Sunday, January 21, 2007

Update on Muggs

This week, things seemed to return to a normal around our house. Muggs started early with school early on Monday, and the the girls started a new semester of Timothy Ministry classes on Tuesday. For those who aren't familiar with Timothy Ministry, it is an enrichment program for home educated students, hosted by the First Baptist Church of Woodstock. They offer a classes in a variety of traditional subjects, as well as music, art, cooking, and Spanish. The girls really love being involved in Timothy, and have benefited from participating.

Muggs had blood work done on Monday. The test revealed that she was slightly anemic, but was otherwise OK. She and the oncologist discussed the next round of chemotherapy, which will occur this coming Thursday (1/25). The doctor seems to think that she will tolerate this next round better, and has not ruled-out changing the dosage. One lingering side-effect of one of the drugs is numbness and tingling in the extremities, and Muggs has experienced some of this. This can become permanent if the medication is not properly adjusted, so this is another reason they may alter the dosage.

As we approach the second round of chemotherapy, we have a few prayer requests.
  • That we would be aware of our need to depend on God for His sustaining grace each moment of the day.
  • Please continue to pray that the drugs would have their full therapeutic effect - and that the drugs are already beginning to attack the cancer cells in Muggs' body.
  • That Muggs would tolerate the drugs better this time around, and that God would give the doctors wisdom relative to the correct dosage (so as to minimize side-effects)
  • That God would heal Muggs completely
We know that so many of you are praying for us during this trial. We are aware of your prayers for us, and we are so very grateful.

11 comments:

Susan said...

Muggs, I'm very sorry I didn't get the opportunity to talk to you yesterday. You looked adorable in your baret :-) More importantly, you are a beautiful testimony of God's grace in time of trial.
I can imagine God's finger under your chin, holding it up above the waters so that you can breathe. His grace and strength is in every breath.
You are His precious child, "tesoro" ("treasure").
With love,
Susan

Anonymous said...

Hello Muggs & Andy, Our prayers are with you everyday. Bob and I want to come see you and your precious family soon. As you probable know our son was diagnosed with colon cancer Dec 17th 2006 and his "First Round" of chemo will be this Wed 1/24. Please pray for him. Andy was so kind to drop off copy of a chapter of a book teaching on the subject of suffering and trials that we go through as Christians. Bob nor I were at the office when he came. God has show us many others in the Body of Christ that are going through trials of pain and suffering at this very same time. We are very grateful to God for the opportunity to have you as friends and we hope that you know that we love you all very much and are "crying out to God" on your behalf. God love you, B&L Hester

Anonymous said...

Mr and Mrs Ellise...you all are such a blessing to me each and every time I talk to you. God's grace in your life at this time is so evident in your speech and in your attitude towards this trial. Your family holds a special place in my heart and is continually in my prayers. I pray that the peace of God will continue to guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus throughout this week!
This verse of a favorite hymn of mine has been going through my head all day, and I just thought I'd share. I hope it encourages you as it always does me! Love you all!
Amanda
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.
Blessing all mine with ten thousand beside.
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Anonymous said...

Muggs, I am praying that this next round of chemo will be easier to tolerate and cause you much less discomfort and sickness. I am so sorry that you have to endure this. It was good to see you this morning, and I thought you looked much better and very "jaunty" in your new beret. As always, we are here, not just as neighbors, but in thought and prayer. Rob and Louise

Anne Bussell said...

Muggs and Andy - we check this blog often and always remember you in our prayers! We love you both!
Anne and Don Bussell

Anonymous said...

Good morning Muggs, Andy and kids, We think of you often and pray for you daily. We always look for updates and are glad when the news is good. We will especially pray today as your next treatment of chemo comes up. In the meantime you know that God's grace is sufficient. Much love, Nancy and George

John and Carol White said...

Andy and Muggs-
We are praying for you as you go in for your second round of chemo -- gee, I am sorry we missed seeing you in your chic beret on Sunday!! :) You continue to be so much on our hearts -- I am glad you belong to our Father, and may He be your Defender and Shield this week.
Love you all! Carol, for all of us

Anonymous said...

Muggs & Andy,

I admire your faithfullness during this trial that you and your family are enduring. Please know that we, as well as many of my friends, continue to pray to the Great Physician for your healing daily.

With our kindest regards,
Sheri & Robert Pope

Bob Lee said...

Casting Crowns

"Voice of Truth"

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat and then
on to the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand

But the waves are calling out my name
And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy, you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"

Chorus:
But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story
The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
And the Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes
to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone

Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name
And he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"

Chorus:
But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story
The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
And the Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
On top of them lookin' down
I soar with the wings of EAGLES
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me

Chorus:
But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story
The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
And the Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe-

I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth

I will listen and believe
I will listen and believe the Voice of truth
I will listen and believe
Cause Jesus you are the voice of truth
And I will listen to you, you are-

Anonymous said...

Good morning everyone - Church was wonderful today as it was about pain and suffering and finding God's joy and peace in the middle of it. I will tell you more about that later.

For now you may find some laughter and joy in learning that we got 6 inches of snow overnight:O and still braved it to get to church. Just thought you would want to know about our "suffering". LOL
Prayers. Nancy and George

Anonymous said...

hey Muggs...all we are hoping the best for you and your family,i am sure you are going through a very hard time,just try and be strong and have faith.We will pray for you. your nieces,
Giorgia & Isa