Got home yesterday from LA where I spent 3 days visiting with my mom in the hospital. She is doing okay and is now in the rehab unit. I think it will be a slow process of healing and gaining strength. Dan is doing well. He went to his local doc yesterday and I forgot to ask him (until right now) how it went. I am definitely relaxing in my "hoverness". Next Friday at Stanford I will even be leaving early during the day!
Today I learned about a 2 year old with a severe muscle disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Her family's blog just touched my heart so much. Here is a comment I left for them:
I can really identify with the whole hospital/doc/RN scene. I am an RN as well, but we all know God is the only one who knows everything. Life is hard but it is life. I love John's testimony about the sovereignty of God. Only He knows the ultimate purpose and plan each one of us has in His overall plan to bring glory to Himself. It truly is a joy and privilege to be used by Him even though many times we do not like the process we find ourselves going through. The Word of God has been my food, the prayers of believers and their care and compassion have held my arms up, and the power of God has sustained us and is sustaining us through it all. I shall pray for you and I will share your site on my blog.
Her blogsite is:http://blog.hopeforemily.com/
"We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us." (2 Cor 1:7)
On her site is a You Tube video of a 47 year old man with this disease and his words about his life are so powerful (that is the John I mentioned). It is so hard to imagine having a faith like his, but the truth is, he knows and trusts his Lord. There is much suffering in this world, much suffering. I think the Lord is breaking my heart of my selfishness and pride and apathy so that I can have His heart of compassion and mercy and love. No way that I can alleviate all the ills of the world, but I can do what He would have me do. I can listen to Him and obey in even the small things, every day.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
A Picture is Worth a 1000 Words
Psalm 96
Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.
Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.”
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.
YES! A picture is worth a thousand words. Bob and I viewed the CT scan and although we are not the experts, we could see clearly that the tumor size has decreased and there is more good liver tissue present. It is good to see this with our own eyeballs. We all are so very thankful. We await Stanford’s assessment and comparison of this new scan with their August scan.
Jessica and I drove down to LA yesterday and I am hanging out at the hospital with my mom for a few days. She is just barely standing up and has intermittent shortness of breath. This will be a long and somewhat slow recovery for her, but I am hopeful she will eventually get back on her feet. Please keep our family in your prayers.
This truly has been a tough year. Without your prayers and the LORD God upholding us daily I surely do not know how we would have managed. I just spoke with my sister and we commented on how much we have to be thankful for.
Thank you Lord Jesus, my Messiah, for all your abundant blessings made brighter by the difficult times we have had and are passing through; blessings such as salvation, forgiveness, grace, unconditional love, a wonderful family, many dear friends, the Word of God, church family, God’s power changing me from the inside out, shelter, abundant food, warm clothing, the breath of life. God is good, all the time.
Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.
Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.”
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.
YES! A picture is worth a thousand words. Bob and I viewed the CT scan and although we are not the experts, we could see clearly that the tumor size has decreased and there is more good liver tissue present. It is good to see this with our own eyeballs. We all are so very thankful. We await Stanford’s assessment and comparison of this new scan with their August scan.
Jessica and I drove down to LA yesterday and I am hanging out at the hospital with my mom for a few days. She is just barely standing up and has intermittent shortness of breath. This will be a long and somewhat slow recovery for her, but I am hopeful she will eventually get back on her feet. Please keep our family in your prayers.
This truly has been a tough year. Without your prayers and the LORD God upholding us daily I surely do not know how we would have managed. I just spoke with my sister and we commented on how much we have to be thankful for.
Thank you Lord Jesus, my Messiah, for all your abundant blessings made brighter by the difficult times we have had and are passing through; blessings such as salvation, forgiveness, grace, unconditional love, a wonderful family, many dear friends, the Word of God, church family, God’s power changing me from the inside out, shelter, abundant food, warm clothing, the breath of life. God is good, all the time.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Giving many Thanks to our Great God and King
Great news today on several fronts:
1. My mom had her hip surgery this morning and it went very well.The doctor said her bones are strong and her heart tolerated the procedure without complications. Hallelujah and thanks to the LORD for His mercy endures forever!
2. Dan and Jessica arrived last night safe and sound and are here for a few days!
3. Dan brought home a comparison report finally done by the hospital in Whittier and it shows great improvement and reduction in the tumor size. Numbers wise: the largest tumor in the liver shrank from 10 cm (6/07) to 9.4 x 6.5 cm (8/07) to 5.1 x 3.1 cm (11/07). The other large tumor in the liver shrank from 8.0 cm (6/07) to 3.7 x 4.1 cm (11/07). WOW!
We are thrilled with this progress and know you are too. Keep praying for his FULL and COMPLETE recovery. Pray that for my mom's recovery and that she will know how much our LORD God loves her.
