More Cruise Photos!
Dear Friends,
Dan started Chemo again yesterday and is resting comfortably as I give you all a quick update. We received his MRI films yesterday and spoke with his doctor on the phone last night. There were no visible tumors and what could be interpreted as some progression might be a side effect of steroids.
You are probably wondering if this is a good thing or a bad thing (I know we are). The truth is that we don't know right now. One of the blessings of this type of brain cancer is that it doesn't spread through the body. This also makes it hard to detect. There is no blood test that gives us any answers. The only way to confirm anything is to get tissue from the brain, and since getting a sample of brain tissue is not a good idea (unless you are already there to remove a tumor) we just can't be sure of anything. At this point time will tell.
We leave on Sunday for Duke and we are greatly comforted by your prayers for healing, pain relief, reduction of chemo side-effects, travel mercies and peace beyond all understanding.
As you can imagine, this battle for healing is evolving on a daily basis. It is incredibly important for Dan to be mentally peaceful in order to provide his body with the optimal environment for immune boosting (i.e. cancer fighting). As we complete this first week of Advent we are filled with the hope of new life. Prior to Dan's tumor we were taking many of life's blessings for granted. Today we are renewed with a sense of wonder and excitement every day. Don't get me wrong, there are days that it feels like the very air that I breath is too thin to sustain me, but those are the times that good and faithful, loving friends and family swoop in and surround us in their love. We are never alone!
Lots of love and may the blessings of this Christmas season fill you with hope,
Leah (and Dan)
1 comment:
Dear Dan and Leah,
I know you know all these but it's sometimes nice to have them all in one place when you need them.
love to you both,
Gail
Isaiah 41:10
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 40:29 - 31
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint."
Phillipians 4:13
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
When I just don't understand why God doesn't say yes to my prayers - I read this:
Isaiah 55:8-9
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Romans 8:28
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him..."
So His thoughts and ways are always for our good, even though we can't understand why, this side of heaven.
If we can focus on the blessings God is giving us through trials, we can give thanks as Paul instructs us: (otherwise I don't know how it is humanly possible)
Phillipians 4:6-7
"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."
1 Thessalonians 5:16
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
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