Finally! An Update - Long Overdue

Friends and Family:

I know its been an awfully long time since Ive updated the blog. Its been a busy season, and I have not been able to "carve out" the time - but here we go...

Two weeks ago, Muggs had what we hope will be her last chemotherapy treatment for a while ... hopefully for forever. She received six treatments, one every three weeks. Two measurements taken by CT Scan showed that the primary tumor is shrinking and therefore is responding to the treatment. In theory, this means that the cancer cells are "dying off", hence, the reduction in size. She has also completed the radiation therapy for the tumor in her femur. In total, she received twelve treatments of radiation, with minimal side effects. However, its hard to tell, given all of the medication she has been receiving. The toxicity of the chemotherapy causes a number of strange side effects, and it is difficult to tell whether the radiation contributed to any of these.

Tomorrow, Muggs is scheduled for a PET Scan, to look (biologically) at her body to evaluate what cancer may still exist, and where. We will receive the results of the scan on Thursday May 1oth. So many of you have been faithful to pray for us during this season, and we could use your prayers as we await the results of this scan. As for next steps, if the PET scan "looks good" then she will begin taking a maintenance medication called Tarceva. If it doesn't look as good as the doctor hopes, then we have to option of taking two more treatments of the current regimen of chemotherapy.

While Muggs is understandably weary, and ready to move on from treatment, she is to be commended for the way she has walked through this season. She continues to keep a quiet mind, and rarely is she heard complaining, even though she seldom feels well. She is an example of what it means to suffer well. Neither of us would have chosen this trial, yet God is producing fruit in our lives, and fruit in the lives of others.

While there is a certain sense of loneliness that accompanies those who suffer, there is also a real awareness that there are so many who are walking this road with us. So many have served us in such practical ways, and we are so very grateful for you. You are to be commended as well - you have demonstrated biblical greatness, as evidenced by the way you have served and cared for us. You have sent flowers and practical gifts, prepared so many delicious meals, written cards and notes, watched our children, and run errands. You have called, and you have PRAYED!

You have been an example to us in the way that you have served so unselfishly. And, you have helped us (me, in particular) cultivate humility. Its not my preference to be served - and its difficult to be in a position to "need" others. "Thank you" seems too trite to adequately express our gratitude for you.

I have much more that I would like to share with you, but need to close for now. I will not wait so long before posting again, and I will certainly post after our appointment on May 10th. Until then, here are a few prayer requests, so that you can pray specifically:

• For complete remission of cancer and total healing for Muggs
• That Muggs would continue to gain strength and have relief from the symptoms of treatment. She is experiencing many aches and pains resulting from the treatment. Please entreat the Lord to deliver her from these.
• That we would cast our care on God, who cares for us.
  
• That ALL of our confidence, and ALL of our hope, would rest in Him alone.

For the family,

Andy

"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope..." Romans 5:3-4