Dizzy Lizzy

The above pictures are of Mike kicking his feet up and resting, our view of Reliant Stadium from our room, and a view to the Southeast towards Galveston Bay. News is reporting here, that tomorrow afternoon is when they expect the weather here to change. Mike and I did run out earlier and bought a few grocery items to keep in our room, just incase we run into any trouble, which we doubt will happen.

Well, the only new feeling Mike is getting from his new medications is dizziness. He's been unable to feel any other benefit yet. I got a little bit worried when we ran up to Walgreen's this morning to get a few things. Mike had to sit down on the bench outside the store, and then had to return to the car because he was too dizzy to stand. This seems to be a common side effect of these new medications for his heart, and hopefully his body will make the adjustment without too much trouble.

We did check out some extended stay apartments just south of us,while we were out, to possibly stay in next time. But the rates were about the same as staying where we are at, and there is just an added comfort being attached to the hospital. Once we can find out when surgery will be rescheduled, we possibly can make reservations to stay here again, although they book up fast.

I met two women today down in the laundry room and we shared stories. I realized listening to them, how deeply blessed Mike and I are, to have the support we have, and a Heavenly Father to draw our strength from. One lady was from Tulsa, OK and the other from Ft. Worth, TX. Both women had husbands with cancer; Lung Cancer and Luekemia. It was a kind of kinship, looking into their eyes, and recognizing the same strain on their faces...as I sometimes see on mine, looking into a mirror. You are just kind of thrown into this fast class of sorts, learning to do things your husband normally took care of for you. There's no question of can you swim or not. You have to, to survive.

We learned this morning that a dear friend and former pastor of ours has gone on to be with the Lord. Brother David McLemore was such an encourager, a wonderful person, with a delightful personality, and heartwarming laugh. We will miss in deeply. Please pray for his wife, Margie, and their children and family, today and in the days ahead for them. We are comforted that we will see Brother David face to face again one day.

"I am determined to serve You, O Lord. May my life be a continual thankoffering to You. I shall sing Your praises forever." Psalms/Now (from Psalm 57)

Doing Well

Hi Everyone....as you can see, I've managed to figure out how to use my son's laptop, AND....we now have internet access! That's a HUGE praise, all in itself!!!

We did experience a big disappointment yesterday, along with a lot of other emotions, but coming through it all, we realize it was the right decision. Long story short....Mike was in no condition for general anesthesia. Amber did a good job in explaining most of what occurred, but the long and short of it, there ended up being six reasons Mike's heart wasn't in shape to undergo surgery. (Chronic Heart Failure, Tachycardia, Cardiomyopathy, Low Functional Capacity, CAD, and an abnormal EKG) We were just blessed to end up being screened by an anethesiologist who also happened to be a professor of Cardiology. Once he began reviewing records from a Cardiologist in AR, he realized that Mike hadn't been receiving proper treatment for a condition he had first experienced last September/October in 2007. In his opinion, Mike was only receiving a 1/3 of the treatment necessary, excluding a Beta-blocker or Digitalis. Mike had only been receiving the diuretic, to reduce the fluid around his heart. Therefore, his heart was working too hard beating, escalating his heart rate at a resting stage of 109-120 beats per minute, when it's recommended for Mike to be around 80 beats per minute. It explained why Mike's blood pressure was always normal in one arm, and very, very low in the other arm, and why we had such a disaster at Baptist the end of July. We were frankly told, Mike had been experiencing Heart Failure then, when we were told he had Re-expansive Pulmonary Edema. It's a little scary on this side of things, seeing how close we were to disaster. Even then, God was protecting us, and prayers were answered.

Just a little history lesson on the drugs Mike is now on....
The Beta Blockers block beta-receptors in the heart that respond to catecholamines. Catecholamines can cause the heart to work harder, increase blood pressure and increase the heart to beat faster.
Digitalis increases the strength of the heart's contraction by decreasing the workload of the heart and slowing certain types of irregular heartbeats.
Diuretics decrease the amount of fluid in the body.

First thought was there was permanent damage probably done to Mike's heart, but after being seen by another cardiologist, if there is damage, it might be minimal and reversible. They still need to run a couple of more tests Tuesday to determine if their thoughts are correct. Mike began the new drugs last evening and the cardiologist told Mike he would begin feeling much better by Tuesday...that these drugs are likely going to make a huge difference in Mike's quality of life. All along Mike thought he was just weak, out of breath all the time, and tired, because of the chemotherapy, when it could have been his heart all along. SO.....after saying all of that..........Mike and I are just praising God for his constant care! He placed the right people in our path to help us.

We have moved to another location in Houston, placing us near MD Anderson incase the hurricane causes trouble here. It still may cancel Tuesday and Wednesday's testing and appointments, but we're where we need to be, to get Mike any help he might need. We really don't know when we'll be able to finish up here to head home....but the big picture is for everyone at MD Anderson to keep us on track to have the surgery as soon as possible. That time frame is about 2 weeks.

Prayer requests: Just for Mike to begin feeling better on these new medications. That we can stay infection free for another two weeks with his outside drains. That Tuesday's test results don't show any huge damage to his heart, and if so, that doctors can resolve the problems, so that surgery can take place as quickly as possible. That we'll be protected from any weather situations in Houston and that we might be able to come home before surgery is rescheduled.

Thanks so much for continuing to pray for us and for the doctors we're involved with. Thank you also for praying for God's protection over our family back home. The pictures are of MD Anderson, the skybridge connecting the hotel and the Cancer Center, and the south-eastern view of Houston (towards the hurricane) from our room. :)

Information

I will try to update the best I know how. The information as I understand it is that my dad has a combination of problems due to past colbalt treatments, chemo treatments and other complications. Mom says they are blessed to have an anesthesiologist who also has a background in cardiology who caught on to dad's heart conditions and then passed them on to the head cancer cardiologist who has a background in past cancer therapies. He helped ease many of their fears.

This cancer cardiologist believes that dad's heart conditions (cardiomyopathy and heart failure to name a few) have come from his intense chemo treatments now and in the past, but he believes it has not caused permanent damage and can be treated with medications. He said my dad experienced heart failure back in July when he had his stint replacement episode. They are placing him on new medications that will hopefully increase his energy and make him feel a ton better. All doctors involved have said that if the surgery had taken place it would not have had a good outcome with dad's heart the way it is right now.

My dad will undergo a "special" ct of his heart and also a "echocardiogram?" that will determine if there is a blockage on Tuesday. If so, they will try to clear it with a minimally invasive process. They will also meet with the liver surgeon on Wednesday to determine when the surgery can take place. I believe my mother mentioned about two weeks from now it can be rescheduled.

For those of you with a medical background, I apologize for my lack of knowledge on this subject. I'm sure I've lost some of the appropriate terminology in passing this on from my parents. All I know to ask is that you please pray for the doctors in helping to determine the best way to procede in healing my father and for peace as my parents wait it out in Houston. There is also a concern about Hurricane Gustav reaching Houston over the weekend and shutting down MD Anderson. So we ask for your continued prayers.