May we live daily giving thanks to our LORD for all He is and does. I thank Him for life, forgiveness, family, friends and all you wonderful prayer warriors of the army of Dan. Blessings to you as you gather with your loved ones. May your day be special.
Psalm 100
A Psalm for giving thanks.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
1. My mom had her hip surgery this morning and it went very well.The doctor said her bones are strong and her heart tolerated the procedure without complications. Hallelujah and thanks to the LORD for His mercy endures forever!
2. Dan and Jessica arrived last night safe and sound and are here for a few days!
3. Dan brought home a comparison report finally done by the hospital in Whittier and it shows great improvement and reduction in the tumor size. Numbers wise: the largest tumor in the liver shrank from 10 cm (6/07) to 9.4 x 6.5 cm (8/07) to 5.1 x 3.1 cm (11/07). The other large tumor in the liver shrank from 8.0 cm (6/07) to 3.7 x 4.1 cm (11/07). WOW!
We are thrilled with this progress and know you are too. Keep praying for his FULL and COMPLETE recovery. Pray that for my mom's recovery and that she will know how much our LORD God loves her.
May we live daily giving thanks to our LORD for all He is and does. I thank Him for life, forgiveness, family, friends and all you wonderful prayer warriors of the army of Dan. Blessings to you as you gather with your loved ones. May your day be special.
Psalm 100
A Psalm for giving thanks.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
Monday, November 19, 2007
November 19 - Dan's blog
Monday, November 19, 2007
Somewhere in the middle
Category: Life
So, after Friday's doctor's appointment, reviewing my CT scan a week before, it seems I'm getting more chemo. After all, the cancer is not gone, so how else to get it gone but more chemo? My PICC line is out, which is nicer on my daily living. So that's good. But I still wait and chug along.
In this distanceless journey, I'm somewhere in the middle. I told someone I was finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel (not like I'm dying but that this is almost over), because my PET scan was really good. This scan was better, but not as drastic a difference. I thought I might be near the end, but I'm only in the middle. Somewhere. I'll let you know when I'm closer to the edge of the woods.
Somewhere in the middle
Category: Life
So, after Friday's doctor's appointment, reviewing my CT scan a week before, it seems I'm getting more chemo. After all, the cancer is not gone, so how else to get it gone but more chemo? My PICC line is out, which is nicer on my daily living. So that's good. But I still wait and chug along.
In this distanceless journey, I'm somewhere in the middle. I told someone I was finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel (not like I'm dying but that this is almost over), because my PET scan was really good. This scan was better, but not as drastic a difference. I thought I might be near the end, but I'm only in the middle. Somewhere. I'll let you know when I'm closer to the edge of the woods.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Nov 18
Nothing really new to report, but I would like to ask for prayer for my mother. Her surgery is scheduled for Wednesday due to some medications she is taking and needs to get out of her system related to clotting. Her heart problems do not make her a great candidate for any surgery, but that is the way it goes. Maybe this is the time of her life when she will realize the Presence of the LORD God and His amazing love for her.
In the midst of all these circumstances of our lives, I praise and worship the Creator who is my Rock and Redeemer forever. I thank Him for His forgiveness freely bestowed on all who open their hearts to receive Him. (John 1:12) His name is Jesus. He is faithful and true and His Word and His Love endure forever.
In the midst of all these circumstances of our lives, I praise and worship the Creator who is my Rock and Redeemer forever. I thank Him for His forgiveness freely bestowed on all who open their hearts to receive Him. (John 1:12) His name is Jesus. He is faithful and true and His Word and His Love endure forever.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
eloquence from Ashley
So, we’ll wait....
Well, we got Stanford safely, just a little tired. Everything was going on schedule, and then the doctor came in to let us know that the hospital down here didn't send a copy of the CT Scan up north to compare. So...we really didn't get any concrete news. However, Dan took up a personal copy of the scan up there for the doctor to look at. Even from her non-radiologist eye, she could see that the tumors are smaller. Sure we don't know exact numbers and the decrease could be minimal, but even small blessings are blessings.
Anyway, since the chemo is still killing the little buggers, the doctor wants Dan to keep getting treatments. "The most mileage out of the regimen," she said. So, with God's provision, he'll continue chemo until the tumors disappear, stop shrinking or he can't handle the meds anymore. My prayer is that the tumors end up disappearing completely, and that he'll be able to live a normal life eventually. Oh, what a day that would be.
Chemo went well yesterday, nice and fast this time! And his PICC came out! (if you don't know what that is, just be stoked because Dan is). Then, we drove back to school right after.
With Thanksgiving coming up, we have a lot to be thankful for, that's for sure.
Continue praying, God is listening.
