart - hope it helps you too:
Colossians 1:9-17
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully
giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Tuesday morning 8-7
Good news. Dan's WBC are 900! His bili is down to 8.5. Still fighting this infection but we are winning the battle. His temp is still going up and down and his mouth seems to be a bit worse this morning from last night. In all this Dan is patiently suffering. He does get frustrated trying to communicate at times because we are slow on the uptake of figuring out what he is saying or trying to communicate with the "Dan Sign Language". Both Dan and Ashley got more sleep last night which they both needed. Ashley is totally amazing. We need to pray for her strength as well, but she is the ultimate trooper, right there along with Dan. Pray Dan will have the energy to be up and moving around more today (for his lungs and just for his outlook) May the LORD greatly bless you today and thank you so much for continuing to walk with us through this journey.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Monday night
Dearest friends and family, I first want to thank you for all the encouraging support I have received today. Today was a hard day in the sea of hard days. But good things have happened too. Dan still has a high temp that actually goes up and down (in cadence with ??) He is on 4 antibiotics and tylenol. He is not taking anything by mouth so his bowels can rest. His stent procedure went very well. His bilirubin has started coming down. His mouth sores are getting better and the excessive saliva secretions have diminished. Thank You LORD. We will praise you for the small steps of progress. I met some wonderful people at the hospital today who have joined our crew of prayer warriors. I appreciate you all so much. The LORD is carrying us through this storm. We know and serve a mighty God, El Shaddai.
Isaiah 42:5-10
This is what God the Lord says—
he who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:
“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
“I am the Lord; that is my name!
I will not give my glory to another
or my praise to idols.
See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce them to you.”
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise from the ends of the earth,
you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it,
you islands, and all who live in them.
Isaiah 42:5-10
This is what God the Lord says—
he who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:
“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
“I am the Lord; that is my name!
I will not give my glory to another
or my praise to idols.
See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce them to you.”
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise from the ends of the earth,
you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it,
you islands, and all who live in them.
Monday update - important news and requests
I am asking all who are called to do this to pray and fast for Dan. Dan has been diagnosed with a bacterial infection called C-diff. It is serious. He is running a high temp and has 300 WBC's. 4-10,000 is normal. He had his stent replaced and tolerated that procedure well although he says his stomach is bothering him. He is resting right now which is good, because he has not slept well due to the excessive secretions in his mouth which are due to the mouth sores which are a side effect of the chemo. The old stent was slipping out of the biliary duct into the small intestine and was replaced by a permanent wire mesh stent which is good. I believe his bili will continue to decrease with this stent. (It was down a bit this morning)
I know you have been faithful to pray all these weeks and now I am asking for even more, but it is all I can do right now. May the LORD our God divinely touch every cell of Dan's body and bring His healing power to each cell - in the Holy and precious Name above all Names, Jesus our Messiah, our Rock and Savior and Deliverer, the Holy One of Israel.
I know you have been faithful to pray all these weeks and now I am asking for even more, but it is all I can do right now. May the LORD our God divinely touch every cell of Dan's body and bring His healing power to each cell - in the Holy and precious Name above all Names, Jesus our Messiah, our Rock and Savior and Deliverer, the Holy One of Israel.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Sunday night
My daughter is probably saying as she reads this "3 blogs in ONE day!" Many of you have noted that Jessica is a more accomplished blogger, but really my purpose is not prose but prayer prompts and I will not disappoint you prayer warriors tonight. The CT did not reveal the source of the elevated bilirubin, but it did show that Dan's colon is very inflamed. He is on all the antibiotic power needed. Now all he needs is your prayer infusion to stave off any infection of the bowel. That is serious stuff, my friends. Tomorrow the top GI attending may replace the stent as well which is important and has its risks as well. I am needing sleep and am heading to bed. Before I go let me remind you of a verse shared with me today: "Behold I am the LORD, is anything too difficult for me?" Jeremiah 32:27
Sunday August 5
We just saw the bevy of doctors and Dan will be having a CT sometime soon. The doctors think that the infection might be at the stent site and so they might need to put another one in. His bilirubin is up and his WBC is 300. Dan looks fairly good and is trying to eat what he can. He has sores in his mouth which are painful. Theses symptoms are part of the effects of the chemo (not the bilirubin). We have seen some familiar faces here too which is comforting. I appreciate our ability to be here at Stanford and I appreciate all of you and your love and concern and the many prayers for our Dan. Matt, Jess, and Bob will be venturing over for a visit this afternoon. Can't wait to hug Matt! May your day be filled with His Love and Joy.
sunday morning
We arrived fine last niht. The ambulance ride was uneventful for Dan and Ashley. We got Dan in a room and the doctor came by and examined and discussed and wrote orders to add 2 more "big guns" antibitotics. Labs were drawn and I left. So I better stop this update and head on over to see the latest. All in all Dan looked better than he had on Saturday morning. There is a comfort in being at Stanford where they deal with these issues on a regular basis. More later.........
