Update - May 23, 2007 (Updated Below Friday May 25th)

(Updated Below - Monday May 28th)

Friends and Family,

I have struggled all day with this posting... eloquent words escape me as I communicate today's update with you. On Monday, we learned that there are cancer cells present in Muggs spinal fluid, and that these are the cause of the severe headaches and nausea that she has been experiencing. This is not good news. The doctors believe that they can help relieve some of the pain, and "buy her a little more time" by treating the brain with radiation. Chemotherapy would not be an effective treatment protocol. Naturally, we were taken aback by this news, as we had seen such a great response from the chemotherapy.

The most difficult task I have ever faced, was delivering this news to my precious children. And yet, this was also a holy moment, as through the pain, I spoke to them about the faithfulness of God, and about how all of his purposes for us are for our good. We don't understand this - the children don't, and I don't. But, were clinging to the promises of Romans 8:28-29.

Christmas before last, Annie had a bird feeder on her Christmas list. We've enjoyed watching the birds very much. This morning, as I was watching them, I sensed the Lord speaking to me...

"Not even a sparrow falls to the ground without my knowledge... Do I not love your children more that these? for as much you love your children, My love for them is greater still... My design for them and my plans for them are for good, and not for harm. I will demonstrated my faithfulness in the lives of your children"

We are all hurting deeply. But the presence of sorrow, doesn't indicate an absence of faith. I am choosing to trust God, and I am encouraging the children to trust God. Please continue to pray for us - here are a few specifics:

• We are still praying for complete healing for Muggs, please join us in praying as well.
• Pray that the radiation is effective for relieving the severe headache, the nausea, and for killing all cancer in the fluid. (Muggs is experiencing significant pain)
• Pray that I, and each of the children, would experience the active presence of the Lord - that we would experience His comfort, and experience His peace in a way that surpasses our understanding.

Thank you for caring for and praying for us during these last six months. We have been sustained by the Lord, and are so grateful for your prayers. I will post as there are new developments.

Andy

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:14-17

Update: Friday May 25th

As of this morning, Muggs is still in the hospital. She wants desperately to come home for the weekend, and her doctors have been working valiantly to make this happen. However, she has been experiencing episodes of tremendous pain, such that she needs very powerful narcotics to keep her comfortable. I genuinely praise God for the common grace of medicines that will allow her to rest, and not suffer. Although, Muggs' doctor is prepared to order in-home nursing care, they arent here around the clock, and in fact, would only be here for a short time on Saturday, and a short time on Monday. Having witnessed the episodes of pain that she's had, I am unwilling to risk having her away from immediate care. Should she have one of these episodes at home, it would simply take too long to get her relieved of the pain, and I cant bear the thought of this.

We have been hoping, and are still hopeful, that the radiation will begin to kill-off the cancer cells that are causing the lining of her brain to swell. This is what is causing the horrible pain. So far, she has only received two treatments, and it generally takes several to start working. My plea to the Lord is that we would see benefit from the radiation, and have her able to come home - please join me in praying for this as well. Please pray also, that we continue to trust God during this time, and that our faith would be strengthened. We are feeling pretty desperate right now.

Updated: Monday May 28th, 2007

Its just about 1:00 am on Monday as I record this update. I have been with Muggs nearly around the clock since she was admitted last Sunday evening after suffering a seizure at home. This week has been most difficult, as I have watched Muggs suffer - and become increasingly confused. The confusion is being caused by both the disease in the Central Nervous System, and the medications she is receiving for pain control.We are still hoping that she will benefit from the radiation treatment. She has received 4 already, and I believe there are 10 or 12 planned. The radiologist was most kind to come into the office and bring-in staff, on a day when he is normally closed, just so Muggs would not have to wait the entire three-day weekend for a treatment. It is hard to tell if she is benefiting from the radiation just yet. We are so hopeful that she will, and treatments will resume on Tuesday after the holiday.

It has been such an honor to be with her during this time. Although difficult, it has been my joy to serve and to comfort her throughout the difficult days and nights. We have shared many tender moments, even though through most of them, she is confused. There is a sweetness, even a sacredness to the time we are sharing. God has extended extraordinary grace to her to walk through this time, and this is so very evident. I'd like to share some of these with you, and will do so in time. In the meantime, please do keep praying for us - the last prayer requests I posted are still current. For those of you who have taken the time to do so, I would like to thank you for leaving comments. They provide great encouragement, and point us to our Hope, and our Savior. This is a particularly effective way to encourage us, and remind us of His truth. We love you.

