Sunday, August 26, 2007

1/2 Way There!

Dear Friends,

This week will mark the middle of Dan's chemo/radiation regimen. I feel like this is a crucial point for reflection and prayer. We have been enveloped in wonderful fellowship over the last three weeks. It has been such a blessing to our whole family.

I have been taken aback by the strength of Dan's treatments. Of course, we want to annihilate this cancer! We are praying for the chemo to target the cancer cells and for Dan's healthy cells to remain so. We are praying for the radiation to be pinpoint and precise (sparing the healthy brain and destroying the cancer).

Sunday is my favorite day of the week. We focus on our family in order to strengthen ourselves for the week ahead. It is a day of rest! The chemo is 7 days a week, but the radiation is only 5...believe me when I say that a body couldn't take more than 5 days without a rest. I am praying that this weekend allows Danny to heal and rejuvenate in order to face the battle again on Monday.

The radiation only takes about 10 minutes (except for Wednesday which is about doubled for mapping purposes). Dan goes into the "vault" at 11:45 and is usually out by noon. If God puts it on your heart to do so, this would be an awesome time to ask God to really direct the treatment efforts and to strengthen and protect Dan.

Thank you all so much for your posts, cards, phone calls, meals, outings and prayers. Thank you for opening your hearts, cupboards and homes to us. As we face the week ahead it is impossible not to be anxious over the possible side-effects, but we do not have hearts of fear, and we lay our worries down at the feet of Jesus. We are able to see the power of God in the perfection of his plan, the strength of Jesus in the sacrificial love of our friends, and the peace of the Holy Spirit filling us and preparing us to enjoy each day as it comes.

Happy Sunday!
Leah

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Howdy,

I was thinking of you guys in church today and listening to the list of people we pray for being read aloud by a gentleman at the pulpit. Right when I focused in he prayed for "Dan and Leah." Then silently, I began to repeat a simple prayer in my head, "Dan's total healing. Amen. Dan's total healing. Amen." Perhaps harkening back to Catholic school, the simple repetitious prayer felt more comfortable and powerful as it cycled in my heart, "Dan's total healing. Amen. Dan's total healing. Amen." It felt good. Try it on for size, see what you think.

Leah Sams said...

Hey,

It is amazing to me how the simplest of prayers seem to be the most comforting! I love the perfection of your story...with God there is no such thing as chance.~L