Hope you have all had a wonderful day celebrating our freedom through the sacrifices our servicemen and women have made over the years. Last year when Bob and I were in Israel, their memorial day was very sobering as the nation comes to a halt for 2 minutes and stands silently and bows as they remember the over 22, 000 Israelis who have been killed since 1948 defending the Nation.
Dan has his embolization procedure on Wednesday at Stanford. It should be an uncomplicated procedure and does not usually involve an overnight stay, but they want to keep him overnight, just in case. The embolization is mainly to shunt the blood flow from the right lobe to the left and stimulate the liver to regenerate. That would be a request to pray for - new liver tissue!
Tomorrow Ashley has an interview with a hospital in Whittier that she has worked at as a CNA and as a student nurse. So they know her and what an awesome nurse she is! I don't think So Cal is their desired location but a job is their desire. Please pray that the Lord will open the doors if that is where she is to be.
Now many of you do not know this but Ashley won the "Perseverance Award" from her Nursing school! DUH! Not only that Ashley graduated SUMMA CUM LAUDE!!!!!!!!!!!! with a 3.93 GPA. WOW! Is that amazing and is that dedication and perseverance. The hospital who hires her will be getting a real gift.
So friends, keep this young couple in your prayers. They still have a hard road ahead with 2 more surgeries and a teaching credential to finish, but I have no doubt they will accomplish any and all they put their minds and hearts to.
Proverbs 16:3 Commit your work to the Lord , and your plans will be established.
Colossians 3: 23-24 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ
Monday, May 31, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
May 24
Dan and Ashley update us all:
Steady Freddy
Since I've had a few people mention that they haven't read anything new on the blog for a while, I thought we should probably blog again.
Since the last blog, we have gone to Stanford twice for meetings with the surgeon and the oncologist. Dan's wound is healing, but being difficult. He still has a hole the size of a dime, which has to be packed a couple times a day. Luckily, his second surgical wound looks good...and will hopefully stay that way.
Aside from advising us on the wound situation, the docs also met with us to make a decision regarding the next step. Due to the several complications and setbacks, Dan hadn't truly been able to recover from any of his surgeries and was being a bit pressured to "hurry up" with the next one. Dan and I set about intelligently gathering information and advice from his doctors to assure we were making the right decisions. Honestly, his docs agreed that he needed more time to heal, but still advised surgery as the next step. Accordingly, we are looking at the second half of the surgery late in the summer.
Another good part to the doctors wanting to let Dan heal is that the embolization procedure (cutting off the blood supply to the right side of the liver to test regrowth of the left side) is going to be after graduation. Yay! One less thing to stress about for now.
Did I mention I'm graduating next week? Yes, you read that correctly. Next week! My clinical hours are finished, my research hours are finished, my classes are finished, and I have very little left to do. This is a strange season. My friends are beginning to move away, we are competing against each other for jobs, and we're saying goodbye after 5 years of constant together-ness. Weird and sad, but necessary.
This week's schedule:
Monday-Class party
Tuesday-Senior Baccalaureate (reflection?)
Wednesday-Epsilon Kappa Epsilon Honor Society Ceremony
Thursday-Pinning Ceremony (Traditional nursing graduation)...a BIG DEAL
Friday-Fun with family!!!
Saturday-Graduation!!!
We have a busy week ahead of us, but it is so exciting. We're looking forward to beginning a new chapter of our lives soon...new apartment, new jobs, no school, no more cancer...God willing.
Prayer Requests:
* No complications or new problems
* No hospitalizations or illnesses until after graduation
* A job! (I've had 4 interviews)
* Safe travels for family coming down
* A safe and uncomplicated embolization procedure
God encourages us in Philippians 1:2-11
2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,4always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.6And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.7It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.8For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.9And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,10so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Bob and I will head south for the pinning and graduation and even Matt will join us for the graduation from Hume Lake (if he can get out of the snow- snow at the end of May?)