Surgery Cancelled...for now.

I don't have all of the details, but the surgery has been cancelled due to some serious issues with my father's heart. They have a meeting with a cardiologist this afternoon and when I hear more, I'll pass it along.

Thank you for your prayers.

Safe Arrival

My parents made it safely to Houston. My mom says that God sent an angel to sit beside her on the plane...other than my dad :)...apparently it was a bumpy ride and my mom grabbed on to my dad and the lady on the other side of her and held on for dear life. :) As soon as I hear any news about their appointment today, I will be sure to post as soon as possible.

Thank you for your continued prayers for my family.

Targeted Prayers Needed

It was my intention for yesterday's posting to be my last until we made it out of town, but the last 24 hours have been a little more stressful than I had planned on, so I thought I would update you.

Mike has continued to feel bad the past couple of days. He hasn't been eating well and at times, he's had me very concerned and unsettled. He made the comment to me earlier this morning that he wished the surgery was sooner, because he was concerned by the time Tuesday, Sep. 2 rolled around, he feared not being well enough for surgery. That has had my heart up in my throat, and I just really need to feel God's presence and peace about this before Mike heads into surgery and the kids and I into any waiting room. The anxiety is intensifying within me and I just need prayer that I can hold myself together.

To add to this, I had spread some Ortho Bug-B-Gone granules Monday in our yard, and we believe one of our sons dogs got into a concentrated amount that spilled, and ended up poisoned last night. Thankfully, she made a little improvement today, but not without them needing to take her in to the vet for observation and treatment today, and everyone being worried overnight. She will need to return again tomorrow to have her liver tested. Evidently, the vet believes the number count in her liver is too elevated to be caused by poisoning, even though her symptoms seemed to point to that. As you can imagine, I have felt horrible all day.

And...the nursing home called us this morning to let us know Mike's mom, Cecile, has had some kind of small accident resulting in hurting her knee, and they were going to be having it X-rayed to see if anything is broken. We did later find out that her knee is sprained,and though she is in pain, it, thankfully, isn't broken. They didn't sound alarmed, but it isn't the way we like leaving town, worrying what might be going on with her. The kids and our daughter-in-laws mom will be checking in on her while we're gone.

As you can imagine, we're feeling a little overwhelmed, a little uneasy, and would just greatly appreciate target prayers to get through all of these things that keep popping up.

Thank you for allowing me to lean on you and ask for help.

"Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say: Here am I." Isaiah 58:9

Pressing Forward

Mike hasn't felt his best today but we're hoping it is just an "off" day and tomorrow will be better. His stomach has felt a little more sensitive, and he has had less energy, and felt a little chilled. Please pray that whatever is going on would be minor and that he'll feel better tomorrow.

We want to thank everyone for sharing this burden with us and for keeping us in your prayers for so many months. Your love and friendship have met every need we've had, and has been such a blessing to us!

We are set to go...at least we have our "physical" items ready to head for Houston. The emotional side of us is wavering a pinch, but if we've learned anything this past year, it is to press forward, and to continue trusting. So we press forward, knowing we have an army of saints and loved ones holding us up in prayer, and a Father in heaven who will keep us while we're away.


"We know You care about our sorrows; We know You share the aching of our heart; You taste our tears, You hold our hands. Our comfort, as we wait upon Your peace, is knowing that You are in this moment with us, leading us and loving us through it all. Our strength, as we rest within Your presence, is knowing that our God is the God who creates, the God who saves, the God who heals, the only God, the one God, who never fails." BJ Hoff

"Keep us safe, O God, for in You we take refuge." Psalm 16:1

We got a lot accomplished today so I'm feeling we should have everything ready to go by Thursday. Mike has been teasing me, because I have had piles of clothes ready to pack for days now, and I would no sooner get everything laid out on the bed to decide how I wanted to pack, when he would decide he needed to lay down or go to bed, and I would have to move everything all over again. In his mind, I've been packing for days, and probably spinning my wheels.

Anyway, we pretty much have decided that the first five days we're gone, we will spend at a hotel we have been to the last three times we've headed to Houston. They offer a MD Anderson discount which has been helpful. Then when Mike has his surgery and is in a regular room, I will stay with him. They have a chair that makes out into a bed and all rooms are private. That helps save a little money. When Mike is released from the hospital, but needs to stay in Houston, we have reservations to stay at a hotel that connects to the hospital. That way we're close by if need be, and we don't have to fight traffic or shuttles.

Mike is doing well today. He had a call from the doctor who placed the tubes in this last time, telling him about the doctor in Dallas we thought we might need, whose answer was to insert tubes inside of Mike's biliary system by going through his esophagus. Mike explained to him we had already been to MD Anderson again, and found a better solution. Dr. Allen seemed thrilled and asked Mike to call him when we return, just to let him know how he was doing.

Thank you for continuing to pray for everything to fall into place for us, preparation wise, and for Mike to remain healthy. Please continue to pray that God would quiet our hearts and leave us His perfect peace.

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

3 1/2 days and counting.............

We are continuing to do well as we prepare to leave for MD Anderson Cancer Center. There is still a lot to do, but I think staying busy is helping me not focus so much on what is coming up.

Mike is feeling about as good as he can. He's trying to eat a little more this week, knowing he will be dropping more weight in the next few weeks.

It meant everything to Mike to go to Sunday School this morning. He wanted friends there to know how much he appreciated everything they have done for us, and he knows it will be weeks before he'll have the strength to resume that. We were comforted when they sent us off with prayer.

Mike's trying to soak up as much time as possible with his grandsons...knowing it will be several weeks before he can hold them again. Drew has been sick the past couple of days, so we've had to keep him at a distance from Mike, which is really upsetting Mike, but we're hopeful Drew will feel better before we leave. Mike's certain Drew and Ethan will grow in leaps and bounds while he is away.

I know in the days ahead, fear is going to try and overtake us, and we will need to lean on our faith even more, and the prayers from all of you, but we have learned over the last year, we're never alone through trouble.When we pass through the waters, God will be with us, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm us. When we walk through the fire, we will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon us. (Isaiah 43:2) God has been faithfully at our side. He is our Rock, our Fortress, and our Deliverer, whose strength we fully trust in. (Psalm 18:2) When we cry out for help, He hears us. (Psalm 34:17) He gives power to the tired and worn out, and strength to the weak. (Isaiah 40:29) It is because of the His mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed (with fear), because His tender compassion's fail not. They are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23) He is our hiding place; and He will protect us from trouble and surround us with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7) He will quiet us with His love.(Zephaniah 3:17) We have learned that His grace is sufficient for us, for His power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9) He will keep us in perfect peace when our minds are steadfast, because we trust in Him. (Isaiah 26:3)

You (our friends and family) have comforted us and served us with love, carrying our burden with us.(Galatians 5:13,6:2 2 Corinthians 1:3-4) Each of you had a special gift, and you ministered it to us, as good stewards of the grace of God. (1 Peter 4:10) You have been ready to give, and willing to share. (1 Timothy 6:18) How can we ever thank you enough? At times it was through an email. At other times through big hugs or a hot meal. You have given so unselfishly, and nothing has gone unnoticed. You could never realize how you carried us through some difficult moments. We know we still have a long road ahead of us, and yet, we know we're not alone. Thank you for sharing and carrying this burden with us.