Worship the Lord in the fullness of His Holiness
Worship the Lord in the fullness of His Holiness
Saturday, August 4, 2007
back to stanford
this is jessica, dan's sister.
well danny and mom and ashley are headed back to standford for probably a couple days to investigate why his bilirubin (some sort of lab value for the liver) is up. i believe they are doing an mri, which is why they have to go to standford and not stay at lodi memorial, since lodi is not yet equipped with such magical devices. his white blood cell count is still low and he is at a delicate stage of health. he is being transported by ambulance, which i hear is not quite as exciting as it may seem, but for dan's sake, i hope it is. morale is just about as low as dan's white blood cells, but the good news is that matt is coming home from his chinese adventures tonight! we have all missed him sorely, especially me. dad and matt and i will probably be joining everyone in stanford tomorrow for the mri party.
do i need a verse? i think my mom would be both grieved and vexed if i did not include one. you may not need these verses right now, but someday you might. they helped me through some rough spots. thanks for reading.
Thus my heart was grieved,
And I was vexed in my mind.
I was so foolish and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
-Psalm 73:21-26
well danny and mom and ashley are headed back to standford for probably a couple days to investigate why his bilirubin (some sort of lab value for the liver) is up. i believe they are doing an mri, which is why they have to go to standford and not stay at lodi memorial, since lodi is not yet equipped with such magical devices. his white blood cell count is still low and he is at a delicate stage of health. he is being transported by ambulance, which i hear is not quite as exciting as it may seem, but for dan's sake, i hope it is. morale is just about as low as dan's white blood cells, but the good news is that matt is coming home from his chinese adventures tonight! we have all missed him sorely, especially me. dad and matt and i will probably be joining everyone in stanford tomorrow for the mri party.
do i need a verse? i think my mom would be both grieved and vexed if i did not include one. you may not need these verses right now, but someday you might. they helped me through some rough spots. thanks for reading.
Thus my heart was grieved,
And I was vexed in my mind.
I was so foolish and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
-Psalm 73:21-26
Saturday Aug 4 - welcome home Matthew
That may be an odd title but yes our youngest son Matt is coming home from his summer mission trip China tonight and will enter the battle before us. Pray that it will not be too overwhelming for him. He left as this was just beginning. Dan's WBC has gone down to 200. Please pray for the creation of new WBC's. His bilirubin is up to 8 and he is sporting a yellow tinge to his eyes and skin. Is there an obstruction in the stent? Is this a result of the many liver effecting drugs he is on? Don't know. He will also be getting 2 units of blood today. No source of any infection has been found and in fact he may not have an infection, but he still has very little defense against anything that might come his way. We are in the midst of getting him transferred to Stanford in case he needs to be restented. That may happen later today. Another prayer request for all of you faithful prayer warriors. Will let you know more later. Thank you all so much for your faithfulness in prayer for Dan and our family. I try to respond to each email we receive but I have gotten behind. You are all so important in this battle and I so appreciate each one of you. We truly sense the Lord carrying us through these hard hard days and nights.
I had an opportunity to read some Psalms to Dan this morning, especially 19 which is a favorite of his. These verses from Ephesians chapter 3 also spoke to both of us:
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
I had an opportunity to read some Psalms to Dan this morning, especially 19 which is a favorite of his. These verses from Ephesians chapter 3 also spoke to both of us:
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Dan is in the hospital tonight-again
I know you are all wondering about today - here goes. Dan's white cell count was 500 this morning and he was running a low fever, so off to the hospital we went. He is on IV antibiotics and getting a drug that stimulates his WBC to increase. We are doing what we can and praying hard. This is not an unexpected effect of chemotherapy. It is just a very scary one since right now his body can't fight the microbe onslaught that we all normally fight all the time. Please please pray. It seems like this is one battle after another and Dan is so courageous and patient. It breaks a mother's heart.
My verses today:
Blessed is he who has regard for the weak;
the Lord delivers him in times of trouble.
The Lord will protect him and preserve his life;
He will bless him in the land
and not surrender him to the desire of his foes.
The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed
and restore him from his bed of illness.
Psalm 41:1-3
My verses today:
Blessed is he who has regard for the weak;
the Lord delivers him in times of trouble.
The Lord will protect him and preserve his life;
He will bless him in the land
and not surrender him to the desire of his foes.
The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed
and restore him from his bed of illness.
Psalm 41:1-3
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Thursday August 2
Dan and Ashley made it home today. Dan is having a bad bout of nausea today. Would appreciate your prayers for him. I find my strength and comfort in the Word of God. Isaiah helps me to look to the time when we will be rejoicing with great joy as we see His Face and all wrongs are made right:
I delight greatly in the Lord;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise
spring up before all nations.
Isaiah 61:10-11
I delight greatly in the Lord;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise
spring up before all nations.
Isaiah 61:10-11
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Wednesday August 1
Dan and Ashley are in Santa Rosa tonight visiting her family! We are praying for his strength to continue to grow and for his increased ability to deal with the side effects of chemotherapy. More good news - his doctor gave her approval for Dan to attend Biola University in the fall! Now we have to find a medical oncologist in LA who can take care of Dan in case of an emergency. He will need to take precautions during his nadir (the time after chemo when his immune system is compromised). He is very happy to be going back to school and will need all your prayers that he will stay healthy and be able to manage the workload. I have spoken with some of the administration at Biola and they are very supportive of Dan and will assist him as much as possible. What a blessing for our son to be at an institution that has already been supporting and interceding for Dan in prayer and desires to help him achieve his goals for education.
Verses for today:
Psalm 117
Praise the Lord, all you nations;
extol him, all you peoples.
For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Verses for today:
Psalm 117
Praise the Lord, all you nations;
extol him, all you peoples.
For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
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