As my husband so eloquently puts it: 5 years ago today, June 19, 2007, is a day which will live in infamy for me. Instead of starting a fun week of vacation, our family was collectively horrified to be thrust into the reality of Dan's cancer diagnosis. None of us could have possibly imagined on that day the struggles, and yes, the miraculous victories that we have experienced since then. No parent should be forced to deal with the suffering of the child they love so dearly, and yet that is exactly what elucidates that love. There is nothing quite like a hopless situation that makes the healing so obviously miraculous. There is nothing quite like mercy to demand humility. I would like to honor Dan for his character and faith throughout the seemingly endless suffering he has endured. I would like to honor his mother for tenaciously doing battle for her son. I would like to honor Ashley for sticking by his side when things were not beautiful or easy. For loving him, and giving him encouragement in a way his parents could not. I would like to honor all of the others who were his nurses, doctors, and others involved wiht his medical care. I would like to honor the rest of you who have supported Dan, Ashley and our family throughout all of this ordeal. Five years down the road with no evidence of active disease is a big deal. We have indeed witnessed a miracle. May I never forget nor cease giving thanks to the Lord for this day. Dear Friends and Family, Just a reminder that Dan's hip replacement is tomorrow morning at 10. He goes in early for an infusion of platelets since his are on the low side (in the 50,000's). This can be a very bloody surgery too. Please pray for an uncomplicated surgery and swift uneventful recovery! Thanks so much! Love Jamie Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 Just spoke with Dan. He is awaiting his dinner! He has not been up yet but is hoping to get up tonight and walk. The pain is subsiding (YEAH!) So glad the surgery went well. Thanks for praying for him. Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders. Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad. Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually. 1 Chronicles 16:8-11

Much has happened in our family since our last note: Jes and Josh got married on May 12 in a beautiful and unusual ceremony filled with antiques and symbols, friends, fun and laughter. Many have told me it was the best wedding they have ever been to. They traveled to Iceland for their honeymoon and had a wonderful time! Dan has finished his first year of teaching, enjoyed it, and has been rehired for next year. Good news! Today, Father’s Day, 5 years ago our family was all together eating at Moo Moo’s Burger Barn in Lodi. Little did we know that a few days later, Tuesday June 19, 2007, we would be heading to the ER with Dan and start the beginning of the long hard trail (and trial) of combatting Dan’s neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer. Many of you have traveled down that road with us in prayer and helps and for that we are most grateful. Five years later we shout “hallelujah to the Lord” for His goodness and mercy to us! Dan’s last PET was negative. In 11 days he will undergo surgery to replace his left hip which is related to his bout with cancer. Hopefully, this is his last operation ever! We are praying for a speedy and uncomplicated recovery and would ask you to join us in that request. We are also still praying for Dan and Ashley to be able to conceive. I am including Ashley’s last note from their blog and also a link to a message that Dan shared at his church in La Mirada on April 29. Dan does not readily talk about himself or his situation, so if you have 28 spare minutes, I encourage you to listen to it: http://redeemerlm.podomatic.com/entry/2012-04-30T07_36_32-07_00#.T59o9HCm_-g.email Ashley’s note: Love, Marriage and Babies (and a cat) May 14, 2012 This just a quick update on life to let everyone know we're still alive and kicking. You'll notice that cancer isn't mentioned in the title. This is simply because we have nothing new to share on that front. Dan had a couple weeks in which he wasn't feeling good, but it looks like that may have been related to a new medication that has since been stopped. Now, we just keep watching and waiting until the next CT in June. In the "love" news, our best friends Lisa and Andrew recently got engaged with a wedding set for November in the Wine Country. Lisa and I have been friends since the 3rd grade, so it feels like my sister is getting married! We've also known Andrew since our freshman year at Biola, and he was in our wedding. My goodness, are we excited! And, our friends Laura and Brian got engaged, too. They'll be getting hitched this summer. This will certainly be a memorable year! In the "marriage" news, Dan's sister Jessica just became Jessica McBride. Jes and Josh got married this past weekend up in Lodi at a very unique and beautiful wedding. The entire event screamed "Jes and Josh" and they looked fantastically happy. They are headed off to Iceland for their honeymoon today. Now, Dan and I can start bothering them for a baby...well, we'll give them a few months ;) Also, my family was invited to the wedding, so I was able to hug my parents and brother for the first time since December. It was also the first Mother's Day that all my mom's kids were in the same place with her for almost 5 years! It was very sweet and way too short. We'll be looking forward to another visit from my family in June for my dad's graduation with his BA from The King's College. So excited! Finally, in the "babies" news, a lot of craziness has been happening. I'm taking far more meds than I'd like, but hopefully they will help us conceive anytime now. We had been working under the assumption that Dan's chemo treatments were to blame for our current infertility issues...but he is very close to normal! I, however, am the one to blame for things being so tricky :( It turns out that I failed my glucose tolerance test because I have insulin intolerance. This is different than diabetes in that my body just makes a ton of insulin, but my cells won't use it properly so my blood sugar takes longer to normalize. This elevated insulin and glucose ratio throws off other hormones which has essentially kept me from ovulating for Lord knows how long. No ovulating means no babies. Because of this, the doctor started me on metformin to balance the ratios and bring my levels to normal. Also, I have had to change my diet around a lot. No white carbs, lots of fruits/veggies and protein, no caffeine...it's been "fun". Dan has been AMAZING about helping me stick to this diet because I get really sick if I don't. Many women  begin to ovulate normally just with taking the metformin, but the doctor wanted to throw a couple more punches. After some more investigation, the insulin resistance is part of a syndrome called PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) which is the most common reason in women my age for infertility. As one can probably guess from the name, I also end up getting pretty large and painful cysts on my ovaries. When the ovaries occur we have to put fertility treatment on hold for a month while a different medicine shrinks them. This has already happened once and is very frustrating. (Yet, God knows what is happening in every cell of our bodies and knows the exact perfect timing of every need. Even if that means, we wait a long time for a baby or we never have one at all. As painful as that thought is, I trust that God has a perfect reason for His will and actions.) My most recent cyst is gone (yay!) and I've added 3 new meds to my daily cocktail of drugs. The next few weeks (or months) will involve a lot of doctor appointments and waiting and ultrasounds and waiting and praying and hoping and waiting and praying some more. Dan and I are really praying that we are able to conceive with just medications helping us, so that we don't have to move to more invasive technologies. We would appreciate your prayers in this, too! Oh, and the last bit of our update: a cat! We made the decision to get Toulouse a new friend to help him be less lonely and crazy. We are still holding out on whether or not this has actually worked, but it has been very entertaining. The new kitty is named Fleur de Lis (Dan's choice to keep with the "cats are French" notion in our home). She is 1.5 years old, very small, very spunky and very loud. She talks all the time. Poor Toulouse. Prayer Requests: * Keep the cancer away! * Safe travels for Jes and Josh * Good timing, successful meds and God's hand in helping us in the baby-making * A quick recovery for Dan's hip surgery with NO COMPLICATIONS Remaining at peace in God's will :)  You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.  Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock. Isaiah 26:3-4