On Wednesday, I will be sending out information in an email where you can send Mike a card, if you would like to do that, while we're at MD Anderson. I know he would love hearing from you. (ATTN: Kim could you please send Mike your new email address.) I also plan on borrowing my sons laptop and will try hard to continue blogging in Houston. If I'm unable to figure the connections out, then Amber and Jill will keep everyone updated. Thank you for continuing to hold us up, and please keep checking the blog, to see how you can be praying specifically.

Trusting

Everything is going smoothly as we head in to our last week at home for awhile. Mike has been feeling fairly well, although today he's had a little more pain and discomfort from his right tube tugging some. We have tried to be very cautious in preventing infection there, but obviously having outside tubes is inviting trouble. We cap the right drain only during the day, giving Mike more freedom to move around more easily. The left/center drain has never been any trouble since the tubes were put in, and we were able to cap that one off without any trouble from the start.

I think Mike and I are coming out of our shock, from the decision made at MD Anderson a few days ago, and we're moving now more towards a little apprehension about what is going to take place September 2nd. This will be major surgery, and it is a little frightening taking it all in. We're very grateful we've found help, but the road isn't going to be easy for any of us....for Mike recovering, or for the kids and I waiting to know he's okay. I'm thankful the kids have decided to be with me during the surgery. My sister will also be there.

In a perfect setting, I wish Mike were a little stronger and more on his feet before this surgery, but I'm grateful too, he has made improvements since Baptist. I know he will be in good hands at MD Anderson. My mind is just trying to annoy and frighten me...feeling confident one moment that our deliverance has finally come, to outright fear that things might not go as we had hoped. I immediately know what I need to do to stay focused and trusting, but I still tend to drift into worry from time to time.

Please pray that Mike, the children and I will stay strong, mentally, emotionally and physcially. Please pray God would be Lord over our thoughts and fears. Please pray that we would all safely arrive in Houston, and all the details of our stay would fall easily into place. Please pray that our family who remain behind, will be comforted while we're gone, until we all can be together again.

Mike spoke to his oncologist yesterday about the decision at MD Anderson. Dr. Sneed was so happy to learn it's possible the tumor can be resected and that the biliary reconstruction can take place. They discussed what the course of treatment might be, if everything is successful, and Dr. Sneed thought a couple of more rounds of chemotherapy might be good, just to take care of any stray cancer cells. Even though Mike really isn't looking forward to any more chemotherapy, his dream is to run around the yard again someday with his grandsons. With that kind of motivation...he will do anything it takes!

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16

Preparing

We have been busy little bees, preparing to leave town. From refilling medications, to cancelling doctor appointments, to gathering cardiology medical records, to visiting Mike's mom, to making reservations, it's been a busy day!

Mike and I really weren't expecting the kids to make the trip to Houston, but both Matt and Amber, want to be there for the surgery. So, they are busy too, trying to figure out details of how they can go and be there for at least the day. Luckily, Matt happened to already be in rotation for time off during that time at work. (Isn't God amazing!!?) Amber has the challenge of figuring out how to go with or without a baby. Please be praying Matt and Amber will be able to make the best choices for them and their families, and that they will be safe going and returning home.

I'm not sure if I clearly explained the reason Mike and I need to leave 5 days early. The reason is that the surgeon needed to have MD Anderson type Mike's blood for possible transfusions, to recheck blood counts, and to meet with the anesthesiologist for an hour long cardiac appointment. Because of Monday being Labor Day, they needed us in town the days before the holiday to get him ready for Surgery on Tuesday. That kind of has us sitting around over the holiday, but we're so grateful to have them helping us, we aren't troubled about the extra time we have to be there. We don't know exactly when Tuesday, the surgery will take place. We may be told next Friday. An estimated time home is somewhere around September 19th.

God's hand continues to bless us! Mike called up Goody's Corporate to explain the surgery plans, and to allow them to terminate him if they needed to, and all they said was, "Good Luck! We're so happy for you! We'll talk when you return." They continue to be so gracious and giving to us, and we're so humbled by God's merciful hand in every detail affecting us.

Thank ALL of you for caring so deeply about our situation and our family. We are blessed many times over by your prayers, your encouragement, your support and the hard work that goes into helping us. You have ministered to our family is such remarkable and loving ways. Again, we are overwhelmingly grateful!

"Let us never forget that in all things you send there is blessing. Make us ever mindful that every problem leading us to pray also leads us deeper into Your presence, and every trial that takes us to our knees also brings us closer to Your throne. Let us always see that every adversity is Your opportunity, every burden a chance to share Your cross, and that many times our tears most clearly reflect the vision of Your grace." BJ Hoff

Indescribable!

From the highest of heights
to the depth of the sea,
creations revealing your majesty.
From the colours of fall,
to the fragrance of spring,
every creature unique in the song that it sing,
all exclaiming.....

Indescribable! Uncontainable!
You placed the Stars in the sky
and you know them by name,
you are amazing God!
All powerful! Unattainable!
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim,
you are amazing God....

Who has told every lightening bolt where it should go?
Or see heavenly storehouses laid en with snow?
Who imagined the sun and gives Sources to its light?
Yet conceal es it to bring us the coolness of night?
None can fathom...

(chorus x2)

Indescribable uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name,
You are amazing God,
Incomparable, unchangeable,
You see the depths of my heart and you love me the same
You are amazing God
You are amazing God....

Mike and I gazed out of the window of the plane we were on this evening, totally overwhelmed and grateful, for the outcome of our visit to MD Anderson. We were totally stunned! Even still, Mike hasn't been able to fully grasp, or process what happened. Honestly, we had guarded our hearts as much as we possible could, preparing to hear the worst possible news. And yet, the mighty, awesome hand of God, worked a miracle right before our eyes.

It is "protocol" that every decision made in the gastrointestinal department be passed by a committee of surgeons and doctors every Tuesday, usually following an exam. Yet there we were, on a Wednesday, with them not only telling us there was a possibility of surgery, but within minutes consent forms were in front of us, with a surgery date set, of September 2, 2008. No committee meeting. No bad news! What an Amazing God!

We will be leaving Thursday, August 28th, heading back to MD Anderson, and we've been told to prepare to be there 3-4 weeks, although the surgeon said, 8 days in the hospital, 8 days in the Houston area, is the usual.

The plan is to go in to see if what is left of the tumor is connected to the main artery. Radiologists have been taking different, special angles of this tumor to try and see where it actually is. They believe they see a gap and believe it's possible to remove the tumor. The plan is to remove just under 50% of Mike's liver. Most of the right lobe and parts of the left, trying to remove any damaged by chemotherapy. They will also do stint removal and reconstruction surgery of Mike's bile ducts, using intestine. The surgeon and his assistant sounded and appeared completely confident of surgical success. Of course, risk is there due to the liver's ability to bleed...plus Mike's mild heart condition (fluid around heart). But Mike and I are completely confident God is in complete control and the doctors are the best in their field.