Well, we got Stanford safely, just a little tired. Everything was going on schedule, and then the doctor came in to let us know that the hospital down here didn't send a copy of the CT Scan up north to compare. So...we really didn't get any concrete news. However, Dan took up a personal copy of the scan up there for the doctor to look at. Even from her non-radiologist eye, she could see that the tumors are smaller. Sure we don't know exact numbers and the decrease could be minimal, but even small blessings are blessings.
Anyway, since the chemo is still killing the little buggers, the doctor wants Dan to keep getting treatments. "The most mileage out of the regimen," she said. So, with God's provision, he'll continue chemo until the tumors disappear, stop shrinking or he can't handle the meds anymore. My prayer is that the tumors end up disappearing completely, and that he'll be able to live a normal life eventually. Oh, what a day that would be.
Chemo went well yesterday, nice and fast this time! And his PICC came out! (if you don't know what that is, just be stoked because Dan is). Then, we drove back to school right after.
With Thanksgiving coming up, we have a lot to be thankful for, that's for sure.
Continue praying, God is listening.
November 17
I am sure you are eagerly awaiting news of the CT scan on Dan. We are too. Hurry up and wait. Bottom line is that the docs in southern Cal did not do the tumor size comparison with the scan done in August as was requested and had not even sent the scan to Stanford. The scan does show the presence of tumors in the liver and pancreas, but that is not really new, is it? Dan brought up a scan copy for our records which we gave to Stanford and they are in the process of doing the comparison study. So we wait. Patiently, right. I have been saying recently that I am learning patience. I guess this will show that one way or the other. Dan had a good check up and received his chemotherapy, then he and Ashley drove right back to Biola. My brother commented, "What a champion!" I agree. Good news - the PICC line (a long term intravenous catheter) was removed and his labs continue to be normal. I am sure that first shower without his plastic sleeve on will feel great. It definitely served its purpose, but it is nice to be free of it.
Other "breaking" news: this morning we received a phone call that my mother had fallen and had broken her hip. She is awaiting surgery to pin the bone. Please pray for her. She is not a great candidate for surgery because of her heart problems. Please pray for no complications in her surgery and recovery and that she would know not only the peace of God but the Prince of Peace, Jesus the Glory and Messiah of Israel.
In this time of remembering to be thankful, (something we should be every day), I hope that you will take some time to thank God for His many gifts of life and loved ones.
A friend came by yesterday when we were at Stanford and shared this Psalm with me that so encouraged me. Hope it will do the same for you:
Psalms 112:1-8
"Happy are those who fear the Lord.
Yes, happy are those who delight in doing what He commands.
Their children will be successful everywhere;
an entire generation of Godly
people will be blessed.
They themselves will be wealthy, and their deeds
will never be forgotten.
When darkness overtakes the Godly,
light will come bursting in.
They are generous, compassionate, and
righteous.
All goes well for those who are generous,
who lend freely and conduct their business fairly.
Such people will not be overcome by evil
circumstances. Those who are righteous will be
long remembered.
They do not fear bad news;
they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
They are confident and fearless and can face
their foes triumphantly."
Psalms 111:10
"Reverence (fear) for the Lord is the
foundation of true wisdom.
The rewards of wisdom come to all who obey Him.
Praise His name forever!"
Other "breaking" news: this morning we received a phone call that my mother had fallen and had broken her hip. She is awaiting surgery to pin the bone. Please pray for her. She is not a great candidate for surgery because of her heart problems. Please pray for no complications in her surgery and recovery and that she would know not only the peace of God but the Prince of Peace, Jesus the Glory and Messiah of Israel.
In this time of remembering to be thankful, (something we should be every day), I hope that you will take some time to thank God for His many gifts of life and loved ones.
A friend came by yesterday when we were at Stanford and shared this Psalm with me that so encouraged me. Hope it will do the same for you:
Psalms 112:1-8
"Happy are those who fear the Lord.
Yes, happy are those who delight in doing what He commands.
Their children will be successful everywhere;
an entire generation of Godly
people will be blessed.
They themselves will be wealthy, and their deeds
will never be forgotten.
When darkness overtakes the Godly,
light will come bursting in.
They are generous, compassionate, and
righteous.
All goes well for those who are generous,
who lend freely and conduct their business fairly.
Such people will not be overcome by evil
circumstances. Those who are righteous will be
long remembered.
They do not fear bad news;
they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
They are confident and fearless and can face
their foes triumphantly."
Psalms 111:10
"Reverence (fear) for the Lord is the
foundation of true wisdom.
The rewards of wisdom come to all who obey Him.
Praise His name forever!"