What a blessing it is to see Ashley accomplish her goals and finish this semester well amidst all the difficulties she and Dan have endured! What inspiration she is to many of us! She will be taking her boards soon and I know she would appreciate your prayers for that as well. I have no doubt she will do very well.
Steady Freddy
Since I've had a few people mention that they haven't read anything new on the blog for a while, I thought we should probably blog again.
Since the last blog, we have gone to Stanford twice for meetings with the surgeon and the oncologist. Dan's wound is healing, but being difficult. He still has a hole the size of a dime, which has to be packed a couple times a day. Luckily, his second surgical wound looks good...and will hopefully stay that way.
Aside from advising us on the wound situation, the docs also met with us to make a decision regarding the next step. Due to the several complications and setbacks, Dan hadn't truly been able to recover from any of his surgeries and was being a bit pressured to "hurry up" with the next one. Dan and I set about intelligently gathering information and advice from his doctors to assure we were making the right decisions. Honestly, his docs agreed that he needed more time to heal, but still advised surgery as the next step. Accordingly, we are looking at the second half of the surgery late in the summer.
Another good part to the doctors wanting to let Dan heal is that the embolization procedure (cutting off the blood supply to the right side of the liver to test regrowth of the left side) is going to be after graduation. Yay! One less thing to stress about for now.
Did I mention I'm graduating next week? Yes, you read that correctly. Next week! My clinical hours are finished, my research hours are finished, my classes are finished, and I have very little left to do. This is a strange season. My friends are beginning to move away, we are competing against each other for jobs, and we're saying goodbye after 5 years of constant together-ness. Weird and sad, but necessary.
This week's schedule:
Monday-Class party
Tuesday-Senior Baccalaureate (reflection?)
Wednesday-Epsilon Kappa Epsilon Honor Society Ceremony
Thursday-Pinning Ceremony (Traditional nursing graduation)...a BIG DEAL
Friday-Fun with family!!!
Saturday-Graduation!!!
We have a busy week ahead of us, but it is so exciting. We're looking forward to beginning a new chapter of our lives soon...new apartment, new jobs, no school, no more cancer...God willing.
Prayer Requests:
* No complications or new problems
* No hospitalizations or illnesses until after graduation
* A job! (I've had 4 interviews)
* Safe travels for family coming down
* A safe and uncomplicated embolization procedure
God encourages us in Philippians 1:2-11
2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,4always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.6And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.7It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.8For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.9And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,10so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Bob and I will head south for the pinning and graduation and even Matt will join us for the graduation from Hume Lake (if he can get out of the snow- snow at the end of May?)
What a blessing it is to see Ashley accomplish her goals and finish this semester well amidst all the difficulties she and Dan have endured! What inspiration she is to many of us! She will be taking her boards soon and I know she would appreciate your prayers for that as well. I have no doubt she will do very well.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
update
Dan and Ashley spoke with the doctors last week to explore the options to surgery. Unfortunately there are no really good ones so the "part 2" surgery will take place sometime in the next few months. Dan will have the embolization procedure of his right hepatic artery sometime in early June and then wait at least a month to verify that it has been successful in stimulating the left liver lobe to grow so that his right liver lobe can be operated on. The surgery will follow that verification depending on the extent of liver regeneration. Please pray that his liver will grow and that the surgery will be successful in removing all traces of cancer cells, dead or alive! He has regained 5 pounds of his 35 pound weight loss which is a good start. Pray, too, that his weight gain will progress.
On a very happy note, Ashley is graduating in less than 2 weeks!. She will then take her boards and locate one of those rare jobs for newly graduated nurses. We ask for your prayers on her behalf for the right job at a great hospital in a location north of southern Cal.
Thanks for your love, prayers and concern. I continue to marvel at all who are fighting this battle with us. You bless me and may the Lord our God bless you!
His Word:
Psalm 34
I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking lies.
Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all;
he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
The Lord redeems his servants;
no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.
On a very happy note, Ashley is graduating in less than 2 weeks!. She will then take her boards and locate one of those rare jobs for newly graduated nurses. We ask for your prayers on her behalf for the right job at a great hospital in a location north of southern Cal.
Thanks for your love, prayers and concern. I continue to marvel at all who are fighting this battle with us. You bless me and may the Lord our God bless you!
His Word:
Psalm 34
I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking lies.
Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all;
he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
The Lord redeems his servants;
no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Update
Thank you again for your prayers and love for our family. Dan had a good report on Monday at the doctors and he has gained 4 pounds. His wound looks good and is not infected. Yeah! The second surgical wound is oozing a bit but is healing up. He and Ashley are meeting with the oncologist and the surgeon next Wednesday to discuss the future options apart from the obvious surgical one. It was good to catch a glimpse of them on Monday after Ashley had an interview with Lodi Memorial Hospital. Wisdom for Dan and Ashley and the doctors for their Wednesday meeting is our request of the day. Also Ashley will be graduating in 3 weeks, May 29! Great, great kudos to her and we are so proud of all the hard work she has done in the midst of this difficult semester. Now she is entering a job market that is very depressed for new nursing grads. Anyone know of a job opening, please let us know. No new blogs from Dan and Ashley, but here are some good words from our LORD:
Psalm 117
Praise the Lord, all nations!
Extol him, all peoples!
For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord!
James 1:5-8
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Psalm 117
Praise the Lord, all nations!
Extol him, all peoples!
For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord!
James 1:5-8
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
New Developments
Dear Blog receivers: below are 2 blogs posted by Ashley and Dan, Saturday May 1 and Wednesday April 28. I am not too excited about this wound situation described although I have not seen it nor spoken personally with Dan or Ashley yet (Bob has spoken with Dan). Maybe it is just a little thing, but the potential is that he may have a MRSA infection which can be a nasty deal.
So time to get off the couch and back to prayer duty!!!!!!!!!!
Blessings to you all. We love and appreciate you so much.
God's Word:
Psalm 142
A maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer.
I cry aloud to the Lord;
I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.
I pour out my complaint before him;
before him I tell my trouble.
When my spirit grows faint within me,
it is you who know my way.
In the path where I walk
men have hidden a snare for me.
Look to my right and see;
no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;
no one cares for my life.
I cry to you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”
Listen to my cry,
for I am in desperate need;
rescue me from those who pursue me,
for they are too strong for me.
Set me free from my prison,
that I may praise your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me
because of your goodness to me.
the blogs:
saturday, may 1, 2010
The Latest
We're headed back to Stanford for Dan's first appointment since being released a few weeks ago. It has been nice to have a break from doctor appointments and tests and such. Hopefully, this will be an easy appointment with no need for tests and no need for any hospital admissions. Basically, we're praying for good news and no surprises.
I've still been doing dressing changes 3 times a day, which is getting tiring for both Dan and I. Yet, I'd rather do it at home than have a nurse do it in the hospital. Dan's new incision is healing nicely (finally), while we were within a week of his old wound healing and it opened up a bit again. A blister formed over the scar tissue, the blister popped a couple nights ago, and gave us a bit of a scare since it bled quite a bit. We thought it was healing back up, but today the new tissue split a little again revealing an open hole under his scar. Ugh. Hopefully, it's just a hole in the scar tissue under the scar, and it will heal up completely.