We wouldn't be where we are today without everyone of you on your knees on our behalf. You have been a tremendous blessing to us and know we will have your continued prayers and support.

Prayer Request:

#1 For Mike to remain healthy and infection free leading up to surgery.

#2 For Mike's safety through this procedure...his lungs, his heart, bleeding, etc.

#3 Strength for me and protection with my health.

#4 For our family's peace of mind. The children will likely not be able to go, and we know this will be incredibly difficult for them here, when we are there.

#5 That details on travel, housing arrangements, etc. will come together easily in the short week we have to get things ready.

Again, thank you from the very bottom of our hearts for all that you have done for us, and thank you for praying us to Houston, and home safely!

"The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer; my God, my Strength, in whom I will trust." Psalm 18:2

Surgery

UPDATE: Surgery is a go for September 2nd. They will need to be down there on August 29th which happens to be their anniversary. The surgeons believe there is a gap between the tumor and the artery and plan to remove it. Regardless they will be repairing the bile duct. I'll let you know more when I hear back from my mom.


Earlier:
My mother called to let me know the preliminary news is hopeful. The surgeon believes that billiary reconstruction can be done, in fact it was done on an 80 year old woman the other day with no complications. They are also discussing the possibility of going in to remove the tumor if they see that it does not involve the artery anymore. They are discussing that right now. I'm not certain if billiary reconstruction will be done even if they don't remove the tumor or not. Please pray for guidance and wisdom on the doctor's part and for peace for my parents as they await a decision. If surgery does happen it will require over two weeks in Houston for them while he recovers...one week in the hospital, one week in town.

Also there are heavy storms in Houston according to my aunt, so pray for a safe flight home.

Delay

The CT scan was over 3 hours late this afternoon and had my parents leaving MD Anderson at 7:30pm. Even still, dad was going strong when they finally made it to dinner. They are at their hotel resting now and will be up at their appointment at around 10:30am. As soon as I hear any details about the consultation, I will be certain to post them.

Please pray for peace about the appointment tomorrow and for safety on their flight home in the afternoon.

Safe Arrival

My parents made it to Houston safely and they are doing well. Dad says he's feeling very strong, so that is an answer to prayer. Today he will be undergoing a series of tests for his consultation with the surgeon tomorrow.

If I hear of anything new, I will post it on this blog.

Packed and Ready to Go

Well, we're packed and ready to go tomorrow. It seemed like it took me forever getting things together. We have so many medical supplies to travel with this time, so we're needing to check our luggage. I pray I'm not forgetting anything.

It's suppose to be rainy when we're in Houston. We should arrive there tomorrow afternoon. My sister has arranged for her friend to pick us up from the airport, since my sister and her husband will be arriving an hour after Mike and I. So we're going to be well taken care of.

Amber will post any updates to the blog. I can't remember if I posted the schedule, so I'll repeat it again. Tuesday will be all tests. 10:45 Chest Xray, 11:15 Lab, 3:10 CT Prep, 4:40 CT of chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Wednesday is the appointment with the surgeon at 10:30.

It is amazing to see how God has answered prayer and already handled so many issues we were struggling with even a short week ago. Mike is off the oxygen now. His blood pressure and body temperature have returned to normal. He has been getting stronger. And, God has protected Mike from infection. Mike also made it to church this morning and he walked twice up the driveway and around the court. So that is also good news.

God has been so merciful and good to us! We do have many hurdles still in front of us, but Mike and I remain trustful. God has always provided for us! That doesn't mean we're not apprehensive, because we're only human. But we're doing our best to lay those fears at Jesus feet.

So many of you have poured out your love and friendship to Mike and I, and to our family. You've given so unselfishly and graciously. You truly have been a blessing to us and lifted our burden. Our hearts overflow with gratefulness. Thank you for continuing to pray.

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16

Today was Drew's 2nd birthday party, held here at our home. We had a house full of family and friends. Mike was able to grab an early nap so he could be present. He ended up needing to take a second nap after the party.

Mike was a little frustrated today with his energy level. It seems to be taking him a little longer to bounce back and he's growing impatient. Tonight he told me he wanted to try and walk our driveway. Before this last procedure, he was able to make about 5 laps up the driveway and around the court. Tonight, he walked once to the top of the driveway and I was concerned he was going to pass out. He really looked pale and was struggling catching his breath. Thankfully, he turned around and we walked back inside. I reminded him it has only been a few days since he's fully weaned off the oxygen. We're going to need to be patient.

A little anxiety is setting in about our trip Monday. I pray God will be LORD over every minute and day we're there, and we'll experience His peace. It's a great comfort knowing so many of you are praying for us.

"Lord, You are the center of our life, Between us and every storm, every problem, every sorrow. You stand firm and unchanging with Your Word to give us strength, Your presence to give us comfort, Your touch to give us healing, Your love to give us hope and to make us whole. You are our hiding place, our shelter, and our peace."

The scanned drawing above is to help you understand our situation a little better and possibly help you pray more specifically. This particular drawing has a tube coming in to the biliary tree from the patients right side, that has holes in it to help you see how it's helping the liver drain. Mike actually has two tubes, another coming out from the middle of his stomach, entering the left biliary tree. Mike's tumor was in the "Y" part of the biliary tract. Even though the tumor is smaller (.9 centimeters), the scar tissue remaining is still blocking the biliary tract. Please continue to pray with us, that God will help the doctors figure out a way to correct this problem.

Corporate Angel Flight was unable to put a flight together for us from LR to Houston when we needed it, so we will be flying commercially instead, leaving out Monday. With no need for the oxygen anymore, it released us from the trouble we were having flying.

Mike is doing better everyday. He feels he's turned a corner and is back on the mend. The only trouble he's been experiencing the past day or so, is having some trouble sleeping, but he usually begins wearing out around 3-5 daily anyway, and lies down for a nap.

We will be using a wheelchair at the airport, and also at MD Anderson, mainly because of the expanse of those facilities, and because Mike's energy level is pretty much gone. He becomes very winded trying to walk very far. He pushes himself going up to Goody's Distribution Center, the few times a week that he does that, hoping to regain some of his strength back eventually.

We are praying and hoping MD Anderson will offer us some kind of solution to our situation. If anything were to be done, it's likely we would return home first, since the final decision has to pass the committee. Then we would head back down, and probably would need to stay in the area for about a month. If that trip happened, we would likely drive.

Of course we're a little bit anxious, wanting desperately for there to be a solution to all of this. God has reduced the tumor greatly. All we need now is to come up with a solution to this other issue in addition to shrinking the tumor gone. Please pray we will find the help we need. Please pray Mike will remain protected from any viruses or infections in the meantime. Please pray Mike's strength would continue to grow stronger and that he would put on a little more weight, just incase surgery was offered.