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Nov 15 -request from Ashley
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Bugging God
Category: Life
Dan and I are about to drive to Stanford for an appointment to discuss his progress and what comes next. He's still calm and trusting. I'm still scared and nervous, but I'm starting to remember to be trusting, too.
In all honesty, I have no idea what to expect, what to hope for, what to prepare myself for. I know that God is in complete control of what is going on with the hoodlums lurking in Dan's body. At the same time, I'm scared.
Please pray for Dan, for me, for us.
Pray that the tumors have decreased in size and that the chemo has opened up options.
Pray that whatever treatment is prescribed allows Dan to continue on with school this semester and next, interterm and to go on to an internship this summer.
Pray that the news we hear tomorrow is encouraging and gives plenty of reason to be hopeful. Let the doctor be excited about Dan's recovery.
Pray that we can have the faith to step out into the Lord's arm when we need to.
Pray, still, for total and miraculous healing of the cancer. How awesome would it be for Dan to be a living testimony to God's power?
I know we've asked for prayers before, but I'm asking for more. Please please bug God with these requests. Pray to Him until He gets tired of all of us asking for Dan's remission. Eventually, God will want some peace and quiet and grant us our heart's desires. (Think the widow and the judge)
I'll write when we get back with news. With all hope and great expectancy, I will be writing to you news of great joy!
Ash
Bugging God
Category: Life
Dan and I are about to drive to Stanford for an appointment to discuss his progress and what comes next. He's still calm and trusting. I'm still scared and nervous, but I'm starting to remember to be trusting, too.
In all honesty, I have no idea what to expect, what to hope for, what to prepare myself for. I know that God is in complete control of what is going on with the hoodlums lurking in Dan's body. At the same time, I'm scared.
Please pray for Dan, for me, for us.
Pray that the tumors have decreased in size and that the chemo has opened up options.
Pray that whatever treatment is prescribed allows Dan to continue on with school this semester and next, interterm and to go on to an internship this summer.
Pray that the news we hear tomorrow is encouraging and gives plenty of reason to be hopeful. Let the doctor be excited about Dan's recovery.
Pray that we can have the faith to step out into the Lord's arm when we need to.
Pray, still, for total and miraculous healing of the cancer. How awesome would it be for Dan to be a living testimony to God's power?
I know we've asked for prayers before, but I'm asking for more. Please please bug God with these requests. Pray to Him until He gets tired of all of us asking for Dan's remission. Eventually, God will want some peace and quiet and grant us our heart's desires. (Think the widow and the judge)
I'll write when we get back with news. With all hope and great expectancy, I will be writing to you news of great joy!
Ash
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Nov 4 prayer request
Hello my dear friends and family, I am writing to you not because I have anything new to report, BUT I do have a special prayer request. Dan will be having a CAT scan this Friday and will be bringing it up to his doctor at Stanford on the following Friday. My prayer is that the scan will show NO CANCER remaining in his body. I know that is a BIG request. We have a BIG LORD God who is the King of the universe. Please join us in asking our heavenly Father for this miracle.
Our Isaiah study is winding down to the last few chapters, but what glorious chapters they are. The first verse and a half of Isaiah 61 is what Jesus quoted in the synagogue as recorded in Luke. He then sat down and stated "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” It is His declaration that He is the promised Messiah and has come to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. How thrilling that the Lord's favor came to this earth and is still available to us to receive. The good news is that Jesus is the LORD's salvation for all who will receive Him. His name in Hebrew is Yeshua which is the contraction of Yehoshua which means "the LORD is Salvation". Freedom is here for those who are captive to sin (that is all of us). The day of vengeance of our God will be accomplished at His second coming. Our LORD God will fulfill all His promises to His people Israel- for the display of His splendor and glory. He WILL establish His kingdom on this earth, and He SHALL reign forever and ever. May we be faithful to listen, trust and obey day by day until that Day.
Isa 61:1 -3
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness
instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
Our Isaiah study is winding down to the last few chapters, but what glorious chapters they are. The first verse and a half of Isaiah 61 is what Jesus quoted in the synagogue as recorded in Luke. He then sat down and stated "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” It is His declaration that He is the promised Messiah and has come to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. How thrilling that the Lord's favor came to this earth and is still available to us to receive. The good news is that Jesus is the LORD's salvation for all who will receive Him. His name in Hebrew is Yeshua which is the contraction of Yehoshua which means "the LORD is Salvation". Freedom is here for those who are captive to sin (that is all of us). The day of vengeance of our God will be accomplished at His second coming. Our LORD God will fulfill all His promises to His people Israel- for the display of His splendor and glory. He WILL establish His kingdom on this earth, and He SHALL reign forever and ever. May we be faithful to listen, trust and obey day by day until that Day.
Isa 61:1 -3
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness
instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
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