Dear Friends - these past few days have been hard. Really hard. James is exhausted and is spending more and more time in bed. He has some other, less severe (but incredibly annoying) side effects of chemo - itchy skin and chronic hiccups - but the exhaustion is the most discouraging. It feels like he is dying because (as he said) he is not even always cognizant of what is going on. He's aware - but he's feeling like he's in a fog.
So you need to pray.
If this is the road that we are going to walk, we need to have God's strength to endure. We are being pressed beyond our own ability to endure, and we have 3 more months of this lined up. I currently cannot even conceive of 11 more chemo treatments...I am only focusing on the next two (then a break). We can make two...I think.
We need faith to believe that God is working - faith will give us eyes to see the unseen. Otherwise, we are only going to focus on what is seen - and that is an all-too-depressing place to live.
And of course, pray for a miracle. James and I keep (trying) to remind each other that if God is truly going to get the glory for the miraculous, things are going to have to look really, really bleak medically. We don't know whether this is the story we get to be a part of, but we pray that it is. We know healing James is a very small thing for such a great God as ours...join us in asking for God's mercy.
Thank you! We think of you often - your presence in our lives makes God's love tangible. He is using you speak to us when we need it most. Thank for allowing Him to use you to bless us!
Monday, July 27, 2015
When God Gives You More Than You Can Handle
...there's a wonderful article on it! Written by Mitch Chase, a pastor down in Louisville, Kentucky - he unpacks the bad theology behind the conventional wisdom that "God will never give you more than you can handle."
Trials come in all shapes and sizes, but they don't come to show how much we can take or how we have it all together. Overwhelming suffering will come our way because we live in a broken world with broken people. And when it comes, let's be clear ahead of time that we don't have what it takes. God will give us more than we can handle--but not more than he can.
The best line - "There's never a good time for your life to be wrecked."
Word.
Read the rest of the article here.
Trials come in all shapes and sizes, but they don't come to show how much we can take or how we have it all together. Overwhelming suffering will come our way because we live in a broken world with broken people. And when it comes, let's be clear ahead of time that we don't have what it takes. God will give us more than we can handle--but not more than he can.
The best line - "There's never a good time for your life to be wrecked."
Word.
Read the rest of the article here.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
One Down, Eleven to Go...
James went in for his first dose of chemo today. Whether it felt more or less overwhelming than the first dose of chemo last year, I cannot say. Many aspects are less overwhelming, including knowing all the staff and knowing the kinds of questions to ask. James didn't have any major surgeries prior to today (unlike last fall when he had two), and in general, his health seems better than last fall. ("Other than a bit of cancer," as we keep telling people.)
On the other hand...here were are again. And this time, we know we are in for a long haul. So thankful that you are "long haul" kind of people! The cards we received in the mail today, the emails, and the texts are God's love pouring into our lives as just the right time.
*We received the results from James's latest CT scan. We were really glad to know that James's cancer is currently only in two spots - a lymph node in his chest, and a tumor in his pelvis. Thus far, no metastasis to other bones or internal organs. "The sentence of death" (2 Corinthians 1:9) is still upon us...but maybe not coming as painfully or as quickly as it could. We know that no matter what, it is God alone who will save James's life, so yes, it is wonderful news that his body is not rife with cancer. Two spots of stage 4 lung cancer are still incredibly lethal.
*The chemo drugs James is receiving are generally handled well by patients, and thus far James is no exception. We spent the afternoon walking around and doing some shopping. James is currently washing the dishes. His appetite has thus far not been affected, and he is not nauseous. There are heaps of potential side effects, so you can ask that God be gracious in that regard.
*According to Dr. Gupta, now that James has a tumor in his bone, that bone will forever be affected and will never be completely healthy. The chemo can potentially destroy the tumor there, but again - apart from God's intervention - James will have permanent damage to his pelvis. [I did ask if that means James has to give up rugby and football...apparently yes. =) ] Yet, as one of our dear friends said, "Well, God can make bone." So, we're not too worried about that (just another thing to pray for!).
*We had a wonderful, wonderful conversation with one of James's nurses - whom we didn't even know was a Christian - but has been through some significant, life-altering trials since we last saw her. We had a great time encouraging one another, reaffirming God's goodness and His plan, and testifying to evidence of His grace in our lives and the power of prayer. Probably the highlight of my day...
*Both James and I are pretty wiped out...pray for the gift restful sleep.
THANK YOU for your prayers! Just a while longer now...
...rest the full weight of your hopes on the grace that will be yours when Jesus Christ reveals himself...
On the other hand...here were are again. And this time, we know we are in for a long haul. So thankful that you are "long haul" kind of people! The cards we received in the mail today, the emails, and the texts are God's love pouring into our lives as just the right time.
*We received the results from James's latest CT scan. We were really glad to know that James's cancer is currently only in two spots - a lymph node in his chest, and a tumor in his pelvis. Thus far, no metastasis to other bones or internal organs. "The sentence of death" (2 Corinthians 1:9) is still upon us...but maybe not coming as painfully or as quickly as it could. We know that no matter what, it is God alone who will save James's life, so yes, it is wonderful news that his body is not rife with cancer. Two spots of stage 4 lung cancer are still incredibly lethal.
*The chemo drugs James is receiving are generally handled well by patients, and thus far James is no exception. We spent the afternoon walking around and doing some shopping. James is currently washing the dishes. His appetite has thus far not been affected, and he is not nauseous. There are heaps of potential side effects, so you can ask that God be gracious in that regard.