Thank you for standing beside us through all of this and for praying as mightily as you have been. We are so grateful for everyone's encouragement to us and the many ways so many of you are helping.

"He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20

Outcome of Dr. Sneed Visit

Update: We received a call from Corp Angel Flight today and they will NOT be able to help us.

We just got back from seeing Dr. Sneed and have some good news to report.

First, the bilirubin count is at 1.0 which is great and normal! Liver enzymes are down which is also good. Mike and Dr. Sneed discussed the need to find a better solution for this stint issue since having tubes can create a serious infection issue. He gave us a backup antibiotic to have on hand in case Mike develops a fever. (Mike just finished up antibiotics today sent home with us from the hospital.) Please pray God will protect Mike from developing any serious infections due to having these tubes, and that an answer for his liver to drain more effectively, may be found soon. Dr. Sneed said if the stints are removed, it will need to be done during surgery, because of the complication with that.

Dr. Sneed mentioned that the MD Anderson surgeon probably felt confident last December, that he could help remove the tumor or repair the biliary tree, but because a committee meets to discuss any further steps taken with a patient, the committee probably wasn't very optimistic and voted no, overturning the decision. Dr. Sneed and Mike agreed, they probably underestimated the power of prayer. This is a major area of prayer needed, that MD Anderson's surgeons and fellow doctors agree on finding a SOLUTION to this issue of ours.

Mike's O2level was at 98%, which is FANTASTIC! This means Mike doesn't need to be on oxygen any longer and the flight to Houston won't be any trouble. Mike is still short of breath but it's likely due to having tubes, and being uncomfortable from them.

The actual setback Mike experienced at Baptist was called Re-expansion pulmonary edema. Re-expansion pulmonary edema results from the too rapid expansion of a pneumothorax or the rapid removal of pleural fluid. Dr. Sneed had the fluid tested and it came back negative of any cancer cells.

Mike lost approximately 12 pounds altogether the past few weeks, so we're praying his appetite will increase as he continues to feel better and we can fatten him up a little. His blood pressure and temperature have returned to normal. He is still having trouble with being cold one minute, and warm the next, but we forgot to mention this to Dr. Sneed. We're guessing it is nothing substantial being his lab report didn't indicated anything unusual.

We are more confident than ever, that prayer and faith in God, has strongly impacted Mike's situation, and is causing the doctors to be stunned over Mike's progress. Dr. Sneed feels that is why MD Anderson seems intrigued enough to call Mike back in for a second consult. I'm so thankful nobody told Mike and I a year ago what they thought Mike's prognosis would be. I don't really believe it would have mattered to Mike, because of the fighter he is, but I know it would have greatly affected me. I'm confident if God wants to remove this mountain, He can, and will!

We will continue to trust Him for Mike's complete recovery. Thank you for your continued trust in Him too!

"If you believe, all things are possible to him who believes." Mark 9:23

Improving

Mike did very well today, going over 16 hours without any pain medication, and going over 24 hours without oxygen. Briefly for a moment at dinner time this evening, he put the oxygen on because of heaviness he was feeling in his chest. But within 5 -10minutes, off it came again. It's important to point out, Mike went up to Goody's Distribution like this today...off medication, off oxygen....while walking around a huge building with no chairs to sit down on. So this is a huge praise!

Not only that, but Mike's blood pressure and body temperature has been up to more normal levels the past 3 days...so everything is looking good today.

We did end up taking the cap off of the left tube, and put the bag back on, but we're able to cap it again, if Mike leaves the house, like when he went up to Goody's.

I'm so grateful for this progress with Mike and pray he'll only continue to get back to the strength he had prior to this last setback. We're to be up at the hospital by 8 a.m. tomorrow, for labwork, then on to Dr. Sneed's office, to see him, at 8:45. We doubt Dr. Sneed will request any chemotherapy tomorrow, with our trip to MD Anderson in just a few days.

We still haven't heard anything from Angel Flight, so because Mike is looking like he's handling several hours being off the oxygen, we're thinking we'll be able to go ahead and fly SW, if Angel Flight doesn't come through. We would only drive if we needed to take all the oxygen equipment with us. I guess we'll need to hear what Dr. Sneed says about our plans though, first.

Thank you for covering us with your prayers, and for continuing to care for us in other ways. We are so thankful!

"Strength is often found within the silence while resting in the presence of the Lord. Abiding in His peace, we feel His power; while leaning on His love, we are restored." BJ Hoff

(My father and his wife a few months before he had his heart attack.)
One year ago today I lost my dad. It has been a tough day having that on my mind, but I'm thankful I will one day see him again.

It's been an up and down type day for Mike. He slept well overnight without the oxygen, but after he got up and got dressed this morning, he began feeling pretty bad. So we ended up putting him back on the oxygen and gave him his pain and nausea medication to get everything back under control. He slept a little more this afternoon and seems to be doing well this evening off the oxygen again.

No new decisions have been made about our trip. We still haven't heard from AngelFlight yet about a possible flight. I'm not quite sure if they'll just call us back and say nothing is available, or if we'll need to wait up until the last moment to find out.

Because the oxygen issue is still present, we're not sure it wouldn't be just better to go ahead and drive down. We've learned to rent a portable oxygen concentrator for a flight down, it will cost us about $400 to rent just for a week. That just seems like a waste of money when we do have other options. To fly SW...we're just a little apprehensive about delays, given what happened in June on my flight to my stepfather's funeral, but this is a direct flight and I'm hoping everything would be on time.

AngelFlight sounds like the best route, because Mike is proving he can be off of oxygen for a couple of hours at a time with really no huge problems...and we have already tentatively set up getting oxygen in Houston so Mike can have it when we arrive. So details are still trying to be worked out on all of this.

Please pray for the courage I will need to face these next two doctor appointments with Mike.(This Thursday's appt. with Dr. Sneed at 8:45 a.m., and next Wednesday's appt. in Houston with Dr. Vauthey at 10:30 a.m.) I'm feeling a lot of fear; worrying what the doctors will say.

I'm grateful I can come to you with the big and small issues of prayer.

"Praise be to You, The Lord My Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. You are my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield in whom I take refuge. Part Your heavens, O Lord, and come down; touch the mountains, so that they smoke. Send forth lightening and scatter the enemy; shoot Your arrows and rout them. Reach down Your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me!" Psalm 144:1-2, 5-7

The Determination of a Man

I left Mike briefly by himself today to go see his mom in the nursing home and take care of some things she had asked for. I hadn't been up there since before Mike's set back. It was a hard visit for me, because I knew she would want to discuss Mike, and what had been going on. I knew I had to be careful in stating things, to not frighten or upset her. I did fine, but I came home a little down. For some reason, our conversation reminded me of Mike's dad's battle with cancer seven years ago. On my way home I was silently reflecting on what she had gone through, and what she must have been feeling at the time.

You're never truly prepared to go through something like this. That is odd for me to even hear myself say, because I knew Mike had his first bout with cancer before I even met or married him, and then Amber was just six months old when he came out of remission the second go around. If anyone should be familiar or prepared for this, you would think I would be. But it can be such a lonely and frightening journey.