Interim Update - May 22, 2007

Friends and Family,

Over the last two days, traffic here on the blog has been at its highest level since it was established last December. My sense is that God is placing us on your hearts, and stirring you to intercede for us. That is not without reason... Muggs is still hospitalized, and the doctors have been doing some additional testing. I know that I owe you an update, but have not yet been able to provide one. I do have an update in progress that will post sometime tomorrow. Thank you for your prayers offered on our behalf. Please check back tomorrow (Wednesday) for an update.

Our most pressing need is for relief from the sever headaches and nausea that Muggs is experiencing. The headaches are debilitating, and she needs relief. Please entreat the Lord to deliver her from these.


For the Family,

Andy

Back in the Hospital

While taking a shower last night, Muggs lost consciousness and and fell - though from not very far, as she was sitting on a stool. However, she experienced weakness / paralysis on her left side. She was again taken by ambulance to the Kennestone Hospital. We don't have the full run-down, and are waiting to see the doctors. I will post an update as things become more clear. Please continue to pray for us.

Going Home Today!

All-

Muggs' oncologist just left, and has decided to let Muggs go home. Although we don't yet have the results from the cytology study, Muggs is showing some improvement. She will still need to stay hydrated, and receive medication for the headaches and nausea until this passes. She will see the doctor in the office on Monday. We are hopeful, that this is just a virus. All of the blood work "looks really good", and the indicators from the other tests done so far, point to a good result on the cytology study as well. We wont know about this until later - perhaps Monday.

Thanks for carrying us on your heart. We certainly are happy to be going home today!

Andy

Update - May 18, 2007

Friends and Family,

If you havent visited here in the last few days, you may want to read the "Urgent" update that I posted two days ago. The doctors are still trying to determine the cause of the severe headaches that Muggs started experiencing last Friday. So far, tests for bacterial meningitis have come back negative, and we are still awaiting the cytology report that will tell us whether there were cancer cells present in the spinal fluid. When we met with the oncologist late yesterday, she was hoping that they would be available this morning, but as of about 7AM, when the neurologist came by on rounds, they were not. The hope is, that this is simply a viral infection that Muggs' body will just have to fight off. Hopefully, we'll know shortly. We are expecting the oncologist any time now.

Much of the pain has been alleviated by the medication that Muggs is receiving. She is still experiencing periodic nausea. As you can imagine, she is getting weary of feeling so badly. We very much appreciate your prayers for us. Here are some specific ways that you can pray.

• For relieve from the pain and nausea.
• For the test results to come back quickly, and that there would be no cancer present in the fluid.
• That her pain and nausea would improve, so that she can be released today
• That Muggs be restored to total health

Thanks for the ways that each of you have served us. We love you, and are strengthened by your prayers, support, and encouragement. I will post again as soon as we have new information to share with you.

For the family,

Andy

Urgent Update - May 16, 2007

The past several days have been particularly difficult for Muggs. Despite having received her last treatment nearly a month ago, she has been very sick these last few days. She has battled abdominal pain, and nausea, and most troubling, a very painful and unrelenting headache.

Having spent most of the weekend in bed, we finally called the doctor on Sunday. We spoke about a number of possibilities, and concluded that she likely needed fluids. Then, the doctor said that if the fluids did not relieve the headache, then she needed to have an MRI - not what we wanted to hear. However, God was again merciful, and we received the results quickly. The MRI was negative - no tumors were found in her brain.

Muggs was given a prescription for a pain reliever specifically for migraines. The first dosage worked very well, but subsequent dosages have not been particularly effective. All day today, Muggs has battled significant pain. I called the doctor, and she felt that Muggs should be taken to the emergency room. She was transported there ambulance late this afternoon, and has been admitted for testing. There are a number of possibilities. Since her immune system is compromised - an effect of the chemotherapy - this could be an infection. It could be a migraine headache brought about by the treatment or by dehydration. There is also the possibility that cancer cells have spread to the spinal fluid. The neurologist drew some spinal fluid tonight to evaluate all possibilities, and we should begin getting results back tomorrow, but may not have all of them back until the day after tomorrow.

Throughout this trial, we have found God to be true to His promises. We will remain steadfast in our trust in Him for this new development. We are desperate for your prayers for healing, and restoration of health for Muggs. I will update you further as details emerge. As always, thanks for caring for us the way you do.

Andy

Happy Mother's Day Sweetheart!

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life....She rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household...She dresses herself with strength, and makes her arms strong...Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tounge. She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." From Proverbs 31

Today, we honor you, sweetheart... You are a true gift from God, and we love you very much!

Andy & The Children,