*According to Dr. Gupta, now that James has a tumor in his bone, that bone will forever be affected and will never be completely healthy. The chemo can potentially destroy the tumor there, but again - apart from God's intervention - James will have permanent damage to his pelvis. [I did ask if that means James has to give up rugby and football...apparently yes. =) ] Yet, as one of our dear friends said, "Well, God can make bone." So, we're not too worried about that (just another thing to pray for!).
*We had a wonderful, wonderful conversation with one of James's nurses - whom we didn't even know was a Christian - but has been through some significant, life-altering trials since we last saw her. We had a great time encouraging one another, reaffirming God's goodness and His plan, and testifying to evidence of His grace in our lives and the power of prayer. Probably the highlight of my day...
*Both James and I are pretty wiped out...pray for the gift restful sleep.
THANK YOU for your prayers! Just a while longer now...
...rest the full weight of your hopes on the grace that will be yours when Jesus Christ reveals himself...
~1Peter 1:13 (Phillips)
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Where We've Been...
A few weeks ago, we were up at our friends' home on the shore of Lake Michigan thoroughly enjoying our time and reluctant to head home. Our friends looked into the availability of another condo later in the summer, hoping we could come back again. (Their home wouldn't be available as they were in the process of moving...but oh-so-graciously allowed us to visit them in the first place!) Then we looked into various housing options. In the end, it was a no-go. The He family certainly did not need to spend nearly a month's salary on a condo, no matter how relaxing, for a third week of superfluous vacation.
But then, the night before James went to see Dr. Gupta, our friends called to say that a brand-new (read: very pricey) condo had just opened up...because people had already paid but would no longer be able to come...so we could have it if we wanted it. For free.
We thought we might need to ask Dr. Gupta about that. But then, before we could ask him, he told us that we needed to take the week off and plan on chemo starting this coming week. When we told him about the possibility of vacation, he said that this was clearly from God and that we'd best do what God wanted. (So says the man who, we believe, is Hindu.)
So God gave us a week of vacation at the beach in a vacation rental we would never be able to afford. Among friends. With the doctor's blessing. Without us asking. For free. God is incredibly more kind than we deserve...
Friday, July 10, 2015
A Five Minute Sermon
A worship leader once remarked to pastor JD Greear that a good song is like a sermon that people remember. Being the one preaching the sermons, Greear didn't initially appreciate the remark. Upon further reflection, however, he realized the truth of the man's statement. Songs are incredibly memorable, and they speak to our hearts in a way that even the best sermon often does not.
Here's one of the "five minute sermons" I've been preaching to myself over the past year. My sister-in-law sent it to me just before I left for Bangkok, Thailand and I still remember singing it as we first learned of James's cancer diagnosis. (And yes, if you must know, that was me singing it out loud on the escalators in front of the other patients.)
Enjoy. Find good sermons to preach to yourself. And try not to be distracted by feeling you are maybe watching an unedited commercial for laundry detergent.
Here's one of the "five minute sermons" I've been preaching to myself over the past year. My sister-in-law sent it to me just before I left for Bangkok, Thailand and I still remember singing it as we first learned of James's cancer diagnosis. (And yes, if you must know, that was me singing it out loud on the escalators in front of the other patients.)
Enjoy. Find good sermons to preach to yourself. And try not to be distracted by feeling you are maybe watching an unedited commercial for laundry detergent.
A Point of Clarification
For any of you curious cats out there, I thought I'd give some more information on James's upcoming treatment. I realized today that I likely left some unanswered questions.
James will have four rounds of chemo (12 doses) starting July 22. This is actually the exact same treatment (same drugs, same duration) he would receive were he eligible for the clinical trial.
The clinical trial is not actually experimenting with this portion of treatment.
Where things currently stand with James's plan of treatment vs. clinical trial is in what they call "the management phase." In the clinical trial, James would be receiving a weekly dose of one of those chemo drugs used in treatment for the rest of his life. In real life (where we are!) James's doctor, together with us, has the power to decide what is best-practice and medically necessary.
Thank you for your continued prayers! Not a one of us knows yet what God has planned, so let's continue to walk with Him in faith, believing and hoping for what we cannot see. Surely when we reach the end of this trial we would ALL like to be able to say, "We trusted God through it, and He proved Himself faithful, good, and loving in ways I could not imagine." You might feel like you are merely on the sidelines, watching all this unfold. But if you join us in prayer, for us, you become a participant in it...and together, we will see God.
No.matter.what.
James will have four rounds of chemo (12 doses) starting July 22. This is actually the exact same treatment (same drugs, same duration) he would receive were he eligible for the clinical trial.
The clinical trial is not actually experimenting with this portion of treatment.
Where things currently stand with James's plan of treatment vs. clinical trial is in what they call "the management phase." In the clinical trial, James would be receiving a weekly dose of one of those chemo drugs used in treatment for the rest of his life. In real life (where we are!) James's doctor, together with us, has the power to decide what is best-practice and medically necessary.
Thank you for your continued prayers! Not a one of us knows yet what God has planned, so let's continue to walk with Him in faith, believing and hoping for what we cannot see. Surely when we reach the end of this trial we would ALL like to be able to say, "We trusted God through it, and He proved Himself faithful, good, and loving in ways I could not imagine." You might feel like you are merely on the sidelines, watching all this unfold. But if you join us in prayer, for us, you become a participant in it...and together, we will see God.
No.matter.what.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)