I draw most of my strength from my faith. It was when Mike had cancer the second time that brought me to a place where I accepted Christ as my Savior and invited Him into my heart. I knew no matter what, God would never leave me, and I could crawl up into His arms and rest. Twenty eight years later, and He's still faithful. When it gets too frightening or lonely, His arms still reach out and close around me.

The remainder of my strength comes from my husband, my family, and my friends. I wouldn't be where I am today with out their encouragement, prayers and unfailing love. There hasn't been one, who wasn't willing to step down into this scary mess, and stand beside me. I'm so grateful and so fortunate.

Mike asked today how long had it been since he was released from the hospital, and I remarked one week exactly. The answer surprised him and seemed to have lit a small fire underneath him. Ever since 5 p.m. he has been up, without oxygen, with both tubes capped off, and moving around. He even drummed a little. I haven't known quite how to react....alarmed or encouraged, but I've learned something about Mike over the years. He's a fighter. He made the comment today, "Never underestimate the power of God, the miracle of medicine, or the determination of a man."

Thank you for your continued demonstration of love to our family and for your consistent prayers.

"Peace is not a smooth, untroubled river beneath a sunlit sky, serene and warm...The peaceful heart is like a trusting songbird who clings to hope and sings throughout the storm." BJ Hoff

Blessed

Today was special, because my family and friends went out of their way today to celebrate my birthday. I was pampered and thoroughly spoiled!

But it didn't stop there. We also had a surprise visit from some of our church family, who brought by a birthday cookie cake for me, and a gift to our family from our Sunday School class. This class has stayed on their knees in prayer for us, they have stayed by our side to help in anyway possible, and they have given so unselfishly. What a blessing they have been to Mike and I, and our children! We are deeply grateful and so blessed!

Mike had a good day...all day long. He was able to celebrate the day with the rest of us almost as if there were no health problems going on. I'm so grateful for that. His blood pressure and body temperature were both up today and more normal. That was such a relief for me. Thank you for praying for him. Thank you for praying for me.

Tomorrow we plan to work on getting a hold of Dr. Sneed and putting our goals into place to fly to MD Anderson. We have three plans already in motion, and we're just waiting and trusting God to show us the best one. We have the Angel Flight possibility we're waiting on, which we should have more information after Tuesday on that. We have flights scheduled through SW already reserved, just in case Angel Flight doesn't happen for us. And we have a tentative driving option we can fall back on if the other two don't work out, due to the oxygen situation. My sister and her husband plan to travel to Houston, to be there at the same time we're there, to help in any way possible.

My hope is that Dr. Vauthey (the liver surgeon) will take another look at our situation and find a solution to our problem. I know he seemed willing to help us the first time we met, but the idea was nixed when the gastrointestinal team met, and consulted on the case. I pray their minds will be open and God will open a door for us.

I know we can rest assured that you are covering us, and our situation, in prayer. We are sincerely grateful for all you are doing to support us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

"Gracious Father.....So many times you have come to me through the kindness, the understanding, the caring heart of faithful family and friends. Time after time, you have revealed your love for us through their quick smile, their endless patience, their eagerness to share, to encourage, to comfort. Thank you for their lives, Lord, and their willingness to be a part of ours. Touch their lives through us, as you have blessed our life through theirs." BJ Hoff

I woke up very early this morning to Mike breathing oddly. When I looked over at him, he had the oxygen tube laying across his mouth, snoring. I'm not sure that is a very effective way of using it. :) I kept trying to reposition it several times and finally just gave up. He slept soundly until 11 a.m. this morning.

I have a ritual of caring for him which includes back flushing his tubes, draining bags, cleaning up the right side of his chest, where one of the tubes still tends to leak, and then re-bandaging it. Then I check his blood pressure, temp, and administer his medications. I have been noticing that his body temperature has been very low, coming up at times below 96 degrees. And his blood pressure continues to be low at times (ex. 77/44). Mike has also been complaining about fluctuations in his body temperature, being hot and sweaty one minute, and then cold and clammy the next. I'll no sooner put a blanket over him when he'll take it off. I looked up the low body temp and low blood pressure symptoms on the internet and got concerned because those could be signs of Sepsis, a serious life threatening infection. So...I insisted we call Dr. Sneed's office. I knew Dr. Sneed was probably still out, but I knew someone had to be on call. We explained Mike's symptoms to the on call doctor and they told us not to worry. Easier said than done. I'm eager for Dr. Sneed to return.

Mike was off the oxygen for about 5 hours this afternoon and did well until about 4 p.m., when he said he wanted to lay down. He seems to quickly reach a point of not feeling well, and seeing him that way is hard on me. After a couple of hours of him lying down, he got back up, ate a wonderful meal, and felt pretty good. We enjoyed watching the Olympics together. I'm so grateful to end the day on a good note, and I praise God for giving us so many loving family and friends. Thank you for your faithful prayers.

Prayer requests:

#1 Please pray Mike will begin to eat more. He has dropped quite a bit of weight these past couple of weeks and is pretty wobbly when he's up moving around. With stairs to navigate everyday, I pray he regains some of his strength and appetite.

#2 We are getting a week away from our trip to MD Anderson and we really need to have Mike off the oxygen, if at all possible. Please continue to pray for his lungs and liver to heal, if nothing more than allowing him to be off the oxygen for the flight down and back.

#3 Please pray God will provide us with a solution to this complication with Mike's liver...either in Houston or in Dallas. I'm still trusting God for a miracle.

"Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul. Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. For Your name's sake, O Lord, preserve my life; in Your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. In Your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am Your servant." Psalm 143:8-12

Grateful

Mike woke up feeling good once again this morning. As the day passes, he tends to begin feeling worse. He also tends to run a fever in the evenings which always concerns me. I'm obviously not a nurse, and I'm way out of my comfort zone trying to care for these tubes. I don't want to ever cause Mike any harm, so please pray for Mike's protection from any infections.

We have applied for the Corporate Angel Flight program, which a friend of ours suggested. We won't know until a week before our appointment, if a flight will become available. But...the biggest hurdle will be getting Mike weaned off the oxygen to be able to go that route, or really fly down at all. Please be praying with us, for Mike's right lower lung to be healed, so that oxygen can be eliminated.

Several times today, Mike tried to take off the oxygen and do without it. He was able to tolerate it well when he didn't overexert himself. So he plans to continue exercising his lungs this way and maybe we will reach that goal to be without oxygen support by the time we head to Houston.

We have a praise to celebrate. Goody's called Mike this morning to ask if he would hang around as a Goody employee for another month or possibly two, to be a contact person, as the conveyor system is being taken out of the distribution center. That means a couple of days a week, Mike will go down to the center to check on it's progress, and he would report back to corporate in Knoxville, TN. By doing this we'll recieve an extra few weeks without needing to pay COBRA insurance payments, which is a blessing. God continues to take care of us.