lazy update

I call this a lazy update because I do not have any earthshaking news to tell you but I thought I would write anyway. Dan is happily working at his job in West Covina. He is teaching math and Bible to grades 6-8. His hip surgery is off until next summer and as I was pondering the delays he has had for that surgery it came to me that wouldn't it be great if the Lord Jesus would just heal that ball of the femur and Dan would not have to undergo anymore surgery! We can ask. We will ask! I am asking you to ask! Let's ask.
My job is going great. I love ultrasounds and I love the ministry of helping young women some of whom are in a crisis situation. I am still learning to adjust my life to my new schedule. Maybe I can't do quite as many other things as I did before:)
Jessica and Josh are in the midst of wedding plans and Jessica is also applying to graduate programs in urban planning with an emphasis in transportation. I confess I hope the school is west of the continental divide.
Again and again as I share the miracle that is Dan, I am reminded of the mercy and love we have received from the Lord. I am so grateful, so thankful that my heart is bursting with gratitude and love for my Lord Jesus.

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Jesus our Messiah rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Jesus our Messiah dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus our Messiah, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

good good good news

So it has been awhile since i have posted but I have some wonderful news. Dan has a job teaching math and bible at a Lutheran school in West Covina. It is not maybe his first choice as he would rather be in a high school setting but it is a good start on the road of teaching experience. We are so thankful! Next, our daughter Jessica got engaged to be married on Friday to her love and best friend Joshua McBride! We are anticipating a spring wedding! WOOHOO!!! Next I got a part time job! For those who weren't aware, I went to Florida for 2 weeks to receive training in limited obstetrical ultrasound. I have been hired by our crisis pregnancy clinic to perform ultrasounds, pregnancy tests and counsel women who find themselves in a difficult situation. I have been volunteering there since January and am very excited about the expansion of my hours and duties. This is the fulfillment of desires I have had for many decades. The Lord has brought this about in my life and I am looking forward to all He will do in me and through me to help others.
In all this good news I see God's hand guiding us and directing us. My you sense His Presence leading and guiding you, especially as this world faces more and more troubled times.

Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way,
but the LORD establishes his steps.

Proverbs 3:
3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.

Fighting an infection

Dear One and All,
Unbelievably, Dan is in the hospital (again) with an liver abscess from his ablation in June. He will be having it drained tomorrow by an interventional radiologist at Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital in Whittier. He is also on IV antibiotics. What this will mean for his hip replacement surgery scheduled for July 28 we are not sure yet, but it may be postponed due to this complication. So again we ask for the Lord to intervene and heal Dan, and also to give Dan and Ashley the strength to get through this obstacle before them.
Thanks so much for your prayers and support.

Words to bank on:

Psalm 62
5 My soul, wait in silence for God only,
For my hope is from Him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God my salvation and my glory rest;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
8 Trust in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah.

from Ashley........

Fried tumors!
I am happy to report that Dan is right now waking up from (possibly) his last necessary cancer treatment. The last of his visible tumors have been fried today...and hopefully, they'll never come back!

We got to the hospital about half an hour early, but they couldn't start the procedure until 3 hours later because Dan's platelets were a bit low. After finally deciding to give him a unit of platelets, they took him at 1030.

3 hours later, his fantastic doctor (our favorite over the past 4 years) came out to give us great news. The pre-procedure CT showed no new tumors and showed that the old tumors looked smaller than before. Then, they ablated a few areas ("microwave on a stick", as Dan says). The doctor admitted to us that he thinks the tumors were already dead, but he wanted to cook them anyway--for good measure. Biopsies from the site will tell us if there was any living cancer in them later. The doctor was overall very happy with the procedure. Little bleeding, no complications seen yet. Dan is waking up right now, so he's not even in the recovery area. In a couple hours or so, we'll be able to see him in his hospital room where he'll stay overnight for observation.

As long as Dan can eat, drink and have good pain control tonight, we should be able to leave in the morning. We'll be on the watch for signs of bleeding or infection for a little while. Then, we'll take a couple days to recuperate in NorCal, then drive home to La Habra.

As for future cancer treatments--there are NONE scheduled. After Dan's hip gets replaced, he can begin to work toward life without cancer. Check-up scans will happen every 3-6 months and the possibility will always remain that something could return. I will personally always be a little scared and worried. Yet, it feels like a new stage of life can begin. Please pray with us that Dan can officially and forever become a cancer survivor, instead of a cancer patient!

It's hard to believe that 4 years ago this time, Dan hadn't even started chemo. In fact, my mother-in-law and I were probably playing cards waiting for Dan to come out of a scan that would tell us fairly terrible news. Fast forward to now: Dan has his Bachelor's degree, has a wife, almost has his teacher's credential, has a cat and is planning for whatever God has in store for him and for us. God has certainly been faithful to His children.

I can say simply now, that the doctors did not think Dan had a fighting chance shortly after his diagnosis. Yet, after 10 rounds of chemo, SIRSpheres, a couple embolizations, a Whipple surgery, a bowel obstruction surgery, and 2 ablations...Dan is very close to being cancer-free.

We can obviously be thankful for the doctors and nurses. We can give some credit to Dan himself for being so incredibly, crazily courageous and strong. However, we would be completely wrong to not give all praise and glory and thankfulness to the One who orchestrated every good gift in the midst of this trial: our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Without His provision and protection, I know that Dan would not be alive today. What a wonderful God we worship!

Thank you everyone for your prayers and support. Continue to give glory to God for all He has done.

Updates will continue...though, I hope they won't involve too many more stories from the hospital!
Posted by Dan and Ashley at 2:05 PM

results

Dan came through the procedure well and the doctor ablated 2 sites, one that had been previously infarcted but not "cooked" by the last procedure and the 4th and last tumor site that he had planned to do. Everything looked good. No new tumors were seen!!!! His platelet count was a bit low so he was given some platelets. This was not a big concern for today but will be an issue for his hip replacement when the bleeding is more of a problem. SO thanksgiving for today and prayers for the next and final, Lord willing, procedure of the hip surgery on July 28. We are so thankful for all your love and support and prayers.
Isaiah 44:6-8
6 Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel
and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts:
“I am the first and I am the last;
besides me there is no god.
7 Who is like me? Let him proclaim it.
Let him declare and set it before me,
since I appointed an ancient people.
Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen.
8 Fear not, nor be afraid;
have I not told you from of old and declared it?
And you are my witnesses!
Is there a God besides me?
There is no Rock; I know not any.”