I'm thankful it happened right before a doctor appointment, so I can get the surgeon's advice. Please pray this is just a little hole from the blister and not anything serious at all. Dan's not worried; his dad isn't worried, but of course, I am worried. I've gotten used to Dan actually being home. I really don't want to have him leave again. :(
Anyway, time is speeding by. I have 12 hours (out of 188) of clinical time left. Graduation is in 28 days. Wow. Please be in prayer that Dan and I can share in this next month living together and celebrating the end of nursing school without any complications or hospitalizations. Having my husband with me for senior banquet, Pinning and graduation would be the greatest graduation present imaginable. So, ask God with me for this good gift :)
Posted by Dan and Ashley at 4:31 PM
wednesday, april 28, 2010
Contact
Well, it's been 9 days since the last blog... Ashley is still busy and I am still not a good blogger. At least you can surmise that I have not had any surgeries or infections, which is totally awesome! It's been good to be up and about, going out to places like the grocery store, friends' houses, and church. We even went on our first real date since January (Chili's and the new Steve Carrell/Tina Fey movie, Date Night). I'm still trying to get some weight on me and get my legs working better. Other than that, not much to report. I am pretty excited about the 49ers' draft; we should make a serious playoff push this year. Boston is sucking less than last post, but my NHL team (Colorado Avalanche) got eliminated by the hometown heroes, the Sharks. I guess I don't have to root against them now.
The days go by and so does my food. :)
So time to get off the couch and back to prayer duty!!!!!!!!!!
Blessings to you all. We love and appreciate you so much.
God's Word:
Psalm 142
A maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer.
I cry aloud to the Lord;
I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.
I pour out my complaint before him;
before him I tell my trouble.
When my spirit grows faint within me,
it is you who know my way.
In the path where I walk
men have hidden a snare for me.
Look to my right and see;
no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;
no one cares for my life.
I cry to you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”
Listen to my cry,
for I am in desperate need;
rescue me from those who pursue me,
for they are too strong for me.
Set me free from my prison,
that I may praise your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me
because of your goodness to me.
the blogs:
saturday, may 1, 2010
The Latest
We're headed back to Stanford for Dan's first appointment since being released a few weeks ago. It has been nice to have a break from doctor appointments and tests and such. Hopefully, this will be an easy appointment with no need for tests and no need for any hospital admissions. Basically, we're praying for good news and no surprises.
I've still been doing dressing changes 3 times a day, which is getting tiring for both Dan and I. Yet, I'd rather do it at home than have a nurse do it in the hospital. Dan's new incision is healing nicely (finally), while we were within a week of his old wound healing and it opened up a bit again. A blister formed over the scar tissue, the blister popped a couple nights ago, and gave us a bit of a scare since it bled quite a bit. We thought it was healing back up, but today the new tissue split a little again revealing an open hole under his scar. Ugh. Hopefully, it's just a hole in the scar tissue under the scar, and it will heal up completely.
I'm thankful it happened right before a doctor appointment, so I can get the surgeon's advice. Please pray this is just a little hole from the blister and not anything serious at all. Dan's not worried; his dad isn't worried, but of course, I am worried. I've gotten used to Dan actually being home. I really don't want to have him leave again. :(
Anyway, time is speeding by. I have 12 hours (out of 188) of clinical time left. Graduation is in 28 days. Wow. Please be in prayer that Dan and I can share in this next month living together and celebrating the end of nursing school without any complications or hospitalizations. Having my husband with me for senior banquet, Pinning and graduation would be the greatest graduation present imaginable. So, ask God with me for this good gift :)
Posted by Dan and Ashley at 4:31 PM
wednesday, april 28, 2010
Contact
Well, it's been 9 days since the last blog... Ashley is still busy and I am still not a good blogger. At least you can surmise that I have not had any surgeries or infections, which is totally awesome! It's been good to be up and about, going out to places like the grocery store, friends' houses, and church. We even went on our first real date since January (Chili's and the new Steve Carrell/Tina Fey movie, Date Night). I'm still trying to get some weight on me and get my legs working better. Other than that, not much to report. I am pretty excited about the 49ers' draft; we should make a serious playoff push this year. Boston is sucking less than last post, but my NHL team (Colorado Avalanche) got eliminated by the hometown heroes, the Sharks. I guess I don't have to root against them now.
The days go by and so does my food. :)
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