So many friends from our church and our family are preparing meals for us and helping in so many different ways. Mike and I are overwhelmingly grateful. Thank you for continuing to pray and lift us up throughout all of this.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

MD Anderson Appointment

We were called today with our appointment for MD Anderson. Just to reinterate, the email we recieved last evening from Dr. Vauthey's assistant, didn't sound very promising, but we won't know anything for sure until we go. We have labwork and tests on Tuesday, August 19th, and then our appointment with the surgeon, Dr. Vauthey, will be Wednesday morning, August 20th.

We haven't figured out for certain how we will get there. It would be easier on Mike to fly, but if Mike is still on the oxygen, we will run into problems. Southwest doesn't allow Mike's portable oxygen, so we would need a Portable Oxygen Concentrator, and that might mean the "puff" variety which will take a doctors prescription to get. We'll have to wait until Dr. Sneed gets back into town next week to see if he'll allow that. Once in Houston, our homecare provider can be certain to have a standard oxygen machine for us there, so it's just the traveling part, we're going to need to work around. Mike's goal is to be weaned off oxygen by that appointment date with MD Anderson. That could be a prayer request, that his lungs will clear up and oxygen won't be needed anymore.

Mike is feeling good this afternoon. I'm pushing fluids into him, which he says seems to be helping him feel better. I'm only following what the doctors told us to do, especially because he's on the antibiotic Levaquin, and because when you have billiary tubes/bags, you need to replace fluids carefully. It just becomes easy for Mike to not drink a lot. Then he begins to feel worse and the cycle goes round and round. We managed to cap off one tube last night, and so far he is handling it alright. Capping off a tube only means that instead of draining into a bag, the body drains normally inside. So we're only dealing with one bag today which is a little easier. We still have to care for both tubes, but it's one less to hang onto when Mike is moving around.

In the middle of the night Mike woke up having difficulty breathing because the oxygen tubing was laying beside him. I guess he knocked or pulled it off. Once he had that on for a little bit, he began feeling better. He is interested in weaning off the oxygen, like I mentioned above, but it will need to be a gradual process. He spoke with a nurse today and she suggested he turn the machine off while sitting down a few minutes at a time. So he tried that this afternoon, and he did fine.

Thank you for continuing to be our support and prayer partners in all of this. I'm handling things a little better today, so thank you for praying specifically for me.

"You, Lord, are close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18 Help me to sense Your presence in my life. I need You more than I need the next breath.

A Tentative Date

We received an email from Dr. Wei, in Houston, today. He has some of Mike's recent records and has reviewed them, but he has yet to receive the latest CT CD. Dr. Wei is only the assistant to the liver surgeon at MD Anderson. The surgeon is still on vacation. Dr. Wei couldn't say whether they would be able to help with biliary surgery, or resecting the liver of the tumor, but he said we would need to come in person to consult, either way. So, the date being set aside right now is August 20-22th. We're to be contacted in the next day or so with a schedule, which might include an extra day, before these dates, for lab and their own testing.

We're grateful to have an opportunity to seek more help, but it hasn't been that long ago, we were rejected from them, so we're having mixed feelings tonight. Mike has been down since this email. He quickly lost the energy he had earlier today. Earlier, he had even taken off the oxygen just to walk a couple of laps inside our home. I saw the warrior in his eyes for a brief time today and I realized how much I missed him. I want him back so desperately. The look I see tonight frightens me to the core. If a heart can break, mine is trying to. I'm using every ounce of faith, strength, and trust I have to keep strong for both of us, but I feel I'm reaching a breaking point. I'm just so tired.

We have a new problem to figure the way around. With Mike on oxygen, we're trying to figure out how we're going to get to Houston. We have tickets being given to us to fly there from my sister and her husband, but Mike's worried about delays at the airport, etc. Our portable tanks last only 4 hours, and they are large and bulky. Then once in Houston, we're concerned what we're suppose to use there. This is all so new to us and an added burden. Of course, it would be easier if Mike was able to be weaned from the oxygen before the trip. This morning, it looked possible. Mike seemed like himself, chatting with our son Matt. This evening, I saw the same man I saw last night that made me think he needed to be back in the hospital.

*We're praising God for His daily presence in our lives.
*We're praising God for so many thoughtful and loving friends and family who continue to show their love for us, and who think about us and offer their help and encouragement.
*We're praising God that Mike felt a little better today.
*We're praising God for the contact and invitation from MD Anderson.

Please pray for continued strength and complete healing for Mike.
Please pray an answer might be at MD Anderson for us.
Please pray that this issue with his oxygen, might be resolved before the trip.
Please pray for God to be Lord over our hearts and mind.
Please pray that we can continue to be a light that points to our Savior.

If there ever was a true love story, my life has been one with Mike. I have been so blessed to have Mike as my husband and my hearts desire is to watch our children grow old and our grandchildren grow up together. I don't need to be rich, or accomplished. I just want to continue holding hands with my best friend.

"I pray to You, O Lord, in the time of Your favor; in Your great love. O God, answer me with Your sure salvation. Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters. Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, O Lord, out of the goodness of Your love, in Your great mercy turn to me. Do not hide Your face from Your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble." Psalm 69:131-17

I didn't get very far with medical help this morning for Mike. Everyone was passing me off to someone different, to where it ended up with our Primary Care doctor wanting me to take Mike back to Baptist. Mike balked at doing that, saying he actually thinks he's feeling a tiny bit better today. I don't know what to think. He does seem a little bit better, but it's early in the day. Please continue to pray for Mike's health and safety, and for me to be bold and assertive when I need to.

I praise God, Mike felt well enough to take a shower this morning and that he wanted to walk downstairs to eat breakfast. Thank you for continuing to pray for the big and little things we continue to deal with daily.

"He will give His people strength. He will bless them with peace." Psalm 29:11

Our first day home was busy. There was a lot of catching up to do...laundry, errands, grandbaby smooching, doggie attention, etc. I left Matt with Mike the first part of the morning so I could run and get medicines, run to the bank, etc.

The first thing Matt helped do was move the oxygen machine upstairs. It is fairly large, loud, and creates a lot of heat in a room. We now have it in the office upstairs. There is enough tubing for Mike to go anywhere upstairs and most rooms downstairs. The most important thing is that it allows Mike to sleep comfortably in our bed upstairs, instead of on the sofa bed downstairs. The tubing is a little like having a garden hose running throughout your house, which can be challenging for two Cocker Spaniels, and a two year old grandson, but I'm learning to trip over it less, and maybe they will too. Thankfully, Ethan is still learning to crawl!

Amber was the perfect chauffuer today. I was afraid I'd be so distracted driving, I might be a hazzard, or lock my keys in my car, so having someone to just drop me off around town to run errands, helped me to concentrate better on my tasks.

I am so grateful for our children. I know what they are seeing right now is frightening for them, from both parents, yet they are trying to be strong and do all they can to be strong and supportive.

We were so blessed today to have our Sunday School and friends offer to help with meals. That is such a blessing for me paticularly, not to need to worry about shopping to put a meal together. The meal this evening was absolutely delicious! Our children came over to share it with us, and couldn't stop remarking on how yummy everything was. What a blessing it is to know how God is ministering to us, through your comfort and care. In such a scary and uncertain time, we feel your agape love and embrace.

A PRAISE: Matt begins his job at ANO this coming Monday! What an answer to prayer! Thank you for praying for Matt, his wife Jill, and Drew!

To specific concern and prayer requests.......
Please pray for God to protect Mike overnight. He is running a low temperature this evening and seems worse today than yesterday. He is winded, even on oxygen, even while sitting still. I don't know if the equipment is functioing correctly or if the infection Mike has is being stubborn. I just feel I need to find help for him tomorrow, even if all anyone tells me, is there is nothing to worry about. So please pray God directs me to the right people, especially since Dr. Sneed is in Alaska until next week. We need to get Mike back on his feet again.

"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength." Isaiah 40:29

Home at Last!

We've finally made it home! The hospital released us this evening at 6 p.m. after a grueling day of waiting. Thank you for praying so faithfully for us this past week. Those truly sustained us!!!!

This morning began with Mike taking two more additional IV treatments of antibiotics, to help nip in the bud, whatever infection might be brewing. He'll continue with Levaquin pills for 7 more days. We were told the results of the cultures should be back tomorrow, so if there is anything additional going on, I'm sure they will contact us.

Disappointingly, we returned home with Mike on full oxygen. Mike was tested today how far down the hallway he could walk without the aide of oxygen. The passing level was suppose to be 88, but Mike dipped to 86. So we had to be processed and instructed on using oxygen in our home. At first, we didn't think it was any big deal, because we had been using this small, shoulder type canister at the hospital, to take walks down the hallway with, when we weren't hooked up to the wall unit. But, we were told this kind of hook up wouldn't work for Mike right now outside of the hospital because it would only dispense puffs of oxygen, and Mike needed steady flows of oxygen. So, tonight we're trying to adjust to a large, heavy canister in our home, with a lengthy hose attached to it, in a two story house. We have a portable canister on wheels, but it is at least 36 inches tall, and is recommended to be only be used when we're out and about.

Adjustment to all of this is a huge prayer request this evening. We went to Baptist last Tuesday hoping to just have stints replaced and life to return to our new normal. But instead, Mike has come home with two tubes and bags coming out of his liver, and a lengthy piece of tubing strapped to his face to breathe from, and a bunch more attached to a tank he keeps tripping over. It's shaking him to the core right now. We'll make the adjustments. We just need a little prayer and time.

There is still dampness in the lower right lung which might be causing this problem. If that is from the procedure, or the draining of Mike's lungs later, it would only be temporary, and easy enough to wait out. But it was also mentioned that this new problem, in addition to Mike's low blood pressure, could be heart related, and that isn't news we want. You probably can see how easily we can become overwhelmed, dealing with so many issues.

The plan for now is Mike will see Dr. Sneed in a week. I don't know if treatments will resume, or if we'll just agree to head on down to MD Anderson. Medical records, etc., are already being sent to MD Anderson, so MD Anderson will take a peek and see if they want to consult with us further. If so, the timing is shooting around the last week of August. The liver surgeon there is on vacation until August 14Th. If MD Anderson doesn't think they can offer us anything, then we will further investigate any other place that will. Another possibility is Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, which has a good cancer program...and who might be willing to try some new study, etc. If that also fails, then the radiologist we've been working with at Baptist has recommended a procedure done by a doctor in Dallas, which might be less evasive, but more often.

As you can imagine, Mike, the kids, and I, are completely exhausted. Our children have shouldered responsibilities where Mike and I left off, even though they already had so much on their plate.

Thank you for your phone calls, visits to the hospital, cards, words and prayers of encouragement. You have made us feel loved and cared about. Please continue to trust God with us, for the tumor to continue to shrink, and an answer to this blockage problem.

"But Christ, God's faithful Son, is in complete charge of God's house. And we Christians are God's house-He lives in us!-if we keep up our courage firm to the end, and our joy and our trust in the Lord." Hebrews 3:6

Sunday Evening

My father was hooked back up to an IV and they will be doing some cultures to find out why he is running a fever. He has already been on an antibiotic for over a week now, so they are not sure the cause of the fever and are hoping it is not an infection. It is not certain if he'll be able to come home tomorrow. Other than that, both of my parents are hanging in there and hoping for the best.

Please pray that they will find the cause of the fever and that it will not be anything serious.

Saturday Morning

My father is still on the 10th floor at Baptist. He will remain there at least another day due to "relapse pulmonary edema". I'm not sure I even said that right, but basically after the procedure to drain the fluid from his lungs, they are still "wet" inside which is causing his difficulties. He did have two units of blood given to him yesterday and the goal for today is to wean him off of the oxygen so he can go home.

My mother is staying with him in his room, since it is a private room. She is doing well and is back on her meds so she is feeling better. They're both hanging in there, but they really want to come home.

Please pray for strength for both of them and for my dad to heal and meet their requirements so he can be discharged.

Update from Beverly

UPDATE FROM AMBER: My father will not be coming home today. His blood counts are still low so they will give him a unit of blood to try and help. They are moving him to the 10th floor which has regular visiting hours which is a huge help to my mom so she can be with him more often. Thank you for your continued prayers.

I just wanted to quickly let everyone know how grateful I am for your prayers and encouragement the last three days. What Mike and I expected to be a simple fix, has ended up being tremendously difficult, and we still are facing so many question marks about his complete recovery. But, there are a few things I'm certain of........prayer is powerful...........God is able...........and we'll keep fighting this as hard as we can!

I had trouble sleeping last night and I told God I needed something to lay my head down on from Him. I don't usually watch inspirational TV, but the room I stayed in offered it, and as I was arrowing through channels, I saw Beth Moore on DayStar and stopped quick in my tracks. For those who may not know, Beth Moore is a WONDERFUL speaker, http://www.lproof.org/ and she is definitely one of my favorites! She gave a short message on this passage I've included below, and she was describing what our position should be, when in a valley, or facing a battle. She said we needed to change our approach, and instead of entering it gripped by fear or distress...we need to be like "front line soldier's" who played instruments walking into battle with no weapons, but praise!

So, as difficult as that can be right now...I just wanted to thank you for your continued love and support for our family, and praise God with you, that He is on the Throne, and is in complete control. We will continue to walk forward boldly, praising God, and trusting Him.

2 Chronicles 20
Jehoshaphat Defeats Moab and Ammon

1 After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites [a] came to make war on Jehoshaphat.
2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, [b] from the other side of the Sea. [c] It is already in Hazazon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi). 3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

5 Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the LORD in the front of the new courtyard 6 and said:
"O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. 7 O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8 They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, 9 'If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.'
10 "But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. 11 See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. 12 O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."

13 All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the LORD.

14 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.

15 He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' "

18 Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with very loud voice.

20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful." 21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his [d] holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:
"Give thanks to the LORD,
for his love endures forever."

22 As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.